InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Protocol ❯ Me & You and Tea for Two ( Chapter 5 )

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Chapter Five

 

Me & You and Tea for Two

The Trials and Tribulations of Inu

 

 

 

Slobber, draining from his mouth, was the first sensation Sesshoumaru experienced upon awakening. The very next was the ache in the lump that was forming on his forehead. Were he a lesser creature, he would have groaned in humiliation. However, being that he was the Great and Terrible Lord Sesshoumaru, he schooled his features and peeled himself from the table. And, what was he treated to when he finally sat upright? His mothers mirthful eyes as she primly raised a napkin and handed it to him. Oh, he wanted to snarl and snatch it from her hand, but being who he was, he controlled his temper and, just as decorously, accepted the piece of cloth. Though, he didn't move his cold stare from her infuriatingly amused expression as he did so.

 

“Now then,” she continued as though nothing unseemly had transpired. “As I was saying before you so rudely...”

 

“That is not possible, Mother,” Sesshoumaru interrupted, derailing her attempt to further embarrass him. “Father did not approve of my mating, therefore, it is impossible for the half-breed to be my son,” he stated flatly as though they were merely discussing the weather.

 

“Oh? What makes you believe he did not approve?” she asked with a quirk of both her brow and the right corner of her lips.

 

“He took her away and impregnated her!” Sesshoumaru exclaimed, losing his calm facade. Her snort only served to irritate him even further.

 

“Had your nose been more mature, and as well-trained as your father's, you would have realized that she had been pregnant before he took her. Also, he did not take her because he disapproved of the mating. He had been looking forward to it. But because of your behavior, insolent pup...” She wagged a reprimanding finger at her son. “...he was forced to take her away. Your mating wasn't officially formalized and anyone could attempt to take her away. You had a pregnant female on your hands that did not hold the mark of our house. Though he approved, essentially giving his permission, you avoided officially making the request. That was very rebellious of you. I believe you understood that very well, but didn't like the idea that you might have to share. He always had been partial to the little princess. Had you not wandered off in a funk, you would have known all of this.” She huffed then and poured herself more tea. She had always suspected that her former mate had been more than happy to have unrestrained access to the little human. “Regardless of your lack of respect of his alpha status, your father was most pleased with the mating.”

 

Sesshoumaru was fuming that his mother could have so little faith in his senses. “I believe I would have taken notice of the change in her scent,” he retorted, barely withholding the sneer.

 

“Try to remember, Sesshoumaru. At that time, your young blood was interested in one thing, and one thing only.”

 

At her subtle mention of his own sexual escapades, it was difficult to contain the blush that attempted to make its way to his cheeks. She was his mother, for Kami sake! This one topic was one that he would studiously ignore.

 

“If he was so pleased, why did he practically disinherit me?” he asked, slightly changing the subject.

 

“Pfft! He didn't disinherit you! Silly boy. He knew you'd never forgive him when your mate was captured while with the human healer. Of course, he was too much of a coward to actually tell you about it, but you'd already assumed the worst and chose to forget that you even had a mate.”

 

Mayu tsked at her son. This was the most fun she'd had since Sesshoumaru's father had left their plane of existence. Her son may have lacked charm, but he was so entertaining when riled, much like his father.

 

“That doesn't explain why he refused to give me Tetsusaiga,” he countered. “Then he gives me a castoff that's practically useless!”

 

“Such disrespect!” Mayu exclaimed and slapped the table with her fan before bringing it up and pointing it straight at his nose. “That sword is responsible for the life of that little urchin that you are so fond of. Might I remind you that had you had the Tetsusaiga, you would have never fully realized your own power and gained your own sword? Your father achieved goals that weren't possible while he was alive. Besides, your son needed it in order to survive.”

 

“I refuse to believe that Inuyasha is my son until I have absolute proof,” Sesshoumaru snorted.

 

“Well,” she sniffed and lifted a brow. “Go and find it. Have you ever taken a good sniff?” she questioned in reprimand.

 

“I've been too busy attempting to put the brat in his place,” Sesshoumaru informed her and took a sip of his tea, grimacing at the thought of sniffing his half-brother. Sure, he had insulted the boy about his human blood, but that had been mere battle tactics. When he'd managed to enrage Inuyasha, he'd won half the battle. The little renegade had predictably become brash and stupid. Sometimes, it was just too easy.

 

“What have you been doing to my grandchild?!” his mother exclaimed

 

Sesshoumaru was shocked when a fan bopped him on the side of his head, nearly causing him to spill his tea. All decorum lost, Sesshoumaru snarled, slammed his teacup onto the table, and stood.

 

“Enough! I will find the proof and bring it to you myself!”

 

“Very well. You may go,” Mayu airily replied, casually dismissing her son as she took another sip of tea, an action which hid the satisfied smirk on her lips.

 

`Damn that woman!' Sesshoumaru ranted in his mind as he stalked away.

 

“And don't forget to bring my grandson for a visit!” Mayu called and gleefully took note when her son's posture went impossibly rigid.

 

`Will that woman ever cease tormenting me? I'm sure that this is all some fabrication to teach me another one of my father's infamous `lessons'.'

 

Mayu could only hope that the dog general had been truthful with her about the entire situation. He had been so worried about the little princess and the child she had been carrying. That's not to say that he hadn't been worried about Sesshoumaru as well. The boy had turned off all of his softer emotions and had denied that he'd ever taken a mate. There had been no lie in him either. So, it had been the elder's conclusion that the boy had been too emotionally traumatized and his son had decided to lock the recent past from his mind.

 

Mayu's eyes narrowed. `Or his father was the one to block Sesshoumaru's memories. I wouldn't put it past the manipulative old dog. He was fairly angry that Sesshoumaru had never formally asked permission. Oh well. I'm sure I will find out soon enough. That is, if my child doesn't decide to avoid me for another couple of centuries.'

 

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`So far, so good,' Kagome thought as she and Kilala sped through the skies. They hadn't encountered one rogue youkai and had covered nearly half the distance to Totosai's. It was a good thing, too. In her distress, she'd left her bow and arrows at the village. However, now feeling reassured that they would be left in peace to reach their destination, she allowed herself to ponder the situation.

 

`It's not as though we can't adopt. But...Inuyasha deserves to be happy with his own children. Then again, if it's true that he has to submit to Sesshoumaru—whatever that means—he may be happy to forgo having his own children.' Kagome sighed and rubbed her temples. `That only takes care of one problem. If I'm as good as mated to Sesshoumaru, which is beyond believable, it won't matter whether or not Inuyasha submits. He'll come for me anyway. Assuming what Kouga said is the truth, the fact that Sesshoumaru hasn't killed me, or Inuyasha, is a good sign. Does that mean he's considering following through with the mating business?'

 

Kagome shuddered as she tried to imagine Sesshoumaru's version of mating. `He'd probably bend me over like a dog and make it hurt as much as possible. He might even add poison to his claws just to punish me. Maybe Kaede could make some subjugation beads for him?' She almost chuckled at that, but then her thoughts turned serious again. `Maybe Totosai could tell me what to expect, though asking will be so embarrassing.'

 

She had been happy in her new life. The three years she had spent away from Inuyasha had allowed her to grow and make some realizations that without, may have eventually caused her to lose Inuyasha. Though she had initially accepted him for what he was, she hadn't accepted the behaviors that came with being a dog hanyou. She really hadn't understood him all that much. By the time she had returned to the past, she had realized that some things were an intrinsic part of Inuyasha's nature and she couldn't hold them against him.

 

Much of that understanding had come about through working at a local pet shop. She had recognized many of the canine behaviors as belonging to Inuyasha. Many of those who purchased pets often brought the dogs back for visits when purchasing supplies. The loyalty of the dogs had been more then obvious, especially those she had cared for while they were young. The dogs treated her like a long lost owner. In some ways, they reminded her of Inuyasha's behavior toward Kikyou. Remembering how sad Inuyasha had been when Kikyou had been killed by Naraku, Kagome sadly sighed. She knew that he was still tormented by his inability to protect someone he had cared about so much. She now saw his loyalty to Kikyou's protection for what it was; an honorable canine trait. Still, it was obvious that a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders. For that, she was grateful. At least, he'd been able to move on.

 

She thought of the many traits he showed, one of which was the way in which he gobbled his food. It was so much like that of a true dog. His growling possession of the good when Shippou attempted to take it away was much the same. There were so many things. For instance, the way he loved to lick her. Kagome giggled as she remembered the first time he'd done it. She had felt like a favored lollipop. Also, she knew why he enjoyed carrying her on his back. He loved having her scent on him. Now that they weren't traveling so much, she would catch him surreptitiously rubbing up against her. If that wasn't enough, she would sometimes wake with a sleeping Inuyasha literally rolling on her. Despite his brash demeanor when in the presence of others, he was very affectionate toward her when they were alone. She couldn't have asked for more. He made her happy. He didn't treat her like a possession or try to force her to think in the manner of the times. He accepted her for who she was as much as she accepted him.

 

`So, why did I treat him so harshly when he said that horrible thing about Sesshoumaru?' Just thinking about what Inuyasha had said, and about her horrible treatment of her husband, had her near tears again. `I'm so sorry, Inuyasha. I'll make it up to you. I promise,' she silently swore. `Maybe I should remove those beads...and put them on Sesshoumaru! Hah! Now that my powers are unsealed, I just might be able to do it!'

 

Though the thought brought a reprieve from her heavier ruminations, the relief lasted only a few moments because there was one thing she still couldn't understand. `Why did I feel so offended and hurt on Sesshoumaru's behalf? Is it the hormones? Or...or is there some kind of connection now?' Kagome hardened her features into grim determination. `Totosai will tell me what I want to know, or else!' What that `else' was, she wasn't quite sure yet, and she really didn't have time to ponder it as she abruptly found herself clasped in two large talons and snatched away from Kilala's back.

 

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Inuyasha didn't believe he'd ever run so fast in his long hanyou life. As he practically flew above the forest, he couldn't even feel the rough bark of branches scratching against the soles of his feet.

 

`Stupid, stupid, wench! I told her about her scent attracting youkai. What is wrong with her?!' Inuyasha fumed. `I do everything within my power to keep her safe and she's always putting herself in danger.'

 

Sometimes, he wondered why he even tried. However, that didn't mean he wouldn't do his damned best to continue. She was the most important thing in his life. He'd die without her. Sure, they had their rough spots, but they always worked things out and the makeup sex was nothing to scoff at.

 

But, hell, she hadn't sat him like that in years! `What the hell is up with that? If it's that medicine, she's going to stop taking it. Screw having kids. I'd rather have my old Kagome back.'

 

Inuyasha's lips thinned and pressed together. Hot determination set his features into something fierce and powerful. And it would have stayed there had it not been for the thundering blow from behind that sent him crashing through the trees. The sound of breaking branches and snapped tree trunks sent forest creatures scurrying to safety. One loud boom finished the long trip to the forest floor.

 

Stars clouded Inuyasha's vision while he tried to learn to breathe again. Then, the pretty twinkles were drowned out by a light so bright, Inuyasha would have covered his eyes had he been able to move his body. Hell, he couldn't feel anything right now. `I must have left my mind on one of those branches,' he thought in his rattled mind.

 

By the time the light began to dissipate, the stars had as well, and he was about to take a deep breath when he heard a voice as a form coalesced in front of him.

 

“Hello, little brother.”

 

 

 

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Thank you for reading and reviewing. It is a great encouragement.

 

 

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Disclaimer

 

Inuyasha and all associated characters are owned by Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz. I do not own Inuyasha and make no profit from this story, nor do I intend to. My only goal is to occupy my demented mind with delusions of actually owning a life-sized, anatomically correct Sesshoumaru android to use and abuse at will.

 

 

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