InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Protocol ❯ Acquiescence ( Chapter 8 )

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Chapter Eight

 

 

ACQUIESCENCE

 

 

 

 

 

Kagome could practically feel her brain buzzing with nervousness and uncertainty. Beside her, the corners of Sesshoumaru's lips were tilted slightly upward, something she had never seen before, and it scared the ever living daylights out of her. On top of that, Inuyasha was acting incredibly docile. He hadn't said anything. Yet, despite flying through the sky, wrapped in his brother's fluffy thing, his ears weren't plastered to his head, as they often tended to be when he was experiencing negative emotions. That scared her as well because it meant that he wasn't angry or uncomfortable. Sure, she had wanted the brothers to resolve their differences, but this was terribly sudden and gave her no reassurance that he would protect her from potential advances from Sesshoumaru. Not to mention, Sesshoumaru had his arm around Inuyasha's shoulders and there was no indication of future violence.

 

The world had lost its mind, or she had to be hallucinating.

 

`Maybe I hit my head on the lip of the well and all of this is a dream…or a nightmare. Yeah, nightmare would describe it well,' she contemplated then shuddered when she glanced over at Sesshoumaru. `That almost grin, makes him look smug, dangerous, and maybe, a little happy? Oh! Now, that is a foreign concept!'

 

Sneaking another look, she was given the opportunity to study Sesshoumaru's eyes while he was focused on their destination. There was contentment that she'd never noticed before. The normal tension that had caused tiny lines around his glaring eyes had disappeared. His stony façade had not completely faded, but she could see the change. The fierce, simmering rage was no longer present.

 

She turned her gaze to Inuyasha. She couldn't say that he was completely relaxed, but he had changed as well. The fiery determination that normally had been present when Sesshoumaru appeared had completely disappeared. `Does he believe that we're safe?'

 

Some of her tension seeped away. `I trust Inuyasha. If he believes we won't be harmed, then we're safe.'

 

She joined her traveling companions in staring ahead as Inuyasha's forest appeared over the horizon.

 

~*~

 

The scent of fertility refused to leave Sesshoumaru's nostrils and his instincts were in an uproar. Never had a female affected him in such a way and it adversely affected his normally forced calm. His instincts should only be concerned with establishing himself as the alpha of the family he had finally gained. This foreign desire was more than a need to dominate and bring his younger pack members into submission. It went beyond that.

 

`Has he not mated her in the youkai way? Perhaps a hanyou is incapable. That doesn't explain my interest and desire for a human.' He almost scowled at the thought, but couldn't bring himself to move past the satisfaction he felt at finally having his brother at his side. Inuyasha could never replace his father. However, that didn't change the fact that having the scent of his father's blood next to him gave him a sense of completeness that he hadn't experienced since his father's death. `Odd that the human blood running through his veins no longer offends my senses.'

 

He nearly grinned when he remembered the final submission of Inuyasha's beast. It had eventually given in and had accepted him, accepted the pleasure he had forced on it. That had been when his feelings had changed. Perhaps, dominating his brother had affected him just as much as it had affected Inuyasha. When his brother had come back to himself, gold replacing the blood red eyes, Inuyasha had blinked at him in surprise then relaxed beneath him and promptly fell asleep. Affection had seeped into his bones and he'd cuddled the brat, knowing that Inuyasha's growth would soon accelerate and his childish rebellion would disappear.

 

`I wonder…will his youkai blood become more prominent? Perhaps those odd little ears will disappear.' He couldn't say that he liked that idea; they were cute. However, it would benefit his brother. Inuyasha's children would be less likely to have problems with their blood. He wasn't sure where the hell the thought came from, but it did. `If I were to completely mate Kagome, there's the possibility she would have the capability of birthing pure-blooded pups.'

 

Sesshoumaru wanted to beat himself over the head, especially when he realized why his father hadn't answered his question on that fateful night. He'd asked why his father hadn't completed the mating bond with Izayoi. Of course, his father's anger and frustration now made sense. `I mated Izayoi without father's permission. He had approved, but without permission, I couldn't complete the bond. That's why Inuyasha is a half-breed. It was my own damn fault. Myoga will pay for the partial information!'

 

`Do you have something to protect?' His father's words had always plagued his mind and now he knew why. `How could I have been so blind?'

 

Visions of tormenting the flea by squashing it until it could no longer return to its original form filled his mind, playing over and over again. `It's that damn flea's fault that this whole situation became such a disaster!' He suspected that the creature was a traitor. `Father probably instructed the damn thing to keep me ignorant so that I wouldn't mate without coming to him first. When I join you in hell, father, you will answer to my poison claws!'

 

Though he knew that he'd never been the sharpest sword in the dojo, he'd made up for it with strength. Now, he understood why he had always been lacking in that department. It was the lack of information that had made him feel intellectually deficient. `No more. That flea will tell me everything he has never known. And, that tree youkai will give up his knowledge as well, regardless of how long it takes! No one will ever be able to deceive me again!'

 

Sesshoumaru's thoughts tumbled through his mind until that scent hit him again and he ground his teeth. From the moment the obscenely dressed priestess had challenged him, he knew she would be trouble. That was the true reason he had attempted to melt her. After his second attempt to kill her failed, he knew that there was a mystical reason that she remained alive and he couldn't interfere with her destiny. Eventually, her loyalty to his rebel of a brother and her ability to increase the brat's strength had sparked his curiosity. He wasn't embarrassed to admit that he'd often found himself following the rag tag group. Not only to learn more about her, but her group often found themselves up against incredible odds and Inuyasha hadn't always been there to protect her. In fact, the idiot often left her unprotected while chasing after that dead abomination. There had been times that he couldn't avoid allowing her to witness his protection of her. Nevertheless, for the most part, he'd been able to hide the actions he'd taken on her behalf.

 

`Did they think that Rin had been the only reason I had hunted Naraku? Pathetic.'

 

Of course, he knew that he was just as pathetic. The attraction to the female had nothing to do with his instincts and that was disturbing and confusing. After the debacle with Izayoi, he had sworn never to become involved with humans again. Now, he was neck deep in them.

 

He nearly sighed in relief when he spotted Inuyasha and Kagome's home. At least, Rin would offer him a distraction while Inuyasha discussed their new circumstances with the woman. He had determined that he wouldn't play the same games that his parents had played with him. With that in mind, he had been very clear with his brother. There would be no misunderstandings in his relationship with his new family. That included informing Inuyasha of his strange attraction to the female. Inuyasha was well aware that he might be forced to share her attentions. Fortunately, the boy's submission had made it less difficult for him to accept future possibilities as irrefutable facts. Inuyasha had become angry, but hadn't fought. After reassurances that the woman wouldn't be hurt or stolen, his brother had somewhat relaxed, enough so that Sesshoumaru knew he wouldn't be challenged on the matter.

 

Lighting in front of the couple's home, Sesshoumaru released them both. “Bathe,” he ordered. He watched, amused, as Kagome stiffened, ready to challenge him for acting as though he had any control over her.

 

“Why you…” she began.

 

“Inuyasha, speak with your female and inform her of her place,” he demanded then turned and walked away, allowing a smirk to light his lips.

 

“Argh! Who does he think he is!?” Kagome ranted.

 

Uncharacteristically soft, Inuyasha put his hand on her lower back and spoke quietly. “Kagome, we need to talk. Get your bathing supplies.”

 

“Are you going to just let him order you around!? Of all the nerve!” She couldn't believe that Inuyasha would obey Sesshoumaru without pulling out Tetsusaiga and threatening to shove it up Sesshoumaru's ass. This new behavior, though exhibited on rare occasion, was astonishing.

 

Inuyasha stood to his full height and crossed his arms. “Like I said, we need to talk. Things have changed.”

 

“This had better be good,” Kagome grumbled as she stomped into the hut and gathered her supplies. Her ire began to deflate when she picked up her soap, shampoo, and rinse. She loved the mild scent of flowers while bathing. The heat of the water also tended to relax her frazzled nerves. “Maybe this wasn't a bad idea after all. Besides, if I spend some time with Inuyasha, I know everything will be okay.” She smiled at the thought and happily trotted out of the hut.

 

“Come on! Let's go!” Kagome cheerily encouraged Inuyasha before jogging toward the nearest hot spring. Fortunately, there was one nearby and they wouldn't have to tromp through one of the numerous swamps in order to reach it.

 

~*~

 

 

Kagome sat, mostly submerged, staring at her husband who had taken up residence on the complete opposite side of the pool of steaming water. His ears were flattened to his head and he wouldn't look at her. Obviously, he didn't want to be near her, and though it hurt, she would give him room. He'd been terribly silent and it made her stomach twist in knots. There was only one thing to do; get this little discussion over with.

 

“Out with it, Inuyasha,” she said, softening the harshness of her words with a quiet tone.

 

Finally, Inuyasha took a deep breath and looked up at her. There was uncertainty, embarrassment, and some small bit of nervousness or fear. She couldn't figure out which. He cleared his throat and she steeled herself for what might come.

 

“Um…I…uh…I…” He swallowed again. “I've accepted Sesshoumaru as my elder authority.” In Kagome's eyes, the word `submission' would have been a degrading term, so he hoped to avoid it at all costs. She would see it as slavery, whereas, his kind considered it a privilege. At least, that's what he had learned. Having humans as the most influential factor in his maturing years, he had also held similar views. However, humans would never experience the connection between youkai when such was accomplished. Had he known, he would have done it much, much earlier. For the first time since his mother had been alive, he felt safe, as though he didn't need to be the leader and protector. He had someone, family, who cared enough to protect him. It was a little late, but that was his own fault. Oh, his friends were usually there for him, but they weren't blood related. This was completely different, something that filled him with a contentment he'd never known. Oddly enough, and though he couldn't be certain, he had the sensation that he could actually feel his brother's emotions. It was a strange warmth, and so very different than what he had always assumed concerning his brother's heart. One thing he knew with a certainty; he liked it and didn't want to lose that.

 

It hadn't been lost on Kagome that Inuyasha had not used the word that had been spoken so many times in the past few hours. If Inuyasha didn't feel comfortable with it, she would avoid it as well. That didn't mean she would allow him to get away with leaving her questions unanswered. Social etiquette and behavioral expectations were much different in the feudal era than they were in her time. The world of youkai was a complete mystery and she didn't want to be blind-sided. She could still hope that what she had heard had all been a misunderstanding.

 

“What does that mean?” she asked. She hoped that an open ended question would lead to more information, but if it didn't, she would be forced to badger Inuyasha. Inuyasha's eyes turned back to the water and she could tell that he was fidgeting.

 

“Well, it means that I have to do what he tells me to do. I won't be able to…deny him anything.” He cringed at the words. They sounded so terrible, but he didn't see them that way. He hurriedly added, “It doesn't mean that I've gotta have his permission for everything I do. It just means that when he wants something, I can't say `no'.”

 

Kagome swallowed. Though his words did clarify the general issues, he hadn't truly answered what had been plaguing her. This was going to be the hard part.

 

“What does that mean for us? Does he want me?” she hesitantly asked.

 

Inuyasha froze, as still as stone, before nodding his lowered head. “I don't really understand how it works, but it has to do with the instincts of full youkai. Once he has had you, he might give you up, but he said that there's the possibility that I will have to…share.” Inuyasha swallowed and stared up at her through his bangs. He expected the `sitting' of his life. In fact, he was worried that he wouldn't live through Kagome's anger. She might even try to run away and leave him alone. He wouldn't be able to handle that. It would kill him. He'd fought so long and hard to keep her safe, and he'd waited, so very alone while she had finished her responsibilities toward her family. Three years was a very long time in the life of a human. In this, there was one benefit that he hoped would sway Kagome to accept the situation.

 

“If…if you agreed to this arrangement, it's possible that Sesshoumaru could extend your lifespan and, if the well ever closed, you would still see your family again…but you would be bound to both of us for a very, very long time.”

 

Inuyasha waited, holding his breath for the near drowning he was going to receive. When it didn't come he looked up to find Kagome chewing her lip, her brows drawn together. He finally breathed a sigh of relief. If she hadn't `sat' him by now, she probably wouldn`t.

 

“Does this mean that you and Sesshoumaru will stop hating each other?”

 

That question surprised him. “Yeah. That's sort of…taken care of already.”

 

Kagome gave him one of her soft smiles. The hatred between the two brothers had always broken her heart. This was an unprecedented opportunity, and if it made Inuyasha happy, she would find it difficult to refuse. “How do you feel about it? Are you happy?”

 

She was relieved to see the smallest of smiles on Inuyasha's lips, and she couldn't help but notice the way his eyes lit up. She almost didn't hear his next words.

 

“Yeah,” he whispered.

 

“Will he treat you poorly?”

 

Inuyasha emphatically denied that with a strong shake of his head.

 

“How…how will he treat me?”

 

“You're part of his family now. Like Rin, he'll protect you with his life.” Inuyasha thought he'd answered her question, but there was more.

 

“What about…about sex,” she asked with a blush. “Would he…would he be like an animal and hurt me?”

 

Inuyasha shook his head and began to reach for her then abruptly pulled back. “He can't.”

 

“Why not? He's so strong and I'm human?”

 

“Think about it, Kagome. He's full-blooded. I'm only half. When my youkai blood took over, I was able to keep myself from doing any real harm to you. I know that I hurt you when I pushed you away, but that wasn't intentional. The…the…there's a connection a lot stronger because he's full-blooded. You'll be able to get to him a lot easier than you can with me.”

 

That was a revelation that surprised Kagome. “So…I'll have a lot more influence over him than I do with you? Even without the beads?”

 

“Yeah, definitely. You won't be able to make him `sit' though.”

 

That gave Kagome a bit more confidence. If she could pull Inuyasha out of the awful state of youkai blood eating at his soul, she knew that Sesshoumaru might be a piece of cake. The thought of having sex with him was still scary, but if he couldn't hurt her, she could give it a chance. Besides, this new relationship between the brothers made her happy beyond measure and she would do anything to help increase the bond between them. She just hoped that Sesshoumaru wasn't an insensitive letch, similar to Miroku. That thought was easily squashed when she remembered how Sesshoumaru had controlled himself for nearly a year.

 

“O…okay. I'll give it a try, but I'll need you by my side to give me courage,” she said softly and shivered at the prospect of entering an entirely new world. `It's like jumping off a cliff and hoping there's a net before hitting bottom.' She still had one more question.

 

“I was told that…that if you submitted to Sesshoumaru that we would be able to have children. Is that true?”

 

“That's what I've been told, but I won't make any promises, Kagome. I don't really know what to believe because I've never seen it,” Inuyasha truthfully answered.

 

Kagome nodded. She felt a little let down, but it didn't matter. She had Rin and Shippou, and she could always adopt more. Sighing, she dipped below the surface and wet her hair. Once she surfaced, she noticed that Inuyasha was still as far away from her as he could get. As far as she was concerned, the conversation was over and he shouldn't have any trouble being in close proximity to her.

 

“Inuyasha, why are you still all the way over there?

 

Inuyasha's face fell. “I…Sesshoumaru ordered me to avoid touching you. I don't know for how long.”

 

“Oooh, the nerve!” If there was one thing she had in common with Inuyasha, it was the rebellion against arrogant authority. “I'm going to give him a piece of my mind!”

 

“Please, Kagome! Don't…don't mess this up. I'm sure it won't last forever. He wouldn't do that to you.”

 

“Please?” Kagome asked, shocked that Inuyasha had used that word.

 

Inuyasha nodded and blushed at his uncharacteristic plea. “Give him a chance.”

 

“Just because I'll do what he says, doesn't mean I won't give him a piece of my mind! He'd better have a darn good reason!” Kagome huffed then started washing her hair, scrubbing it much more roughly than she normally would have while grumbling about arrogant dogs.

 

Inuyasha grinned. `That's my Kagome. He's got his hands full.'

 

~*~

 

Kagome could feel him coming and sucked in a deep breath, prepared to give Sesshoumaru a good scalding. What she hadn't expected caused he jaw to drop through the floor. He hadn't even knocked, and when he did enter the hut, he completely ignored her and swept straight over to Inuyasha. However, that wasn't what had shocked her the most. Sesshoumaru had wrapped his fluff around Inuyasha, scrubbed behind one of Inuyasha's ears, nuzzled his cheek then licked him up the side of his face.

 

`Who the hell is pretending to be Sesshoumaru and what is he doing touching my husband!?'

 

“I trust things went well?” Sesshoumaru asked Inuyasha, who was blushing like a school girl on her first date.

 

Inuyasha sheepishly glanced up at his brother. “I didn't curse and I answered all of her questions,” he murmured.

 

“Excellent. Come, there are others approaching who wish to take what is ours.” With those words, Sesshoumaru glanced over at Kagome, his meaning clear. “You will catch flies,” he offhandedly commented at her then promptly dragged Inuyasha out the door.

 

Kagome was left stupefied and plopped down onto the floor. “I think I need a drink,” she mumbled and pressed a hand to her forehead.

 

 

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Thank you for reading, rating, 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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