InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cornerstone ❯ Chapter 12: Be my fortress wall ( Chapter 12 )

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

 

 

I felt a soft pat on my face and a hand playing along my jaw line which woke me from my well deserved sleep. I opened my tired eyes and looked up into a pair of smiling golden eyes framed in a soft and also very tired looking feminine face of none other than my own mother.

 

“Wake, Sesshomaru; your soon to be mate is anxious to see you.”

 

I nodded and lifted my hands to rub the sleep from my face before pushing my wayward hair back into place. I stood and ran my hands over my robe, straightening as best I could before making my way to the door I had been prohibited from touching before.

 

“Go on, he's as anxious as you are.”

 

I turned to look back at my mother who had a certain shine in her eyes that I took to be amusement at my expense.

 

I turned back to the door, and slowly pushed it open. I entered and closed the door softly behind me before I began to pad my way across the room and to our large bed. The windows were opened just enough to allow the fresh snow laden air to carry away the coppery stench of blood and pungent sweat giving the room much needed fresh. The fireplace was crackling and lively as it warmed the room, fighting back the frost bitten air.

 

I came to stand at the foot of the bed staring up at a much drained looking Inu Yasha. His eyes were circled in shadows, his hair falling from its bun yet still looking lovely as it framed his face here and there. His lips were bruised and had small cuts here and there letting me know he had bitten his lips trying to ease his pain and suffering. In his slackened arms lay a swaddling blanket. His eyes followed mine as I looked at it.

 

I made my way around the bed until I came to the right side where the large basket I had seen earlier lay atop a small table, surrounded by pillows and blankets. Inside laid another full swaddling blanket but I could clearly see the round pudgy cheeks of a newborn, eyes closed with fluttering black eye lashes fluttering across those round cheeks and face framed by wisps of soft black hair with pouty bow-like rosy lips. I leaned in and sniffed, memorizing the small ones smell which was still undefined as of yet. I could smell Inu Yasha and what would probably be the beginning of its own individual scent; a scent that would grow and change just like it would, depending on environment, tastes and interests.

 

I extended my hand and placed it atop his soft wisps of hair, letting Inu Yasha know that I would protect his new pup. I then turned to look at Inu Yasha and then his bundle. Looking closer I found an exact copy of the first from the wisps of black hair down to the bow-like lips.

 

“Twins,” I said more than asked.

 

“And males at that, ye' two have your hands full,” said Koname from across the room.

 

“Why do you say that healer,” I inquired looking down at the innocent newborn in Inu Yasha's lap.

 

“One young son is energetic enough two will be a job and they're identical from the look of them, even their scent be almost identical. You both have your work cut out for you.”

 

I couldn't help but wonder how identical they would be. Who would they take after; my moody, loud mouthed and energetic brother or their sire the cocky, loud mouthed and energetic Kouga. Either way they were going to be loud and outspoken.

 

“I'll stay until your abed period is over and then I will have our lord take me home Dear Yasha, until then rest and recover and enjoy the bliss that can be motherhood,” with that I watched as Koname made her way across the room stopping before us, placing a hand on the slumbering pup in the basket and then the one in Inu Yasha's arms.

 

“They do remind me of Kouga. I helped bring him into this world as well, you know.”

 

I watched as Inu Yasha looked up at her and I couldn't help but do the same. Her eyes shone with pride as she looked those pups and then I saw them shimmer with unshed tears.

 

“Tis' a sad thing; I've now delivered four royal generations of the wolf tribe and buried three. I hope that these two will live beyond me in years so that I not have to bury another.”

 

I watched as she lifted her hands and looked away as they touched her face, wiping away what I assumed were errant tears.

 

“I'll not let them perish before their time, this I promise you and my future mate.”

 

It was quiet after I had spoken the words that had suddenly fallen from my lips but only a moment as the soft clap on my back startled me and Inu Yasha.

 

“I'd not let you say otherwise young lord.”

 

With that I turned to watch as she shuffled her way out the door way, her right hand against her lower back, as if she could push her back straight.

 

I turned back to Inu Yasha and found him on the edge of slumber. I leaned over and gently slid my hands under the newborn pup. It startled Inu Yasha and he looked at me panicked.

 

“It is fine Inu Yasha, I am going to place him in the basket with his brother. You need sleep and since they have found theirs for the moment you may now claim yours.”

 

He nodded and loosed his grip on the pup so that I could lift it carefully into my arms. He watched me with sleep deprived eyes as I cradled the pup to my chest. I walked a foot to the basket and carefully leaned over and placed the pup next to his brother, making sure to carefully tuck them both in. They both seemed as if they were going to start fussing and to that I rolled my eyes.

 

Yes, every bit of their sire and birth sire's pups.

 

“Sleep pup's. None of this fussing, future lord's do not fuss.”

 

I heard a tired chuckle and turned to look at Inu Yasha again, the question of why he was laughing clearly on my face.

 

“Hour's old and already you're training them, and what happened to them being cubs?”

 

I shook my head, “They shall be raised in my house so pups will suffice for now and it is never too early to begin training, I foresee you spoiling them so best to start now.”

 

He continued smiling as he closed his eyes. I watched his breathing even out and then I watched the pain lines vanish from his face as a tranquil sleep took over him. Servants quietly entered, like mice afoot in a room of cats and took a tray of what looked to be tea herbs, tea cups and a tea kettle before bowing and leaving, closing the door behind them. I was betting it was the tea that made Inu Yasha tired and why he could now sleep painlessly.

 

I stood watching my mate and pups before taking our settee and placing it at the entrance to my quarters. I sat and watched until a light slumber took me. I woke a few times in what one could say were a few hours sleep. What woke me the final time was the sound of irritation coming from the basket beside my bed.

 

I stood and made my way to the basket finding not one but two roused newborns with tiny squinting eyes fighting off the dawn's light which filtered in through the still cracked window.

 

“You might as well hand me one of them, they're probably ready for their second feeding,” Inu Yasha's tired and soft voice said from beside me.

 

I turned and found him sitting up in bed with his hands in his lap his robe open revealing his chest which seemed to be swollen. Not as swollen as the chest of a nursing female but definitely swollen. I was betting they would become more so before he had these two weaned.

 

I lifted the first from his basket and placed him into Yasha's arms watching with fascination as he lifted the pup to his chest. It took a moment for the pups' mouth to latch on but when it did the loud sound of suckling could be heard. His brother denied momentarily of his nourishment began to cry. I lifted him from his basket and cradled him against my own chest opting to give him a knuckle to suck upon until his birth sire could free up his arms.

 

The pup fussed and flailed his tiny uncoordinated arms in frustration but gummed my knuckle anyway. I sat in a chair beside the bed and watched as moments went by until the first pup let go smacking his now milk laden lips in satisfaction. Inu Yasha wiped his mouth and carefully lifted him to his shoulder, patting his back until a soft release of air was heard. He un-wrapped his cloth diaper checking for messes and finding none rewrapped him and lay him on his lap, holding his arms open again ready for his second son.

 

I placed him into his arms and then wiped my knuckle on spare cloth beside their basket. I watched this one nurse as well and watched with fascination as Inu Yasha switched nipples, the left side of his chest now noticeably flatter than the right.

 

“Shall I call for food and drink,” I asked as I watched.

 

“Yes, please,” he answered with a grateful smile.

 

I walked to the door and opened it, finding Koname and Anisina a foot away from me with trays and baskets in hand. I stepped out of their way as they entered. I just stood and watched as Koname set her basket in the chair left beside my bed. Anisina set her food covered trays on our dresser and then left the room again. The aroma of food wafted from the trays causing my stomach to rumble in anticipation but I held myself back. Inu Yasha needed the food more than I, he was the one feeding two new pups.

 

I stepped away from the food and watched intently, not quite understanding why until I felt an unknown growl form in my throat as I watched Koname lift the first pup from Inu Yasha's lap and put him in his slumber basket.

 

“I see your instincts to protect have already begun to show themselves. It is good but best to not get angry with the one caring for your mate; Sesshomaru.”

 

I felt surprise at my own actions and turned to look out the window at the white covered land beyond.

 

“There is no wrong in your instincts, I find myself pleased at you and your instincts but it is perhaps best if you keep yourself occupied at the window until I finish my duties, you'll not like what you'll hear or see for the next few minutes.”

 

I did as she said and locked my eyes on my lands outside as I heard the sound of sheets moving and crinkling and then water and cloth swishing in what I could only assume was a wash basin. I kept myself steeled at the window, knuckles turning white where they gripped the sill as I tried to ignore the hisses of pain the faint smell of copper.

 

“Keep at ease, all who birth bleed for a good while after birthing,” she said aloud easing Inu Yasha most likely but me as well.

 

The smell lessened some and then the sound of blankets rustling some more and then the soft sound of splashing water once again and the soft smell of lavender and rosehips filled the room refreshing it. That smell mingled with the smell of sweat and Inu Yasha's must and I knew then that Koname was giving him a small sponge bath, or helping him to give himself one. I don't know how long I stood there but I heard the door open and Anisina's scent returned as well as that of fresh herbs and boiling hot water.

 

“You may turn around now, Sesshomaru. The worse is over.”

 

I turned around and watched as Koname's old knurled hands brushed through Inu Yasha's now freed tresses removing tangles and leaving behind curling tendrils. Hours in a tight braided bun left Inu Yasha's hair falling in curling cascades down his back and along his face and shoulders. He was indeed a pretty sight, one might even say beautiful or gorgeous. His face was radiant and glowing and he looked healthier. I could say that “motherhood” suited him quite well. My instincts swelled and beckoned me to fill him with my seed and ripen him my pups, saying that he would be beyond radiant when filled with my own pups. I couldn't disagree with this.

 

I watched as Inu Yasha tugged his silvery locks up and into a pony tail atop his head as Anisina brought him a cup of sweet smelling tea.

 

“It's a healing mix, not as strong as last night's batch. You should take a sip and eat before drinking more,” she instructed as she handed him the cup and then placed a tray on his lap.

 

I watched as he began to pick at his tray of honeyed breads and rice porridge before drinking his soup broth. As he finished his meal I watched him drink his tea til it was gone and then he held his hands out for his pups. He was handed one and then another. Both were placed in his lap and he sat there looking over each finger, toe, ear, nose, leg and arm; saving their feel and look into his memory. As he lost himself in his pups I sat down on my moved settee and began taking my breakfast. As I ate a knock sounded on my door and my mother entered with my Uncle in tow. Both looked down at me a small grin on both their faces as they entered and made their way over to Inu Yasha, cooing over the pups.

 

I had finished my porridge and soup broth and had begun on my second piece of honeyed bread when I heard another knock. I watched as my brother's peered around my door way.

 

“Come, see them while they remain awake,” I said before taking a bite.

 

I watched them gather around him and coo and stare at the new born pups for what seemed like hours. I had a feeling my house was about to become a madhouse in the coming years and this was just the beginning.

 

 

To Be Continued:

 

Sorry for taking so long. It's been crazy. I actually typed this up with a sprained pinky finger. ;_;

 

But here's one and I'm going to start on the next story, you wouldn't believe how many emails I've been getting. It really makes my day to see the emails, messages and reviews.

 

So thanks again~!

 

Kat.