InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cursed ❯ Otouto ( Chapter 7 )

I just want you all to know, I reeeaally enjoyed writing this chapter! =)

I had such a hard time with the name. It was a fight between otoutou and fluffy and you will all see why. I think I made the right choice.

just in case you were curious, Sesshomaru is thirteen in this chapter and the last one, as is Kashi. Rowan is twelve and Kimani is fifteen.

'thoughts'

“speaking”



Chapter 7: Otouto





“You are such a fraidy cat.” Rowan laughed at Sesshomaru's expense, tossing his friend a bread roll as he walked past. Sesshomaru and Kashi decided to join Rowan and Kimani in the kitchen, they often did when the two humans were working.

Sesshomaru caught the small role effortlessly, growling at the jab. “That is not true.” He leaned against the kitchen counter as Kashi walked over to grab a mikan out of a large fruit filled bowl on the counter. Kashi scoffed and rolled his eyes as he began to peel the orange fruit.

“Fine, you're a fraidy dog, then.” Even Kimani couldn't stop a giggle from escaping her.

Sesshomaru glared at his friends. “Look, just because I don't want to see that... thing, doesn't mean I'm scared. It just means I don't want to see it. And besides, you all know the stories we've heard about half breeds. They're all disgusting and deformed. Why would I want to look at something like that?”

Kimani gave him a cool look. “So, you're saying, you've had a baby brother for the last thirteen days and you haven't seem him once?”

“Half-brother, and yes.” The demon prince arrogantly stuck his nose up in the air.

Rowan, Kim, and Kashi all shared a knowing look. Kim turned back to him with a smirk. “Fraidy dog!.”

“I can't believe you! I mean, I would love to have a brother. Some one to hang out with, some one to play with, some one to help me pull pranks on people. Could you imagine the two of us! The things we could do-”

“Oh god, two Kashi's.” Rowan groaned under his breath.

Kashi rolled his eyes. “Whatever. The point is, you have no idea what you've got. You, my friend, are sitting on a gold mine. Do you realize that anything bad that you do from now on, you could blame on him and probably get away with it?! But no. You are so caught up in holding this grudge against your father and Lady Izayoi, you can't even see what you've just gained. Almost two weeks ago, you got a brother. You are a big brother now and you don't even care! And this whole thing you're on about him being ugly, yeah, it's a possibility, but it's equally possible that he might be the most beautiful baby you've ever seen, and you know it. Not all half breeds turn out bad. And, what's more, you all know it's bad when I, Kashi, the most immature person in this whole place, including your knew baby brother, says this: you are behaving like a brat.”

“Hey! I am not being a brat! I never wanted a baby brother any way.” Sesshomaru crossed his arms, mumbling the last part.

Kashi's eye brows shot into his bangs, his eyes going wide as he looked at Sesshomaru with a strange mixture of humor and shock. “... Yes you have!” his voice raising an octave as he spoke making Sesshomaru jump a bit. “All I've ever heard from you since you were three up until your mom passed away was 'I want a little brother.'” Kashi laughed a little at his friend, shaking his head. “Look, half breeds really aren't very well liked in this world, but I think we all know it's not their fault for being born that way.” he took his eyes from Sesshomaru to glance at Rowan and Kim beside himself. They both nodded, agreeing with him. “I mean, it's not as if he jumped out of his mother nine months ago and said 'Yo ma, do this dude so's I can be born yo!'” Rowan and Kim both gave short snorts of laughter. Even Sesshomaru smiled a little at that. Kashi calmed his own chuckling and mimicked Sesshomaru, crossing is arms in defiance. “It's not like I'm telling you anything you haven't already heard before. God, I've heard you say half this stuff yourself! I know you don't have as much of a problem with your fathers mate as you did just a few months ago. And we all know that you've wanted a little brother for a long time now. So, in light of all this and getting back to the original topic, I think – we all think, that the only reason you haven't gone to see the little guy is because you are scared! Of what, I don't know, but seriously, you need to get over it and go meet your brother.”

Sesshomaru glanced angrily between his friends. He pushed himself off of the counter and walked across the kitchen to the three of them, poking each one in the chest with every word out of his mouth. “I. Am. Not. Scared.” He took a step back and raised his arms, flexing and deepening his voice. “The ever impressive Sesshomaru fears nothing.” he grunted as he struck a pose, showing off his 'muscles'.

All three of his friends burst out laughing at Sesshomaru's ridiculous posing. Kashi, however, was laughing for a different reason then the other two. He had known the prince since the both of them were born and Kashi knew one thing about Sesshomaru that no one else did. He knew the one thing that scared Sesshomaru.

When he finally managed to get his laughter under control, he took on a very superior look, taking a step forward so he was standing right in front of his friend. “So, you're not scared of anything, huh?”

Sesshomaru smirked and crossed his arms over his chest. “Not a thing.”

Kashi simply nodded before pointing to a spot on Sesshomaru's shoulder. “So I guess that spider on your shoulder has absolutely no effect on you what so ever?”

Sesshomaru's eyes became wide as saucers as all the color drained from his face. In the blink of an eye, Sesshomaru started violently swatting and brushing off his shoulders. “GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF ME!!” Finally, he gave up and just began tearing his haori straight up and over his head. He started to panic for a second when it got all tangled up on his arms but, at last, he was able to free himself and threw the garment over to the other side of the kitchen as far away from him as possible. Still in full on panic mode, Sesshomaru jumped back and up onto the counter, pulling his feet up and away from the floor.

Sesshomaru fearfully stared at the motionless white haori in the corner while he tried to catch his breath when some loud noises caught his attention. He looked over to his friends. Rowan was leaning heavily on the counter, holding himself up while his body racked with laughter. Kim was in a similar position, only she had her arms wrapped around Rowan's shoulders. Kashi was the worst off; he had literally fallen to his knees, unable to hold himself up through his cackling. He had tears running down his face and he was laughing so hard he was now gasping and wheezing, unable to breathe.

Sesshomaru glanced between his friends and his haori until it finally clicked in his head. He became enraged as he jumped down from the counter and stalked over to the one who started it all, yelling the whole way. “YOU SON OF A BITCH! I AM GOING TO KILL YOU, KASHI!”

Sesshomaru stopped in front of his friend, hands clenched into fists by his sides. He glared down at Kashi, who was still kneeling on the floor, gasping for air. Kashi grabbed at Sesshomaru's pants and arms, pulling himself up so he was hunched over but standing. He smacked a hand repeatedly on Sesshomaru's chest, trying to speak. “HAHAHAHA! SO *gasp* WORTH IT! HAHAHAHA!! *gasp* OH GOD! *gasp* CAN'T *gasp* BREATH!! *gasp* HAHAHAHAHA!!!”

Kashi put a hand on either one of Sesshomaru's shoulders, holding himself up so he wouldn't fall to the floor again. Sesshomaru, however, was having non of that. He ripped his friends hands off his shoulders and thew him to the hard wood floor. Kashi landed unceremoniously on his ass, not even once faulting in his laughing fit. Sesshomaru blushed both in anger and humiliation. He again crossed his arms over his chest and walked back to his original spot, grumbling the whole way. He wasn't going to waste his time beating up his friend. He wasn't some kind of animal. He would simply have to think of a way to get Kashi worse then Kashi got him. Oh yes, Kashi wasn't going to be laughing when Sesshomaru got done with him.

Busy with thinking of ways to get back at his cackling friend, Sesshomaru barely noticed when the door to the kitchen slid open. He looked up when he heard foot steps and had to fight the shock he felt from showing on his face. Both his father and Izayoi came sauntering in like they owned the place.... they did, but still. Sesshomaru had been in the kitchen hundreds of times because that was where two of his best friends worked. Never once had he ever seen his father or Izayoi.

The two adults stood near the door way, just observing and attempting to make some scence of every thing. Rowan and Kimani instantly turned back to their work when the heard the door open. Both of them were bitting their lips trying to stay quiet but neither one could stop their bodies from shaking with suppressed laughter; the onigiri kept falling apart in their hands. When Kashi saw the new visitors he managed to pull himself together just enough to stand again. He wiped the tears from his eyes as he slowly walked over to the Lord and Lady of the west.

Lord InuTaisho allowed himself a small smile and a raised eyebrow, silently asking what had happened. Kashi stopped in front of him, waving his hand in a dismissive manor and took a deep breath. “You don't even want to know.” He subtly glanced at Sesshomaru out of the corner of his eye. InuTaisho followed his gaze, catching the eye of his son for a second before the boy blushed and looked away with an angry scowl.

The demon lord just shook his head and let it go: knowing Sesshomaru and his friends, he probably didn't want to know. He looked down at his sons friend and gave him a firm pat on the shoulder. “Thank you Kashi. I knew I could count on you.” (1)InuTaisho reached into his money pouch and pulled out three gold coins, placing them in Kashi's waiting hand.

Kashi's smile, if it were even possible, got bigger. “Sure. Any time Lord InuTaisho. Lovely doing business with you.” He placed the coins in a small pocket inside his haori as he walked over to stand beside his friend, grabbing the boys forgotten bread roll off the counter.

Sesshomaru had watched the exchange with growing curiosity. He looked between the two of them with interest finally settling for Kashi. “What just happened?”

Kashi looked to his friend and smiled a shit eating grin. “Your father offered me three gold coins if I could get you in the kitchen, today, at this time.”

Sesshomaru spared his father a glance, anger boiling up in him at the mans sly grin, before quickly turning back to Kashi. “Traitor!”

Kashi rolled his eyes. “Come on. It's not as if there was some great conspiracy against you. I mean, it's not like we're gonna hold you down and shave you head or anything.”

Sesshomaru really hated when Kashi smiled like that. It always meant he was either joking or really excited about something, and Sesshomaru could never tell which one it was. In this particular situation, he desperately hoped he was joking and not really excited about seeing a bald Sesshomaru. He took a cautious step back anyway.

InuTaisho laughed at his sons fearful expression. “Don't worry. We're not going to touch your hair.” InuTaisho smirked and took a step to the side, allowing Izayoi to stand in front of him as she finished his sentence.

“We just thought it was about time you met some one.”

Sesshomaru's eyes were instantly drawn to the small bundle of blankets in her arms.'…. I'm reeeaaaaly hoping that's not what I think it is.'

But, of course, his hopes were dashed when he noticed the blankets moving and heard a small cry coming from inside. It took him a second to finally put everything together, but when he did, he couldn't help but to sigh, roll his eyes and turn around to glare at his lying, deceiving, backstabbing best friend Kashi.

Kashi smiled at his friend so wide Sesshomaru could see all of the boys teeth. Never in his life did he ever have such a burning need to SMACK that god damned grin off that stupid boys face! He was so angry he could only get out a single word.

“Kashi....”

“Yes my love?” Kashi dipped his head and batted his eyes lashes, all the while smiling broadly.

Sesshomaru opened his mouth, attempting to speak and failing miserably. For the next thirty seconds he looked remarkably like a fish as he opened and closed his mouth repeatedly, trying to find the right words. Finally, he found his voice.

“Ya know Kashi, I am soooo glad I don't have any enemies 'cause with you as my best friend, I definitely don't need them.”

Kashi snorted and smirked. “Mellow out drama queen. I'm just surprised you didn't figure this out on your own. I mean, for gods sake, we spent the last two hours talking about your baby brother! How was that not a dead give-a-way in itself? When do I ever talk about babies?! Jeez man! If you're gonna be angry at anybody, be angry with yourself for not taking into consideration that I would sell your ass out for a rice ball and some teriyaki sauce.”

Sesshomaru stared at him, practically comatose. He looked over to Kim and Rowan for support. The two had been silently observing the whole situation from the beginning. As he glanced at each of them, they instantly looked away, avoiding eye contact.

'Well, I guess I know where they stand on the subject.'

Though, really, who was he kidding? This was exactly the kind of thing Kashi would do. Hell, he would have done it even without the money just to screw with him.

“Sesshomaru?”

Sesshomaru looked back at Izayoi with no hidden amount of disdain. He could tell the look on her face obviously said 'get over here'.

'Well, that's just not gonna happen.'

She, of course, could tell pretty quick that no matter how much she glared he was not going to do what she wanted. Sighing in frustration, she decided to bitch about it later. Right now, there were more important things to be done.

Since he oh so obviously wasn't going to come to her, she decided to walk the seven and a half feet over to where he was standing. The second she stopped just a few inches in front of him, he actually had the nerve to cross his arms and roll his eyes.

Even Sesshomaru had to admit he was acting like a toddler throwing a tantrum. Kashi was right, which, while it was shocking as hell, still got him thinking. He really wasn't as angry as he kept telling people he was. That doesn't mean he's all giggles and rainbows. He was still angry at his dad and he was still a little pissed at the situation in general but, and he hated to admit it, a small part of him was actually.... excited. He had always wanted a little brother. But he would sooner cut off his own tail then let on about that. And so, here he is, arms crossed over his chest, nose in the air as Izayoi and everyone else in the room rolled their eyes and scoffed.

“Sesshomaru...” InuTaisho sent his son a glare that would freeze fire. For a second, Sesshomaru considered glaring back. The second their eyes met he seriously reconsidered. Good god, the man could intimidate a mountain into moving out of his path.

Izayoi shifted a little, moving the blanket out of the way. Sesshomaru hesitated. He glanced around the room, looking briefly at the faces of his friends, then his father, then finally, his gaze landed right back on Izayoi. He bit the inside of his cheeks, absolutely refusing to admit that he was nervous. Slowly, he let his eyes drift downward.

Sesshomaru stared blankly at the tiny person in Izayoi's arms. It had long silver hair and big puppy dog ears on the top of his head like two big signs saying 'here's the half-breed'. Sesshomaru could see it's tail gripped tightly in it's hand. It was shorter and more shaggy then Sesshomaru's or InuTaisho's, further proof of it's mixed blood.

It looked... peaceful... and he had to admit it wasn't quite as ugly as he thought it was going to be. Izayoi started forward a little bit, holding the newborn out for Sesshomaru to hold.

Sesshomaru quickly looked up in disgust. “I don't wanna touch it!”

“His name is Inuyasha, not 'it', and you will hold your little brother.”

Sesshomaru glared at his father. Looking was one thing but touching was another thing entirely.

With a frustrated sigh, he begrudgingly held out his arms. Izayoi gently placed the baby in his arms. “Hold him tight and make sure you've got his head supported.”

Sesshomaru grumbled but did as he was told. It squirmed for a few seconds, getting use to the new setting, before putting the tip of it's tail into it's mouth and quietly returning to it's slumber. Izayoi smiled at it, then him as she stepped back and motioned that it was okay for the others to come over.

Before Sesshomaru could even figure out what was going on, he was surrounded by a mob of curious friends. The three of them all crowded around, peering over each others shoulders, trying to get a good look, oooing and aawwwing over the tiny thing as it chewed on it's tail. His little ears twitching every time it caught their voices.

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes, looking full on pissed, despite the fact that he was discretely trying to get a good look as well.

Kim was the first to reach her hand out and gently touch the big floppy ears on the little boys head. She giggled as he instantly released his tail and nuzzled his head into her hand. “Ooooh! Sesshomaru, I love your little brother! He's so cute!”

“Yeah. See, man? I told you he wouldn't be hideous.” ignoring his friends glare, Kashi turned and grinned at InuTaisho while giving him a thumbs up. “Good job.”

InuTaisho chuckled and nodded in agreement. “Thank you Kashi. It means a lot to me that you approve of my baby making skills.”

“You're welcome.” Kashi gave a humble smile, the sarcasm in the western lords words seemingly going right over his head.

Izayoi suddenly grasped her chest dramatically, insulted. “And I suppose I had absolutely nothing to do with this little event?!”

“Oh, no, you did a good job too!”

Izayoi humphed. “That's better.”

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes yet again, a habit that was bigging to annoy even him, as he listened to his best friend, his father and his – er – Izayoi, talk back and forth about who was more responsible for making the new baby. Rowan was now much more interested in this mock fight between the three of them. Kim was only half paying attention to the child even as it grasped at her finger, refusing to let go.

Sesshomaru took the small distraction as a chance to check out the thing for himself. Kashi was right, it wasn't hideous. It was awake, not surprisingly. It's eyes were still closed but it was obviously awake... and quiet save for a few tiny gurgling noises. One thing he had not been looking forward to was the constant cries of a new born but... this one seemed relatively calm so far.

Suddenly he noticed the argument starting to get louder and more serious. At some point, it turned into a fight about who was going to be more responsible for the baby.

Thankfully, Kashi was smart enough to stay out of this one. The two new parents, however, neglected to notice that they now had the full and complete attention of the four other teenagers in the room, including Sesshomaru. He might not like that they're mates, but watching the two fight was just hilarious. As his conscious mind paid attention to the squabbling couple, he didn't have the chance to catch his tail sneak it's way over his shoulder and slowly make it's way down to the bundle in his arms.

Now, said bundle was beginning to get very upset. Honestly, he didn't mind all these big, strange looking, giant things that always seemed to be popping up when ever he bothered to open his eyes. He especially didn't mind that one with the big milk dispensers. She was always smiling and singing to him and she always gave him milk when he was hungry. But this was getting to be too much. He was just sleeping, minding his own business and all of a sudden, the giant milk dispenser started yelling at the pretty silver man and they wouldn't stop!

It got the point where he was about to give them a piece of his mind when... something... soft, just hit his face. It disappeared.... then it came back and gave him a little poke on the cheek before it vanished again. Strange, never before had this happ - there it is again! It poked him right in the nose this time. What is this mysterious thing?

It returned again, this time running down the side of his face. As fast as his little hand could manage, he grabbed it! Alas! Success! He caught the mysterious fluff! And fluff it was.

This fluffy was much fluffier then his own fluffy. And it smelled amazing! It twitched in his face, tickling his nose and making him giggle. Oh yes, he liked this fluff very much and he was going to keep it! Ha ha! The fluff is his! He sighed as he clutched the soft, playful and beautifully smelling fluff to his chest.

Yes, he would keep this fluff, and he would call it Fluffy, and it would be his Fluffy!

Inuyasha took his new Fluffy and got himself a little more comfortable, instantly recognizing the feeling of a nice, warm nipple on his cheek. In his experience, a nice warm nipple always meant nice warm milk and he could certainly go for a little snack.... and so could his Fluffy.

Sesshomaru, completely oblivious to the thoughts of the tiny baby in his arms, continued to stare at his father and Izayoi along with his three friends. They had briefly considered breaking up the fight but... Izayoi was starting to do that scary thing with her eyes that made grown men cower in fear and they reconsidered.

“AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!” Five sets of eyes shot over to the demon prince just in time to see him jump a foot in the air and hold the baby as far away from him as he could without dropping him. The second he landed on the ground again, Inuyasha burst into tears, screaming his head off.

In an instant, the fight was forgotten as Izayoi walked over and took the baby from him. “Sesshomaru, you scared him!”

Sesshomaru was just about ready to start crying himself. “WELL HE SCARED ME FIRST!!” The second the child was out of his hands he crossed both his arms over his chest and shuddered uncontrollably.

“He was only looking for some milk.”

“WELL THERE'S NONE IN THERE!”

“WELL HE DIDN'T KNOW THAT!”

Izayoi stormed out of the room, simultaneously trying to calm her screaming child and undo her yukata to give the boy what he had been looking for in the first place.

InuTaisho spared his son a knowing look, laughter evident in his eyes as he followed his mate out of the room.

His friends took their eyes from the empty door frame and stared instead at a stunned and angry Sesshomaru. It only took them a few seconds to finally put it all together. A big grin slowly crept over Kashi's face.

“Oh. My. God!”

“Shut up!” Sesshomaru hugged his chest tighter, as if protecting his poor nipples from future torment, and gained a very sad look on his face, mumbling to himself. “I feel violated.”

“Oh my god! This is awesome!” Kashi chuckled loudly at his friends 'pain'. “Okay, I vote 'Best Day Ever!'”





“For the love of god, make it stop!” Sesshomaru wined as he walked into the family room wearing nothing but a light yukata. He collapsed on an especially large pillow, face first, and covered his head with his arms in a failed attempt at blocking out the noise coming from his loud little... it.

Izayoi glared at him as she bounced the very upset little boy on her knee, trying to calm him. “What exactly do you think I've been trying to do for the last three hours, Sesshomaru?” she and InuTaisho were currently sitting across from Sesshomaru on another large pillow, InuTaisho with his head buried in his hands. The man brought his head up a little to look through his fingers between his mate and his sons. He released a heavy sigh as Sesshomaru brought his own head up from the pillow he was lying on to send a glare at both himself and Izayoi.

“Well, obviously, whatever you've been doing hasn't worked.”

Izayoi growled and sent him her special death glare. “Well then tell me, O wise one, what do you suggest we do?!”

“SHUT IT UP!!” Sesshomaru gestured wildly to the red faced baby in her arms. “Put a sock in it's mouth or something just, make it stop!”

Izayoi shot to her feet and looked very much like she was about to, literally, kill the insolent little pup for even suggesting she do such a thing to her child. “How about I stuff a sock in you mouth you little brat?!” she moved forward, as if she was actually going to do it, making Sesshomaru flinch (the woman was damn scary when she was pissed). She was only stopped by a firm hand on her shoulder causing her to whip around and redirect her death glare at the demon lord.

“Both of you, enough! We're all a little tired,” Sesshomaru scoffed at this, muttering incoherently under his breath. “Here.” InuTaisho gently took the screaming baby from his mates arms and placed him in the center of the supper fluffy pillow the two of them had been sitting in. He made sure the boy was as comfortable as he could be and there was no chance of him rolling off before he turned to his other son. “Sesshomaru, watch your brother.”

Sesshomaru's head instantly shot up. “WHAT?!” InuTaisho was leading Izayoi out of the room and into the hall way. “Wait! Don't leave me here with it! Come on, this isn't far!” it was too late, they were gone and the door was shut behind them. He growled and rolled onto his back, covering his face with his hands while trying to block out the endless crying.

“Why wont you shut up?!” he mumbled into his hands. As if understanding what Sesshomaru had just said, Inuyasha, miraculously, stopped crying. Sesshomaru lifted his head a little, waiting. Could it be? No, it was too good to be true. The boy actually stopped crying. For the first time in three days, it was completely quiet. Sesshomaru slowly, triumphantly, lifted his arms into the air and whispered, “Yes! *sigh* Finally.” not wanting to be too loud and risk jinxing his luck.

Now, had Sesshomaru been concentrating on anything besides the fact that Inuyasha had, at long last, stopped proving just exactly how strong his little lungs were, he might have noticed that said younger brother was actually thinking along the same lines as he was.

The little boy quieted his last few sniffles and looked over to the door where the two giants had walked out of. Finally. Now all he had to do roll over... easier said then done. Those pillows might be super soft and comfy but they were a bitch to get out of. He tried... and failed. Tried again... fail. One more time... FAIL! He was like a baby turtle stuck on it's back! It was horrible!

After a few more failed attempts he tried something new. He reached over and grabbed the fabric of the pillow he was lying on and pulled himself onto his stomach. SUCCESS!

Inuyasha slowly began crawling forward and onto the floor, almost falling when he had to make a massive leap off the pillow and onto the hard wood floor (that pillow was good three, four inches off the ground. That's like the grand canyon for babies!). When he regained his bearings, he looked up to the only one left in the room, the pretty one he had seen such a long time ago, and set out on his mission: crawling over to the larger man currently dozing off on the pillow he claimed as his make shift bed. Inuyasha had missed this big man. The pretty giant had only ever held him the one time and ever since he had only ever been able to catch the occasional glimpse or sniff of him in passing. It was upsetting to say the least.

Sesshomaru was almost asleep. He didn't even care that he wasn't in his own room or his own bed. He would have slept on a jagged boulder if it had meant he would get some peace and quiet! The only thing that kept him from falling asleep right where he was, was something pulling at his yukata. For a second he thought he was imagining it but it just wouldn't stop. So, begrudgingly, he opened his eyes and looked down to his left, only to find it literally climbing up his robes and onto his chest. Sesshomaru might have been impressed if he hadn't been so tired.

“What, in the hell, do you think you are doing?” Sesshomaru calmly watched Inuyasha finish the climb and settle himself on top of the older demon, straddling his waist and resting his chin in the middle of Sesshomaru's chest. The boy simply giggled. Sesshomaru barely held back a growl at the audacity of it all! “I don't recall giving you permission to climb on top of me, hanyou.” again, all he got in answer was a small giggle and a smile, the young boys shaggy tail swishing back and forth behind him. Sesshomaru sighed and layed his head back on the pillow, staring up at the ceiling. He was too tired! The child had been crying for the last three days straight! Non stop! Why he suddenly decided to stop now was beyond him but something must hap-'wait....'

“Son of a bitch...” again Sesshomaru lifted his head to glare into the eyes of his devious little brother. “You planned this whole thing, didn't you?”

Inuyasha grinned, giggled, wagged his tail and oh so slyly placed his head down on Sesshomaru's chest, closing his eyes and getting ready for what promised to be a very long nap. After all that crying he put in, Inuyasha definitely believed he deserved a break. And at long last, he was finally with that same pretty, nice smelling, fluffy giant he had met all those weeks ago!

Despite the fact that Sesshomaru just found out he got played by a four month old child, he was slightly impressed.

'I can't believe I just got had by a baby... it must be sleep deprivation. There's no way this would have happened if I was well rested and everything.... sneaky bastard.'

“Alright, here's the deal; you can stay there if you promise to shut the fuck up for next... ten hours... deal?”

All Sesshomaru got in response was an adorable little yawn and a sigh. Taking that as a yes he promptly let his head fall back down on the pillow and closed his eyes. He quickly found that it wasn't actually all that bad, having his little brother lying on top of him like this. It was really, some what, comforting... in a bad way of course... or, maybe in a good way.

He sighed and got a little more comfortable, bringing his tail out from under him and wrapping it around both himself, and the little monster on his chest.... purely for comfort issues. He just didn't want to sleep on top of his tail all night... that was it.

*Out in the hall*

InuTaisho and Izayoi walked a ways down the the hall, just far enough away that the loud monotonous crying wasn't right in their ears.

InuTaisho stopped and leaned against the wall, sighing as Izayoi paced back and forth, mumbling to herself.

“Did you hear what he said?! 'Stuff a sock in it's mouth!'” she did a very poor imitation of Sesshomaru, rolling her eyes and raising her voice as she mocked him. “I swear, I just can't take this any more!”

“I can understand that.” InuTaisho stepped away from the wall and grabbed each of his mates shoulders, effectively stopping her pacing. “We're all a little on edge. Non of us have really slept in days with all that crying but I'm sure Inuyasha will, eventually calm-”

“No, InuTaisho, that's not what I meant.” she interrupted him mid sentence, giving him a long hard look in the eye. “I can handle a little crying. That's what babies do. That's not what bothering me. It's Sesshomaru.” she growled. “That boy is working my last nerve! Do you realize that ever since the fist time they met, Sesshomaru hasn't once called Inuyasha by his name. He wont even refer to him as a he. He just calls him it or that or thing!”

“Now that's just not true. I know I've heard Sesshomaru use his name before.”

Izayoi crossed her arms over her chest, pointedly tapping her foot as she waited.

InuTaisho thought back over the last four months, trying to conjure up some memory of Sesshomaru calling Inuyasha by name.... with each passing second, his brow furrowed just a little bit more in bewilderment.

“...... okay.... I see your point... but Sesshomaru is just having a hard time adjusting to all this-”

“InuTaisho! It's been a year! He has had plenty of time to 'adjust'! Look, I know he's your son and I know you don't want to think anything bad of him, but Sesshomaru. Is being. A brat! Sibling rivalry I understand. I have an older sister so I get it, but he's threatening physical violence all because of some crying! Babies are supposed to cry and he's acting like he's about to-”

“Ssshhhh!”

“Don't you 'shush' me!!!”

“No, be quiet! Listen!”

Izayoi growled but did as she was told.

“...... I don't hear anything.”

InuTaisho turned to her, a baffled look on his face.

“Exactly.”

For a second, this confused her, until it finally clicked; where is the crying? That insistent screaming that her child had been doing literally nonstop for the last three days straight. Where was it?

Their eyes widened as they both seemed to have the same thought at the same time: Sesshomaru.

Izayoi spoke in such a small voice compare to the one she was using seconds earlier, almost afraid to hear the answer. “You don't think Sesshomaru would actually....” she let the sentence hang in the air, knowing InuTaisho would fill in the blank.

“Stuff a sock in Inuyasha's mouth? No... of course not...... Sesshomaru could never...... He wouldn't have..... oh god.”

His last words didn't even finish leaving his mouth before Izayoi shot off, running down the hallway as if the hounds of hell were after her, InuTaisho hot on her heals. With his demon speed he managed to pass her and reach the door quite a few seconds ahead of her. InuTaisho yanked the sliding door wide open, prepared for the worst, and froze.

His mate showed up just then and he barely had time to cover her mouth, just stopping the shout of worry that he knew was coming. Even after Izayoi herself froze in shock just as he had, he still kept his hand clamped firmly over her mouth. This was something he did not want to interrupt.

Laying in front of them, was the most precious thing either one of them had ever seen in their lives. Sesshomaru was laying flat on his back, sleeping soundly with a snoozing Inuyasha curled up on his chest. Sesshomaru had his tail wrapped securely around his little brother, who was holding tightly to the fluffy white appendage with one hand as he sucked the thumb on his other. Both were snoring lightly and couldn't possibly look any cuter even if the tried.





(1) I did try to look up the money system of feudal japan so I could try and be as accurate as possible. Long story short, it was taking too long, I got bored and.... yeah that's pretty much it. But if any of you all know how money worked back then in japan, feel free to let me know! I'd totally correct anything I got wrong or might get wrong in the future. I like learning new things..... as long as it doesn't require to much effort on my part.