InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ By the Light of Mars ❯ Chapter Four ( Chapter 4 )

Title: By the Light of Mars

Parings: Inuyasha/Sesshomaru and Sango/Miroku

Chapter 4 of ?

Summary: After Naraku is killed Inuyasha's world is settling in to a normality he hadn't expected but when his brother appears bringing with him Rin and royal intrigues can Inuyasha prevail over the new obstacles in his life, including this strange affinity his brother seems to have for him?

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha franchise, anime, manga or characters. I play with them for fun not for profit.

Dawn was Inuyasha's favorite time of day; it had been since he was a small child. His mother would come to him every morning and wake him with her singing as she readied his cloths for the day ahead, together they would sit on his balcony to watch the sun rise.

It was in those moments that Inuyasha felt truly at peace with the world. In his daily life he was hunted, and ridiculed simply for being born; as the first rays of light cast their glow over the country around him he could hope.

After throwing on a dressing gown he found in his closet Inuyasha decided a bath was necessary so grabbing his cloths he made his way to the hot springs in his palace. They sat under the main floor and most inhabitants would have to walk through the main hall to get to them but Inuyasha was staying in the Lords rooms and thus had access to the secret tunnel that lead from his rooms directly to his private bathing chamber.

The long tunnel was lined with glimmering stone work lit by torches hanging every few feet. Do they just keep these burning all day and night in case I come down here? He wondered running his hand across the smooth stone as he made his way towards the light at the end of the tunnel.

He soon found himself in a steam filled room; before him was a small table where he could place his belongings and further in to the room was a large pool of crystal clear water.

Inuyasha yipped happily glad no one was in ear shot to hear the rather embarrassing exclamation and climbed in to the relaxing pool.

The water lapped gently against his chest as he reclined against the side of the large pool, there were large benches carved out of the rock walls. The polished stone felt cool and slick against his body while the water warmed him; the mixture of sensations made the hanyou let out a contented “growl” and soon he was letting his mind wander.

Last night was strange, I can't even remember why I was so upset, he realized as he pushed his clawed hands through his hair freeing the tangles.

Hmm something to do with my brother… my mate? No he sighed heavily no I must be mistaken, the full moon always makes my demon more active, it must have been the pull that made me act so senseless.

He dunked himself under the warm water swimming to the opposite end of the large pool, relishing the weightlessness.

I'll talk to Sango and Miroku this morning maybe they can help me find a way to bind my demon instincts.

He finally grabbed the soap and scented oils the servants had placed on a tray near the pool and finished bathing.

An hour later Inuyasha was clothed and padding through the halls of his personal palace looking for Sango so he could accompany her to speak with Sesshomaru.

As he stored through the richly appointed halls he noticed servants bustling here and there. “Sesshomaru must have appointed us a house hold.” He murmured watching as the rugs were beaten, furniture was rearranged and wooden floors were scrubbed.

This palace where he had once resided with his mother was filling with life in front of his eyes and for a moment he could imagine he was once again a child; that any moment his mother would rush around a corner and send him off to lessons.

The hanyou shook his head dispelling the fanciful notions and continued his search.

He found Sango with Miroku at the koi pond just beyond his palaces courtyard. They were huddled close to one another, Miroku's arm wrapped around Sango's shoulder. Inuyasha was chagrin to break up the happy couple but he wanted to get this meeting over with. I'll speak with them later about my demon. He decided raising his hand in greeting.

“Hey Sango you ready to go?” he called over startling the love birds causing a smile to flash across the hanyous face. They really are so young.

The Taijiya's face was bright red as she left Mirokus side and joined Inuyasha in the lengthy walk to the main palace.

“We were just talking.” She explained looking at the ground.

“Sango… I'm glad you two have each other. Tell the monk I'll kill him if he hurts you though.” Inuyasha blustered pointedly not looking at his friend. His delicate hearing picked up her discontented huff after his statement.

“You will not be allowed to harm Miroku, were he to cheat on me I assure you I would kill him myself.” She told him meaningfully glaring at the stone pathway before them.

Inuyasha laughed loudly causing Sango to look at him as though he were mad. “You would, wouldn't you?” He gasped between peals of laughter.

Beside him Sango once again colored glaring daggers at him. “You are a complete lout.” She hissed wary of the servants passing them.

Inuyasha quieted and stepped in time with her as they weaved through the crowds of nobility and servants they had come upon.

“It seems the closer we get to the main palace the more crowded it gets.” Sango commented attempting not to step on the hem of a Lady passing them.

“Yeah well it would help if these jackasses acknowledged our existence.” Inuyasha griped elbowing a rather rude Lord in the side.

Sango hid a smile behind her fan as the Lord turned a rather affronted look to Inuyasha. The hanyou uncaring of the commotion he was causing grabbed Sango by the hand and pulled her towards the main palace at a much faster pace.

“Are you trying to kill me?” She asked pulling her hand from his grasp the moment they entered the palace. “You were practically running!” She stopped to arrange the folds of her kimono and check the head dress she wore perched upon her braided hair.

“Well… Hey why are you wearing those weird clothes again?” He asked stopping to really look at her.

This is what Sesshomaru had his attendants bring to my room this morning. I have to look a certain way If I am going to be teaching his daughter, adopted or not.” She explained sighing in exasperation.

“So the clothes that showed up in my rooms this morning were for me?” he asked giving her an incredulous look. “I just figured someone got mixed up and brought them to the wrong room.” He explained when he found her looking at him as though he were an idiot. That comment however just garnered him and even more annoyed look.

“You are impossible.” She exclaimed quietly mindful of the courtiers drifting here and there.

“Feh.” He replied deciding that he couldn't win this.

Sango shook her head and started walking towards the main stair case, Inuyasha watched her for a moment wondering when she learned to glide rather than walk before shaking himself from thought and running to catch up to her swiftly retreating back.

Sesshomaru's office was on the third floor of the main palace in the very back of the very last corridor. The large oak doors carved with the crest of their father glared down at Inuyasha as he stood before them.

“Well are you going to knock?” Sango asked tapping her foot impatiently.

“Why don't you?” Inuyasha countered not wanting to face his imperial brother ust yet.

“Because Inuyasha as a woman it would be uncouth for me to impose myself in such a way.” She explained looking as though he was irritating her immensely.

“What?” He asked incredulity seeping in to his voice. “Since when do you care about that kinda stuff?”

“Since I live in a palace with demons who could kill me, that care about that kind of stuff.” She groused motioning to him. “Please just knock and announce us before I kill you.”

“You are touchy this morning.” He remarked moving to knock on the door. His hanyou hearing caught her muttered “Oh why ever could that be.” Before they were bid to enter and the great doors were opened by the sentries.

“Ah Brother and Lady Sango how may This Sesshomaru help you?” His brother asked as the doors were pulled closed leaving the sentries on the opposite side.

Sango bowed and pushed Inuyasha forward.

“We umm… need to talk to you about Rin.” Inuyasha told him not quite sure what to do with a cordial Sesshomaru.

“Has she done something to displease you? She can be quite… willful but I cannot believe she would already be trying to rid herself of your company.” His brother motioned for them to sit on the chairs before his massive desk. “Please sit.”

“My Lord it is nothing of the sort I just wished to go over a training regimen for Lady Rin's tutelage.” Sango explained bowing again and sitting stiffly in the high backed chair.

Inuyasha glanced between his brother and Sango, then sat wondering when he had stepped in to a parallel universe.

“Ah well you do not need my permission for her training I give her safety in to your hands.” He told her dismissively.

“Yes My Lord.” Sango replied looking a bit ill.

“This is ridiculous. She wants to know if you're gonna kill her if Rin gets hurt training.” Inuyasha blurted out sick of this weird thing happening between Sango and his brother.

“No I shall endeavor not to harm the Lady Sango.” Sesshomaru commented as though the thought had never crossed his mind. “I give you my word.”

Sango smiled and nodded giving Inuyasha a grateful look.

“Governess if you would be so kind as to tend to your charge immediately.” Sesshomaru continued sounding neutral if nothing else and waving her to the door. “One of my sentries will show you the way to her apartments.” He finished as Sango stood, bowed and left the room.

Inuyasha blinked wondering what had just happened. “What the hell is going on here? Did I wake up in a parallel universe where you're nice and Sango is you servant?” He wondered looking at his brother skeptically. “Are you one of those aliens Kagome always talks about?”

Sesshomaru looked confused for a moment before speaking as though he had not heard Inuyasha at all. “Why do you not wear the clothes I sent for you?” He asked as though what Inuyasha was wearing was the most important thing happening.

The hanyou stared at him for a moment before banging his head sharply on the desk. “Maybe I'm dreaming.” He muttered.

“I would ask that you cease that at once.” Sesshomaru bit out still attempting to sound civil.

“Oh there you are,” Inuyasha remarked looking up in to thr irritated eyes of his brother. “I was wondering if I had gone insane.”

“This may be hard for one of your limited intellect to understand but there is a certain way members of my household must act when within these walls and I am not immune from this requirement myself. This entire season is a political game, one that your friend seems to have adapted to and yet you cannot.” Sesshomaru whispered glancing furtively at the door.

“Oh…” Inuyasha had no idea what to say to that, he had never considered the fact that there might be more to Sango's new attitude then a general want to blend in. “So I should go change then?” He asked knowing the answer.

His brother gave him the most exasperated look he had ever seen and placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing tightly. “Yes and This Sesshomaru shall accompany you; a walk would do me good.” He said loud enough for the sentry to hear. The door opened moments later and Sesshomaru rounded his desk to take Inuyasha's elbow, leading the hanyou from the room and back towards his own palace.

Inuyasha shifted uncomfortably under his brothers guiding hand. The nobility that wandered the gardens stared hungrily at the royal pair as they nearly ran down the pathway leading to Inuyasha's palace.

Once there Sesshomaru closed the doors behind them and breathed an audible sigh of relief. Inuyasha stared at his normally composed sibling, the usually cold, lifeless eyes showed raw liberation as he stared around the mostly deserted palace.

“We no longer need to keep up the charade brother” Sesshomaru finally said after assuring they were alone.

“So why don't we have to act like royal pricks here exactly?” Inuyasha asked still staring at his brother.

“I assigned you a small household so as to keep your privacy.” Sesshomaru explained striding up the main stairs towards Inuyasha's quarters. “Come now hanyou we need to make you presentable.” Inuyasha glowered but followed the retreating form of his half-brother.

End Chapter Four

A/N: Okay so there it is; chapter four. I love everyone that is reviewing and promise to get around to answering them tomorrow as today I had to clean my apartment with my fiancé because our wedding is taking over my life… you have to be here to understand I think.

Anyway as always remember to feed the author.

Caressedbythorns