InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ By the Light of Mars ❯ Chapter Five ( Chapter 5 )

Title: By the Light of Mars

Parings: Inuyasha/Sesshomaru and Sango/Miroku

Chapter 5 of ?

Summary: After Naraku is killed Inuyasha's world is settling in to 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.

How can someone look that `regal' while picking out clothing? Inuyasha groused to himself watching his brother pick through the close. “What is that?” the hanyou asked giving the large ornamental piece of furniture an unimpressed stare.

“It is an armoire brother; the ambassador from France outfitted the palace with them on his last visit.” Sesshomaru explained still rifling through the strange chest.

“Uhhh what's France?” Inuyasha was perplexed he had traveled the entirety of Japan in his long life and never once hade he come upon such a place.

“France is not a what, it is a where. It lays I am told, far to the west across the wide sea.” Sesshomaru finally seemed to find something he thought suitable because he turned then and threw a pile of light blue cloth at him. “This should fit you well enough it was our uncles.”

Inuyasha blinked and looked down at the parcel in his arms. “We have an uncle?” He asked running his fingertips over the silky smooth fabric. He had never felt anything so soft and wondered at its texture against his skin.

“Had; he died before your mother was ever born. But he was about your build and men's fashions have stayed much the same. It will do until the royal seamstress can create a new wardrobe for you in any case.”

The hanyou tried to pay attention to his brothers' words but in his mind he was wondering how much of his families past he was unaware of. Inuyasha looked up to see his brother staring at him after a handful of moments had passed in silence.

“Am I doing something wrong again?” he asked wondering what he possibly could have done to annoy Sesshomaru this time.

“Are you not going to change?” He asked motioning to the cloths in the other mans hands.

“Are you gonna get out so I can?” Inuyasha shot back feeling strangely shy infront of the other man.

“Sure you jest, it is not as if this would be the first time I laid eyes upon your unclothed body.” he reminded the hanyou. Inuyasha felt his ears flatten to his skull as his instincts told him to let Sesshomaru stay while his mind felt threatened by him.

“Look just wait in the other room okay? I'll be out in a second.”

His brother sighed but walked to the oak doors opened them and departed from the room. Once the doors had closed in place Inuyasha stripped out of his admittedly soiled fire rat robes and Nagajuban. Walking to the northern wall of his bed chamber he found a mirror and used it to help him tie all of the intricate lacings on the formal clothing. He shivered as the smooth silk slid against his skin.

Well at least I know why Sesshomaru wears this all the time, it feels amazing. He thought as he pulled the last layer of cloth on to his body and started fumbling with the last and most important tie, the obi. His fingers felt far too large and cumbersome to maneuver the delicate length of fabric.

Guh why is this so hard, I remember doing this for mother as a child and it seemed so easy. He finally snarled in defeat and decided to ask Sesshomaru to help him tie the knot.

“You can come in now!” He called out hoping his brother could hear him. A long silent moment passed before the doors opened and his brother strode in looking as imperial as ever.

“Are you not yet ready to leave?” Sesshomaru asked head tilting slightly.

“Yeah well… This damn obi is difficult to tie.” Inuyasha grumbled offering up the offending cloth.

Sesshomaru stared for a moment as though unsure as to what Inuyasha wanted. “Are you asking this Sesshomaru to dress you?” He asked sounding as though Inuyasha was an idiot for even asking.

“Well if you want me to leave this room you're gonna have to asshole.” The hanyou groused thrusting the tie at his brother harshly.

Inuyasha stood like that for what felt like eons waiting for his brother to take the obi and stop this torture.

Finally Sesshomaru took the cloth and stepped behind Inuyasha to tie it correctly.

Oh god he's warm. Inuyasha sighed internally as his brothers' hands caressed him through the silk of his clothing. The hanyou melted in to the gentle brushes as the intricate knot was formed.

“There now may we depart?” Sesshomaru's cold question broke Inuyasha from his sensory induced trance.

“Yeah whatever.” He muttered following Sesshomaru from the room. “Where are we going any ways?” He asked jogging to catch up with his brothers swiftly departing form.

“We have lunch to preside over. Next week the envoys from China and India are set to arrive this will be good practice for you.” Inuyasha sighed and stared at his brothers' serene face.

“Are those places like France?” He asked walking in step with him.

“Yes brother, This Sesshomaru supposes they are.” His voice sounded as it had in his office that morning the fake kindness leaking in to his words.

“That is still creepy.” Inuyasha commented quietly looking around to make sure no one was around to hear him.

“You will learn to live with it in time.” Sesshomaru replied quickening his pace and heading back towards the main palace.

Lunch was held in the main dining hall of the home. It was large with several tables each set with enough cushions to seat several dozen people. The main table was carved from a heavy wood and painted the imperial red with black dog demons painted across its wide expanse. Rin and Sango were already seated when the brothers entered and the women stood to greet them.

“My Lord Sesshomaru!” Rin exclaimed bowing to the regal demon. “I have been learning so much from the Lady Sango thank you so much!” She finished beaming up at the gently smiling Lord.

“This Sesshomaru is pleased that you are content Lady Rin.” His voice was softer than Inuyasha had ever heard it. Rin's eyes went wide and shone with pleasure as Sesshomaru then placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently.

“Good afternoon Lady Sango.” Sesshomaru inclined his head to the waiting woman. She smiled in turn and bowed low.

“Good afternoon My Lord.”

“Let us sit; the court will be arriving shortly.” Sesshomaru motioned for the Ladies to sit and then took his seat at the head of the table.

Inuyasha took the seat directly to his right; it was only as he sat surveying the large room that he noticed both Miroku and Shippo were missing.

“Where are the Monk and Shippo?” He asked Sango suddenly very worried about them.

“I believe they were taking a walk in the garden My Lord.” She told him calmly smiling at his should of nerves. “They should join us shortly.”

Inuyasha flinched at the formal address from his friend. It's only for show, He reminded himself pinching his arm under the table. I just have to remember that or I might go mad.

He tugged thoughtlessly as the sleeve of his haori uncomfortable in the thin fabric. It feels like I only have my nagajuban on. The hanyou shifted wishing he could find clothes made of sturdier material.

His brother's hand on his fidgeting shoulder made him look up at the older man in surprise.

“It would be best brother, if you still yourself. This will be you first meeting with the entire court and fidgeting thusly may be seen as a sign of weakness or unease.” He explained giving his brother a meaningful look.

“Yeah… I mean of course, these clothes distress me… I will endeavor to ignore it.” Inuyasha told him stiltedly, trying to word his discomfort in the most agreeable way possible.

Sesshomaru gave him a look filled with approval and turned to speak with Rin. I think that might be the first tie he's looked at me with any sort of approval. The hanyou thought staring uncertainly at his preoccupied brother. This entire situation is strange. Maybe I shouldn't have come.

The doors to the hall opened wide allowing Miroku and Shippo in to the hall. They stared in awe at the large room. I guess I never thought about how this all must look to them, no doubt they have never seen a home of this size let alone one room. Sesshomaru coughed loudly startling the two gawkers, they made their way quickly across the room and sat to Inuyasha's right.

“What took you Hoshi-sama?” Sango asked after they were seated.

“We found a group of children and Shippo wanted to play a while.” Miroku explained smiling at Sango. “Thank you for your concern dear Lady.”

“It would do you well of you are on time for meals from now on Monk. As members of my household you must be on time, if you are not the entire meal is postponed.” Sesshomaru explained tapping his fingers impatiently.

“Brother your irritation is showing.” Inuyasha whispered almost laughing out loud at the vexed look his brother shot at him.

“Yes of course please excuse This Sesshomaru's harsh words, although their point is a valid one.”

“As you say My Lord we shall be more punctual from now on.” Miroku replied clamping a hand over Shippo's mouth.

Sesshomaru nodded and clapped his hands once. The doors opened and in filed the court by rank, leading the procession was the woman that had proclaimed herself their fathers mother. That makes her my Obaasan then I suppose… she seems to hate me more than Sesshomaru ever did.. Inuyasha sat straighter as she bee lined for their table and bowed low before them.

“My Lord how good it is to see you are still with us.” Her voice was demure and her eyes averted as befitted a woman of her status yet Inuyasha felt as though she was mocking his brother.

“Yes I shall be staying with the court for the foreseeable future Obaasan, your place has been moved to the second tier, I felt you would be more comfortable there with your contemporaries.” Sesshomaru told her softly his eyes glinting before becoming the calm pools they had been since stepping foot in to the palace.

“I am sure it will be as you say My Lord.” She granted bowing once more and turning to find her place at the table to the right of their own.

The next person in line was a tiger demon if Inuyasha was not mistaken his black markings around his temples giving him away.

He bowed in turn to both Sesshomaru and Inuyasha before standing and greeting them. “My Lords it is so good to see you both together in this the most beloved palace of your father. If I may serve either of you in any way please do not hesitate to call upon me.” He finished with another deep bow pressing his forehead to the floor.

“I speak for myself as well as my brother when I say we shall call upon you soon Lord Reniki. We are most gratified by your appearance at court and plan to reinstate the council as soon as is agreeable. It would please us if you and your family would sit and eat here at our table this night.” Sesshomaru replied, as soon as his words were spoken the tiger stood and bowed again to them both before finding a seat further down the table with a woman who must be his wife and two teenaged children.

Sesshomaru leaned in to Inuyasha and whispered just loud enough for his ears to hear. “We must decide who is to sit with us at each meal; it is a sign of great favor and must not be taken lightly. Allow me to declare the recipients of such favor today and later I will explain the way it is done so you may also allow favor to shine upon those that serve you well.”

Inuyasha nodded to his brothers' whispered words and Sesshomaru waved the next noble forward. Most interactions were quick and to the point. They were greeted quickly and the lesser Lord was sent to his table with a word of praise from Sesshomaru. It took nearly thirty minutes before everyone was seated and lunch could progress.

Inuyasha watched as once again his brother clapped his hands twice and servants filled the room carrying trays laden with lighter food than the night before. Some of it Inuyasha noticed was raw with blood still dripping from the meat. I suppose they are demons… he picked at the slab of meat that was placed before him glancing at Sesshomaru for guidance. The humans he noticed had been given roasted fish and he envied them.

His brother was cutting the meat in to bite sized morsels next hi before using his chopsticks to eat them one at a time.

Cringing Inuyasha took up his own knife and set about the task of cutting his lunch.

After an hour of trying his best to ignore the guarded whispers and not so guarded glances from the dissenting demons around him that found a hanyous presence distasteful, Inuyasha was finally able to leave the great hall.

Sesshomaru caught him just before he bolted for the door. “Meet me in my office in an hours' time.” Inuyasha nodded and took off to find a spot devoid of people to think for a while.

A/N okay so here is chapter five.

I have a few notes on this chapter. So Inuyasha was set 500 years in the past, although I think the present was like 1990 at the time. So let us say it was 1490 when the series started and that it is now 1493 in this stories present timeline. There was trade with western countries in this time period including Spain and Portugal. This was human trade and since demons seem to be more advanced or at least that's the way it is in my story other European countries are also trading with the demon lords of Japan. France, England, Austria, etc. This is the reason we see some traditional Japanese décor mixed in with western furnishings. Sesshomaru enjoys traveling and in his youth traveled to China and India where he came to appreciate western furnishings brought to them by the Portuguese.

This is my take on Sesshomaru, he can fly, he likes to travel why would he not then have traveled before the West was his responsibility?

Okay I hope that makes sense. Thank you for all of the reviews they make me want to keep this going.

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Caressedbythorns