InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Falling Away ❯ Times Like These ( Chapter 34 )

DISCLAIMER: I do not, (much to my dismay) own Inuyasha and my only reward is the dedication of my dear readers!

Beta: The absolutely wonderful and awe-inspiringShigure-san!

 

***WARNING: Adult Content!***

 

 

Times Like These

 

(Inuyasha's POV)

 

“Do I dare even ask what the hell all that was about!?” I all but shouted at Tibade.

“Calm down my Lord.”

“Calm down…CALM DOWN?! How the hell do you expect me to be calm after that?!”

 

Tibade sighed but I was relentless. I wanted to know why Ru had suddenly attacked Miroku so viciously, as well as why Kouga stepped in like he did. They were both behaving way out of character and regardless of how the Healer attempts to convince me otherwise, I know there is something more behind this and I wanted to know what that something was.

 

“Even I must admit that I am more than a little curious about what happened. Would you care to tell me why Lord Sesshoumaru suddenly attacked me the way he did?” Miroku interjected.

“Easy my lord,” Tibade began, “I know all of that seemed…bizarre; but it is really quite a common occurrence in times like these.”

“You're a strange fucker, you know that Tibade?”

“Yash!” Miroku gasped out at my choice of words.

“Well he is if he thinks all that shit that happened earlier is `common occurrence'. How the hell is suddenly attacking someone for no reason common? And exactly what did you mean by `times like these?”

 

Tibade lowered his head and began massaging his temples like he was fighting off a headache. It wasn't my intention to be a pain in the ass but I was getting tired of having confusion meet me at every turn. I wanted answers.

 

“Could you excuse us, dear Houshi?” Tibade asked.

 

Miroku nodded and turned to leave but I told him to stay. Tibade gave me a puzzled look so I said, “He has as much right to hear this as I do, if not more so. He's the one that almost met his maker a few moments ago.”

 

Tibade held my gaze sternly and I could see he wanted to challenge my authority. I haven't had to pull rank on anyone in the months I'd been at the palace…but I would if I had to. Apparently, he read this in my eyes. “Very well my Lord,” he conceded.

I relaxed and Miroku and I stood there like a couple of kids waiting on their bedtime story. Tibade was taking his dear sweet time getting started.

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru's attack on young Miroku here was not as unprompted as you may think, my young Lord.”

 

Miroku's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline and he all but shouted, “What the hell did I do?!”

Tibade cleared his throat. “To be blunt and to the point, it was your state of arousal and proximity to Inuyasha that set Lord Sesshoumaru off. Since he has no actual claim on Inuyasha he will violently and ruthlessly remove anyone that attempts to do so.”

 

When I looked from Tibade over to Miroku the Houshi was beet red. When the words really sunk in, I realized Miroku must have gotten all hot and bothered watching me and Kouga run around the battle court. I guess this is why Tibade had wanted the Monk to leave… Oh well, he'll live.

 

“You mean to tell me every time some one gets a boner around me Ru's gonna try to kill'em!?”

“It's a possibility my young Lord.”

“So this is why he went all feral and red-eyed. He thought Miroku was trying to claim me!”

“It is not so much that he thought that, but his instincts did. As you well know, most demons are far more animalistic than they appear. When it comes to certain things we are governed by our instincts, especially in extreme circumstances.”

“This still doesn't explain why Kouga got involved,” Miroku wondered out loud.

“Yeah,” I added “I was barely able to move in the wake of all the energy Ru was putting off, but instead of being scared Kouga was just as ticked off as Ru. Why was that?” I asked and even as the question passed my lips my mind was putting all the clues together and formulating the answer.

 

“That is something you need to ask the Wolf Prince.”

 

I didn't need to ask him, I had already figured it out. Kouga reacted just like Ru. The damn Ookami obviously had his eyes set on Miroku.

“Well whatever his reasons were I'm glad for them,” Miroku said.

 

Tibade smiled at us and once he realized we had no further questions for him he left the library. Miroku tried to scurry out behind him but I grabbed a hold of his robes and brought him to a halt.

 

--Not so fast, Hentai.--

--Yash, I'm embarrassed enough as it is, please do not make it worse.--

--As tempting as it is too rib you over this, that's not what I stopped you for. I wanted to ask you if you were going to confront Kouga about his part in all of this.--

--Yes, but not right now, he looked pretty beat.--

--That he did. Let's go find Sango and get something to eat. I'm starving.--

 

We left the library and headed towards the kitchen. It was silent between us for a while, even in our minds, that was until Miroku asked me a question.

 

--Not that it's any of my business, but I have to admit I'm curious. Why haven't you and Lord Sesshoumaru…well you know.--

--I'm too young.--

--How's that? I mean aren't you like almost a century old now?--

--Yes, but to a demon that's no more than a drop in the bucket.--

--How so?--

--Look at it this way; if you compare my features, my height and build to your's and Kouga's I look the youngest.--

 

Miroku looked thoughtful for a moment before he stopped, gave me the once over and nodded.

 

--That you do my friend.--

--Well according to Myouga and Tibade it can harm demons if they mate before this whole coming of age thing is completed. So until this crap is done we gotta wait.--

--Well that certainly explains why you spend a good portion of your time molesting our Demon Lord in your mind.--

--Yeah, well I think today proved we're both a couple of perverts.--

 

* * *

 

(Inuyasha's POV)

 

 

After we grabbed Sango and ate our fill, I went in search of Ru. It was now dusk and I figured it was time to face the music. I don't know why I've put off letting Ru know about the bond I share with Miroku. Mate might reject.

Ok so I at least had some idea why I wasn't looking forward to it. Ru has made it very clear that he is in no way fond of the fact that Miroku is attracted to me. I have a feeling if the Houshi wasn't such a dear friend of mine he would have fond himself out on his ass.

 

The closer I got to Ru's room the slower my pace became. I was really dreading this. Not only was I not looking forward to the conversation, I was also not looking forward to the feelings of lust that came over me when in his presence. This whole twisted situation is really starting to suck…

 

When I got in sight of the dual doors that lead to Ru's chambers, I realized he was not in there by himself. Tibade was in there with him. Before I could knock on the door, it swung open to reveal Tibade.

 

“Good evening Lord Inuyasha. How are you feeling?” I blinked, momentarily stunned.

“Fine Tibade and you?”

“Very well, I'm glad you've come you've saved me the effort of having you summoned.”

“Uh, what did you need me for?”

“Come on in and have a seat. I think I've come up with a way to prevent a repeat of today's earlier events.”

 

At this declaration, he had my attention. When I stepped into the room, my stomach knotted as soon as my eyes met his. As I slowly looked him up and down the tension in my gut doubled. I was vaguely aware of Tibade's voice in the background going on about something. I hadn't even realized I was in motion until I found myself standing directly in front of Ru.

 

* * *

 

(Sesshoumaru's POV)

 

Tibade and I had been going over the earlier events of the day and attempting to devise a way to make sure it didn't happen again when I felt Inuyasha approaching. I informed Tibade of this and he seemed pleased because he had mentioned having him summoned here earlier. When the healer opened the door, he made small talk with my brother before he stepped out of the way so he could enter.

 

Inuyasha seemed genuinely interested in what Tibade had said until he looked at me. I watched (in complete amusement) as Inuyasha undressed me with his eyes. It was intriguing to watch my little Hanyou completely lose himself in whatever was going on inside his head, all while tuning the words of the healer out.

 

Tibade continued to prattle on about how in more archaic times (and before more sophisticated methods of bonding were developed) intended mates used to bite each other. That small exchange of blood, as well as the mark it left behind, would usually do the trick. Tibade was in the midst of suggesting that we do something like that when Inuyasha started to saunter his way over to me.

 

“Looks like you've got your hands full with him Pup.” The healer said with a grin, “Quite a sensual little creature, it seems your presence is enough to almost drug him.”

“So it would appear,” I replied. Perfect response. Perfect mate. “This would explain why he's been somewhat avoiding me the past few days.”

“True, poor thing seems to lose his mind this close to you. He had brought this to my attention earlier but he didn't say it was this bad. I don't think he's heard a word I've said.”

“Please continue Tibade I think he is fine now that he's gotten closer to me.”

“As you wish, my Lord.”

 

The healer continued on with how and when the ritual should be performed and it seemed fairly simple. I asked him if there were any drawbacks to this, to which I received the exact answer I desired - that there were none that he was aware of. He continued on to say some canine species still did it to this day it was just something that had fallen by the wayside with Inu's in favor of more complete and in-depth rituals.

 

Tibade opened his mouth to say something else but stopped when Inuyasha started untying my obi. Stunned at his behavior I grabbed both of his hands to still them only to have him growl at me. When I looked over at Tibade, I could see the healer trying his best not to laugh. Then to my amazement, Inuyasha went from growling to pouting and…whimpering?

“I don't think he's going to be satisfied until you show him some sort of affection, Pup.”

 

I contemplated Tibade's words but considering he was trying to disrobe me, I didn't think I could show him the kind of affection he wants right now. I mentally scrolled through my options and decided to wrap my arms around the wanton little creature in front of me. This seemed to pacify him for the moment.

 

“I'll make this short, my Lord,” Tibade said abruptly when Inuyasha started nuzzling my neck.

 

True to his word he swiftly finished what he had to say, and answering the few questions I had, he left the room hastily.

 

I could hear him laughing once he got out into the hall.

 

With no further distraction, I turned my attention to Inuyasha and tried to get him to return from this fog he seemed to be lost in. I lowered my lips to his and his response was heated and needy; but it seemed to work, given that when we parted his eyes were marginally more lucid. He looked around the room and blinked a few times before he asked, “Where did Tibade go?”

 

The laugh escaped me before I could stop it. He looked honestly confused and it was the most endearing thing I'd witnessed in ages. He glared at me for being amused at his confusion and all that accomplished was making me laugh again. I haven't shown this much amusement in decades.

 

Perhaps he makes me lose myself as well…

 

I explained to him what Tibade had discussed while he was dazed and he agreed with the idea. I didn't think he would oppose it especially since we had to be intimate on some level in order to perform the ritual. Not to say he was not concerned with the well-being of others, it's just that he seemed to have a one-track mind at the moment.

 

“Is this why you've been avoiding me, Koi?”

 

He lowered his head and looked like a scolded child. I hadn't meant to upset him but I had. I decided if he didn't answer I would change the subject. I didn't like the amount of distress suddenly radiating from him.

 

* * *

 

(Inuyasha's POV)

 

He was looking at me intently and I knew he was waiting on an answer. I kept trying to figure out a way to tell him what was going on between Miroku and me but every time I looked at him, my mind lost all logical thought. He moved over toward his wardrobe and began sifting through its contents all while making idle chitchat with me.

 

He stripped out of his usual attire and my eyes followed each and every new inch of flesh that was exposed, like I would stop breathing if I took my eyes away. I never really realized how fluid Ru's movements were until now. He bent over to pick up his obi off the floor and my eyes were glued to the perfect line his shoulder and extended arm made. I couldn't help but think of how deceptive his frame was. Sure, he looked strong but not as strong as he actually was. He could destroy mountains and countryside's in mere moments if he wanted to.

 

He was now talking about getting more guards or something like that, but my brain shut off as his hands slipped his pants down over his hips. As soon as those magenta stripes and pale thighs came into view, I felt this wave of heat flood through my body. I wanted to touch him so badly it was almost painful not to. That heat intensified and settled in my groin. My suddenly perverted little mind was busy picturing us doing all sorts of things that had nothing to do with us using our tongues for talking. I obviously wasn't listening very well and it didn't take him long to notice. It was the feel of his hand on my face that snapped me out of my daydream.

 

When did he move from the wardrobe?

 

When his lips once again covered mine that question (along with everything else) became irrelevant. One of my arms hooked around his neck and the other around his bare waist. When he pulled back long enough for us to take in much needed air I shamelessly looked him up and down. Something within me was more than delighted at the fact he had yet to put on anything and stood before me in nothing more than his fundoshi.

 

When he took another step back, a whimper escaped my throat at the loss of contact. He smiled at me, leaned forward and whispered in my ear, “Someone's not behaving this evening.” When his breath ghosted across my ear my entire being shivered in response. I stepped forward so my body was once again flush with his and ran my tongue across his collarbone and up the side of his neck. This drew a low moan from him so I repeated the action. I would have continued to do so if his fingers hadn't fisted in my hair and jerked my head back so he could claim my lips in a kiss much more searing and twice as demanding as the previous one.

 

Slowly the hand in my hair relaxed and clawed fingers brushed my scalp. His other hand was busy unknotting the obi holding my pants on. Normally this would have me feeling nervous but now the only thought I have is, the less clothing I have on the better. When the knot finally gave, Ru wasted no time shoving the pants down and when the fabric pooled around my feet I stepped out of them and a sense of freedom washed over me.

 

I was so wrapped up in the sensations his tongue was creating inside my mouth that I didn't realize he had managed undress the both of us completely until I felt his bare erection brush against my own. My knees weakened at the delicious friction. When they sought to buckle Ru scooped me up and in the space of a heartbeat, we were on his bed.

 

I was reduced to nothing more than a bundle of raw nerves and wanton need. As I sat there shaking and panting with a desire I had never before experienced in my life, I wondered why Ru wasn't doing anything. I needed him to do something…anything. When I raised my head, my opened eyes fell upon Ru, on all fours before me and offering a look that was almost predatory. Red flashed across his golden eyes and I realized he was fighting to remain in control. It's very easy to forget we shouldn't get too involved in this sort of activity just yet.

 

“You're not making this easy, Koi,” He growled out as he moved forward. My eyes followed him until he disappeared behind me. Long pale legs appeared on either side of me as I felt myself pulled against his chest. I melted into his embrace, trying to still myself but between this desire burning in my loins and the feel of his naked body behind me I was failing miserably.

 

Strong hands traveled with an aching slowness across my shoulders, down my body to end up firmly wrapped around my hard cock. His strokes were light and slow in the beginning but the pressure as well as the pace increased as my body reveled in the attention it was finally receiving.

 

“Ah…Ru…yes…please…” They were the only things I managed to get out in-between the pants and moans his skilled hands were drawing out of me. One of those hands moved away from my cock to cup and tug at my sack and the combined sensations were almost enough to make me lose it.

 

The closer I got to the release I felt building the more incoherent my attempts at speech became. My body was writhing forwards to meet those touches so furiously I felt like I was going to crawl out of my skin. I was close and I wanted it badly…

 

“Where, Koi?”

 

Where what was my first thought then I remembered that we were supposed to be doing this whole biting thing. “Anywhere…you want,” I panted out carelessly, “where do you want me to…?”

“I care not.”

 

It was a damn good thing he didn't care because in my current position I didn't have a lot of options. His strokes sped up and I saw stars. The moment my climax hit me I felt his fangs sink into my neck and in return, I bit into the crook of his arm. I knew we were supposed to feel something but what happened next was way beyond even my expectations.

 

It was almost as if our combined demons combusted. The energy swirled up around us, enveloping our bodies then flared outwards like nothing I'd ever seen before.

 

* * *

 

(Tibade's POV)

 

When the combined energy of both my Lords rippled through the palace, I found myself very thankful that I'd had the forethought to brew the young Monk an extra strong cup of my special tea. I knew him and Little Happy Face were working on ways to shield their thoughts from one another; but considering the way Inuyasha was behaving when I last saw him I had serious doubts that he would have the presence of mind to do any of the things he'd been practicing.

 

I was in the kitchen speaking with the head Cook Hikari when the wave passed, “And so it begins.” she said as she steadied both of the children back in their seats. I simply nodded.

 

“What was that?” asked Shippou and I soon found myself faced with two sets of questioning eyes, not for the first nor last time.

 

How does one explain things of this nature to children without incurring more questions? I looked pleadingly to Hikari and the old witch thankfully answered their questions and sent them off to bed.

 

“Thanks, old Woman,” I said once the children were out of earshot, knowing this would get a rise out bird demon.

 

“Who are you calling old Tibade? If memory serves me I'm only a few seasons older than you.”

“That may indeed be the case but that still makes you older, my Lady.”

 

She threw a wet dishtowel at me then her tone turned serious.

 

“So it is as I suspect it to be then?” she asked as she moved about the kitchen putting things back in order.

“It would appear so. Even though I would have never believed, I would live to see it.”

“So it was not their father mating to someone that was to be the unison of the Great Dog's it's his offspring's mating to each other. This is truly a glorious occasion indeed.”

“I'm still not so sure this has anything to do with this legend you're so fond of, Hikari.”

“I've been in this palace a great many years Tibade and so have you, has a couple of young folk relieving tension ever caused an occurrence like that before?”

 

I had to admit she had a point. That ripple was probably felt for a great many leagues away. Still something within the legend confused me. I had thought that their fathers' death had put an end to what the Great Dog was supposed to accomplish. Puzzled about this detail I asked her about it.

 

“From what I can remember of what my aunt said, there was supposed to be another canine demon that was to meet up with the Great Dogs of the West and end up mated to a priestess or something,” She said as she waved her hand around in a dismissive manner like that part of the tale was unimportant. She said we might have been so used to thinking of the late Dog General as the only Great Dog that we've been blind to the obvious importance and power his son's have. As she ranted on about this legend, Kouga had come into the kitchen and upon hearing what we were; discussing the young wolf went pale.

 

“Is there something wrong Prince Kouga?” I asked truly curious as to why the young wolf suddenly looked like warmed over death.

“I don't guess anything's wrong really, it's just that some of what she's saying sounds an awful lot like the reading I got from the seer of my pack when I became Alpha.”

 

Hikari asked him what he knew about all of this and he told us that the seer Hisa from his pack had said that he would battle a great demon of many demons, which was obviously the Hanyou Naraku. Then she went into his eventual meeting with the Great Dogs of the West. He said that Hisa had also mentioned that he would eventually be mated to one that was powerful and spiritually gifted, and how important that mating was for the sake of the delicate balance of the fabric of destiny.

 

We all sat there contemplating this, when Kouga added, “She also said that the untimely death of the Great Dog was a ripple in the fabric of destiny; and that this mating of mine was to be a big part in ushering in the next calm for our world.”

“Did she say anything else about the Great Dog's of the West? Please tell us anything else you can remember,” Hikari urged as she plopped a generous portion of roasted fish down in front of the Wolf Prince.

 

I could tell the wolf was trying ardently to remember more of what he was told. He was thinking so hard it was making my head hurt. After what felt like an eternity, the only thing new the wolf had to add was something about four against four, a dark passage or gate and two keys.

 

“Sorry I couldn't be of much help,” Kouga mumbled as he stuffed the last of the fish in his face.

“No need to fret child, we know more now than we did before,” Hikari cooed soothingly as she patted the distraught looking wolf demon on his head. She also took his empty plate and dumped it in the washing bin.

 

Tibade talked with the two of them for some time before he decided to retire to his chambers. The day's events and the evening's conversation had given him plenty to think over. He was sure that regardless of what was truly going on, things were definitely going to get more interesting as time moved forwards.

 

- - -

 

When the next day turned into evening, I was not surprised that the two Lords had yet to make an appearance. Not one to intrude on all the fun they were no doubt having I put off checking on them as long as I felt comfortable doing so. I hadn't heard of there being any problems with the biting ritual but I figured that if anyone could be an exception to the rule, these two would be it.

 

I approached Pup's chambers slowly and when there were no signs or sounds of any activity going on I knocked on the door. When Inuyasha's voice told me to enter I was slightly stunned. I became even more so when I passed through Pup's study and into the bedroom.

 

There in front of my own two eyes lay the eldest son of the west with his head on his brother's lap while Inuyasha fed him grapes. They barely acknowledged my presence as the younger of the two dangled a vine just above Pup's waiting lips and when he leaned up to snare a grape Inuyasha jerked it back playfully. This got what could only be described as a giggle out of both of them. Most odd.

 

Last time I checked Lord Sesshoumaru did not - under any circumstances - giggle. When they continued to ignore my presence and carry on with their little game, I cleared my throat loudly. When Pup's head turned in my direction I noticed his eyes looked as glassy as Inuyasha's had the night before and thought, so now they are both drugged off each other. This would definitely explain the extremely relaxed nature of my eldest lord.

 

“Sorry to interrupt, my Lords. I will make my stay as short as possible.”

 

Pup looked at me like I'd grown an extra head and I couldn't help but think my previous assumption about Inuyasha being a handful was correct. From the looks of things the little one gave as good as he got.

 

Pup looked completely docile.

 

The closer I got to them more I felt the charge to the energy around them. No wonder they're lying around half-dressed feeding each other. If I stayed surrounded by this type of energy for hours on end I wouldn't be much better off than they are. Maybe there was more truth to the legend Hikari is so fond of than I thought. I thought all of the talk about things like this was just what had been romanticized by storytellers as the years passed by and the tale passed down. I suppose now I stand corrected.

 

They made no motions to acknowledge me so I called both of their names firmly. This got their attention and they pulled apart and glared at me like two children and I had taken away their favorite toy. I suppose in a sense I had.

 

Looking at Inuyasha I asked him where Pup had bitten him only to have him look at me like as if I was speaking in a foreign tongue. I sighed in frustration. I was beginning to think that the only way I was going to get anywhere with this was to separate the two of them. I figured I would try asking Pup before I resorted to that.

 

When I asked him, he narrowed his eyes at me in confusion and I motioned for him to follow me and (after a bit of coaxing) he did. Inuyasha tried to follow but I convinced him to stay put. I lead us around to Pup's private bath and said, “Forgive me, my Lord,” before I promptly shoved him in.

 

When he resurfaced, he looked around the room confused. When he set eyes on my smirking form, he glared at me.

 

“Welcome back to reality, my Lord.”

“Was that really necessary Tibade?” he growled.

“Yes it was. Do you have any idea how long I've been trying to get a lucid response out of either of you?”

 

I watched in amusement as color flooded to his cheeks. Pup blushing is something I hadn't seen in over 200 years.

 

“I'm not here to ruin your fun,” I assured him as I squatted down by the edge of the bathing pool.

“That remains to be seen, Tibade.”

“I just want to see the bite marks and I will leave the two of you to your fruit.”

 

Pup gave me a fierce look as he extended his right arm; and there it was in the bend of his arm, two raised little puncture marks connected by a jagged purple stripe. All seemed to be well so I told him I was going to check on Inuyasha's now. When he started to follow me, I told him it would be best if he stayed in here (three rooms away). He scowled but made no more moves to follow.

 

When I returned to the bedroom Inuyasha was sitting there quietly even though he still looked a little out of sorts. When I asked to see his mark he moved his hair away from his left shoulder and there it was a blue crescent moon with a puncture wound on either end. His looked a bit less healed than Pup's but other than that it all seemed to be fine.

 

“Alright little one, everything seems good.”

 

He nodded but he seemed distraught about something. Realizing what it was I smiled at him and said, “He's in the bathing pool…go get him!”

 

The kid was gone in a flash and before I could get out of Pup's…their chambers, a great splash was heard.

 

I figured I needed to make sure no one disturbed them for another day or so.