InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dubious Relations ❯ Chapter 11 ( Chapter 12 )

Dubious Relations

Chapter 11

It was about midday, and the sun was shining as though everything were good in the world: as though there was no Naraku, there wasn't any part human child growing within him, Sesshomaru wasn't housing his useless, half-breed, half-brother and there wasn't a human girl that wasn't Rin waltzing around his castle bothering his servants about the whereabouts of the castle's baths. All in all, the weather didn't hint towards the annoyance that was planted within the demon Lord's chest and was growing with every second that passed.

He was laying in his bed chambers, on his large soft futon, a light blue yukata covering his pale form. Around Sesshomaru's waist lay the thin blankets he'd been told to fold down, as Chiyo fussed over him. It was time for his check up and Sesshomaru nearly hoping that some problem had arose. He did not want to bear this child!

For the time being, Chiyo wasn't settled beside him and instead she was tending to the room around them. His elderly healer was bustling around him walking her usual scuttle as she slowly made her way around his chambers, setting up small tables, lanterns and clay bowls of incense with every few steps. The earthen tones that made up the palette for his rooms disrupted by the dull grey smoke that wafted from the said items.

Chiyo and Sesshomaru, attempting to ease the silence that hadn't been comfortable between them (at least on Sesshomaru's end) since the demon Lord's return the day before; made do with small talk. It was Sesshomaru's turn to select a topic as he eyed the pale brown ceiling sternly, “What purpose had Jaken and Rin to leave the castle?” Sesshomaru asked as his chest began to fill with distain.

He had told Jaken many times that should he not call for him, to remain behind and handle the affairs he usually would. The small toad demon had been a Lord himself and was familiar with the affairs of taking care of his lands. And Jaken was always ready to please, he had yet to make a foolish decision.

Rin however, had been firmly instructed to not leave the castle without him or his permission. She was a small, human girl living amongst a variety of dangerous demons and Sesshomaru did not wish to win back his honour by killing off half of his army.

Chiyo hummed as she blew out the candle she was holding, “Pardon, my Lord?”

“What has caused Jaken and my ward to leave the castle?” He repeated, as he smoothed out the blankets covering his legs. He was dressed in a bed yukata, thankful to be rid of the kimono he'd been wearing for the past three (or was it four? The first day seemed to blur into the second one and Sesshomaru wasn't completely sure there was a difference between them) days. It had smelt putrid, and he'd more than relished the long, hot soak he'd had in the castle's artificial and private hot springs.

“The foolish toad wished to search for you. Rin had decided to take Ah Un and follow him. Surprisingly, she holds a sturdy fondness towards Jaken.” Chiyo answered as she scuttled to her place beside Sesshomaru's left side. She kneeled beside his legs and motioned for him to lay flat on his back. Sesshomaru did, “The incense should aid your ability to relax my Lord. Do not fight its affects.” When Sesshomaru made no move to respond the elderly healer continued, “This examination will be longer than the last one, just as the one that you will take two weeks from now will be longer than this one; I must check your organs as well as the pup. I am afraid I am not as young as I once was, using as much energy as I do when examining internal conditions doesn't come easily to me.”

Sesshomaru remained with his eyes focussed on the ceiling, his mind feeling as though someone was turning it into cotton. He felt the elderly demoness pull his yukata open, revealing his sore stomach (it seemed the morning sickness he'd been free from for the past day was back with vengeance) to her emerald gaze. Vaguely, he could hear Chiyo asking him questions though her voice had a dream like quality to it, sounding hazy and distant, “What do you feel?”

The demon Lord found that his mouth wasn't working as efficiently as he would have liked, just as his pink highlighted eyelids wouldn't open easily. Was it the incense causing every one of his muscles to slacken? How strange; he'd never known it to work so quickly, “It feels pleasant.” Sesshomaru admitted shortly.

And indeed it did. Chiyo's left hand was raised a mere centimetre above his now bared abdomen, a warm, tingling sensation following the said appendage as she moved it millimetre by millimetre across the pale planes of his stomach. It was as though her hand was being used as a heater of sorts. He almost sighed, whilst his muscles felt like over stretched leather joined to his bones; he hadn't felt so relaxed in a very long time.

Chiyo's voice was stern when she next spoke, her hand having halted over the skin just above Sesshomaru's belly button, “Have you been feeling unwell, my Lord? Any ailment can be caused by the pregnancy, but some are cause for more worry than others.”

Sesshomaru acknowledged her words, his mind immediately providing the pup itself as a sickness. Was there no way to rid himself of it without ending his own life at the same time? Inuyasha would not allow it, should Sesshomaru confront him; he was far too human. He would see his wanting to kill the child as being nothing more than a selfish wish brought on by his lack of control. All this was true; however, Sesshomaru could present many more politically tainted reasons for his request. Sesshomaru frowned, a tiny frown that was barely noticeable should one not look for it; should Inuyasha wield there was still the problem of them being mated, as much as Sesshomaru loathed the thought. The mark couldn't be removed unless the one that marked him died.

The elderly demon's impatient hum, penetrated through his thoughts, Sesshomaru spoke, “I have had many headaches. However, I doubt they are a cause for concern; Inuyasha isn't an ideal travelling companion.”

He heard the elder demoness' kimono rustle as she nodded and shifted, her hand slowly (as though fighting with a binding spell) began to move again, “Is there anything else? Neither aching bones nor insufferable stomach cramps?”

“I have been,” Sesshomaru paused, before he admitted grudgingly, “Tired.”

Chiyo chuckled, “That is to be expected, my Lord. And you will feel more so as your pregnancy continues. Despite your body calling for it, you are male and aren't completely suited to bear young. Changes must be made.”

“If what you say is true, why did my body ache for it?”

The demoness stared down at the demon Lord with a scrutinizing gaze and remained silent for a few moments before she frowned and replied, “I will be blunt, Sesshomaru. You have never shown interest in women. The few high standing demonesses we had you meet were brought in the hopes of you choosing one of them as a mate. Despite their flirtatious ways, you barely acknowledged them, never mind their purpose. Your body most likely decided it was about time for a change that could work to what you prefer.”

Sesshomaru expected that Chiyo wanted him to deny her claims, hence why she paused. Stubbornly, he kept his lips sealed and his eyes on her wise and sombre looking face. She continued, “I explained to you some time ago that all demons bear the ability to bear children. Your body changed in order draw men to you. After this pregnancy you may not go through another heat as your need to carry on your line would have been satisfied.”

“You claim that a male's body isn't fit to bear children, yet you believe all demons are capable of it. You are contradicting yourself.” Sesshomaru deadpanned.

“The symptoms vary, depending on the Ninsoku's heritage and the species of demon they are. However, male demons are able to birth a child after they have been equipped to do so.” Sesshomaru's eyes suddenly grew heavier as the healer's hand made it's way in a zig zag formation down his stomach still moving slowly, “I have witnessed the pregnancy of a fox demon male, in which caused him to grow taller. Fox demon bodies are naturally small in stature and of slender build, perfect for the flips and tricks they pull. His body must have realised that a small body cannot house a healthy cub.”

“And female fox demons? Do they grow for the same reason?”

“Female fox demons grow to be taller than male fox demons without the aid of a pregnancy. I admit it fascinates me, my Lord.”

The demoness' examination stopped as did her words and Chiyo simply rested her hand on Sesshomaru's smooth stomach. All was silent for a few minutes, as Sesshomaru simply wallowed in Chiyo's explanation and the sweet smelling incense practically suffocating all of his senses. Unfortunately his mental functions seemed to have stopped because of the air in the room; which only served to annoy Sesshomaru.

The entire point of a male becoming pregnant seemed pointless to the demon Lord. It was the reason female demons existed, was it not? What was the point of allowing a demon male to do so as well? Sesshomaru thought it over sloppily, his mind like a wet rag as his eyes threatened to fall shut again. What was the purpose of the incense again? Had he asked Chiyo?

When Chiyo next spoke, Sesshomaru could hear a pleased edge to her voice, “You should be able to see the pup soon m'Lord. Another moon cycle and you will need to announce it.”

“It will be done.” The demon Lord agreed drowsily. That was if the vile thing still be alive. Sesshomaru sincerely hoped Naraku would turn up and gut him before he was forced to commit such a shameful act.

“You will also need to announce who you've taken as a mate, Sesshomaru.”

Sesshomaru remained silent, having chosen to act as though he hadn't heard the demoness mention Inuyasha. There was no doubt that she knew it was his half-breed half-brother; their glows would be similar, though Sesshomaru hadn't witnessed one around them both; he had yet to mark Inuyasha in return. Not that he was planning to. If Sesshomaru had his way he would have killed the half breed days ago, the night he was captured by Naraku.

Chiyo frowned down at him when he didn't reply; as though he were a child the elderly demoness had caught rearranging her immaculately kept clay jars, “I am afraid you have no choice in the matter, my Lord. The council will be able to tell that Lord Inuyasha is my Lord's mate should he announce it or-”

“That's it!” Sesshomaru sat up immediately, albeit shakily, claws beared as the tea coloured shoji leading into his chambers was thrown open violently. Inuyasha stomped into the room, his entire being livid as he glared with the heat of a thousand bonfires down at Sesshomaru, “You fucking told her, you bastard?” He asked incredulously, “What the hell am I supposed to do if she spills the news to Kagome?”

Sesshomaru blinked up at his younger brother, his muscles still slack from the incense; he found himself wishing to lie back again. Chiyo had disappeared from his side immediately after Inuyasha had shown his face, heading for the shoji that kept the smoke inside. She flung it open with much less noise than the half demon in front of him had.

“I did no such thing, Inuyasha.” Sesshomaru was about to continue but was cut off abruptly.

“Like hell! How else would she have known?” Inuyasha blinked down at him and Sesshomaru was suddenly very aware that his torso was bare, his yukata hanging from his body dangerously. He would have been completely bared to Inuyasha's eyes had the blanket Chiyo had covered his lower half with had not been there. Sesshomaru glared back as Inuyasha opened his mouth again, “And what the fuck was she doing to you? Fix up your clothes!”

Funnily enough, Sesshomaru felt his mark pulse and his hands begin to move as though he were a puppet being controlled by his master, and pulled both sides of his light blue and leaf patterned kimono up and over his shoulders again from where they sat on his elbows. He then pulled both sides shut across his abdomen. When he was done, he stared back up at Inuyasha, his mind still slightly hazy from the slowly - agonizingly slowly - dispersing incense.

Sesshomaru's expression was not one of an impressed demon. The half breed kneeled next to him, his nose twitching as he tasted the air with his sensitive nose. Inuyasha was checking to make sure the elder demoness had done nothing improper, or caused any indecent reactions from him. Sesshomaru did not appreciate the action, “Chiyo, please leave.” He ordered politely and quietly, attempting to keep his temper in check, at least until the healer wasn't able to witness his gutting of his younger brother.

Surprisingly, the demoness bowed respectably and mutely, her hands held behind her as she scuttled leisurely from the room. Sesshomaru found that he was grateful the elder healer hadn't argued. However, he could feel her demonic aura waiting outside the shoji from which Inuyasha had so rudely entered from. A spike of anger stabbed through his chest; he didn't need protection.

Throwing the thought aside, the demon Lord turned back to Inuyasha and snarled, “What was the reason for your marking me, Inuyasha?” He asked, “You have shamed this Sesshomaru and have taken away his ability to mate another.”

Inuyasha bit back, “I didn't know what the hell I was doing! If I knew biting you would fucking bind you to me, I wouldn't have!” Sesshomaru's golden gaze flickered down to the clawed hand that was lurking dangerously close to his thigh, “And aside from that, you're the one that wanted to be marked!”

“You are delusional,” Sesshomaru deadpanned, “I would not have and do not wish to be mated to a disgrace.” His hand still clutching his yukata closed.

His brother snorted, “You beared your throat to me. That's an offering to be marked, right? You wanted me to mark you.”

Sesshomaru's brow creased, “I would do no such thing.” And he wouldn't think otherwise. There was no way Sesshomaru was going to believe that he, the Lord of the Western Planes and the Aristocratic Assassin would have even entertained the thought of taking a half breed as a mate. It was unthinkable! Utterly astounding in the most appalling way possible!

“You don't remember?” Inuyasha asked suddenly, his much quieter voice piercing cleanly through Sesshomaru's thoughts.

Sesshomaru raised his eyes from his lap. It seemed as though his face wasn't as emotionless as he usually had it. Silently Sesshomaru cursed Chiyo and her `medicinal' incense; the old healer had only used it to make him far more susceptible to her questions. Why hadn't he realised that before?

“No.”

“Peh,” The half-breed snorted, before he glared heatedly out the window, “That's about fucking right.” Suddenly, Sesshomaru watched as his brother's cheeks flushed red. Inuyasha then seemed to realise he was being stared at and he coughed thickly, so thickly it was obviously fake, “You were distracted, I suppose it isn't that impossible that you'd forget about it.”

Perhaps it was; Sesshomaru mused. The most he could remember of their night was Inuyasha's pressing him into the cold stone they were laying on, after Sesshomaru had had Inuyasha enter him. From there on all he could remember where brilliant flashes of white and black and the blinding sensation of his limbs catching alight pleasurably. It was only logical that any actions he would have made would have been made by instinct. The end was completely hazy; Sesshomaru had the inkling that the force of his orgasm (and the fact that his heat was so near) had caused him to fall unconscious for a short time, as hard as it was for him to admit that it could have been so; Inuyasha was no astounding lover.

Again, Inuyasha's voice cut through his pondering as he renewed his sniffing of Sesshomaru's form. The demon glared as one of Inuyasha's hands came to rest of the thigh it had been held so very close to, and shifted immediately so it wasn't touching him, “What was the hag doing to you? You stink of her.”

“Chiyo was doing as she was supposed to. You need not worry.”

“Peh! That mating mark must be fucking with my head, `cause I am. How'd she `do as she was supposed to'?”

Sesshomaru abruptly started to feel exceedingly tired. He idly flicked his fringe away from his forehead, “Do you know nothing of your honourable heritage, Inuyasha?” He asked as he shifted to lie down again; there was no point straining himself if he was going to find a way to kill off the pup. He needed to be well enough to heal himself as soon after he did so as possible.

Inuyasha seemed amazed by his actions and stared unabashedly, “I -Mother never explained demon mating to me. What makes you think she explained how to check if a fucking pregnancy is going alright?”

The demon Lord's eyes were closed, making sure to keep the blinding sunlight now coming through the open window from his sensitive eyes. He didn't offer a reply, and as the seconds ticked past, Sesshomaru heard his younger brother move closer. Was there still incense in the room? He was feeling relaxed again.

Sesshomaru sighed, his mind beginning to blacken as he felt the heat of another's touch linger above the milky skin of his stomach, which was now bared to the air again. Chiyo must have returned, was his first thought on the subject; Inuyasha surely wasn't foolish enough to attempt to touch him. However, when he felt a wilderness roughened hand press itself clumsily to his abdomen, Sesshomaru's molten gold eyes flew open. He let out a terrifying snarl and lunged menacingly at the person daring to touch him. Inuyasha's touch was nothing like his healer's! How dare he touch him?!

Inuyasha had bounded to the other side of the room, his ears to attention as he stood in a battle stance. Sesshomaru took note idly how the half-breed's eyes strained to remain on his face; he was no longer covered by the blankets and he had yet to tie an obi around his waist.

“Remove yourself from my chambers!” Sesshomaru growled, from where he was, kneeling on his futon, his shoulder burning unpleasantly, “Do not dare lay another finger on me!”

Inuyasha immediately frowned, his eyebrows drawn into the middle of his forehead as he held his hand poised above Tesseiga's hilt, “Fuck you! The entire thing was your idea! Don't fucking try and pin the blame on-”

“Enough, boys.” Their banter fell silent, “Please, m'Lord you know the stress you're putting on the child is not needed. Get back to bed.” Sesshomaru's eyes slid from Inuyasha's form, to the much smaller one standing a metre behind and left of Inuyasha. Chiyo, it seemed, had decided to enter once she'd heard him attack his younger brother.

Sesshomaru growled again, a growl that was born deep in his chest, “Go!”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Kagome stretched happily a bright smile upon her pretty face as she fixed the beautiful silk kimono one of Sesshomaru's servants had set outside the baths for her to wear. It was made of light yellow silk and was decorated with a sprinkling of dark orange-brown leaves. Her mother was going to be upset that she'd lost her school uniform, but she was sure she'd understand that she really couldn't help it when they'd been forcibly removed from her body.

She sighed, the smooth, polished floors against her feet felt cool as she walked slowly to the front gates. A servant - the same one that had dropped off her clothes by the bathes - had told her that her friends were nearly at the castle and that it would be best that she greeted them. Kagome had practically had to tear herself from the heavenly water she'd been soaking herself in for the hour prior to the servant's visit.

So there she was, walking to the front gates, her hair draped like a water logged towel draped over her shoulders, drying slowly in the bright sun that filtered through the few windows she passed.

Kagome turned right in her journey, her dark chocolate eyes growing wide with worry as she realised that she'd passed this same hallway a mere five minutes before. Was she lost? She could have sworn that she'd passed that same fierce and extremely beautiful, stone, dog demon statue in the same far right hand corner of the room. She was sure!

“Oh, no,” She moaned to herself as she hurried with a skip and a hop to the large open doorway on the opposite side of the room, “I am lost!” And she hadn't seen anyone that could show her the way to the front gates either!

With a worried expression that was made obvious by the slight furrowing of her eyebrows and the way the sides of her pink lips were pulled down, she once again began to trek, making sure to turn left at the second corner this time. She was surprised (and rather sadly so) when she once again rushed into the room.

She eyed the white plaster walls critically, examining them. There was no way this could be the same room. Unless Sesshomaru had some sort of spell cast upon his castle that caused all humans to return to the same room every three hallways, there was no way this could be that one room!

“Ooo! Inuyasha, I could use your nose now!” She whispered in a huff to herself. Where was he anyway? She could have sworn he'd told her he'd be waiting inside the door leading from the baths.

“Excuse me?”

Kagome jumped superbly, her shoulders and back straight as though made from a slate of stone, as she turned to look behind her rigidly, “Yes?” She squeaked.

A tall demon stood behind her, his posture much like Sesshomaru's. His skin was of a dark tan, like the sweet mixture of caramel and melted chocolate, and his eyes were thin, the orbs in them like bubbles filled with ocean water. His hair was of a light, light blue, almost white, but the tint was definitely there. Kagome's eyes studied the armour he wore, finding it to be exactly like Sesshomaru's bar the colouring; a brown that was a few tones darker than Shippo's body fur. However, the thing that caught her attention was the large sword hanging from his red obi. Its hilt and sheath were plain, yet the hilt bore a thin, tan and black leather braid with an opal on the end.

When the demon cleared his throat, Kagome blushed the colour of hot pink. She hadn't noticed that she'd been staring so keenly at him! She stuttered an apology, “S-Sorry! You surprised me, that's all!”

The demon chuckled, “I apologise. I'm not used to being able to sneak up on others. When you live amongst the servants, army and the reigning branch of the dog demon clan you for most of your life, you get used to being unable to do so.”

“I see what you mean. Inuyasha's the same when he isn't doing something out of the ordinary.” Kagome commented with a chuckle, a petite hand over her mouth as she did so, “I'm Kagome.” She bowed politely.

The man bowed his head, and tilted his shoulders forward slightly, “Kazuo.” He answered shortly, before adding after a short pause, “I am Lord Sesshomaru's aid.”

“Aid?”

“Yes. I help him with political matters by tending to the matters that he doesn't require his seal, opinion or worry,” The man's oceanic gaze sparkled with mirth, “Much like your presence here, Miss Kagome. You are on your way to meet with the humans escorting Jaken and Miss Rin home, are you not? Are you lost?”

Kagome nodded, “I can't get away from this room.”

“I am sure you have. However, most of the rooms on the very outskirts are like this one.” He gestured to the large, open room, a smirk on his face, “They were created this way on purpose in order to confuse any thieves or anyone foolish enough to attack the castle.”

“Oh. So, I haven't been finding the same room?”

“No. However, you are heading away from the main hall.” Kazuo slowly began to walk to the doors Kagome had just come through. He waved a dark coloured hand in the direction of it, “I can show you the way, Miss Kagome.”

It took a moment for Kazuo's words to register as Kagome found herself staring at the graceful way in which Kazuo moved. He took steps that made him seem as though he didn't touch the ground. Kagome had only ever seen Sesshomaru walk with such a walk.

“Miss Kagome, are you well?”

Kagome flinched out of her staring, “Ah? Sorry! Yes, I'm fine!”

Kazuo raised a light blue, thick eyebrow, “Do you need my assistance in finding the main hall?”

Hurriedly, Kagome nodded, “Yes, thank you! All these rooms rooms are really good at their job; were driving me crazy!” He laughed and knocked herself on the side of the head gently, Inuyasha having fled from her mind.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Inuyasha was about ready to combust! Where did Sesshomaru get off ordering him around like he did? He had half a mind to beat his ass into the ground; Inuyasha was not a pup to be ridiculed or directed around!

With a wise, patient tone, Inuyasha watched as Sesshomaru's healer spoke sternly to Sesshomaru. He would have laughed much like he had the day before, hadn't the old hag's hands been placed over Sesshomaru's stomach. She'd wanted to make sure nothing had happened to the pup, or some shit like that, because `stress wasn't needed'.

Inuyasha felt a growl beginning to crawl from his throat, “What the hell is taking so long, you old hag?” He asked obnoxiously, from his place near the door. He was sitting with his hands shoved inside his crimson haori's opposite sleeves.

He heard Chiyo sigh, “There is no need for such talk, my Lord. You may simply call me Chiyo.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. What's taking so long?” Inuyasha retorted crankily, his ears flicking irritably; he'd never liked being called `Lord' despite Myoga's habit. It was something that reminded him of his relation to Sesshomaru and to a family that he hadn't even met. They didn't care, so why did people have to associate him with them? It drove Inuyasha insane!

“The pup is fine. I was simply being thorough; You do not want your mate or pup to suffer or die because I overlooked something, do you my Lord?” The elderly healer spoke with a level tone, as though Inuyasha's bratty tone wasn't frightening or tiring her.

Inuyasha snorted, “No. But that bastard isn't my mate, so stop referring to him like he is!”

Surprisingly, Sesshomaru spoke up from his place also, “My sentiments exactly.”

Chiyo sighed and turned from where she was, kneeling beside Sesshomaru, “My Lords, forgive this elderly demon, but I do not understand. If you did not wish to be mated, why have you become so?”

Inuyasha managed to beat Sesshomaru to the punch, both demons glaring heatedly at each other as they spoke, “That bastard's in denial! He bared his throat to me, not the other way around!”

“But if my Lord did not wish to mate with Lord Sesshomaru-”

Inuyasha felt his face redden as he reasoned angrily, “I didn't know that biting him would make us mates! At the time I thought he possessed some strange masochistic tendency!”

Sesshomaru snorted, it was a slight sound that Inuyasha barely managed to catch above his own rumbled growls, “You truly are ignorant, half-breed.”

“Fuck you. We wouldn't be in this position if you'd just taken no for an answer.” Inuyasha spat acidly. There was no way he was going to let Sesshomaru pin this all on him. It took two to fucking have sex, and if he was going down, he was drowning Sesshomaru with him even if he had to grasp at the very tips of his platinum white hair to do it, “If you remember correctly, I hadn't wanted to have sex with you in the first place.”

“You should have stayed true to your word.” Sesshomaru answered immediately.

“You bastard! You used my friends against me!”

“You did not have to agree.”

“My Lords, please.” Inuyasha's golden gaze focussed on the demoness, now caressing Sesshomaru's stomach far too easily. Didn't she realise what he was about ready to do if she didn't remove her grubby hands from Sesshomaru right that second? He swore he'd tear her aging hands from her torso! “My Lord, you really should feel this.”

Inuyashsa blinked foolishly, “What?”

“Come here,” The old hag beckoned him forward, “It is not so noticeable, but if you concentrate, you should be able to feel the pup kick, so to speak.”

“He is not to touch me, Chiyo.”

“Oh, quiet, my Lord! From what I have been told, you are to blame for taking such chances also. You knew of the consequences of participating in intercourse so close to your heat, he cannot be blamed for your condition alone.”

Inuyasha smirked, and stood, showing the smug expression that graced his face off proudly, “At least some one listened to my reasoning.”

Sesshomaru glared back, his lips contorted into a frown that did his attractive features no good as his eyes followed Inuyasha's small journey to his side of the room. Inuyasha relished the small victory as he came to rest, on his knees, beside Chiyo. The elderly motioned for him to place his hand over Sesshomaru's stomach, so that the centre of his palm was over the demon Lord's belly button.

Idly, Inuyasha noted how Sesshomaru's skin was still as soft as he remembered. It was smooth and surprisingly warm. Inuyasha remembered when he'd first met Sesshomaru and how, after very few words on his older brother's part, he'd thought his older brother's skin would feel like the coldest snow to touch.

Chiyo placed her hand over Inuyasha's, causing Inuyasha to startle out of his thoughts, before he watched - or more accurately - felt a steady stream of power filter through his hand, into Sesshomaru, before it bounced back through his hand and into Chiyo's. It was warm, and made his skin feel odd but - Wait! What was that!?

At his surprised expression, Inuyasha heard Chiyo chuckle from beside him, “Did you feel it, my Lord?”

Inuyasha ignored her, all of his attention on his hand and the chance of feeling whatever it was that pulsed again. When it did, his eyes grew larger, until they were like white, clay plates on his face. He found his voice stuck in his throat and asked breathily, “Is - Is that the pup?”

“Yes, my Lord.”

Inuyasha nodded absently, making sure that Chiyo knew that he'd heard despite the distant look of wonder that had found its way to his face. He stared in awe at his and the elderly healers hands, “My pup.” He heard himself utter in disbelief.

It seemed that if the news of his pup hadn't sunk in before, it most definitely had now. He felt the little jumps in demonic energy jump again, then once more, as though the pup were reaching for him. Inuyasha felt as though his heart were going to burst at the feeling. He was going to become a father, Sesshomaru was carrying his son. Inuyasha almost couldn't breathe.

The said demon's impatient voice suddenly snapped through the dreamlike haze Inuyasha's mind had been enveloped in, “If you do not mind, I am not to be petted. Remove both your hands at once.” The demon snapped irritably.

Chiyo immediately removed her hand; however, Inuyasha was much slower to complete the order given. With much hesitance, he withdrew his hand and placed it on his right knee. His heart felt like his ribs were using it as a drum, it was so loud and beating so fast.

He gazed down at Sesshomaru, his eyes filled with wonder, despite the annoyed way in which the older demon ignored his presence. His pup, his son, really was growing inside Sesshomaru.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“There they are!” Kagome cried as she spotted the much larger than she was used to party start to make their way up the road that lead travellers up the hill leading to Sesshomaru's castle. They were walking at their usual pace, though she noticed their chins rise as they spotted her waving form.

Kagome beamed and ran forward as an equally excited Shippo leapt off Miroku's shoulder and bounded towards her, cries of her name erupting from his small being at irregular intervals. Kagome felt tears spring to her eyes when the little fox demon was finally caught in her arms.

“Oh, I missed you guys!” She near sobbed as she nuzzled her nose into the small fox demon's neck lovingly, “I felt so lonely.”

“I missed you too Kagome! Inuyasha was so mean! He kept hitting me and calling me stupid and a runt!” Shippo wailed in sync, as he rubbed his tiny forehead against the underside of her chin. Suddenly Shippo was staring her in the eyes, his large grass green ones wide and happy, “And you don't smell like two people any more! Why not? Were you sick, Kagome?”

“Ah, well, I'll explain that later.” Kagome said cheerfully as she continued to cuddle the tiny fox demon, as the rest of the party caught up to him and began to gather around her. She hugged Sango when the demon slayer offered one, and smiled pleasantly at Miroku as the monk - wisely, she thought - chose to keep a safe distance between them, of more than an arm's length away.

The joyous moment was shattered when an irritated squawk erupted behind the group, “You, human! Tell me, is my Lord home?”

“He is.” Kagome turned to find Kazuo stepping carefully and with the graceful walk of his towards the dragon in which Jaken was standing next to. He extended a hand to the small, human girl that sat atop the mount, “I hope you are both well. Miss Rin, you aren't tired, are you?”

The little girl shook her head as she took the dark tan hand offered to her, “I'm fine. But where's Lord Sesshomaru? Is he asleep?”

“No, the last time I heard Lady Chiyo was examining him.” The demon responded with a brilliant smile.

“Oh, really? Rin needs to see him.” Kagome watched with much curiosity as the little girl had her hands dive into the leather packs the dragon was carrying and gingerly withdrew a small bouquet of flowers.

Kagome almost couldn't bite back her giggle. Did this little girl really get flowers for Sesshomaru? Did she really expect him to accept them? She wondered idly over it, before Rin set herself into a run up towards the castle and her attention was once again brought back to her friends. She spied Jaken chasing after Rin noisily from the corner of her eye, waving his hands and staff in the air as he ran clumsily.

She beamed, “Come on, I'll update you on what's been happening while we find the dining room. This place is so huge; it'll probably take us ages!” Kagome chuckled; it was nice to have her friends back.

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Woffy: Ooh, god, my head hurts... What the hell is the point of taking medication that doesn't take away the pain!? Someone kill me or make me feel better by reviewing please. -faints from lack of oxygen-

 

Thank you to the people that left a review for last chapter: KamakuraYumi,

 

gen50: Another bridge chapter, sorry. Thanks for the review though!

 

Polka dot: I think so too. Thanks for taking the time to review. ^^

 

Just a random something-a-rather: Pink's Dear Mr. President is awesome! It helped me get this assy chapter out. Stupid thing wouldn't do so easily! *kicks it*