InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ By the Light of Mars ❯ Chapter Seven ( Chapter 7 )

Title: By the Light of Mars

Parings: Inuyasha/Sesshomaru and Sango/Miroku

Chapter 7 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.

The sun was setting by the time Inuyasha had finished washing the grime from his amusement with the children from his body. The flowers Rin had braided in to his hair had wilted epically leaving sticky purple petal gunk in his tresses. He sighed as the last of the sticky substance floated away from his hair. It had taken nearly two vials of lavender oil to get the substance to let go of his hair and now he was sure the smell was going to emanate from him all night.

Noticing the notched candle to his left burning low in its holder he stepped from the warm water and dried his body with the cloths provided. Sitting on the table was another outfit for him to don, he wondered idly when the servants had placed it there.

“Hey is anyone there?” He called after his Nagajuban was secured in place. “I can't really tie the obi by myself. “ He continued pulling the hakama over his long legs and tying it securely. Finally he pulled the haori on over his strong shoulders and stood uncertain of what to do. Finally a young male servant came forward from behind a stone door built in to the wall.

“My Lord.” He fell to his knees and touched his forehead to the floor.

“Uh yeah, get up would you. I need you to tie the obi for me.” He told the boy shoving the cloth at him and turning so he could attach it properly.

There was a moment of silence followed by rustling fabric as the obi was secured in place. Inuyasha turned once the hands left his clothing and stared at the small young man. “Thanks for the help.” He told him unsure as to what to do next.

Finally after a moment of uncomfortable silence Inuyasha sighed. “You are dismissed.” The hanyou turned with that and walked back through the passage to his own rooms.

Once there he slipped his feet in to the slippers his brother had sent to him. They felt strange upon his feet but he supposed he would get used to them with time.

Feh that kid was kinda creepy. He thought walking through the gardens moments later as he made his way to dinner. I wonder what he was waiting for, should I have like praised him or something? This whole having subjects' thing is strange. He thought not for the first time.

The warm spring wind brushed against his body as the guards moved about the garden lighting torches and pillar candles that lit the way to the main palace. The gardens were deserted at this time of night allowing Inuyasha to relax and take in the sunset against the reflecting pools. This place is filled with so much beauty; I think raising a family with in these walls will be peaceful. He moved a strand of hair from his face before he continued walking feeling bereft as he stepped in to the palace proper and lost the sight of the sun set.

He walked directly to the hall where lunch had been held and met Sesshomaru, Rin, Shippo, Miroku and Sango already seated.

“Am I late?” he asked certain he was not.

“No Brother you are just on time, come sit with us so we may begin the ceremony of seating.” Sesshomaru motioned to his right and Inuyasha moved to comply.

The hanyou settled on to his pillowed seat comfortably, he was acutely aware of how close his brothers person was to his own. The warmth radiating off of the older inu's skin exuded outward caressing Inuyasha as though Sesshomaru touched him with his hands.

“You smell of lilac.” Sesshomaru commented suddenly turning to stare at his brother.

“It was the only way to get the flower petals that Lady Rin strung in my hair, out of it before dinner.” He explained gently smiling at the girl at his brother's other side. “We had a quite amusing afternoon in the fields north of here.” He placated his brother when his face looked troubled.

Sesshomaru nodded slightly a small smirk gracing his face before it was quickly replaced by mild interest. “You both will have to tell me about it after dinner.” He smiled at his daughter for a moment and she returned it with a small demure smile of her own.

“Of course Lord Sesshomaru, I am sure Lord Inuyasha and I could sit with you after dinner has ended.” She consented looking to Inuyasha for his reply.

“That sounds nice.” Inuyasha replied blushing suddenly under the scrutiny of his friends, knowing they knew his decision regarding his brother.

Sesshomaru nodded his consent and clapped his hands once allowing the courtiers in to the room.

Dinner was much the same as lunch; the formality was ridiculous in Inuyasha's opinion. He just wanted to eat and get on with life but these people used something as simple as a meal to further their political agenda.

Once more women threw themselves at Sesshomaru thrusting themselves at the Lord of the West; their kimonos “accidentally” falling open to show glimpses of their flesh and their hems opening slightly to show peaks of bare ankles. Inuyasha bristled at the lasciviousness of the women before him. He turned to Miroku whispering just loud enough to let the monk hear his words.

“What kind of woman is so blatant with her sexuality?” he asked glowering at the multiple offenders.

Miroku laughed and shook his head before replying. “They are courtesans my friend do not let them bother you.”

“They're what?” Inuyasha asked wondering what the hell his friend was talking about.

“They are court whores; they make their money off of seducing men.” He explained as Sesshomaru laughed at another Ladies joke.

“Then what the hell is Sesshomaru doing speaking with them?” He whispered glancing around as if someone would stand and renounce the Lord at any moment.

“He has to pretend he doesn't know what they are, it is etiquette.” Miroku explained laughing at the incredulous look Inuyasha shot him. The hanyou glowered darkly and wished he could make the harlots spontaneously combust with his mind. “Don't look so glum, Sesshomaru does in reality know what they are and I'm sure he won't be leaving with any of them. Just try to enjoy yourself.”

Finally Inuyasha relaxed and sighed in frustration. “I suppose that is my only choice.” He conceded standing as the tables were cleared away to make room for the dancing. A large throne and dais was brought in to the room. The throne sat in the dead center of the dais followed by a smaller throne to its right for Rin and a slightly large throne to its left for Inuyasha finally embroidered Pillows were placed by their feet for the rest of their household.

“I must have missed that last night.” Inuyasha muttered watching as the whores dispersed allowing Sesshomaru to mount the dais and take his throne followed by Rin and Sango.

“We should take our places.” Miroku commented whispering close to Inuyasha's ear.

“Yeah okay.” The hanyou consented leading Miroku and Shippo to the Dais and taking his seat next to his brother.

“May Sango and I have leave to dance Lord Sesshomaru?” Rin asked from Sesshomaru's left.

Sesshomaru inclined his head in assent and Inuyasha watched as Rin stood with Sango and both women bowed before heading to the floor.

Miroku excused himself then taking Shippo with him leaving the hanyou alone on the dais with his brother.

“So you enjoyed your time with Rin this afternoon?” Sesshomaru asked him turning to look at Inuyasha.

The hanyou stared at his older brother and smiled thinks back to his time playing in the flowers with the children. “She and Shippo seemed like they could use a playmate.” He explained softly. “It was more fun than I've had in a very long time.”

“This Sesshomaru is glad that you are content brother.” His voice was calm but Inuyasha could see the trepidation lurking under his façade.

“I have an answer for you.” Inuyasha whispered leaning in towards his older brother.

Sesshomaru's eyes flashed briefly with an emotion that Inuyasha couldn't decipher. ”You do not need to answer yet you have another day.” He responded quickly.

“I don't need another day…” He stared at his brother trying to convey his answer through his eyes.

“Of course not, This Sesshomaru is sorry he asked it of you.” His brother responded suddenly standing. “I believe I will attempt to find Rin.”

Inuyasha placed his hand on his brothers arm and tugged the older man down to sit again.

“Sit down asshole my answer is yes.” He snapped whispering against his brother's ear.

Sesshomaru's muscles tensed suddenly under the hanyous hand, his head whipped around to look in to Inuyasha's eyes. The younger man smiled at the uncertainty he saw there. Looks like Sesshomaru is just as worried about this as I am he thought before whispering. “My answer is yes brother.”

Beside him Sesshomaru relaxed and took Inuyasha's hand. “Meet me in the gardens so we can speak without all of these prying ears.” He whispered. He stood and walked to Rin's side sweeping her in to a dance.

Inuyasha watched them glide across the floor for a moment, sure that his brother was telling her the news. He sighed and stood walking from the glittering room filled with dazzling royals. The gardens were filled with the scents of spring time mixed with the melting of candle wax from the hanging lanterns.

Inuyasha stood staring off at the reflecting pools. I can't believe less than a week ago I was sitting by that damn well waiting for Kagome to come back. I never imagined anything could change my life as drastically as meeting Kagome had and yet here I am about to bind myself to my brother. I never thought I would come back to this place after mother died… I wonder what she would have to say about this whole mess. Probably something confusing and motherly, she always seemed to have some ancient saying or words of wisdom that made no sense. Feh how cliché can I be reflecting by the reflecting pool, hah.

A hand grasped his shoulder making the hanyou turn suddenly. The woman he supposed was his Obaasan stood before him glaring darkly.

“Can I help you Lady?” He asked keeping his voice steady even in the wake of his anger.

“You can leave now half breed. You are trying to sully our bloodline, don't think I don't see the way to look at my grandson, he is not yours to have.” She spoke slowly with no inflection evident in her voice but her eyes smoldered with barely suppressed hatred.

“You speak as if this were any of your concern.” He ground out turning away from her.

“My Son had a lapse in judgment after his wife, my daughter died. You are his mistake, stopping you from making my Grandson make the same mistake is most surely my problem. You are a stain not only on my family but on this earth herself. You should have been killed as an infant and your body burned.” She hissed sinking her claws in to his shoulders.

Inuyasha cried out in pain as the poison entered his body. How could I have been so stupid? I should never have let her out of my sight line. He growled viciously before losing consciousness.

P.O.V. change

Sesshomaru smiled as he danced with his beautiful daughter. Rin was beaming so excited with his news. She wanted Inuyasha to be part of their family very badly and this was to make him her father as well. He glanced at the kit Inuyasha had brought with them. I suppose that child will be ours as well when this is all over.

As he twirled Rin in the traditional waltz he glimpsed the empty dais. Ah I believe it's time to join my brother. He lead Rin off of the floor, bowed to her, then handed her off to the monk and slayer waiting nearby.

He made his way to the large doors that lead from the dining hall in to the gardens. They were open allowing the breeze to waft through the space cooling it and bringing the scent of night blooming jasmine. One of his many female cousins stopped him before he got to the door, whishing he could just push her aside he stopped and spoke with her for several minutes about the economic state of the northern territories.

“So I think now would be the best time to move in, we can acquire the land at bargain price. We get the much needed field space and lord Sonta gets the money he needs to replenish his coffers it's a win-win cousin.” She spoke quietly averting her eyes from his.

“Yes please send the suggestion by courier to the next council meeting so This Sesshomaru can take it under advisement my Lady. If you would excuse me I must find my brother.” As he moved away from the cloyingly sweet woman he heard a distressed growl from the gardens accompanied by the sour stench of acid.

Dropping all decorum he brushed by the rest of his court sprinting for the gardens and his brother. As he reached the open door he caught sight of is Obaasan claws implanted in Inuyasha's slack body.

His demon roared, and for the first time since he was a child he let it do as it pleased.

End Chapter

A/N Mwahahahahahahha I have never really had a cliff hanger in my writing before but that seemed like the perfect place to end the chapter. :D Don't worry the next chapter is coming, this story is just really easy to write so far! Thank you all of the lovely reviews! Important to AFF: I am not sure if you all can get to my new profile because of the website update so my sn on Livejournal is lovelyoleander the review responses for chapters 1-5 is up now thanks! You can check there for any upcoming stories and I will have an open posting policy so you can request stories if you want to. To Vyperbites: thank you so much for all of your support, you will find a rather lengthy response to your first five reviews at my live journal. :D

Thanks

Remember Feed the Author

Caressedbythorns