InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Falling Away ❯ Notable Differences ( Chapter 35 )

 

Wow, First off I would like to dedicate this chapter to my awesome BETA Shigure-san! I sent her a MONSTER of an update to sift through for Falling Away (something like 72 pages @.@) Well she weathered the storm and got it all polished up for everyone's reading pleasure!

 

The second thing I would like to say is a HUGE thank you to all of you for not giving up on me or this fic since it has been like…4 months since I updated. *shies away* but fear not due to the combined efforts of me and Shigure updates will be coming rather quickly for the next few chapters!!

 

As always please read and review feel free to let me know what you think about the direction I have taken the plot in and one last note to say the Poll on my profile will be closing this month so if you want to put your two cents in there is still time to do so. ^_^

 

Thanks with hugs and love to you all! --- OnyxLight---

 

 

 

Chapter 35 Notable Differences

 

(Inuyasha's POV)

 

Slowly I cracked one eye open, greeted by what appeared to be the late afternoon sun. Somewhat startled I sat up and tried to get my bearings.

 

“It is about time you woke, Koi.”

 

I turned toward the sound of the voice to find Ru sitting at a small desk (that I don't remember) in the corner of the room.

 

“I moved it in here a few hours ago,” He said as if I'd spoken my thoughts aloud. I flung the covers back with the intention of rising only to find myself naked as the day I was born. Shocked, I pulled the covers back over me hastily and stared at Ru.

 

“Why so shy now, Koi? You have not had clothes on for the better part of the past three days.”

 

I could feel my eyes widen. My mind played back scenes of the past few days and I could feel the heat flooding to my face. Ru was right; we had been lounging around his chambers being all naked and lustful for days. I suppose he had a point, after that there really wasn't much reason for acting shy now.

 

With that decided, I kicked the blankets off once again, stood, and stretched. For some reason my mind was trying to tell me something important had happened but I couldn't really remember what it was. After I finished stretching I brought my hand up to my neck and scratched, when I did Ru's head shot up from the papers he was reading.

 

“I would not suggest doing that too many times Koi, unless you want to spend another day in bed.”

 

Ru's tone was deliciously wicked; but I was somewhat lost as to what he was getting at. The mark. His mark. Sensitive. Oh yeah, now I remember this itchy spot on my neck is where he bit me. I wondered why his head snapped up like that just because I touched it. Again, as if he knew what I was pondering Ru pushed up the sleeve on his right arm and when a small purple stripe came into view he swiped his finger over it and my head spun.

 

Wow, that damn thing was sensitive. This was going to take some getting used to, but I suppose it's all for the best. If it kept Ru from trying to maim people, so be it.

 

My eyes scanned the room looking for the source of the delicious smell that was tickling my nostrils. When they fell upon a tray of food I realized the contents looked as good as they smelled.

 

“I took the liberty of requesting your favorites,” Ru said without looking up from the document he was signing.

 

I took in his lighthearted demeanor and gathered that three days of nonstop fooling around can put even the most stoic among us in a glorious mood. No wonder Miroku's such a hentai, this whole pleasures of the flesh thing is great. Once Miroku's name crossed my mind, I realized I had yet to tell Ru about this whole mind meld thing.

 

Willing to put it off a few moments longer, I grabbed a set of chopsticks and used them to stuff a generous bite of the noodles in my mouth. As I ate, I found myself wondering what the Houshi had been into the past few days when it occurred to me that he might have been an unwilling third party to my three days of lust.

 

At the thought, I choked on my noodles.

 

Ru looked over at me with raised eyebrows. I'm sure the last thing he expected was for me to wake up and choke on the food he had brought up for me. When I finally cleared my throat I looked over at him and the smug expression he wore made me flush.

 

“You had no problems using that mouth earlier Inuyasha. What seems to be the problem?”

“Feh...” I replied not wanting to go into it at the moment.

 

He simply smirked at me as I studied his features while I ate, taking in how relaxed and…happy he looked, I was really starting to dread bringing up anything that would change his mood. Oh well, I couldn't put it off forever. When I looked away from the tray and up at him his eyes were narrowed at me in suspicion.

 

“Anxiety is coming off you in waves Koi… what is it?”

I really had no choice now. Ru knew something was up. I cleared my throat. “Remember when Miroku used his spiritual powers to feed my youkai?”

 

“Yes.” Was his only response but the tone of his voice told me he already didn't like where this was going. I fell silent and that tapestry on the wall started to look extremely interesting.

 

“You are stalling Inuyasha; I assume there is a point to your earlier statement. Please get to it.”

 

I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried my best to make a long story short. I had the feeling I was failing miserably at it because the more I talked the harder the expression on Ru's face became.

 

“What exactly are you trying to tell me Inuyasha?”

“Our minds are sort of connected,” I mumbled.

“What do you mean by, sort of connected?”

“Well at times I can hear his thoughts and well… he can hear mine,” I answered sheepishly. This was not going well at all.

 

“Why am I just now finding this out?” he asked sharply.

“Because…um well…fuck Ru this is the first time since it all happened that I've really had a chance to talk to you like this. Things have been a bit wild around here in case you hadn't noticed and when they were calm, being close to you made me too horny to think straight!” I shouted.

 

I hadn't intended on raising my voice like that but he made it sound like I've been sitting around the palace twiddling my thumbs. Things have been more than a little hectic in my world lately and I knew he was aware of that.

 

“Well what did Tibade have to say about all of this?” he asked, once again sounding like the aloof bastard he was years ago. I could feel my face contort in annoyance, there was no way in hell I was going to let him slip back into that shit, not without a fight.

 

“Look Ru you can drop the pissed off royalty act. I'm not going to put up with this attitude change from you every time something happens you don't like.”

 

Although fleeting, the shocked expression on his face was something I would remember for quite some time.

 

We were locked in a stare down with each other for what felt like an eternity. He didn't want to give in and neither did I.

 

After a while his face softened and he said, “Very well Koi, finish telling your story.”

 

Beaming from ear to ear at his response, I told him what Tibade had made of the situation as well as our plans to visit Kaede's village soon. Ru nodded and rose from his position at his makeshift study. He glided over to where I sat on the bed and cupped my face in both of his hands. His thumbs slowly caressed my cheeks, causing my head to grow foggy again. If he kept this up, we were never going to leave his chambers… not that that possibility bothered me in the least.

 

“I apologize for my harsh actions and reactions,” he began as he slowly lowered his face until it was mere inches away from my own. “And I will try my best not to behave that way in the future; but I will warn you Koi, do not test my patience.”

 

A smile spread across my face before I could stop it. “And I won't keep such important things from your attention for so long either. It's just I…”

 

He placed a finger on my lips effectively silencing me. “We are not perfect creatures and our new relationship will take some getting use to for both of us.”

 

He closed those few inches we were apart and our lips met in a soft passionate kiss. When he pulled away from me, I scowled at him. “We have things to do Inuyasha and I fear if we stay in here much longer the others might come hunting us down.”

 

The smile that graced his features was so genuine and rare my heart skipped a beat. I nodded in understanding. When I stood up and turned in the direction of the bathing pool, one of the last things I ever expected to happen happened.

 

Ru smacked me soundly on the ass.

 

When I turned my shocked face to him, he was standing there all-but leering at my naked form. “There is always nightfall Koi,” He said as I stood there gaping at his actions.

 

 

* * *

 

(Sango's POV)

 

After three days of, I can only imagine what. Inu-san and Lord Sesshoumaru finally came out of the eldest lord's chambers and I had to admit the change in them both was rather noticeable. The very atmosphere around each of them seemed to be alive and anytime they were anywhere close to each other there was almost a tangible “sexual charge” to the air. It was really bad around Inu-san. As days passed, he'd become quite the flirt. I watched him set many chambermaids flushing and stuttering about with no more than an enticing look. It got even worse when he used words.

 

If that wasn't bad enough the energy around him is almost addictive. He even had me blushing at breakfast one morning. I was helping Hikari bring the food out when the kids starting asking me for this, that and the other but I had a double basket of rolls occupying my hands. Inu-san looked at me and with what could only be described as a wicked gleam in his eyes he said, “It'd be my pleasure if you'd let me hold your buns.” I was so shocked I almost dropped the basket. I felt the heat rising in my face and I could only stutter in response. He simply took the basket out of my hands, winked at me and sat back down at the table as if nothing had occurred at all.

 

I turned around after my senses came back to me and almost bumped into Lord Sesshoumaru; still blushing madly I looked up at the Youkai Lord only to have him give me almost the exact same look and say, “Incorrigible, isn't he?” At that point, I didn't know what to do so I nodded and fled to the safety of the kitchen.

 

I didn't know what was more shocking, the fact that Inu-san had become so open with that sort of thing or the fact that his brother and soon to be mate didn't seem to mind in the least. Well that was not entirely true…I had seen Lord Sesshoumaru's brows knit together on a few occasions when the flirting is between Inu-san and Miroku. On one hand, I think it is harmless but sometimes I wondered because there is a look of fondness in Inu-san's eyes when he looks at Miroku. I had seen the look from Miroku directed at our Hanyou friend many times…I knew the look. I wanted to talk to him about it but I felt the subject matter would be a touchy one and I would have to approach it carefully. (If I approached it at all) I figured time would tell all so I would watch and wait.

 

(Sesshoumaru's POV)

 

It was early morning and I am headed to the records hall then out to the courtyard to get some air. As I passed the dojo, I heard some of the guards talking excitedly about doing some sparring outside and figured that watching them would be an entertaining way to pass the time. I dropped off the scrolls in the records hall and made my way outside. When I reached the courtyard, I saw three of the elite guards circling the Monk. I was a bit surprised that this was whom they were all riled up about sparring against but decided to watch them anyway. Not that I didn't think the Monk was a decent fighter but three, trained youkai against one human would more than likely result in a short match.

 

As I looked at the four about to face off I noticed for once the Monk was not wearing his usual robes and was clad in only a pair of black pants and a set of thongs. His eyes were closed, he had a wooden bo staff in hand, and he seemed to be feeling out his opponents. The three guards circling him were all armed with the wooden blunt swords used in sparring and all seemed a little nervous. I had never watched them spar but I was curious as to why one human had some of my best guards edgy. I was fairly certain he wouldn't use his ofuda or anything of the like on them. Intrigued, I decided to get a bit closer to them.

 

As I moved in, I noticed that three other guards stood off to the side and one shouted for all parties to prepare themselves and once the four out on the court nodded he took a deep breath and let out a harsh whistle. Two of the three guards closed in on the monk at great speeds but he dodged them with what came across to me as practiced ease. When they regrouped, the Monk swept the feet out from under the guard closest to him while simultaneously striking the other in the chest with his staff.

 

This is when the third guard chose to attack as well and soon found himself on the receiving end a kick to the temple. This went on for a while with the guards attacking the Monk and him fending them off effortlessly. I was beyond stunned at how easily the human took care of some of the youkai guards. I would have never figured the monk was as good at actual combat as he is; I also noted that when motivated he is capable of short bursts of high speeds as well.

 

The monk was full of surprises.

 

Soon they all stepped out of the center courtyard for a break. I listened as they stood on the sidelines drinking water and talking about fighting techniques. It became evident that at least two of the guards present had been trying to best the Monk in sparring for some time but they yet to succeed.

 

Done with their water and idle chatter, they stepped back out into the center of the courtyard and one more guard joined the earlier three to face off with the Monk. At that point I was highly curious with how he was going to fair against four opponents. Before they could get set up, I felt Inuyasha's presence above me. I looked up only to see him step out on the balcony that was connected to the library. He was clad in all black and I had to admit that color flattered him well. Not that he looked bad to me in any color but he was usually dressed in such bold hues it was quite the switch to see him in black.

 

“Hey Houshi mind if I join in the fun?” he shouted.

“Not at all Yash, the more the merrier,” was the Monks reply as he waved Inuyasha down. Yash seemed to be the recent nickname the monk had given to Inuyasha while harmless in and of itself, it still seemed a bit too… familiar for my personal taste, but I let it be.

 

Inuyasha leapt off the balcony, landed beside the Monk. He was grinning and a mischievous glint flashed through his eyes. I heard a few of the guards groan as their faces turned despondent. “I think they are having flashbacks of the last time we did this,” the monk said and the amusement in his voice was evident. As he spoke he twirled the staff in his hands in a manner that made the weapon seem weightless, “Shall we go easier on them this time?”

“Nah, I say we just have those other two guys on the sidelines come on over and give them a hand,” was Inuyasha's reply.

 

As the guards began their slow trudge over Inuyasha shouted, “Hey bring me one of those blunt swords.” to the approaching men.

 

While they were all getting into position, Tibade and the Ookami had come out to watch as well. Soon they were all in the center of the courtyard and ready to spar. My brother and the Monk were back to back and there were three guards facing each of them. Kouga called them all to attention and gave the whistle. If I had thought what the Monk did to the three guards alone was impressive what the two of them were doing to six guards was beyond words.

 

The interesting thing was any could tell the two of them were basically playing around. At one point one of the guards on the edge of the court charged the monk while he was engaged in close weapon-to-weapon combat with another guard. I saw both Inuyasha and the Monks attention flicker briefly to the charging guard and what happened next was swift as well as amusing. My brother shoved his adversary away as he did a back flip from his current position, just as the Monk knocked his opponent off his feet; as the human stood up from his sweeping move he stuck his staff out just in time for Inuyasha to land on it and he flung my brother at the charging guard. It all happened so quickly and was executed so flawlessly that I am sure the guard had no idea what hit him.

 

They moved in ideal unison whilst fighting to the point where it was almost like seeing poetry in motion. Watching that made me think, was it any wonder many have fallen to my brother and his little ragtag group of warriors? I had always assumed that the Monk relied on and used his spiritual powers more often than his hands. I could see that I was mistaken. Considering his age, it made me wonder how long he's been training. He would have had to start early in life to be as good as he was.

 

They continued on in this fashion until the guards declared they were done for the day. I took a good look at them and they were visibly roughed up while there was not a mark on Inuyasha and all the Monk had was a lone scrape on his shoulder. Once the guards headed for the edge of the arena the Monk and Inuyasha simply stood there staring at each other and I could only assume they were using the bond (that Inuyasha informed me they shared) to communicate.

 

I knew it was something they could not undo on their own but the level of comfort they seemed to have using it bothered me somewhat. I knew it should not have but it did. As I watched them, they nodded at each other, tossed their weapons aside, and moved so that they are side by side several feet apart. I looked over at Tibade and he simply shrugged his shoulders. When my gaze turned towards to the Ookami, he looked as curious as the rest of us. Once I looked back to our two entertainers for the day, I saw both of them taking a series of deep breaths and then they began to move. A few movements in, I realized that they were performing the steps of a decently complex kata, and in such harmony they looked like mirror images of each other.

 

The entire courtyard was mesmerized by the pair.

 

Regardless of the fact that it was beautiful as well as entertaining to watch, I found my brows knitted together and when I looked over at the Wolf Prince, he had a similar look on his visage as well. I guessed the vibe of unity and closeness coming off the duo didn't escape him either. I did my best to shrug off the feeling of discontent it gave me but I could not…so I merely observed, waiting for it to end.

 

When they were finished, they received a round of applause; but apparently, everyone was rather hasty in doing so because they had one more surprise for us all. They faced each other and both stepped back fifteen paces. With a nod from Inuyasha, the monk ran full speed at him and when he got close to my brother, Inuyasha cupped his hands together and stooped down. The monk stepped into his linked hands and Inuyasha tossed him upwards to a height I knew he would never survive a fall from.

 

A split second later Inuyasha leapt skyward. When they began to descend, they executed matching acrobatic moves before the monk opened the vortex in his hand, creating swirling pool of mist below them and they drooped into it and disappeared from sight.

 

A series of gasps rang through the courtyard and just as everyone was looking around for the pair, laughter was heard from above. All faces turned skyward to find the two sitting on the roof of the palace grinning (at our shocked faces no doubt). They waved to us all and disappeared over the other side.

 

* * *

 

When I ran into Inuyasha later that day, he was all smiles. I had a hard time hanging on to my ire in the face of such happiness. The only thing that had that feeling stuck to me like a leech was the thought that it was someone else that put that smile on his face, not I. As much as I tried throughout the course of the day not to dwell on it, I failed. My mind kept replaying scenes of him and the Monk in the courtyard and that caused the feeling of discontent to return.

 

He was chattering on about what he had done after he left the courtyard and my mind was truly elsewhere until he called my name. I looked at him and he had this peculiar expression on his face. When I questioned his look he simply said, “There's just this strange vibe coming off of you. What's wrong?”

 

What could I have said? I really couldn't make out what the feeling of displeasure was. All I could establish for certain was that I was in no way fond of the feeling. He was waiting on an answer so I gave him one. “Nothing is wrong Inuyasha.”

“Are you sure? Something with you feels…off.”

 

It was hard not to verbally agree. Instead, I assured him that I was fine and asked him if he was interested in joining me for a little sightseeing. For some reason the time between my question and his answer was filled with something akin to uneasiness for me. After a brief moment, his face lit up and he nodded yes. At that answer, the uneasiness faded and as we began walking toward the main entrance he said, “Well since you're not gonna volunteer the information I'll flat out ask. What did you think of the little show Miroku and I put on in the courtyard?”

 

The feeling came back and it left a bad taste in my mouth.

 

I decided then if I never felt that way again I would be forever grateful. My head and thoughts were muddled - my nerves on edge. I wanted nothing more than to retire to my chambers and forget that day; but alas, I could not for that sort of behavior would have been unfitting of a Youkai Lord, so I went on despite how I felt. I looked over at him and I realized he was still waiting on an answer. I needed to say something…

 

“It was very… pleasant, Inuyasha,” I responded dryly and his ears drooped in response. A soft, “Oh…” was his quiet reaction. A tinge of worry crept along the edge of my mind and then my instincts became displeased with me because my curt response had upset him. Control yourself. Apologize. Soothe.

 

I pointedly ignored them and we continued on in silence. He made another attempt at conversation but with me giving short answers, he gave up by the time we stood at the main entrance. With ears still flattened to his skull he said, “I think I'll pass on the sightseeing Ru. I know you said everything's fine but you are obviously not in the mood for company, so why don't you just find me when you get back, okay?”

 

When he turned to leave my instincts began screaming so loud my head hurt. I never realized they could get louder or be so insistent. Stop him. Do something. Make amends. Calm. Act now. It sounded like an angry chorus going on in my mind, and if that wasn't enough, the mark on my arm started to tingle. As I watched him walk away from me, I saw his hand rub the one on his neck.

 

I whispered his name and he turned around and regarded me with sad golden eyes. “Yes Ru?” Silently I cursed the unnamed feeling that started all of this. I have never been good with emotion and in the last few months, I had been inundated with it. “Pardon my mood Koi, I have a lot on my mind.”

His ears lifted a little as they pointed in my direction. Those golden eyes went from sad to concerned after hearing my words. He blinked a few times before braving speech. “Wanna talk about it?” he asked.

 

I did and I didn't. “It is nothing for you to concern yourself with. Do not worry.”

 

A small smile from him was all it took to calm the raging voices in my mind.

 

“I can't help but worry but if you are sure you'll be fine I trust your judgment.”

“I will return soon and I will find you then.”

“Go relax, and loosen up. I'll be here when you get back.”

 

He walked up to me in the open doorway and the wind captured our silver tresses and mingled them together. It reminded me of the night he kissed me for the first time and despite myself, I smiled. This caused him to chuckle. When he wrapped his arms around me the voices faded out as if they had never been there to begin with. I returned the embrace allowing myself the privilege of enjoying the moment. We parted with a kiss that left my mind feeling lighter than it had all day.

 

* * *

 

(Kouga's POV)

 

It has been weeks since the incident between Lord Sesshoumaru and I and quite a few days since Miroku's and Inuyasha's little performance in the courtyard. Between the two incidents, I had plenty of reasons to avoid the Monk so that's exactly what I'd been doing. I knew that I needed to do and say something but I had no idea where to begin.

 

Wandering down the main hall with that on my mind, I ran into Inuyasha with a hyperactive Kitsune on his shoulder. Anyone could see it wouldn't be long before he was too big to use anyone's shoulder as a perch, I would have guessed a season or two more at most.

 

When we drew closer, I asked the kit what he was so excited about. “Inuyasha's going to teach me some fighting techniques out in the courtyard,” He answered all puffed up and proud. I smiled at the fox as I ruffled the mass of red locks on his head. He batted my hand away and said, “You'll be afraid to do that once I'm done training, Wolf!”

“We'll have to spar someday kid so you can prove it,” I said teasingly.

“You're on fleabag!” he shouted as he waved his tiny fist in the air.

“You've been hanging around this one too long,” I replied as I motioned toward Inuyasha with my thumb.

 

The Inu Hanyou had a big shit-eating grin plastered on his face but said nothing. He always looked like that these days and I could only imagine what Lord Sesshoumaru did behind closed doors to keep him that way… lucky bastard. I bet I could get the monk grinning like that, if I got the chance. Once Sesshoumaru's name crossed my mind, I thought about how he had been keeping a tighter rein on the puppy since his little show with Miroku. Not that he was trying to control Inuyasha or anything like that he was just with him every chance he got. I hadn't missed the way he was watching the two while they were playing around. He wasn't any happier about the situation than I was. At least he had a claim of sorts on Inuyasha I had nothing going with the Monk and I knew if I kept stalling, I never would.

 

Another thing I noted was Inuyasha's actions over the past few weeks; they surprised me. After completing the biting ritual, he had become quite the little imp. Not that anything he ever did was out of line it was just so odd to see coming from him. I'd never considered Inuyasha a flirt or anything of the sort but boy did he prove me wrong. Even Sesshoumaru had come out his icy shell showing us all that he could be rather social when he chose to be.

 

Anyone on the palace grounds could tell the two Lords were…heavily involved with each other those days. A body couldn't be in the same room with them without getting worked up. I don't think I've ever seen two beings set more hearts fluttering and faces flushing with a mere look. At first, I thought the palace inhabitants were just easy to impress until the first time I found myself on the receiving end of one of those looks. I thought the hair on the nape of my neck would never lie down again.

 

I will be honest, I kind of wondered how this was going to work out for Dog Boy when we first got here but looking at him, at how he's changed and grown, I knew Kagome could have never made him that happy. He was all but glowing with it. Despite the fact that he is a Hanyou and he has spent most of his life either alone or in the company of humans, his nature is far more demonic than human. He would have never been truly happy living the way I think the Miko would have demanded he live.

 

I was brought out of my thoughts when he spoke to me. “You got anything to do, oh great Captain of the Guards?” he asked jokingly.

“Not really, My Lord,” I replied just as sarcastically.

“Well why don't you come on out to the courtyard with us?”

“Sure,” I answered, happy for the distraction, and just like that, the three of us were on our way.

 

We weren't out in the courtyard long before Sesshoumaru, Rin and Sango joined us. I could tell the kids were missing the two Lords like crazy since all this madness began a while back. You couldn't run into either one of the little squirts without hearing highly embellished tales of their foster parents.

 

It was nice to see things return to normal.

 

Soon we were all kind of lounging around outside watching the show Inuyasha and Shippou were putting on. Inuyasha was forcing the kit into situations where he had to use strength and speed instead of his fox magic. From the way things looked, Shippou was catching on pretty quickly. Inuyasha dove and swiped at the little fox and Shippou retaliated by jumping up out of the way and stepping on Inuyasha's head. This got everyone laughing and amongst that laughter, I heard a familiar pitch. One sniff confirmed that Miroku was behind me somewhere.

 

I turned and found the Houshi sitting propped up against Kilala in her larger form. Sango was a few paces away standing beside the healer who was pointing at the two running around the courtyard. He leaned over closer to the slayer and whispered something that had her giggling like a flower maiden. I looked at how close the two were standing to each other and began to wonder if there was something more going on there than friendship.

 

When Tibade placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her to one of the nearby benches I thought, yup that's definitely headed out of the friendship arena and into something more. She didn't even flinch when he touched her in fact she smiled. Now if only I had as much nerve as Tibade maybe I could get my hands on a certain…

 

“Quite the show isn't it?”

 

I cut my eyes to the left only to find my heart's desire standing a few feet away from me. Wow, I must have really been lost in thought. “That it is. The two of them are rather funny together.” I replied around the lump in my throat.

“Shippou has missed Yash these past few weeks.”

 

Yash, I think to myself but choose not to comment on it, “Yeah, he has and Rin has missed Sesshoumaru just as much.”

“It is nice to have a break from all of the drama and turmoil of the past few weeks,” He said as he laid his staff down on the grass.

“You must have read my mind. I was just thinking the same thing.”

 

We chatted back and forth for a while and as soon as I got comfortable, he started asking questions. “Uh… not to bring up unpleasant things but I have wanted to ask you something for a while now.”

“Sure,” I said as casually as possible.

 

This was it. I was sure to end up saying something I wasn't prepared for. Sighing I turned back toward the action in the courtyard just as Inuyasha stopped dead in his tracks for seemingly no reason. In fact, he was standing so still he almost looked frozen. Worried I looked up to the balcony Sesshoumaru was standing on only to find him gone. When I looked back at courtyard, the Youkai Lord was only a few paces away from his intended mate.

 

“What's wrong with Inuyasha?” Shippou asked as he tugged on the sleeve of Sesshoumaru's haori. The kit must have been really stunned because even though we've all been here for months he still kept his distance from Sesshoumaru. The fact he was tugging on him showed just how worried the kid must have been. Not that I blamed him, there was something funky going on with Inuyasha's aura.

 

Sesshoumaru stopped a few paces away from the frozen Hanyou and called his name a couple of times, when he got no response I saw the Healer making his way over to them. Sango walked up beside us and said, “I wonder what has happened to Inu-san?”

 

Before I could even begin to form a theory, a pulse of demonic power washed over the courtyard. That got our attention. We were all staring intently at Inuyasha when it happened again only stronger. Then right before our very eyes the Inu Hanyou was surrounded by a soft glow and we all watched as his hair turned just the slightest bit wavy and grew in length until it was nearly brushing his calves. He made a strangled gasping noise and dropped to his knees. Sesshoumaru moved toward him only to be stopped by the healer who was shaking his head `no'.

 

Another choking noise escaped him and we all looked on in awe as the rest of him tries to catch up with his hair. His shoulders broadened somewhat, his chest filled out, and where his pants were once tied around his ankles they were now barely bound around his calves. Another pulse of power and I could see lavender stripes on each one of his cheeks and maybe something on his forehead as well.

 

Then just when it seemed like it was all over an intense blue flame engulfed him causing Tibade and Sesshoumaru to step back quite a few paces. When the flame died down Inuyasha fell forward on his hands. I looked at the two closest to Inuyasha and noted Tibade and Sesshoumaru no longer appeared worried. I guessed Tibade knew what was going on. When I peered over at Miroku and Sango, they both looked like they would dart over to him any minute.

 

“Don't stress guys; we demons go through some strange things as we age, it's different for each one of us. I'm sure if he were in any danger Tibade and Sesshoumaru would have acted by now.”

 

Some of the previous tension left their stances and Sango nodded in the affirmative even though she never took her eyes off the scene playing out before us all. Miroku relaxed very little and he still looked like he was having a hard time staying put.

 

Even though I'd known for quite some time it was still difficult for me to think about him having a thing for Inuyasha and from looking at him, it was obvious that he still did.

 

For a split second, the flame flared up around him again and when it disappeared, white fur began to cover his body. His facial features elongated some and he grew until he stood at a little more than twice his brother's height. He was massive even though he was nowhere near the size of Sesshoumaru or myself when we transform. His transformation was quite different though, instead of taking on the form of an extremely over sized dog he still stood on two feet instead of four like we do. He was the perfect cross between his humanoid form and Sesshoumaru's canine one. The best description I could come up with for what he looked like is a giant man-beast. He wasn't like that for very long before he morphed back into his previous state, swayed on his visibly shaking feet and collapsed.

 

Sesshoumaru caught him before he got anywhere near the ground.

 

At that point we all raced forward eager to see if he was truly okay and what the end result of all that was. When we got close to him I could see he was still conscious just dazed. The mark I thought I saw on his forehead was not one mark but four small ones. Nothing as bright and flashy as the crescent moon on his brother's forehead, he had four small pale blue dots that formed a cluster between his brows.

 

Everyone wanted to get a good look at Inuyasha but Sesshoumaru had him cradled in his arms and pulled tightly to his chest like a babe. It was clear to all he wanted no one near Inuyasha so no one was crazy enough to try to approach him while he was in the Dai Youkai's arms.

 

“Well it's about time!” Tibade bellowed.

 

Everyone turned to look at the healer as if he were crazy.

 

“Keep those looks to yourselves.” he said to all of us, “he's been going through this coming of age phase for longer than most. It's well past time he finished it up.”

“So does this mean…” Miroku began.

“Yes, the changes you see are permanent and he will remain this way for at least the next four centuries,” Tibade declared almost triumphantly.

 

Everyone was standing around the Inu couple asking questions and theorizing when a rich baritone voice said, “Could all of ya be a little quieter? You could wake the dead at this volume.” The ears on top of his head flattened as if to emphasize his words.

 

Inuyasha immediately looked shocked and wrapped a hand around his own neck. “What the hell's up with my voice?”

“Welcome to adulthood my young Lord!” Tibade sang.

“WHAT!” Inuyasha shouted in response.

“Do your recall anything that has happened over the last few moments, Koi?” Sesshoumaru asked softly, so softly I wonder if the humans even heard it.

 

“Far as I know I was training with Shippou one moment than in your arms the next,” was his answer. We all looked around at each other trying to figure out how it was possible he couldn't remember going through something so dramatic. I guess the whole incident could be chalked up as a shock to his system.

 

“He will probably recall it all later,” Tibade said to the worried looking group, “Right now let's get him inside so he can see for himself.”

“See what?” Inuyasha asked, clearly getting frustrated with being in the dark about his own situation. I couldn't say that I blamed him. I would have been freaking out too.

 

“You'll soon observe it for yourself Inu-san,” Sango said as we all started moving toward the northern entrance.

“Put me down Ru. I can walk.”

“I would rather not.”

 

Sesshoumaru received a wicked bone-chilling glare from Inuyasha as a response.

 

“Not only does he look more like Lord Sesshoumaru he even glares like him now too,” Shippou whispered to Sango. She smiled and petted the kit's head.

 

After receiving the glare Sesshoumaru put him down and when he stood up all could tell he was shocked to be almost looking his brother dead in the eye.

 

* * *

 

(Shippou's POV)

 

When Lord Sesshoumaru sat my adoptive father on his feet, his surprise at his new height was obvious even to me. I had watched along with everyone else as he grew right before our eyes but just how much wasn't clear until he was standing right next to Lord Sesshoumaru. His voice was all-odd too. He no longer sounded all gruff and cranky. Even when he was ticked off out in the courtyard, his voice was nice and smooth. He looked different…VERY different. Actually, he looked a lot like the man in that painting that hung in the room Rin and I would sneak into whenever Jaken wasn't right on top of us. I guessed that was a painting of their father. We had always wanted to know for sure but we weren't stupid enough to ask since we weren't supposed to be in there to begin with.

 

I was on Sango's shoulder and we were all following the brothers into the palace. At first, his stride was a bit awkward on his longer legs but halfway down the northern hallway he was all but gliding just like his brother. It's weird to see Inuyasha moving with grace. It made me feel like I was looking at an altered image of Lord Sesshoumaru instead of at Inuyasha.

 

I wasn't sure if I liked the changes at all. I wondered what would happen if he started acting all high and mighty too? What if he became too good and too important to look after some orphaned Kitsune that once tried to take his jewel shards? Those questions buzzed around my brain until I felt like crying. When it got really bad, I told myself that Inuyasha would never abandon me and I had no reason to think otherwise. I pushed those bad thoughts aside, and began watching everyone around me.

 

While doing so I quickly realized I didn't like the way Miroku was looking at Inuyasha. Lord Sesshoumaru is far from my favorite demon but if that's whom Inuyasha wants as a mate then that was fine by me. I knew a bit more about what had been going on with them than Rin did because I'd been cornering Tibade and Sango every chance I got. They said some of the things they told me wouldn't be understood by Rin.

 

I knew the dog demons were going to be mated to each other soon and again that was fine by me. If that was going to make Inuyasha happy and make him feel like he had a true place in this world, I was all for it…and I didn't want anyone messing it up for him. Not even if that someone was Miroku.

 

A few more moments of observation and I came to the conclusion that adults just act weird some times. I may have not understood all the reasons why but I knew when I didn't like the looks of something. Miroku was still blatantly leering at Inuyasha and Kouga was looking from Miroku to Inuyasha with a weird expression on his face. Lord Sesshoumaru had yet to move from Inuyasha's side and was putting off a seriously strong `do not get to close too Inuyasha' vibe. This explained why everyone, even Rin, was following ten paces behind them. Tibade was looking at Inuyasha with pride and Sango just seemed her normal happy self.

 

Thank Kami for Sango.

 

When we came upon a connecting corridor, Jaken was headed our way. He took one look at Inuyasha and screeched, “Lord Kiryoku has returned!” then his eyes rolled back in his head just before he fainted. For whatever reason watching that happen really made my day.

 

“I guess I resemble dad a bit huh, Ru?” Inuyasha said as he looked down at the unconscious imp.

“The likeness is uncanny. There are a few differences but not many, Koi.”

Inuyasha bent over and gently picked up the fallen imp and sighed.

 

“I haven't heard your father's actual name spoken in decades,” Tibade said as he stepped forward and reached out for the unconscious little toad demon. “I think a small feast is in order. I'll have the cooks prepare something special for tonight's meal,” Tibade suggested and all seemed to nod in agreement. He then looked at the two Inu's and said, “I will come to your chambers and check on you two later…try to behave yourselves until I do.” He finished with a smirk as he bowed to both lords and headed towards his own chambers with Jaken in one arm.

 

Sango followed him and since I was on her shoulder so did I. Before she completely caught up to the healer, I asked her if she would go with me to the kitchen to find a snack. She agreed to and after telling Tibade where we were going we changed direction and was on our way.

 

I was glad she agreed to do so because I had some questions I wanted to ask her and I wanted us alone before I did it. As we turned down one of the many hallways that led to the kitchen, I used my position on her shoulder to look for any extra eyes or ears. Once I figured the coast was clear I began asking my questions.

 

“Sango, why was Miroku looking at Inuyasha like that?”

 

Her entire body tensed up at my question and she stopped in mid stride.

 

“What do you mean Shippou?” she asked quietly.

“I think you know what I mean Sango, if I noticed I know you had to. He looks at Inuyasha kinda the same way Lord Sesshoumaru does at times.”

 

She picked me up off her shoulder and held me in front of her and looked me straight in the eyes. Her expression was strange and wary. It made me feel as if I had asked her a very uncomfortable question. Maybe I had.

 

“Does Miroku looking at Inuyasha like that bother you, Shippou?”

“Kinda…” I started as I struggled for the right words. “It makes me feel like he wants to be in-between Inuyasha and Lord Sesshoumaru.”

 

Her eyebrows shot to her hairline and with a wry grin she said, “How very perceptive of you my young friend.”

 

I beamed at the praise she gave me but my joy was short lived. As soon as my mind realized my suspicions were right I felt kind of angry towards Miroku for wanting to interfere with Inuyasha's happiness.

 

I hadn't noticed that Sango was walking us toward her room until she opened the door. Once we were inside, she sat me down on her bed then sat beside me. I heard her sigh deeply before she said, “You look upset Shippou do you want to tell me why?”

“As soon as you tell me why Miroku's leering at Inuyasha,” I replied. I knew it sounded demanding but I wanted to know.

 

Sango flopped back on her bed and stared at the ceiling for what seemed like forever before she spoke. “Houshi-sama has been in love with Inu-san for some time now Shippou.”

 

I was glad she wasn't looking at me because my shocked face had to look ridiculous. At the most, I figured the Houshi saw Inuyasha as just another behind to grope. I never figured the pervert would have been in love with Inuyasha. I looked over at Sango's prone form and a few other things that have been going on that confused me now made sense. “So is that why you spend all of your time with Tibade now?”

 

She bolted up into a sitting position so fast I thought she was going to knock me off the bed. Her cheeks were flushed and she looked like she was at a loss for words. “Uh well you see… Tibade and I are… it's not like…”

 

I couldn't bear to listen to her lame attempts to convince me otherwise any longer and said, “Save the speech Satomi I've had my eye on you two.”

She appeared so stunned at what I said and what it implied I fell over laughing at the look on her face. When I sat back up, she ruffled the hair on my head and said. “You are too much at times you know that Shippou?”

 

I grinned at her and nodded my head. We goofed off for a bit more before I started talking again. “Do you think Lord Sesshoumaru will ever care about me like Inuyasha does?”

 

She smiled at me as a thoughtful look settled on her face and pulled me into her lap. “What makes you think he doesn't already?”

 

“He just doesn't act like it.”

“You mean he doesn't show it like Inuyasha does.”

 

I looked down at my hands and nodded. I didn't want to look at her because I felt like I was being such a baby over this.

 

“Well what about that time he took you and Rin on “cloud patrol” with him?”

“He probably only did that because he was already taking Rin.”

“If I remember correctly he sought you out and Rin was as surprised as you were when he asked you if you wanted to come.”

 

I thought about it for a while and realized Sango was right.

 

“Yeah, but that's only one incident,” I said as I folded my arms across my chest, still not convinced.

“How about that time Hikari had cut you off of sweets for the day and upon seeing your long face Lord Sesshoumaru strode into kitchen and if my memory serves me right, he emerged with quite the treat for you.”

“Yeah he brought me the whole cherry pie and he even glared at Inuyasha when he tried to snag a piece.”

“Yup, he did all of that without saying one word didn't he?”

“True,” I mumbled.

“Just keep in mind Lord Sesshoumaru is a lot more reserved than the rest of us. Just because he doesn't say much or handles things differently doesn't mean he doesn't care.”

 

When I leaned forward, she wrapped her arms around me pulling me into a tight hug. When her arms relaxed, I turned the conversation back to Miroku and she told me everything she felt I would understand. By the time, all of that was done, my brain was spinning and both of our stomachs were growling. We left Sango's room and resumed our walk towards our earlier goal…the kitchen.

 

Along the way, we both started naming off things we hoped we would find in the kitchen. Anything Hikari and her crew fixed was delicious but I still had my favorites and apparently so did Sango. As we walked through the tail end of the central corridor, I said something I had never actually said out loud before. “Inuyasha's like a dad to me. I guess I just wanted to make sure his mate was going to care about me too.”

 

Before Sango could answer a smooth voice from behind us said, “And why wouldn't I care about you, young Kitsune?”

 

Sango and I whirled around to find Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru all but on top of us.