InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ It's my Life ❯ The village: Part 1 ( Chapter 37 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Rumiko Takahashi does. Any original characters that pop up, yes those are mine, but everyone else is again owned by Rumiko Takahashi.


Sesshomaru groaned as another wave of exhaustion rolled over him. He was so tired, so spent. Yet he had promised to watch over his sibling while he slept. Despite his assurances before they were terribly exposed, and as an unknown area the chance of danger was always viable.

He needed rest, needed it as badly as Inuyasha, but he could not. Not until they were tucked away somewhere secure. It was not just stubborn pride or honor that demanded this, no…his blood took the vow given tot his brother more serious then his own conscious thought ever could hope to.

All leaving him in the highly unenviable position of being caught between duty and need. His body cried out for rest even as his blood urged him on.

It short….it really sucked.

Sesshomaru snorted. It was bad enough Inuyasha was in his blood now, that they held two pieces of the others soul within their own…but now he was thinking like the boy?

Madness.

Well…one thing was certain, they could not go anywhere as they were. Covered in grim and blood, reeking of sex and sweat. No…it would not do. They needed to be cleaned at the very least.

He though he could detect the sounds of trickling water off in the distance, half a mile perhaps, but he had no idea what it might be. A stream would be adequate if it were deep enough. A spring would be divine, though he couldn’t wager on it. Hell of a long walk for what could very well be a muddy trickle.

Of course he could investigate alone and return for Inuyasha if it proved promising. But even as he considered the idea he knew he couldn’t leave the sleeping boy’s presence. Too many variables, and if something happened while he was gone he would likely not be able to return in time.

Also, if he were attacked while alone, weakened as he was, there was a chance he could be brought down. Which in turn would leave Inuyasha defenseless.

As it was he knew Inuyasha was not likely to wake naturally for several days, and even when he did he would be weak with hunger, ravenous even. He would need further care even after he awoke.

So…Inuyasha had to come along.

Sesshomaru rose, aching limbs protesting all the while. The sated, satisfied feeling that apparently came with being freshly fucked wasn’t quite enough to kill all the pain from the bruising and beating he had taken thus far. He snorted again as he looked down upon Inuyasha.

“You can stop infusing this Sesshomaru with your vulgar language now.” He muttered.

Alright…first order of business….get clean. Then return to the others. With any luck Tren and Alir were well enough to take point. After that they could return home, or at least find a defensible spot.
Then  he could rest. A sweet, satisfying coma.

Sesshomaru nodded slightly to himself, an old habit he had not fallen into since boyhood, satisfied with having some semblance of a plan.

“First things first…collect clothing.” He thought as he turned.

He could ignore the whispers inside his hidden place as the muscles continued to tighten. He could not however, ignore the wetness he felt slipping down his thighs. He grimaced, resisting the urge to push down and rid himself of the…leftover.

“Sleep for a week, then punish Inuyasha for seeding me unbidden…again.”

Clothing was simple, folded and slung over his shoulder. He didn’t dare put his garments back on just yet, dirty as they were he had no wish to soil them further. Bending down Sesshomaru curled his arms under Inuyasha, his back protesting the movement. Tightening up Sesshomaru began to lift, his eyes bulging slightly at the sudden enormity of the task.

“Gods!” Sesshomaru groaned as he muscled Inuyasha up, nearly falling over form the immense weight now in his arms. Inuyasha might not have put on puffy bulk overmuch…but he damn sure weighed as if he had.

Sesshomaru blew out a sharp gust of breath through his teeth as he took his first shaky step forwards.

“And he accuses me of becoming heavy in my sleep?” He grunted.

All he could do was pray that the water wasn’t too far, otherwise he was going to have to stop and rest. But even as he entertained that thought he had to admit that if he put Inuyasha down he was not entirely sure if he could lift him once more. It was not just the boy’s weight however, he was simply beyond his limit at this point. His entire body was on fire, sharp exhaustion weighing upon him like he had never experienced before.

“Just another few feet.” Sesshomaru thought. “Just another few feet.”

It became a mantra, repeated over and over again as the sole purpose of  his existence, until he barely even noticed his surroundings. He focused on nothing but the march forward until the toes of his boots finally met water.

He blinked, sagging to the ground like a puppet whose strings had been cut. Inuyasha’s crushing weight rested painfully upon his burning legs, but he could not find the strength to ease the boy off.

He scowled as he glared upon the fruit of his labor. Nothing so delightful as a hot spring, oh no…that would be too kind. Barring that a crisp river or stream would have been of use.

But of course not.

So instead he had to settle for a barely half high brook. Oh the joys of life.

The way he focused on the barely two foot wide waterway an observer could not be faulted for thinking the demon Lord felt it would change if he simply glared hard enough.

“Well…at least it appears clean.” He grumbled.

Groaning, Sesshomaru slid out from under Inuyasha, and crawled into the cold water. To hell with courtesy…he was going first.

Seated in water that barely lapped at his groin Sesshomaru finally clenched down on his muscles, ridding himself of Inuyasha’s implanted fluid. It wasn’t a feeling he could say he enjoyed…going in was certainly more pleasant then going out.  Scooping handfuls of water Sesshomaru did his best to wash himself. He lacked a cloth or soap, and while he could always tear a strip from his clothing itself…it was all he had for cover. He could not sacrifice it…nor was he about to use his luscious fur as a common washrag.

Sesshomaru eyed Inuyasha’s tail…wrong…but tempting.

The soft, churning brook soon ran  red as Sesshomaru scrapped and rubbed the gummy blood from his chest. His back was trickier, and while the easiest thing to do would be to lie back in the water he had no wish to soak his hair. This was not a true bath, he simply needed to remove the more offensive elements currently clinging to his body.

The best he could manage was to pour handfuls of the cold water down his back. It wasn’t ideal, but it would have to do. He had nothing but time after all, and he had to be thankful that the various fluids had not fully dried upon his skin.

Inuyasha’s turn now.

Sesshomaru glanced at his slumbering sibling, and a soft groan of need spilled from his lips. All he  wanted to do was curl himself around the boy and sleep. To wrap them in the nest of their flesh and fur.

He pulled his eyes away with a disgruntled groan. He had hoped the chill of the water would shock him into a better sense of awareness but it had only served to pull aches from his tired bones. He needed to get moving while he was still able. The instinct to protect would override self-preservation if need be. But while it would keep him from falling asleep willingly, it would do nothing if he simply passed out.

The best he could managed was a slow crawl over to Inuyasha, and he feared his shoulders  would pop form their sockets as he tired to pull Inuyasha closer to the water. He swore the boy could be used as a plow…just hitch him to a horse and pull him through the soil.

Sesshomaru snorted at the image of a flailing Inuyasha, carving planting rows with his face. He needed to get something out of all of this after all.

He took his time washing Inuyasha, more due to his lack of energy then anything else, but it did give him time to examine Inuyasha’s new body further.

Alright, alright…so he was looking at the organ he had avoided earlier. But did he not have a right to examine  the cock that had so thoroughly filled him? His ass certainly throbbed with remembrance.

Inuyasha hung thick and heavy between his legs, like a rounded iron slug. His tip barely peaked past his foreskin, and Sesshomaru was amused that two slashing marks sat on the soft flesh, just as his own held, the only difference being the color. He could not help but curl his fingers around the warm flesh, curious to its feel.

Inuyasha murmured softly as Sesshomaru gave him a firm pump. He rather enjoyed the smooth glide of skin actually. With his free hand he trickled water upon Inuyasha’s sex, slowly working off the remnants of their coupling. He didn’t know what was more amusing; how Inuyasha hung while soft, or how much bigger he would become when aroused.

It was nice to see another similarity between them. He was rather the same…a pleasant size while soft, before thickening into a length that he had been told before as…intimidating. Not freakish…just intimidating.

Inuyasha was much the same, not as long, but so very thick. Sesshomaru tried to remember the feel of Inuyasha against his own length in his hand on that drunken night. The memory spoke that like him Inuyasha was no freakish, but would indeed give one pause. The hot pulse in his hidden channel raised a salute to that. Sesshomaru gave the boy another firm pump, feeling the flesh heat in his hand. It felt wrong somehow…the periods of intimacy between them…and yet….he had never witnessed Inuyasha fully bare and hot before him. He had never been able to look upon the boy in all his glory, to fully take in the sight of him. It felt…wrong. He felt denied, cheated somehow, though he couldn’t fully explain it.

He released Inuyasha’s flesh, even though the quiet urge to coax him to fullness still poked at him. More then that though, he wanted…he wanted to taste it. He did not understand why…the instinctual urge to rut was not there, nor a youkai push to seal a mating.

It was just…him.

He had never performed the act before. Even still he had to wonder just what it would be like to feel Inuyasha slide down his throat, to hold him there. He remembered the look of those who had swallowed him fully before. Beyond the wide eyed desire for breath there was the rosining of their cheeks, the hands that cupped his ass to pull him deeper even as they struggled.
He had always pondered that. What they were feeling that appeared to bring them such pleasure even as they were, in a technical sense, suffocating.

It would also be an inoffensive way to assert himself. He did not have to kneel, he could lay Inuyasha upon his back. The thought brought him a measure of pleasure, one of Inuyasha writhing under his mouth.

He swallowed thickly, refusing to salivate like a common dog over a bone. But he could not help but wonder…what would it feel like to take Inuyasha into his mouth whilst his sex was soft. To feel Inuyasha grow thick and long within his Lordly mouth.

Especially thick. It would be a unique sensation to be sure.

Sesshomaru had to admit eh had greatly enjoyed the other side of such an act in the past. He had loved to slip inside his lovers mouth while still cold. To allow the soft suction and wet heat to spur him into fullness. He enjoyed that feeling, and the one of the force of his own rushing blood pushing him down their awaiting throat. He enjoyed watching as their eyes grew wider and wider as they experienced the true glory of his sex.

He could not help but wonder if Inuyasha would enjoy it as well.

As mates there was so much open for them to explore, both of them.

But that realization brought with it another, saddening one. If this entire ordeal had driven one thing home it was how utterly far apart they were as brothers.

Not matter what had griped Inuyasha earlier, one thing was clear. Inuyasha had not recognized him. Had not realized that Sesshomaru was his brother.

But how were they to grow as siblings if their youkai kept pushing them together?

He knew his own held steady blame, and it enraged him. All this binding, all this intimacy, had been forged without either of their consents. Indeed without their participation even!

Inuyasha was entirely  too young to be taking a mate, and his own youkai too damn selfish to think of anything other then what it wanted. It did not matter if he felt if Inuyasha would make a proper mate. Did not matter that his lust burned for the boy. What did matter was what was fair to Inuyasha.

The more he considered it the more shame he felt. Inuyasha was being given no choice, and as elder he could only blame himself. It was his job, his duty, to protect Inuyasha. Even if it meant protecting Inuyasha from himself.

“Ruined.” Sesshomaru thought bitterly. “It is all ruined.”

How could he forge a bond of brotherhood with their marks calling for one another? What if Inuyasha did not want such a bond with him? What if Inuyasha met a woman? One he wanted to bond with? How could he dare hold claim over the boy?

Thus far Inuyasha had only ever rutted with him as an outlet to lust, and under impairment each time. It was not right, not fair.

What was worse was that Inuyasha would always carry his stain. Any mate Inuyasha took would always have to look up another’s mark that lay upon what belonged to them.

Shame.

“Damnable thing!” Sesshomaru bellowed at his youkai.

He had to stop it, had to…castrate it as it had done to him all those years ago. He had to do it…for Inuyasha.

He had to establish himself as a brother, not a lover. Had to give Inuyasha the time and the space to grow and explore, to make his own choices in life. Yet such a thing would madden him, that much was certain. Even the thought of  another touching Inuyasha, let alone rutting wit him, was enough to bring out his fangs.

He thought of a female curling around Inuyasha, receiving his seed. Thought of her growing heavy with Inuyasha’s pups, the young Inu beaming with giddy anticipation. It brought him no joy, no pleasure as an uncle.

Yet he knew Inuyasha ached for children. It was one of the deepest dreams the young Inu had. Beyond that it was his own duty to sire heirs. Not only to inherit all that their family had but to propagate their clan. Honestly…a dozen or so pups between he and Inuyasha was to be desired. As it stood they were the last.

Shared marks aside their positions and strength of blood virtually guaranteed there would be no shortage of interested parties.

He needed to give Inuyasha space. Needed to allow him to develop instead of smothering the boy with his own interests. Inuyasha had never had a sexual experience that did not include him…which meant  it would be all too easy to seduce the boy and bind them together forever.

All too easy…and utterly selfish.

But then…demons were inherently selfish creatures. It was in their makeup.

However right now his youkai was too exhausted to exert itself, leaving Sesshomaru alone in his own mind. If he could just restrain his own youkai, so that he could pursue a more brotherly relationship with Inuyasha, one question still begged to be answered.

Was it even possible?

Inuyasha was no adult, but he wasn’t a child any longer. Brothers hunted together, trained together. Brothers barked and wrestled and played.

…How could they do those things? Even if they could have before…how could they now? He was only just entering adulthood himself these last hundred years, and yet he still felt too old.

Then there was the matter of his duties to his clan and lands…how could he ignore those for games? Games Inuyasha would feel childish for engaging in even if it was still his time for it.

The march of time had pushed them past innocence…so what else was there? Suddenly Sesshomaru felt the full weight of years not yet reached. He was so young himself…by all rights too young for his position even, a fact that had been the source of much of his early woe. But even while battling to keep his lands and home he had never felt the full weight of it like he did right now. He still had another two, maybe even three, hundred years before his ascension would have even been considered. But then his Father had to go and die on him, on both of them.

Which made him Lord, which all its crippling weight.

More then anything else right now he just wanted to let it go, to allow someone else to take over for a while. He just wanted to…be. He wanted the world to go away, to leave he and his brother alone to laugh and splash and romp and just BE.

Sesshomaru was jolted back from his brooding by his face touching Inuyasha’s warm chest. He had nearly dozed off…just so tired…so tired of everything.

“I do not want to do this anymore.” Sesshomaru whispered. “I want my boyhood back.”

But it would never be. His innocent time had been sacrificed upon the alter of Lordship. He supposed that technically he still had perhaps another decade before his body fully entered its adult cycle. But in his mind, and in his heart, he had  discarded the boy long ago, yet while he looked down upon his slumbering sibling….he wanted nothing more then to embrace it once again.

“It does not matter.” Sesshomaru told himself firmly. “Boy, man, adult, child…it does not change the task set before me now.”

But even as he steeled himself, he could not resist the pull to lean in and plant a soft kiss upon Inuyasha’s forehead, the texture of the mark there so pleasing against his lips.

“But even as I say that…I wish for nothing more that we could go back, that we could start over. Wash away the years and meet again for the first time.” Sesshomaru whispered softly.

Inuyasha was not lighter this time, but with hot tears prickling in his eyes…he managed.

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One more step…one more step. He was so close…he could smell the group. Never in his life had he been so glad to catch the scent of humans. As disgusting and weak as it was…it was practically heaven right now.

He would have liked to call out, but his throat was a desert, dry and barren. His back was slick with sweat, his pants dripping with it, and the breeze against his wet flesh brought further discomfort.

He didn’t like that his torso was bare, displaying his body for all to see. But Inuyasha had required covering, as much for his modesty as for Sesshomaru’s own distaste for anyone else gazing upon Inuyasha in the nude.

After nearly dropping the boy some distance back he had taken another rest. During which he had tied his inner shirt and outer coat around the boy’s waste. It was not much, but it would have to do.

He paused, gasping in a breath. His body was literally shaking from exertion, his arms screaming in agony, especially the returned limb. So terribly typical…he had mourned its absence more then once, so of course it simply had to plague him now.

“One more step…one more….do not think of the weight….ignore the pain…just one more step.” He thought.

Bile climbed his throat, warning him what his cramping stomach would soon be sending up. Another indignity to suffer…

Sesshomaru lurched forwards, stumbling through the brush…and there they were. He half collapsed against a tree, Inuyasha partially slipping from his arms. He could see the two girls, both fussing over something. The kit was there with them, but a child was hardly of any use. Daigon was the furthest away, attending to someone he could not see. Alir was reclining painfully against another tree and he did not see Tren at all.

No one noticed him of course, that would be far too convenient, for aid to rush to him when needed. He supposed he could not be all that surprised. His youki was drained to the point where nothing would be sensed, but he would have thought at the very least the kit would have caught his approaching scent. Child or no, he needed to be more away.

Clearly he was going to have to call out, a feat his dry thought laugh derisively at, but what to say? Assistance was truthful, but he couldn’t get much force to the word. Get your asses over here and take this living bolder out of my god damn arms was what he really wanted to say. But proper behavior aside, his throat simply wasn’t up for it. So he would have to settle.

“H…Help…” He forced out as firmly as he could.

Unfortunately it was just about a whisper decibel wise, which made it just another slap in the face from the ones on high. He lowered himself to the point of flat out asking for assistance…and no one heard it. Lovely.

Fortunately the kitsune’s were apparently not just for decoration, and one quirked in his direction. Fortunate for them that was. As he wouldn’t remain drained and exhausted forever…an ignored Sesshomaru was one likely to beat someone on general principals. Oh the hell with it…he was going to kick Jaken anyway.

“Hey!” Cried Shippo. “It’s Sesshomaru!”

Flurry of moment, and the Miko started with the noise. Why did she insisted on screeching out his sibling’s name? What did she hope to accomplish? Why hadn’t her parents removed her vocal cords by now?!

The kit was a the his legs, the girl pawing at his slumbering sibling, which certainly wasn’t helping his own weakening grip. He was so focused on simply not falling that he barely registered that someone was talking to him.

“-do to him?! Why won’t he wake up?!” Kagome demanded, glaring at him accusingly.

That was the straw that broke the Inu’s back.

Sesshomaru snarled at her, the stupid creature that was so loud and obnoxious, and…and female! He didn’t know why that mattered but something in him said that it certainly did!

Sesshomaru pushed Inuyasha up, fully intent on forcing him into the girl’s arms. It would be highly amusing to watch her fall and her ribs cave in under the weight of bolder-pup. But luckily for the Miko, Daigon chose that moment to appear.

“Lord? Is there something-”

“-Take. Him.” Sesshomaru forced out, quivering as much form anger as exhaustion.

“Is…he heavy?” Daigon puzzled.

“Extremely.”

Sesshomaru did not give the healer a choice. With one last burst of strength he slung the boy over Daigon’s shoulders. The healer’s eyes bulged, as his knee’s quivered.

“Sweet Gods! How much…Alir…help…NOW!”

Sesshomaru never took his eyes off of the Miko was the blond guard stood painfully, limping over to Daigon to render aid upon him. Sesshomaru sagged into the tree further as the two struggled to carry Inuyasha away. As soon as he had room however he reared back and did something he had been desperately wanting to do since this entire mess had began.

He slapped the girl right in the back of the head.

As drained as he was the blow was no more then a human one, but the crack was unbelievably satisfying, as was the girl’s stumbling forward.

“OW!” Kagome roared, clutching the back of her head. “You jerk! Why-gack!”

A hand across the throat…also satisfying.

Sesshomaru pulled the girl in, pushing his face into her own,  baring his teeth with naked animal aggression.

“You will shut your mouth and silence that infernal, shrill voice of yours or this Sesshomaru swears that he will rip out your ovaries and shove them down your windpipe!” He snarled before shoving her away.

Gods…he was so tired, so drained, so sore…he just wanted to hurt something.

“I want to go home. I want to go home and I want to go to sleep.” He thought.

He wiped at his sweaty brow as he staggered forward like a drunkard, the Miko glaring hatred at him the entire time. It was less like walking and more falling in slow motion to be honest, but he managed.

Daigon and Alir had managed to get Inuyasha rested upon an untainted patch of grass, the monk was off to the side of it as well it appeared. Sesshomaru didn’t really like Inuyasha being laid upon the dirty earth, but he did recognize that there was little choice in the matter so he kept his complaints behind his teeth.

He stumbled as he approached, and perhaps would have actually fallen had the slayer not pushed her shoulder into his chest. Honestly he didn’t know what was more embarrassing…though he still gave her what he felt was an appropriately grateful look before straightening.

“Don’t threaten Kagome.” She hissed warningly. “Or we’ll have a problem.”

“The only problem I’ll have is how to get your bloodstains out of my clothing and hair.” Sesshomaru thought.

He resisted the urge to gouge her eyes out, thereby repaying her for her assistance only moments ago. God damn women and their flowery scents, shrill voices, and unreasonable moodiness. Nothing at all like a proper earthen spice, and heavy smoothness of tone.

Like Inuyasha.

“You’re exhausted.” Daigon stated as he stared up at Sesshomaru from Inuyasha’s side. Sesshomaru in turn glared at the healer, snorting rudely.

Perhaps next he could be informed of the color of the sky, or maybe someone could perhaps solve that pesky riddle of whether water was truly wet.

“Water.” He demanded simply.

Daigon handed him another one of the skinny, clear containers without question, which he promptly downed. His hands were shaking upon finishing, and he dropped the container to the ground rather then hand it back. It was far too troublesome to bend and retrieve it either.

“Sit down Sesshomaru.” Daigon commanded gently. “You need to rest.”
Rest.

That sounded so very good…but impossible. The area was unsecured. Inuyasha’s safety simply could not be guaranteed. They needed to return home. “Sesshomaru-” Daigon started.

“No.” Sesshomaru interrupted,  shaking his head. “We need to move.”

Alir grunted painfully as he started to rise once more from where he was resting, but Daigon soon halted him.

“Everyone needs time Sesshomaru. We can go nowhere.”

“We must.” He insisted.
Reason, logic, simple common sense…it all gave away to his instinct to protect. He had promised Inuyasha that he would watch over him while he slept, but he was too weak to do so properly. Therefore Inuyasha needed to be brought to a safe location, and this was simply not it.

The only place his weary mind knew to be safe was their home. Thus they would return to it. Inu logic…very straight forward.

“Sesshomaru…see reason. We can go nowhere. We have wounded.” Daigon stated.

“I’m fine…” Came Tren’s shaky voice from off to the side. Sesshomaru would have looked…if his neck wasn’t so tired.

“You are not fine!” Daigon snapped.

“I can still serve!” Tren insisted.

“You have a hole driven through your damn chest!” Daigon spat. “You will stay right where  this one put you!”

“A chest wound does not preclude him from walking.” Sesshomaru stated tiredly. “And he has his sibling to lean on.”

“You would not even give your men time to rest?” Daigon asked incredulity. “Sesshomaru you’ve lost all sense!”

“It is not safe here!” Sesshomaru snapped back.

Daigon crossed his arms with a huff, leveling a displeased elder’s glare upon the demon Lord.

“And what of Miroku? Of Inuyasha? Neither of them will be walking anywhere!”
Sesshomaru growled, baring a fang. How dare Daigon defy him!

“I will carry Inuyasha!”

“You?!” Daigon grunted. “You can barely stand up!”

“D-Daigon…” Alir whispered. “Perhaps you shouldn’t-”

“I will not allow Inuyasha to remain here!” Sesshomaru snarled.

Stupid healer! They were to aid him! Not defy him!
Daigon nodded as if coming to a decision, then he took a step forward. One  arm came out, and his palm met Sesshomaru’s chest for a firm shove. Sesshomaru’s whole body lurched backwards. He tried to compensate, but his drained legs could barely comply. He stumbled backwards, suddenly a mere pup again, and fell hard upon his ass.

His very sore ass.

“Daigon!” Alir cried out. But the healer paid him no need. His eyes were firmly fixed upon the seething demon on the ground.

“You expect to protect him like that? To carry him yourself? Perhaps you haven’t noticed, but your little battle with that Naraku creature took us dozens of miles away. This one can not sense a hint of the former taint. Which means that its highly likely that we have traveled well over a hundred miles. Perhaps more for all we know. Its easily feasible when you take into account the massive strides Inuyasha was taking at the time and the fact that everyone was either clinging to him or the spider when not attacking or recovering. The monk nearly keeled over about a half a dozen times just from this one carrying him after all of you.” Daigon lectured. “But whatever the distance…the fact remains that we are even further from the Western castle then we initially were!”

Sesshomaru glowered, all eyes upon him. He did not know what bothered him more though. Displaying such weakness for all to see. Or the fact that his body was nearly bare for the unworthy to drink in. Still…the fact that Daigon had so easily toppled him was telling. He struggled to drive back against the push for his blood, struggled for rationality and reason.

Perhaps he might have succeeded…had Inuyasha not chosen that moment to utter a soft, sad little sound.

Perhaps it was a dream, perhaps Inuyasha sensed that he was no longer near. But whatever it was it set Sesshomaru’s’ blood on fire. Then to make matters worse…Daigon was firmly between the two of them. An intruder between he and his sibling…between he and his mate.

In the end it didn’t matter what Sesshomaru felt about it, what he thought intellectually. His blood did not care in the slightest.

Snarling, he rose slowly, readying himself to slay the creature that stood between he and  his marked mate, the creature who refused to aid in taking Inuyasha to safety.

“Daigon…his neck.” Alir whispered.

“This one knows.” Daigon stated.

But even as he spoke Sesshomaru’s was lunging forward, arm cocked back. Yet his once powerful legs had nothing left in them, nor did the arm that swung his still deadly claws.  The attack was slow, clumsy, and utterly embarrassing for someone of his caliber all told. Thus it should have come as no surprise when Daigon was able to easily sidestep it.

Sesshomaru lurched past him, nearly falling once again before he could regain his balance, only to take a tumble once Daigon gave him another firm shove. He hit the ground next to  Inuyasha, his exertion sending another brutal wave of exhaustion crashing over him. His eyes crossed and he swooned, nearly passing out.

“Sesshomaru…” Daigon murmured soothingly, kneeling before him. “You need to rest…you are spent, we both know this. You can not protect him as you are.”

“It is not safe here.” Sesshomaru protested, sounding more the petulant child then the firm Lord he wished to be. He was just so tired he could barely think. All he knew was that he had a duty to perform…and he had a failed enough for six lifetimes already.

“A small rest then.” Daigon pressed. “Just enough for-”

‘-Hey!” Kagome suddenly cried out. “I know where we are!”

Sesshomaru’s brain ceased shutting down just long enough to inform him that additional information would be useful.

“Kagome?” Sango questioned.

“Yeah!” Kagome chirped, smacking the heel of her fist into her open palm. “Inuyasha and me came here after we beat Yura! Which means Kaede’s village is that way.”

Village….Village….Sesshomaru’s mind struggled to process. There had been a village of haven in Inuyasha’s memories. A place they returned to often for rest and resupply. It was not far from where Inuyasha had been sealed if he remembered correctly.

“We can take Inuyasha there! Miroku too! I’m sure Kaede will know just what to do.”

“How far that way? And just how do you expect to carry them?” Daigon wondered, sounding rather annoyed.

“He’s right on that one Kagome.” Sango stated. “Kirara is too weak to carry either of them right now.”

Kagome huffed, putting her hands on her hips.

“Well then you and me can go.” She replied. “We can bring back a cart or something. I’m sure someone will lend us one.”

“I can kinda smell people.” Shippo supplied. “Can’t be too far.”

“A mile might as well be a hundred when it comes to carrying wounded.” Daigon informed. “Which might you be reminded, three of our party are. This one doesn’t care what he says either, Tren will not make it far.”

Sesshomaru barely heard any of their words. All he could focus on was the village. It was not to his liking…but Inuyasha had felt safe there in the past. Well…as safe as Inuyasha ever felt anyway.

“Is it safe?” He wondered aloud, more to himself then anyone else.


“Well yeah!” Kagome huffed. “Its like the only safe place we ever go to.”

Sesshomaru nodded to himself, forcing his body to rise up on unsteady feet.

“Then that is where we will go.”

“Damn it…” Daigon hissed. “Sesshomaru you-”

“We are going.” Sesshomaru stated firmly.

Rational thought was difficult, and he struggled to restrain himself from the wild’s call. Inuyasha had felt safe in the place in the past, and if all was recalled correctly he actually trusted the old Miko who sat at  the village head. Sesshomaru had never met this woman before, but it was the only available option it seemed.

Though if they proved a threat…he would simply slaughter them all and then take shelter.

“And just how are we to transport the wounded Sesshomaru?” Daigon asked. “Not to mention you can barely stand.”

Sesshomaru managed to hold back another declaration that he would bare the burden that was Inuyasha. He had to admit, if only to himself, that it simply was not possible at this stage. The miko’s suggestion of returning with help was perhaps valid however. They could always-

“Well…lookie here boys.” Came a crooning voice from behind.

His body felt as if it were turning to stone as he turned himself around. Six humans stood there, all wearing  various predatory smug leers. They were armed and armored, though their gear looked patched  and cobbled together.

“What do you want human?” Sesshomaru snarled.

“Want? You wound us sir.” The one at the head, balding with a topknot purred. “We are but humble travelers.”

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes, hardly in the mood for cat and mouse. Besides…he was Inu…and Inu got to the god damn point.

“I have not wounded you yet.” He warned. “But I shall if you linger.”

“Tough words from the pretty demon who is shaking so bad he can barely stand. Even the little boy toppled you.” Came a taunt from the man on the left.

Sesshomaru heard Alir limping up behind him, the armor gave it away, and was inwardly grateful. On any normal day any six humans, hell any hundred, wouldn’t’ be worth a second glance by either him or Alir….but as it stood all he himself had left were his claws and size. His poison remained, but he lacked the youki to form his whip. He could still spray it…but that lacked range.
So like it or not…these humans did have the potential to be dangerous. Sesshomaru eyed the pelts they wore on their pitted and scarred armor. These men had seen battle, with other, albeit lesser then he, demons and emerged the victor. A cause for concern true, he was not so arrogant to dismiss everything.

“Do you know who I am?” He hissed. He still had intimidation to try. Beyond that there was his training…never…EVER let an opponent know you are weak.

“Just another pretty demon…and not the first we’ve found.” The taunter answered, patting the pelts Sesshomaru had already seen. “Though the one on the ground looks sweet too.”

Sesshomaru saw red as the human leered at the sleeping Inuyasha, his lips pulling back unconsciously.

“Now, now.” Topknot soothed. “No need for all of this. We’ll just be on our way now. But maybe you can find it in your hearts to gift us with a small trinket or two to bless our travels.”

“I think those swords would do nicely.” His second suggested, eying the blades that hung at Sesshomaru’s side. “What need you three?”

Sesshomaru’s hackles rose, and he silently vowed then that one way or another these men would pay for their insults. Now….how to accomplish that exactly?

Alir’s weapon came out, tearing a chunk of earth as he swung it around, but Sesshomaru could hear him straining against its weight. He also caught  the sound of a bowstring tightening.

“Bandits…” Kagome spat. “Get lost!”

Sesshomaru refused to take his eyes off of the threat, but he could only assume that the miko had notched an arrow. Perhaps she wasn’t as useless as he had thought. But if Topknot was concerned about an aimed shot, he certainly did not show it.

“Gonna kill me little girl?” He asked cheerfully.

Sesshomaru could feel the girl hesitate even before he heard the tension relax from her bow. Or perhaps she was just as useless after all.

He resisted the urge to curse. Why was it the girl could slay scores of demons but the idea of spilling one little human’s blood was too much for her? Damn hypocrite.

“You will get nothing.” Sesshomaru vowed. “Save the maggots the spawn within. Be gone!”

He flexed his claws, opening up his venom glands. He wasn’t about to count on the slayer, a pang of human conscience was more then he could afford. His hope was that they would rush all at once, and if they remained clustered he could spray…with any luck that would halt most them and Alir hopefully had enough to finish the stragglers. But even if he didn’t Sesshomaru was determined to find a way…he would not die here…certainly not like this.

Topknot sighed, wearing the look of a patient man pushed to ugly recourse.

“Well I can’t say I’m pleased to hear that. There are far too many selfish travelers on the road these days. Boys…”

Sesshomaru was about to remark  on how there wasn’t any road at all when one of the men behind Topknot became a blur of motion. Sesshomaru saw the knife leave his hand, and his mind reacted…but his body could not. Any other time it would have been nothing, he could have easily snatched it out of the air, or just swayed out of the way and killed the human before it even reached where he had been.

But this was no ordinary situation.

He lurched to the side, and although the blade was no longer on the path to anything vital, the meat of his shoulder would suffer. Emphasis on the would, as Daigon’s hand snatched it deftly out of the air before it could make contact, and with one flick of his wrist the sharp implement found itself buried in the face of its owner.

Hands pulled Sesshomaru backwards, and Alir planted himself in the line of fire.

“Human slime!” Alir snarled. “I’m going-”

FWOOOSH!

Alir jumped back and Sesshomaru watched dumbly as the humans vanished in a cascade of flame even as the one Daigon had killed crumpled. Then the sweetest sound Sesshomaru had heard in hours reached his ears.

“Lord Sesshomaru! Lord Sesshomaru!”
Sesshomaru tilted his head up towards the sound of his name, a small smile gracing his lips over the sight there.

“Rin…” He whispered as Daigon fussed about something.

The child’s concerned face poked through two scaly necks that jostled as feet touched the grounded in front of the still burning ash.

Ah-Un.

She had brought Ah-Un.

Rin hipped off of the dragon’s back and raced over to him, obviously distressed over something. She was speaking, but Sesshomaru barely heard her, he was focused solely upon the dragon. He raised on shaky hand and Ah-Un stepped forward to nuzzle it. Relief beyond telling flooded him as he drew his claws across a scaled cheek.

“I have great need of you.” He whispered softly.

Ah-Un rose up, straightening with pride at the admittance. Though the haze of pain and weariness Sesshomaru became aware of hands upon his leg.

“…so worried about you! Shippo said there was trouble and you left so quickly and that man threw a knife-” Rin forced out as only a child could.

“Quiet Rin.” Sesshomaru chastised gently, lacking any real venom.

“…Is Rin a good girl?” She asked gently, staring up at him with those damnable eyes.

Ah…so she feared his displeasure. As she should honestly….as he had lectured her more then once on the dangers of running off alone after the mess with Nefrume. Now…if only the others could remember that fact. But in this case…

“Yes.” He affirmed gently. “Rin is a very good girl.”

The child lit up like the sun, granting him the smile that could melt the heart of even the most fridge demon. He would know, he had been that demon after all.

He patted her on the head before she rushed past him, meeting the poor kitsune with a bone-crushing hug.

Sesshomaru turned his attention back to Ah-Un, the solution to his problem, when his vision swam and he started to tilt. Daigon was there to catch him, to steady him, a fact Sesshomaru was hardly pleased with.

Grumbling to himself Sesshomaru pushed away fro the healer, slightly annoyed that the man didn’t go skidding across the ground as he should. Which settled it…as soon as he was feeling better he was going to throw Daigon as hard as he could….

He turned, sawing as he fought to keep his balance.

“Rin.” He forced out firmly. The girl promptly ceased her conversation with the Miko and Kit to snap to attention. “Take Ah-Un to the nearby village and bring back a cart of some sort to carry Inuyasha.”

“Yes Sir!” Rin chirped cheerfully, saluting before she snagged both the kit’s and the Miko’s hands. “Come on Shippo, Miss Kagome!”

Sesshomaru watched as the child drug the two to the dragon, mounting quickly and leaving without further prodding. He leaned back against a tree, eyeing the healer carefully. Who knew what Daigon might pull that was “for his own good” or the ever present “Will do what he must” lot.

“Amazing…a child is the most well behaved and obedient out of all my servants.” He muttered.

“Shut up and go to sleep.” Daigon huffed.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Daigon couldn’t believe it. Even as Rin steered Ah-Un into position, the shorter the distance they had to move the wounded the better, he could not take his eyes off of Sesshomaru. The stubborn fool was still awake.

His legs were rubber, and his head lolled like a ball on a string at times…yet he still hadn’t dropped. The thought of just drugging the damn fool had popped into Daigon’s mind more then once so far. He had been forced to do it a number of times with Inu-Taisho, and still carried with him the vials to do the same to Sesshomaru. Problem was  how to deliver it safely. The idea of Sesshomaru fighting in such a state was a joke, but getting close enough to administer anything would put him in range of Sesshomaru’s claws and teeth…and no matter how drained he was Sesshomaru’s venom was nothing to scoff at.

But even without such measures Sesshomaru should have fallen asleep naturally a long time ago. Yet he was still fighting it off. Foolish really…unbelievably so. If anyone should have known better it was Sesshomaru. After all he had not knocked the demon Lord over just to mock him, he had done it to try and show the fool just how bad he really was.

Had Ah-Un not incinerated those humans they could have very well killed Sesshomaru. His fingers still tingled from the contact with that knife…a blessed weapon it had been, probably taken from some traveling monk or some other such thing. A blow from that would have been a lot more troublesome then Sesshomaru would have thought.

Thought…heh…that was the problem. Sesshomaru wasn’t thinking at all. He was caught up in some sort of Inu dominance thing. Which Daigon understood, but it was still his duty to look out for the health of all.

Tren couldn’t fight, walking would be a struggle no matter what he said. Alir was more injured then he was letting on, his armor was actually bracing his broken bones at the moment. One good strike in the right place….

Miroku the monk was comatose, and would be for quite some time in his estimation.

Then there was Inuyasha himself…the dead weight king. His spine was still aching over trying to support him earlier. He almost wanted to check the boy’s belly for lead shot or some such thing.

All in all this left them with only himself and the two human girls for their defense. The idea of moving at all had been ludicrous, though Ah-Un’s appearance had changed all that. He was fine with this plan to move to the human village, but he had hoped that Sesshomaru would be drawn to sleep with his sibling long before now. Neither would be easy to move, but he personally would feel much better if the two Inu’s were curled up in slumber.

He had only seen a drain like this once before, and it had not been pretty. He had no idea what happened to, or what would happen with Inuyasha but he knew that Sesshomaru was likely to be down for three or four days at the least. The sooner he got to that the better off he would be. Not to mention his singular focus would soon turn to sleep deprived dementia. Hints of which his lashing out had already proven…

Daigon looked down at his tingling fingers, rubbing them together slowly. He had surprised himself there….he had seen the knife long before it ever left the human’s hand, but hadn’t expected to perform as he had. He had greatly cemented himself in his role as a healer, and while the reflexes remained he had long since retrained the trigger. Or so he had thought…was it because of that woman? That Kagura? Had one act of violence undone everything he had striven for?

Or was the howling wind forever at his core no matter how many lives he saved?

He sighed….so much work to do.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Se sshomaru could have smiled over the farce in front of him. The monk had already been loaded into the cart, Daigon had managed that single handedly, but Inuyasha was proving difficult.

As it stood Daigon, Alir, Sango the slayer, and the little kit desperately pushing from below, and they were still struggling immensely. Tren had refused to seat himself with the two unconscious males, citing space concerns, and Daigon had refused to allow him to help because of it.

The red haired demon did not look nearly as amused as Sesshomaru himself felt, fussing over his straining mate as he was.

“He wasn’t this hard to move before!” Alir groaned as they finally  raised Inuyasha high enough to slide him in.

Sesshomaru was grateful that he possessed the foresight to secure the lip of his shirt and coat turned skirt shut to keep it from fluttering up. The last thing he wanted was for a gust of wind or an errant move to expose the boy. It was bad enough both of them were half exposed for all to see as it was. If Inuyasha’s glory was unveiled they would look, the miko would look, she was wanting to look he just knew it.

She was a woman after all, that’s what they did. God damn women…always looking and penis’…especially penis’ of little brothers who were already claimed by their far superior big brothers!

Bitches…all of them.

Sesshomaru shook his head to dislodge his thoughts. Gods he needed sleep.

As Inuyasha settled into position pleasantly, the kit had piled his tail under him, he sniffled audibly at the air. Sesshomaru’s hackles rose when Inuyasha’s arms curled around the monk, pulling him in.

He forced the bile down. It was a protective gesture, and perhaps it was a good thing that Inuyasha appeared to recognize the Monk’s scent as something that belonged to him. Or perhaps he was just a cuddler…personally Sesshomaru preferred the former option.

Eyes turned to him and he groaned inwardly. Time to leave…which meant he had to get up. While he had never truly seated himself upon the ground, he was being solely supported by the log under his rear. With effort beyond effort Sesshomaru managed to push himself up fully, his limp legs nearly sending him crashing down however.

His first steps were undignified and unsteady, but he managed, however slightly. He could use Ah-Un to steady himself as he walked however. The reins around his muzzle would do nicely. But then Daigon was there, taking him by the arm, and in his opinion, rudely dragging him to the dragon’s side.

“Get on.” Daigon ordered. “Scoot forward dear Rin.”

The already mounted child obeyed, but Sesshomaru simply stared blankly at the saddle, his weary mind trying to process. Daigon wanted him to…ride Ah-Un?

Preposterous….he could stand under his own power. He was to guard Inuyasha  as he slept…which he could not do seated upon his rear.

Not to mention said rear was still very sore. Damn thick-dicked little brothers….

“I believe I ca-” Sesshomaru started.

“-Get on. The fucking. Dragon.” Daigon growled through clenched teeth.

The gall!

Sesshomaru opened his mouth to chastise the out of line healer, but as he started to turn  he felt arms curl around his right leg. Daigon grunted as he heaved upwards, and Sesshomaru’s arms flailed for support as he found himself rising. With a shoulder shove from the healer he found himself sprawled over Ah-Un’ saddle, the thick leather pressing against his stomach.

Another push coupled with Rin’s pulling hands and Sesshomaru found his legs over the dragon and his ass in the saddle. Said ass not appreciating the pressure, nor did his legs enjoy being opened son.

He glared down at the healer, but his vitriolic tirade was silenced before it could start by Rin’s sweet voice.

“Now we can ride together Milord!”
A smug look came over Daigon’s face, one that said he knew that he had already won. Sesshomaru knew that he had to concede defeat, but bringing in the Rin weaponry was hardly honorable.

‘This isn’t over’ he glared to Daigon, but the healer merely waved him off.

Sesshomaru  was startled slightly when Rin gave the signal and Ah-Un pressed forward. Walking would be slower then the flight the dragon was capable of, so Sesshomaru tried to settle into the saddle.

If only his ass would cooperate. Damn Inuyasha’s.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XX

Daigon watched as Sesshomaru’s head drooped forward for was he counted as the sixty third time. From there he began to count the seconds before it snapped up again. The longest period of time it had remained down was around five minutes. As it was Sesshomaru was no longer fighting sleep, no…not even his will could hold back that tide any longer. No….he was continually falling asleep…only to snap back away time and time again.

What it was that was rousing the demon over and over Daigon did not know, it was something new to be sure. Even Inu-Taisho hadn’t displayed behavior like this.

Daigon glanced at the sleeping Inuyasha to his right just as Sesshomaru’s head snapped up with a start. Both of the boy’s were showing infuriatingly original traits. Sesshomaru’s was worrisome, but Inuyasha’s was…terrifying.

He had no idea what had happened to the hanyou, or how it had managed to occur. But…the result was right in his face. Inuyasha was a full-blooded true Daiyoukai.

It boggled his mind….oh sure it would take a test or two to officially confirm it yes. But he did not need one…he knew what he was seeing. He even  know what Inuyasha as going through right that very moment. He had seen both Inu-Taisho and Sesshomaru go through the exact same thing.

Inuyasha wasn’t likely to awake for six weeks at the least. Unless of course he was prematurely roused by a sufficient threat…like being on fire. Though even that was sketchy. Daigon remembered the case of a bear youkai child who had drown in his sleep, never awakening as he had sunk deeper into a river.

Which was why a  young Daiyoukai’s first transformation was to be carefully monitored. Granted it would come naturally regardless, but as he understood it such an event was rather painful and to be avoided.

But even with Inuyasha showing obvious signs that he had come of age Daigon simply could not write it off as that. Inuyasha had died…he had watched the hanyou take his final breath…and not another had been taken for at least twenty minutes, perhaps more.  Even for a youkai brain damage was a risk, but they wouldn’t know if that was the case until later.

But how had he come back? One minute a cooling corpse and the next a writhing ball of transforming agony. There was simply no medical explanation for it…especially the emergence of Inuyasha’s tail. It just did not happen.

One hundred years of growth in seconds? Impossible.

Yet…there it was.

He thought back on Inuyasha’s attack all that while ago. The bone slivers he had removed from the hanyou’s ruptured tailbone had been telling. Everything there had spoke that Inuyasha’s body was trying to do something it simply couldn’t. Yet if this was the goal it had been trying to reach…why had it failed then only to succeed now? What had enabled it? Something he had done? Something that Naraku had caused?

Daigon did not know, but he was sure that there had to be something. A catalyst of some sort.

He shook his head, dislodging the questions. He wasn’t likely to gain any answers soon. Not out here anyway, and maybe not ever. He wasn’t even sure what to test for, let alone how to test it.

Inuyasha’s markings however were…curious. A trait none of the others in his family had shared. Sesshomaru’s marks stood out, identifying his status and power. Inuyasha’s did the same and yet were more…decorative in purpose. Like jewels or rings, they stood out, catching the light and eye.

Curious.

The twisting slashes curling up his ears also puzzled Daigon. If Inuyasha were a full blood then why had he kept his mutative hanyou trait? Why were they marked? There was nothing random about a Daiyoukai’s marks. What you saw was always what was meant. That Inuyasha had them now could suggest that he was always supposed to, and that did not make any sense.

For the traits he was displaying were simply not of his…breed.

Inu-Taisho had been half giant and half Hachiko-Western Inu. Sesshomaru was one third giant, one third Hachiko-Western, and half Southern Leao. Thus Sesshomaru most resembled his Mother as it was her blood that held the highest concentration within him.

He had inherited her long limbed feminine form and grace instead of Inu-Taisho’s raw boned thickness.

Inuyasha likewise had most resembled his Mother despite sharing facial features with his Father. He had still appeared to be human except for the Inu trait that was his ears. Take those away and not even his eyes or hair color screamed Inu. Also, other then Sesshomaru’s mark upon his chest he had displayed no other.

Now he did…so…if the line of logic was followed that Inuyasha no longer had human within him, his Mother’s blood nonexistent, leaving only his Father’s…it begged the question.
Why did he not look like Inu-Taisho?

If all that remained in Inuyasha was what Inu-Taisho had given him it stood to reason that he would greatly resemble his Sire. But he did not.

Inu-Taisho had displayed his Father’s marks with his Mother’s coloring. Whereas Inuyasha did not share his Father’s marks, or coloring. The placement was the same but the same, but the jagged, multi-colored display was not.

He could write it off as a recessive trait in Inu-Taisho turned dominant somehow in Inuyasha. But the eyes and ears crushed that. Fact was fact….Inuyasha was displaying traits of a mix that he shouldn’t have.

While it was true that one parents traits could be stronger in a child then the other, with demonic bloodlines things were a little different. The dominant blood always pushed to the forefront, hence Sesshomaru and his Father’s visual differences. With an equal mix there was equal displays, so once again Inuyasha should have resembled his Father almost perfectly.

Yet…he didn’t.

As a matter of fact…if he didn’t know any better….Daigon shook the thought loose. Pointless speculation would not get him anywhere.

If only Sesshomaru were in better condition, his attuned sense of smell would be rather useful right now. Besides it wasn’t like he wouldn’t be demanding answers soon enough anyway.

Daigon did not appreciate puzzled and he did NOT like mysteries of any kind. What you did not know could be used against you or prove to be a problem down the line. As a matter of fact there was no telling whether Inuyasha truly was healthy or not. For all they knew the boy was only steps from another attack of some sort.

If Sesshomaru had consented to staying still he could have started an examination while they slept. But no…he had to walk and wonder, and then be called upon for answers the very moment Sesshomaru thought to demand them.

To his side the cart-sat kitsune gently stroked at Inuyasha’s hair…and Daigon got an idea.

“Ne…Shippo is it?” He asked softly. The child’s eyes raised to meet his, and the boy nodded. “Don’t suppose you happen to be familiar with our dear hanyou’s scent?”

“Oh yeah…I could never miss dog boy here.” Shippo replied jokingly.

Daigon nodded. Now that could be helpful.

“And how about now? Does he smell different to you?” Daigon asked.

“You could sure say that again.” Shippo quipped. “He doesn’t smell anything like he used to…not really. I mean its still Inuyasha but…different. REALLY different.”

Interesting.

It told him little but it was interesting none the less. Though he could hardly fault the kit for not having the training to dissect scents the way Sesshomaru could.

Daigon looked to the demon Lord, who once again had jolted himself awake. He had to wonder if even Sesshomaru could confirm his suspicions.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

How much farther could the stupid human village be? He had goaded Ah-Un into a quicker pace three times already and now the sun had nearly disappeared below the horizon.  

Sesshomaru held little fear for the dark, and Ah-Un could see well enough, it was just…annoying. He wished that they could take flight, but he doubted that the ties  that held the cart to the dragon could withstand the weight of Inuyasha, the monk, and gravity all at once. He wasn’t willing to bet on it and the last thing he needed was for Inuyasha to end up plummeting to the earth.

So grounded they were.

The two humans had long since mounted the neko, who had been sleeping upon the slayers shoulder all the time before hand, and his own sat themselves along the wooden walls of the cart, unable or unwilling to walk any further.

No one had implored him to stop yet, which was good…as he had no intention of doing so until they either arrived at their destination or Ah-Un reached his limit.

Sesshomaru blinked his aching eyes, the dark certainly would not help him remain awake, which was an ongoing struggle as it was. He couldn’t’ remember exactly why he could not rest yet, he just knew that he could not. Not until…something.

But Gods he was so tired it hurt.

“This looks familiar milord.” Rin whispered softly. “I think we’re almost there.”
Sesshomaru gripped the right side of the saddle just as the world tilted hard to the left, nearly sending him to the ground. Another wave of nausea washed over him and he gagged, suppressing the retch that he felt building.

“Good.” He groaned, even as more bile gathered in his throat.

The dizziness wasn’t getting any better either, making it all to easy to be jarred around and disorientated. Which in turn only further agitated his rebelling stomach.

So that was how it went for mile after blurry mile. Till the sun had completely set and they were all enshrouded by darkness. The grumbles of certain humans who wanted to bed down for the night went unheard by the increasingly dazed demon Lord.

No that he would have heeded if he had heard and properly processed. He was conscious yes, but hardly aware any longer. Yet although every sound was devoid of meaning it was still shrill to his nerves nonetheless.

Perhaps that was what finally roused him completely.

For just as the sun began to rise he realized that they had come to a halt for some reason, and beyond that there were murmuring voices that assaulted his ears regardless.

Blinking blurry eyes Sesshomaru raised his head form Ah-Un’s necks to stare at a gathering of humans. They in turn stared back with wide eyes and suspicious voices. But that did not matter. No…what mattered was that he knew the sight before him. Knew it as Inuyasha had seen it a thousand times.

The village…they had arrived.

Sesshomaru barely had enough energy to breathe, let alone become excited. Nevertheless he did feel a great sense of relief at the sight. For now Inuyasha could be secured…and that was all that mattered.

Getting down off of Ah-Un? Now that would be a challenge.

The humans no doubt had been setting into their morning routines, and none looked pleased at the appearance of demons. But Sesshomaru paid them no heed. Instead scanning over the various wooden hovels the people actually called homes. Wondering all the while which would best house Inuyasha.

He imagined the headman or elder or whatever humans called their leaders would appear soon, and then he could go about Inuyasha’s lodgings.

“By what right do you come here demon?” Some trembling man called out.

As weary as he was he could not quite suss out exactly where it came form, so he simply resorted to leveling his best glare upon the lot of them. It had the desired effect he was pleased to see. They all coward as all their inferior kind did…which was good. Though he would have expected the miko to emerge and cull the situation…but she didn’t seem to be of the same mindset.

Then again he didn’t exactly know if the two women had fallowed steadily. For all  he knew they had fallen far behind. He would look…but it was just too much work.

Perhaps something had eaten them? Now wouldn’t that be lovely?

But sure enough to his guess, soon the crowd began to part, and a hunched over, gray haired woman with an eye patch made her way forward. Her face looked familiar, inasmuch as it could through a foggy memory that was not his own.

“What business to yet have here.” She asked simply.

“It is a simple matter of-” Daigon started, having come around to Ah-Un’s side.

“-You will provide safe lodging for my sibling. Now.” Sesshomaru stated firmly, completely bulldozing the healer.

“And why should we do that?” She asked.

“Because this Sesshomaru has ordered it.” He responded matter of factly.

Honestly…what was with all the questions? These humans already owed Inuyasha a hundred times over as it was.

“And if we refuse?” She inquired cautiously.

“Sesshomaru.” Daigon whispered forcefully.

Sesshomaru’s temper flared at the question. How impertinent! Their stupid little village sat upon his lands!

“Then I will kill you all.” Sesshomaru growled threateningly.

The crowd withdrew slightly with a fearful gasp, but the elderly woman did neither. Instead keeping her eye firmly fixed upon him. He might have been minutely impressed if this all wasn’t so terribly agitating. What gave her confidence to stare at him so?

It was a credible wonder, and it made him ponder if she could sense how weak he truly was at this moment. Foolish woman…so one human nearly snuck in a lucky jab…he was still the Sesshomaru damn it.

He focused on her face…something was niggling at him.

“Wait now…” Daigon huffed. “This is all going places it need not.”

Inuyasha knew her….Inuyasha trusted her, as much as Inuyasha trusted anyway, she was…she was….

“Ye come here demanding service and threatening death.” The woman stated. “Hardly the actions of a friend.”

“Yes but….well ignore him.” Daigon replied. “We are friends…of friends anyway. Allow this one to explain.”

Yes…she was supposed to be Inuyasha’s friend…but she….then it clicked.

“You are the one who put that rosary upon Inuyasha!” Sesshomaru snarled. “You are the one who shackled my sibling to that abominable bitch! That is why that miko wished us here! She wants that which is mien under her control once more!”

Now it all made sense!

Sesshomaru tore himself off of the saddle, landing not gracefully, but managing not to stumble and fall. He would kill for this, the miko and the old woman…and anyone else who dared to threaten his blood!

Arching his claws Sesshomaru strode forward, intent on shredding the human woman. But Daigon’s hands on his chest halted him.

“Now wait!” Daigon insisted. “You are not thinking clearly here!”

Sesshomaru glared at his servant, whom had apparently forgotten that was what he was, while wondering if Daigon too was in on this.

“The miko lied! She wishes control over Inuyasha once more so she sends us to  this witch! Where is she!? She shall die by my hand this day!” Sesshomaru snarled.

Inuyasha had been through enough! He would not allow this! The boy had suffered enough at the hands of those who claimed to love him.

“Inuyasha?” The old woman questioned, seemingly shrugging off Sesshomaru’s bluster. “Miko? Ye know Inuyasha and Kagome? And what be this about siblings? Inuyasha has only ever spoken  of one sibling, and never in glowing terms to be sure.”
Daigon sighed, and with one eye locked upon Sesshomaru, spoke. “It is a long story, one best told when certain parties are…settled. This one will be happy to tell it in detail…but for now here is the quick version. The creature you know as Naraku is dead, slain by both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru only yesterday. However both Inuyasha and the monk you know as Miroku are each in need of care. We have brought them here for safety. The demon slayer and this Kagome are with the neko….however they fell behind for rest some hours ago and our…leader here was in no shape to pay attention. Apologies.”
Wait…so that was where they went? Not that he cared, but if they were far behind then he had time to rest before shoving the traitorous miko’s head into her own woman hole.

And come to think of it…why did this old woman not know of any of this? Had this not been the place Rin had procured the cart from? Surely some manner of explanation had to be given before it was released into their possession.

“Miroku and Inuyasha…” The old woman began cautiously. “Ye would not mind if I take a look to confirm ye claim?”

Actually Sesshomaru did mind. He minded a great deal….as he certainly did not want the old hag anywhere near his slumbering, and thus defenseless, sibling. So as Daigon steered the old woman around him, he growled his displeasure. Only to have  the healer shot him an unkind glare before continuing his actions.

“Shush you. If she tries anything you can kill her to your heart’s content, and the girl.” Daigon grumbled. “But right now we need them.”

Hn…acceptable.

He would have followed them as they moved closer to Inuyasha but already what little strength he had regained had been spent. He couldn’t afford to show weakness, not now. Intimidation was all he had left and he damn well wasn’t going to give  it up easily. Tren and Alir were near Inuyasha still, but that did little to ease the beast within.

However at the sight of Inuyasha the woman gasped, her lone eye widening in disbelief at the sight before her.

“My word! W-What has happened to Inuyasha? Did he partake of the jewel’s power?” She asked. “And what of Miroku? His body reeks of poisons, and I can yet sense further corruption within.”

Daigon gave the woman an appraising, if ever slightly approving, eye and answered.

“Tis unknown just yet what has caused Inuyasha to change thusly, and sadly we will have to wait further for such answers. This one does not think this jewel was the cause…unless the pieces that Naraku had were used upon him. As Daigon understands, this jewel only became whole when Kagome added her pieces to it.”

The old woman shook her head, a grave look upon her face.

“Naraku would never use power on anyone other then himself.”

“And as for Miroku….the situation is dire…but stable. The poison is ebbing slowly…without treatment he will die yes…but this one is here and he can treat it with little difficulty. As for the other…well that is to be discussed later to be sure.” Daigon continued. “This one is Daigon if you have not yet realized.”

The old woman looked puzzled, but nodded in comprehension.

“Kaede.” She responded simply.

Sesshomaru was starting to angry…well angrier anyway. Was his order going to be followed or not? Just how stupid were these humans?

“Miroku can rest within my home.” Kaede stated. “As for Inuyasha…despite his size I think there will still be room-”

“-in a nice quiet building by himself.” Daigon interjected, making some kind of motion Sesshomaru could not see. Again came Kaede’s puzzled, questioning look. “You see…that way his safety is further assured and  he need not worry of being disturbed by any wayward passerby.”

Daigon turned his head to stare directly at Sesshomaru as the explanation was furthered, and the demon Lord had to wonder just what the healer was going on about. What other elements? What something else hunting his poor little brother? If so why had he not already been notified?!

Kaede followed Daigon’s stare and his hidden gesture, and infuriatingly enough…seemed to understand.

“Ah.” She uttered sagely, nodding in agreement. “Yes…I do agree. It will be prepared.”

Sesshomaru grumbled as the humans began to scramble about. Had he not already made it clear what was expected only minutes ago? Need they an old woman to nod to understand these days?

Humans….really…

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“Get. Out. Of. The. Way.” Daigon growled, only for Sesshomaru to growl back.

The threat of violence reverberating in his chest Sesshomaru drew himself up higher, looming over the smaller man. Daigon did not back down however, though the humans behind him did, instead keeping his look of frustrated annoyance. “Sesshomaru…” Daigon groaned, which only earned him another snarling growl. “Well how did you think this was going to go damn it!?”

Everything that had transpired up to this point and been beneath Sesshomaru’s notice. The monk had been removed without incident, and the old hag had claimed that Inuyasha’s lodging had been properly prepared. For convenience Daigon had suggested moving the cart as close as they could. That itself had been fine by Sesshomaru, as he understood better then anyone the weight of bolder-pup, though the short walk had been brutal upon his legs.

The building itself was no more then a hut, hardly worthy of either of them. But it appeared sturdy enough, and didn’t smell too terribly vile. Granted there were also few choices in the matter, so he was simply forced to accept it. But then the humans had tried to touch Inuyasha. Touch him! With their filthy human hands no less!

“Sesshomaru…the door is right there.” Daigon pressed, pointing inside. “Just let us move him and then you can both rest.”

Rest…oh Gods knew how he wanted that. But…humans….male humans…touching of the Inuyasha. Touching him with their impure…crusty hands. Disgusting…just…just plain icky hands touching his Inuyasha’s sweet flesh.

No.

No that would not doe.

Again, as it always seemed to, it fell to him to complete.

But could he lift the boy one more time? He really was not sure. Inuyasha was higher up this time, and he had gathered a smidgeon of strength during the wait, even though he felt worse now then ever. But if he could not manage it…who could he rely upon?

The humans would touch him with their horrible hands, the textile sensations further fueling their impure thoughts. Thoughts that would cause their pathetic human members to thicken and they would jerk upon them in their filth like pigs. How could they not? As low of vermin as they were…and as beautiful as Inuyasha was. Could they even carrying such a short distance before their base urges overpowered them? What if they dropped Inuyasha to paw at themselves?

It could not be allowed.

Inuyasha had to be protected from their perversion.

Sesshomaru looked over their dirty, unwashed faces. Faces that held fear yes…but was that a hint of a lusty leer he could see? He moved his gaze back to the sleeping boy. So innocent…so pure…

“I must protect him.” Sesshomaru thought dimly.

Inuyasha rose slightly as Sesshomaru slid his arms under him. With a soft moan Inuyasha’s arms clung to him, curling up around his neck, and that simple act set Sesshomaru’s primal blood aflame. Yet Inuyasha had not become any lighter in the intervening period, being little more then dead lead in his exhausted arms. Bolder-pup was alive and well.

“Sesshomaru…you can’t-” Daigon started.

The hell he could not….

With a heave that had his back shrieking Sesshomaru drew up Inuyasha into the air, and with a harsh grunt turned away from the would be Inu-molesters.

That right there however…was the exact moment Inuyasha’s weight settled.

Sesshomaru was weaker on the side of his newborn arm, and that shoulder had grown completely unaccustomed to bearing any sort of weight. It slid from its socket with a audible crack that froze Sesshomaru, and had him whining low through clenched teeth in spite of himself.

“Heard that.” Daigon muttered.

“You heard nothing.” Sesshomaru ground out as he pushed into the hut.

“You sure?” Because it certainly sounded like your shoulder coming completely out of its socket.” Daigon retorted.

“It was not. Your stupid ears are too stupid to hear real sounds.” Sesshomaru’s tired, pain filled mind supplied to his mouth.

“Sesshomaru…everyone heard-”

“-Nothing at all! I am Lord and I say what can be heard or not!” Sesshomaru snapped.

“….God damn you’re bitchy when you’re tired.” Daigon groused under his breath.

With his knees buckling and vision blurring Sesshomaru staggered towards the bed. Not that one could really call it that. It was little more then a large pile of stuffed sacks and low grade furs. But for Inuyasha’s size and weight it would simply have to do.

The entire mound puffed and shifted as Sesshomaru collapsed painfully to his knees, just barely landing Inuyasha  where he wished instead of the floor. Beads of sweat ran down his pounding head and a sour taste after a small, unwanted burp was the only warning he received.  

Sesshomaru lurched to the side, a wooden bucket luckily sitting near, as a mouthful of burning bile rushed up his throat. It splattered against the aged wood, and Sesshomaru wrinkled his nose distastefully even as his stomach began to contract. The only thing that kept him from fully vomiting was the fact that there was simply nothing in his stomach to vomit up.

He fell back on his ass, groaning pitifully at how utterly terrible he felt. Then a hand felt upon his screaming shoulder. He had about half a second to contemplate that before another curled around his forearm. None of which was enough time to comprehend what was about to happen.

The roar of pain that followed after the jerk and shove that audibly forced his shoulder back into its proper socket certainly voiced his displeasure before his angry, bloodshot eyes drug themselves up to bore holes in the smug face of a certain healer.

“What?” Said healer quipped innocently. “It’s not like your shoulder was dislocated or anything. So clearly this one did not just put it back in for you. No sir…certainly not.”

Sesshomaru wanted nothing more then to wring the elemental’s neck, but before he could start to devise a way to get Daigon to choke himself, using his own Lordly hands of course, warm fur curled around his waist like a puffy snake.

Between that and hands that were far stronger then they had any damn right to be, Sesshomaru found himself being tugged backwards, even as he tried awkwardly to stand. Before he knew it he was on the reasonably soft furs with a rumbling Inuyasha completely curled around him, face nuzzling the top of his head as his own was buried in a naked chest.

The moment his bare fleshed touched that of Inuyasha’s, and the scent of his family began to surround him it was as if someone had dropped the moon upon his body. Consciousness fled from him like a rabbit running from a wolf.

He could not have fought it if he wanted to.

“Inuyasha….”

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“About damn time…” Daigon grumbled as he watched Sesshomaru not so much slip as plummet into slumber.

He understood just how impaired Sesshomaru had been, and just what had been driving him. But that didn’t make it any less troubling.

Still…he could not help but smile softly as he watched the two Inu cuddle together, they bushy fur of their tails curling around one another for warmth. It had been so long since he had had a family that he couldn’t remember what it felt like.

Pushing aside the acidic burn of the past he shifted his gaze from the two. Perhaps things would settle for them now. He certainly hoped so…he wouldn’t be around to help forever after all.

Leaving the small human structure Daigon secured it shut. It would not do to have them intruded upon after all. As it was he was unsure as to how he would keep all the small children he had seen running around far away. Noise wasn’t a concern, but curious to see was. In just a few short hours Sesshomaru’s hair trigger would reset, then arm. Anything that came near after that would violently rouse him, and he would undoubtedly wake as little more then a moving delivery system of fangs and venom, killing anything that neared before he even knew what it was.  

Daigon sighed….they certainly did not need the torn, ragged bodies of small children littering the  place. He supposed after a period that he could post Tren and Alir as guard, but children had a nasty talent for thwarting any and all security somehow.

Hmm…perhaps the kitsune would be of assistance?

Daigon rubbed at his eyes as he pushed against the drain of fatigue that never truly went away. Not anymore….

He had spent three thousand years in Inu-Taisho’s service, the demon’s entire life, and another near thousand in Sesshomaru’s own…what he wouldn’t give for true rest. Yet another thing he had long since lost memory of.

But there was little point in dwelling on it, there was nothing he could do after all. Perhaps in another fifty he would go completely hollow and fade, it was hard to judge. As a matter  of fact it would probably be a good idea to start prepping a successor once they had returned to the castle. He would leave behind mountains of tomes yes, but hands on training certainly wouldn’t hurt.

Now if only he had  an acceptable candidate…

Daigon sighed again as he noticed the old Miko staring at him expectantly from across the way. There was no point in putting if off he supposed…even if he was almost certainly going to have to explain it more then once.

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The two women arrived later in the day, neither pleased at having been left behind. Fortunately Alir was able to restrain Kagome from giving Sesshomaru “a piece of her mind.”

Not that any of her harsh words would have sunk in. In all actuality the only thing that would have “sunk in” would have been the demon Lord’s fangs had she actually been able to gain his attention.

Daigon left it to Kaede to explain what she wished, he had has own work ahead after all. Rin and Shippo settled in easily with the other children. Rin in particular ecstatic to have others to play with.

The adults were quite wary of the demons now within their village but managed to settle into their daily lives, albeit with bouts of glaring and sharp whispering.

All any of the could do was wait however….and if they only knew…

Three days later.

Sesshomaru became aware of three things rather quickly as he awoke.

1. He was rather hungry.

2. He had to relieve himself. Badly.

3. Inuyasha was really god damn heavy.

Sesshomaru wheezed as Inuyasha shifted, settling back in even as Sesshomaru struggled to move. The boy was not even on the surprisingly soft bedding. No…he was entirely atop Sesshomaru’s own body.

Now he could accept being used as a pillow, that was rather endearing in a way…but as a bed? He supposed he should be grateful that none of Inuyasha’s contact points were grinding into  him, especially with Inuyasha’s legs intertwining one of his own like a damn snake. From the sheer ache he felt he had to assume that the boy had been there for quite a while now, and while it warmed his heart, his ribs had to lodge an official protest.

Grunting, Sesshomaru twisted, trying to slip out form under the boy. No luck however, Inuyasha didn’t budge. He removed his arm from around Inuyasha, trying to find purchase against the boy’s shoulders or chest to try and push him off. Still no budging.

“Sweet gods…” Sesshomaru grunted. “It’s the attack of the terrible lead pup..”

Finally after putting his arms and back into it he was able to roll them over, dislodging the sleeping bolder from his diaphragm. For a moment all he could do was lie there and breathe, breathe sweet, un-Inuyasha impaired air, and then try to remember just where they were.

He remembered carrying Inuyasha to the others, and had a  vague recollection of vulgar humans. But other then that…nothing.

His nose told him there were humans about, and his ears picked out sounds of work-days floating through the air. Nothing screamed danger, but he was disorientated nonetheless. Automatically his eyes scanned about for his blades, and resting upon a small, worn looking table he found them. Tenseiga, Bakusaiga, and even Tetsusaiga rested there together.

Just the sight of Bakusaiga’s sheath-less blade gleaming in the dim light did wonders for his nerves.

Though his state of dress was deplorable the small enclosure certainly did not appear to be any sort of cell. So he had to assume that they were reasonably safe. All he had to do now was uncover the nature of their whereabouts…right after he emptied his increasingly demanding bladder.

Disentangling himself from Inuyasha was no small task however. The boy’s grabby limbs thwarted him at every turn as he struggled for freedom. Apparently Inuyasha was quite the clinger, and loath to give up his Sesshomaru-based warmth.

Sesshomaru was finally forced into catching the boy’s wrists and opening his arms wide before throwing himself to the floor faster then Inuyasha could clamp back down. He had to admit that he felt a little smug as Inuyasha’s hands ghosted around the bed, searching for him, but that the small, needy whimper that left the boy  did make him feel a tad guilty.  Which in turn made him feel quite the fool. He did have a right to relieve himself! Even in his slumber Inuyasha paid practically zero attention to his needs!

Damn little brothers….

The internal ache grew more urgent as he stood, stating that it would not be ignored for much longer. But no chamber pot revealed itself to his searching eyes, and he found himself crossing his legs of all things just to hold back the pressure. The room was too small for a far off corner to become an option, the call of nature might be urgent but he had manners and decorum to think of.

The outside was available, but he was not sure he was not sure he was prepared to venture out just yet. Not without being in a better state at least.

Which left him with the cut out window to the left. Too high for a human but with his height it would do…to hell with it!

His pride shrieked at him that he was certainly not waddling his way to a window just to piss from it, but he hardly cared at this point. He wasn’t about to piss himself after all. He barely got free from his pants before the dam broke but…damn it was satisfying.

He sighed contentedly…however another voice was not so pleased.

“Hey!!” Came a child’s cry and Sesshomaru froze.

Retreated would be difficult, if not impossible now, so he could only hope that the child was smart enough to move. Then a girl’s voice chimed in, asking what all the commotion was about.

“Sesshomaru almost pissed on my head!” Came an outraged report.

The kit.

If the familiar tone didn’t give it away the fact that no one else could identify him solely by scent alone did. But if the kit was there then the girl could only be…Oh Gods…he could NOT be seen like this by Rin.

Finishing quickly by pressing his muscles as hard as he dared was still a challenge, as there was quite the ample supply, but he managed…for dignity’s sake at least.

Covering himself quickly he sheepishly backed away form the window, debating on what his next move should be. He couldn’t very well make a dignified exist whilst half naked, but if he remained where he was then his ward could very well make an appearance and start asking questions he really did not wish to answer.

As he shuffled backwards his legs met with the soft fluff of Inuyasha’s tail. At the contact it jumped as though it had a mind of its own, landing itself upon his arm. How  cute…Sesshomaru smiled gently and ran his fingers through the soft fur.

Mistake.

Asleep or not Inuyasha now knew just where he was, and like a snake the appendage struck out, completely encircling his head.  

“Mrrph!” Sesshomaru cried out as Inuyasha began to pull.

His back arched as Inuyasha’s tail pulled his head back, certainly not the most pleasant of feelings. He tried to fight but soon he was tipping back on his heels. Blindly he flailed his arms, desperately searching for something, anything, to catch hold of.

But it was useless.

His balance upset Sesshomaru fell backwards onto the bed, never standing a chance as the Lead pup that would not give up wrapped around him tighter then a support band and close enough to share skin.

Sesshomaru growled, thrashing as best he could to free himself. All Lordly grace was lost as he kicked and grunted like a child.

“Damn it…get…Inuyasha!” He growled.

A hard shove rolled them over and brought him back to chest atop the boy. Unfortunately Inuyasha had too solid a grip for himself simply to sit up, and when Inuyasha then twisted in obvious discomfort Sesshomaru found himself pinned between Inuyasha and the wall. Which of course put Inuyasha’s back to the door, the dominant, protective position that clearly belonged to him. It simply would not do. It was HIS duty to protect Inuyasha after all.

Using the wall as a base, which groaned horribly at such use, he pushed back against the younger Inu and succeeded in rolling them once more. However it then appeared that Inuyasha had had quite enough.

Sharp fangs sunk into his neck, just barely avoiding breaking the skin. Lucky for him….unluckily for him however was the fact that, that side of his neck now held a mark as well.
Sesshomaru gasped as sensation jolted through him, and mewled softly as Inuyasha growled into his skin. His muscles went lax and his cock tingled, blood stretching it slightly.

His body priming to go either way Sesshomaru found he was in fact still a bit drowsy, and as Inuyasha nuzzled against his neck, tongue lapping ever so gently, he felt a little unreasonable in spite of himself. His mate was only asking for a little peace, a little warmth and comfort, and here he was disturbing it all.

“Inuyasha is not my mate.” He thought dimly.

But he knew that the battle was lost. Blood demanded, and he just didn’t have the will or energy to fight it. He was hungry eyes, but as a wave of lethargy washed over him he felt that it could wait. A small nape wouldn’t hurt after all.

Golden eyes slid close one more as a pleased Inuyasha purred at his back.

“Pain in my ass you dolt…” Sesshomaru groused.

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On the bright side the second time Sesshomaru awoke he was not greeted by an overfilled bladder nor a bolder masquerading itself as his sibling atop him. However as he opened heavy eyes he did find an amused Daigon seated before him. He noted that the healer was just out side a threatening distance as well.

Smart.

“Do warn this  one if you feel the need to unleash that hose of yours will you?” Daigon smarmed.

Unleash the…oh…oh.

Slightly mortified, Sesshomaru said nothing, pondering instead his next move. He could always roll over and hide in the protective barrier of Inuyasha’s chest.

“Yes  indeed…” Daigon mused. “After all that hoopla this one arrives here…and you’re asleep again. He had to wonder if the kit had simply made the entire thing up. Then he saw the puddle…small lake really.”

“There was no pot it which to use.” Sesshomaru stated defensibly.

“So piss on the kid?”

“I did not know he was there. Why was he lounging under my window in any case?” Sesshomaru retorted. “And I did not hit him…did I?”

‘No.” Daigon snorted. “Off by two or so inches Daigon gathers.”

Sesshomaru felt ridiculous about talking with the healer while horizontal on his side, but he knew better then to try and sit up. With Inu-brick the octopus still firmly stuck to him it would be another epic battle.

Well on to business.

“Where are we?”

“In a human village headed by an elderly priestess named Kaede.” Daigon answered.

Oh…

“Why?” He inquired simply.

“You mean to say that you don’t remember?”

‘No.”

“Figured on that.” Daigon muttered, thumbing at his eyebrow. “Well that is less important. It is quiet and out of the way. For the moment the people are reasonably welcoming.”

The scolding “And don’t you change that.” hung heavy in the air.

Sesshomaru pondered the game in his member…just how hard had he taxed himself?

“How long has this Sesshomaru been asleep?”

“Four days now.” Daigon answered. “Three when you attempted to shower the kitsune.”

“He is a brat anyway..” Sesshomaru snorted, Inuyasha’s memories having informed him all too well just how much of a snot the child could be. But still…his little nap had been anything but. “I need to eat.”

Daigon nodded.

“Figured on that. But when you would wake was difficult to determine. This one didn’t want to try and stockpile only for it to rot.”

“Is there game about?” Sesshomaru inquired.

“It seems to be reasonably plentiful.” Daigon reported.

That was good. His mind no a bit clearer Sesshomaru tried to assess his internal reserves. He was not quite up to full strength yet but…

“I believe that I may yet hunt.”

“Well then you should.” Daigon suggested humorously.” There is much to do with…him.”

“Yes…you are correct.”

Regardless of what had caused it, Inuyasha seemed to be a full blooded Daiyoukai now. He certainly smelled of it, and with that in mind certain….precautions needed to be taken. Still…Inuyasha’s scent was strange…..he smelled similar to brother yet…not. It was confusing…there was something there…new yet not,  unknown yet known. What could it be? Perhaps-

“You have to actually get up you know.” Daigon chuckled.
Sesshomaru glared at him, shifting his body slightly. Of course Inuyasha then mirrored it, his arms pulling Sesshomaru back in.

“That is easier said…” Sesshomaru grumbled.

What with the arms locked, the intertwining legs, and that fact that Inuyasha had managed to pull their tails around them like a giant fluff ball all added up to an impressive challenge.

“What? You need help?” Daigon giggled.

Sesshomaru pondered that, and a wicked smile graced his face.

“As a matter of fact….yes. Now grab a limb.”

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Authors note: This is only half the chapter. Certain recent events have prevented me from writing as much as I'd like and its taking waaaay  too long. So you get half a chapter.