InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Bastard's Gift ❯ Chapter 12

As they approached Sesshomaru's castle, Inuyasha couldn't help but look up in awe as he saw just how massive the structure was.

His imagination hadn't prepared him to expect such a majestic dwelling, and seeing how it was incorporated into one of the tallest mountains intrigued him. The castle was almost hidden by the clouds that drifted past the mountain peak. He could see winding roads leading into the lower levels of the fortress, and he could make out random gardens judging by the splashes of colors on the ground. A few of the buildings within the fortress looked like basic clay huts, and they grew more elaborate the closer they got to the castle that was at the very top.

Pillars formed paths to shrines, and Inuyasha was pleased to see that despite the almost western influence of Sesshomaru's armor, he wasn't completely abandoning his culture.

As Sesshomaru neared the castle itself, Inuyasha could see many demons peeking out of their domiciles to see who was approaching. Several guards along the borders had their spears and swords drawn and ready, lowering them when Sesshomaru's figure was close enough to recognize.

Inuyasha could almost see the curiosity in the inhabitants at the cocking of their heads when they realized that Sesshomaru held a visitor in his arms.

When they touched down upon the courtyard, Inuyasha quickly stepped away from Sesshomaru, unable to deal with the awkward feeling of being so close to his brother. Servants and a few guards poured out of the buildings to greet their lord.

"Lord Sesshomaru," greeted one elderly male. Inuyasha could almost hear the same admiration that Jaken's voice held.

"Prepare quarters for some company. We are expecting two members from the deceased Kouga's tribe, my ward and her guard, and the son of Inuyasha."

Inuyasha felt tense as he saw the way the servants looked at him. The emotions ranged from mild curiosity to outright suspicion and disgust.

"And the hanyou?"

Sesshomaru gave the old servant male a sharp glance. "The second son of Inutaicho seeks refuge, and due to a formal request from the late Koga, I am granting it. Arrange Inuyasha's quarters to be next to this one's personal chambers."

The servant bowed and headed back inside, followed by four others.

"Would you like us to prepare a feast or a simple meal for you and your half brother, Lord Sesshomaru?" asked a female.

Judging by her size and apron, Inuyasha couldn't help but determine that she was most likely the cook.

Sesshomaru glanced at Inuyasha.

"This one does not hunger. Inuyasha?"

"Nothing fancy would suffice."

Sesshomaru looked back at the demon. "Prepare some food meant for human consumption. Inuyasha prefers that taste. And begin preparation for a feast for both demons and humans. We will have a formal declaration of the newest additions to our town."

The female bowed and then also went back inside, through a different door, followed by a few more servants.

"The rest of you may return to your duties. This one will guide Inuyasha."

The other servants nodded and headed back.

Sesshomaru turned to Inuyasha. "Follow me."

Inuyasha grumbled under his breath as his older brother walked away from him, not looking back to see if Inuyasha was going to follow the command.

He was itching to start a fight, just like the old days. He couldn't believe he had forgotten how irritating of a bastard Sesshomaru could be.

Either way, he trailed behind his brother, out of the sun, and into the shade.

"You will be allowed free reign of the kingdom, but not without proper escort. This one will choose whom to entrust your life to. Kouga only asked that you are kept safe and to provide housing to your cubs. You alone will be responsible for them outside their sleeping quarters. The only place you will not be permitted to enter without permission is the one's chamber."

"Why the hell would I go in there?"

"I will be accepting you as an official ward. I'm sure you know what that means."

Inuyasha paled.

He had been afraid of that. But he had also been hoping that being related by blood meant different rules.

"You carry the scent of that wolf now. To be my ward, you need to carry Inu scent once more. There is one way to make it potent enough so that you are not questioned."

"What of Koga's wolves that wish to join?"

"Only if they wish to be fully adopted into the clan. They are your servants, not mine, so I will not need to mark them with my scent. Judging from Koga's declaration, he is hoping that the one you are carrying will return and lead in his place."

"Are you only accepting me to guard then? Rejecting my offspring as wards?"

"Only the little black bastard."

Sesshomaru's words were venomous, and it cut Inuyasha to the core. The need to defend Katsutoshi was strong, but he knew it was not his place to do so here and right now. Years ago, he knew he would have acted out physically against Sesshomaru, but years of being a leader's mate taught him when to act out and when to bare insults with silence.

"Your unborn child remains to be determined."

Sesshomaru continued walking as Inuyasha rubbed one hand across his face. He had a feeling he knew what Sesshomaru meant. If the child was a male, chances were high that Sesshomaru would not take him as a ward. It would insinuate that he was incapable of having his own heir. The only way he would take the babe as an offspring was if an heir was produced, or at least promised, or if a child was of an appropriate age that would not raise questions.

Even if he changed his mind about Katsutoshi, the little one was still too young to be accepted as a ward without giving demons a reason to doubt Sesshomaru.

If the child was a female, it was just a sign that the demon could afford to take care of another being. It would elevate his worth in the eyes of every demon.

Inuyasha understood now why it had been so easy for Sesshomaru to take on Rin, and through her took Kohaku. Within another year, Sesshomaru could easily accept Kohaku as a true ward, as it was clear that he intended for the two to remain together.

"You will be visited upon by healers and tailors. This one will not accept watching you wander in mediocre garments. While it may have seemed elegant in the caves, your outfit seems more suited for training and spending time where you will get dirt on it."

Inuyasha clenched his fists.

"Although it is a better appearance than the robe you wore years ago."

Sesshomaru stopped in front of a door and entered.

"These will be where you will be tutored in the life of an Inu noble. There is no excuse for lack of education. You will attend all meetings unless told not to, and you will learn of the dealings of this kingdom. You will train until the healers deem you unable to, which in that case your freedom will be restricted to certain areas."

"Way to go making me feel like a prisoner," Inuyasha muttered.

"You are nothing more than an unwanted guest at this point, little brother," Sesshomaru murmured, looking down upon Inuyasha.

Inuyasha's ears went flat against his head as he bit back a growl. "Then why accept Kouga's request?"

"It would be dishonorable not to, considering he used the most elegant of inks possible to write that request."

A soft cough caught their attention.

Turning around, Inuyasha saw that it was one of the servants that had tailed the old geezer.

"Lord Sesshomaru, the hanyou's, uh, your half brother's quarters is ready." The voice sounded fairly confident for a servant, until Sesshomaru glared at the brat when he uttered the word "hanyou." Then his voice quivered in the end.

"Despite his hanyou status, Inuyasha was mate to Lord Kouga. You will address him with respect."

The servant bowed. "My apologies, young Master Inuyasha."

"Erg… apologies accepted."

Inuyasha really wanted to protest being called by such formal titles, but one look at Sesshomaru and he knew he would currently have no choice. At least the servant brat hadn't made the folly of addressing him with a feminine title. Blood probably would have been spilt.

"This way."

Inuyasha quietly followed Sesshomaru through a few hallways, his head already spinning from the number of turns. The caves had not been as hard to memorize as this place was going to be.

Before long, Inuyasha could tell that they entered a hallway meant for more personal living quarters. The walls were more enclosed, and it was here that Sesshomaru did away with the Japanese style and stuck to the more western influenced buildings. Instead of paper and bamboo walls, stones formed the barriers between the room and hallways, as well as wooden decorative doors that looked thick. Gold handles were on each of them, and the servant boy pushed against one, opening it.

Inuyasha knew that this was to be his room, as the next door was much more larger and elaborate.

"Your personal chamber, young Master."

Inuyasha gave the servant a quick nod and stepped inside to inspect what was to be his new residence. Temporary at least. Sesshomaru had made it clear that he was unwelcome, so he would only be here until he was able to move on with his pups.

"You may leave," he heard Sesshomaru say as he took in the surroundings.

"Thank you, my lord. Dinner will be ready in an hour."

Inuyasha could hear the door swinging shut, the bottom of it scraping against the wool mat under his feat. It was strangely soft, and it almost looked and felt like fur, except it was dyed in color. It almost tickled the bottom of his feet.

The floor itself was lined in even polished stone.

The bed in the center of the room was enormous.

"Is it to your liking?" Sesshomaru asked.

"It's a lot!" exclaimed Inuyasha. "There is no way I'm going to get use to this!"

"After living like a common forest animal, I can see why this is overwhelming."

"I wasn't living like a forest animal! And it's not like you haven't gone camping out on your travels as well."

"It was only for small increments of time. This one did not make it a habit of staying out on trees or on the ground. Although I suppose living in a cave is an improvement over that."

"Stop referring to my life with the wolves as if it were something barbaric. They were a civilized group…"

Sesshomaru actually scoffed. "So civilized that they would collectively force you to mate with whom they deem worthy? Considering they would not gain anything except contentment from the wolves that cared for you? At least in my world we know if an arrangement will benefit both parties."

Inuyasha had no answer for that, and he could feel the soft feeling in his abdomen. Sesshomaru, unfortunately, spoke true. His cub would have been at risk if he had stayed with the wolves and played by their rules. Only they would have gained something while he would have been left with nothing but misery.

"You're telling me a father hasn't given up his daughter to gain something against her wishes?" Inuyasha bit back, recalling the instances in which he had seen that in the human world.

"Only if she doesn't understand her duty."

"Well then it's not that much different, is it?" Inuyasha moved towards the bed and touched the sheets, surprised at how soft they actually were. It looked so strange and high, nothing like the mats or the furs that he had slept on in the past years.

Inuyasha was caught off guard when he felt arms snake around his chest and a sharp chin rest against the side of his neck.

"Not much different than what your love has asked of me," whispered Sesshomaru.

Inuyasha tensed up, his fists clenching against his side as he watched in frozen fear as Sesshomaru's hands began to undo the knots that held his clothing secure.

"Now?" he croaked out, head spinning.

He wasn't ready.

He was spun around, lifted up, and dropped onto the bed.

Inuyasha grabbed the sheets under him as his brother crawled over him, pinning him into the bed.

"Your wolf lover asked that I take you under my wing," Sesshomaru murmured, losing his manner of speaking in third person.

It just made the situation feel that much more intimate.

"He asked that I accept you under my care, and to do so, it means marking you with my scent."

Inuyasha could feel his chest constricting as his brother whispered those words against his neck, lips ghosting his skin, from his collarbone to just below his ear.

He felt Sesshomaru's leg move up in between his own, spreading out his legs as he settled his weight on top of the hanyou. Hands slowly caressed his arms, catching his wrists and bringing them above his head.

The tall body against his just felt wrong.

And Inuyasha felt the old fears returning.

Kouga had been gentle, and despite mounting him, he still seemed more equal. A lot had to do with the fact that Kouga and Inuyasha were just about the same size in height. But Sesshomaru… his older brother was almost equal in height to Naraku.

And the heavier weight against his body felt just like that demon.

Inuyasha shuddered and closed his eyes, trying to banish the sudden memory of an evil grin and red eyes hovering over him as a pale body thrust into him.

He knew, that if he tried, he could upset Sesshomaru's balance if he fought against him.

However, this situation was different. He didn't want this. He didn't want Kouga's claim on him to be erased.

But if he didn't allow Sesshomaru to do this, he would be rejecting Sesshomaru's protection that Kouga asked for, and he would be leaving himself, and his pups, exposed to danger.

So in the end, he really had no choice. He had to do this against his will, and that made it worse than what Naraku had done to him. With Naraku, he had no choice. He was able to fight as much as he could because he did not want it.

And this time, he would have to let it happen, because his desire to keep his pups safe meant there was only one choice.

Inuyasha could feel a tear develop and trail down the side of his face. Another bit of humiliation at the face of his brother.

But he didn't care.

As long as the deed happened quickly.

A finger traced the tear's path back up to his eye, causing him to open them.

Amber eyes stared down at him, vacant.

It chilled Inuyasha to the core. It was not something he had been expecting, not after being exposed to red eyes filled with lust and malice, and blue eyes filled with warmth and love.

Sesshomaru moved off of him and Inuyasha cautiously sat up.

"When your clan arrives, spend one last night with them, sharing your scents. But after that night, we will proceed with officially marking you mine."

Sesshomaru stormed out of the room, opening the large door with ease, and practically slamming it shut.

Inuyasha let out a shaky breath.

"Kouga," he whispered. "Did you really think this through? Was there no other choice?" X

Sesshomaru stormed into his room, and barricaded the door.

Alone without any eyes to see him, he allowed himself to unravel a bit. His breathing was uneven, and he was shaking in semi suppressed fury and need.

Straddling over his brother had given him an unexpected rush that left him unprepared. Seven years ago, the heat cycle had made his brother desirable. The rejection left Sesshomaru feeling bitter. And now, with Kouga handing over Inuyasha, Sesshomaru honestly did not expect to feel anything.

It was to be for political purposes only.

Yet, breathing in Inuyasha's scent brought back the stirrings of desire from that day.

But his reputation of being in control kept him from doing what he really wanted to do.

He had already loosed his brother's clothing. A few more movements and his flesh would have been left bare for him to explore.

He had wanted to nip and bite at that skin that his lips touched.

Feeling his brother lay so passively under him, trembling with desire, had sent his blood boiling.

But then he looked at his brother's face, and quickly realized that this was not the case. A tear had escaped from Inuyasha's eye, and his face was pale.

Inuyasha was not submitting to him willingly.

It was as if he had been doused with recently melted mountain snow.

He traced the tear's path back to Inuyasha's eyes, and watched as his hanyou brother opened his own.

Bottling in all of his emotions, he told Inuyasha when he planned to follow through with the scenting.

Let the hanyou fully realize what was to happen and not act so scared.

He refused to be anything similar to the dark hanyou that had defiled his brother. X

Dinner was boring, to say the least.

It was clear that his brother did not wish to say anything, and all that could be heard was the sound of plates being placed back on the table as each brother picked a few items with their chopsticks and changed it for something else.

Inuyasha wasn't sure how he was supposed to act, so he waited until Sesshomaru started eating before he did so to.

After all, wolves ate their kill right there on the floor, while the human-like wolves just grabbed from the large pile in the center of the group they were in.

But at least he hadn't forgotten how to eat with utensils.

It would have been embarrassing to have dropped his food, which was why Inuyasha was glad to see that it was customary to eat off a small plate. It was small enough to fit in one hand to bring up closer to his face, and use the chopsticks to transfer the food to his mouth.

Any minor mistakes and at least his plate would catch food dropped, saving him from embarrassment.

The food, in his opinion, was a little bland.

"Is the food not to your liking, young Master Inuyasha?" asked one of the servants that was waiting on him.

Inuyasha flinched as Sesshomaru stopped eating and looked up at him.

"The food is satisfactory. But I would like to speak to the cook to offer some suggestions when creating human dishes."

"Is there something wrong with the food prepared?" Sesshomaru asked, setting down his plate and utensils.

Inuyasha felt his stomach tighten. Someone was going to be insulted and reprimanded, judging by the heated look in Sesshomaru's eyes.

"My tastes are peculiar," Inuyasha stated, trying to find some words that would give enough of an excuse not to get the cook in trouble. "I've become accustomed to using spices and herbs to add distinct flavors to my food."

"Are you telling this one that the food is bland and barely worthy for a commoner?"

"Uh… wait…"

"Bring Hina here."

Inuyasha sighed. He was about to make the head cook's life hell without meaning to. "Sesshomaru, it's not necessary…"

"Silence. Her duty is to make sure all food is worthy of her lord. Even though this one does not consume many human dishes, it is unacceptable that my guests food is not as rich as this one deems his own to be."

"Lord Sesshomaru?" The elder female demon that Inuyasha had met at the castle's main ground now stood near him.

"Your food is barely adequate for the domesticated dogs in human villages. Yet, you dare serve it to your newest master? Is this garbage the same you have been feeding my ward and her guard."

"Lord Sesshomaru…" the older female trembled. "I…"

"Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha snapped, his temper returning full force. Gone was the meek, controlled, and docile hanyou that had first arrived. "You are being unfair and unjust. I'm sure Miss Hina has had no practice other than Rin and Kohaku in which to make human food. And both of them are too devoted to you to make no mention of the quality of the food. Do not criticize her work considering you probably have never tasted human food yourself to compare it to.

"I, on the other hand, am not devoted to you and feel a bit more free to speak my mind!"

"You should really control yourself in my presence and the presence of my servants, Inuyasha," Sesshomaru growled.

Inuyasha could not back down, not when he was witnessing an unfair reprimand on a cook that was doing her best without any real knowledge.

"And considering how devoted they all seem to you, you should be more fair in listening to them. "

Inuyasha turned to the female. "Miss Hina. I would be…" Here, Inuyasha paused, knowing that he was entering more dangerous grounds. To say he would be honored implied that he regarded her as being in either equal or higher status than him, and he was sure Sesshomaru would be livid. "…pleased," he continued. "If you learned some techniques from me. The taste of your food would improve for the human palate, and if Lord Sesshomaru should invite human nobles, they will leave complimenting on how exquisite their demon prepared meal was. You will be a true culinary expert."

"The young Master is prematurely flattering me," the female breathed out faintly.

Judging by her pink cheeks, Inuyasha had averted disaster and seemed to win over this grandmotherly looking cook.

She bowed deeply. "I would be honored, young Master."

"Hmph." Sesshomaru resumed his meal as the cook Hina backed away and left.

"You are being rather bold in interfering with this one's methods of reprimanding ill work."

"It disturbs me seeing you be a bastard to anyone who doesn't deserve it," Inuyasha shot back.

A couple of the servants who were still standing in the room looked like their eyes would fall out of their sockets.

Sesshomaru just glared at him but he remained silent.

Inuyasha let out a huff and also went back to eating.

However, Sesshomaru had to go and be the one with the last word. "Your manner of speaking has drastically improved over this time. I approve." X

The arrival of several demons were the reason why Inuyasha found himself being woken up early the following day.

One of the demons was a healer named Chie, and it was clear that she did not think highly of Inuyasha. At first, the white hanyou thought it was because of his mixed breeding. To his shock and embarrassment, it was his small stature that affronted her.

"You are the bearer?" she scoffed. "And you've already bore an offspring? Did the child survive?"

"Of course he survived!" Inuyasha snapped.

"A miracle, I'm sure. You're so tiny. You're nothing more than a trophy mate in appearance. So delicate."

Inuyasha gnashed his teeth together, not wanting to strike out at the female, and for two reasons. He didn't want to disrespect a healer that way, and the woman was large!

"If you're to carry this next one to full term, you better be made of stronger stuff. These hips are not made for bearing young."

"What the… just how in the hell do you think I'm delivering my pup?! It needs to be cut out of me!"

"Too weak to deliver naturally?"

"I'm not exactly equipped to deliver naturally!!"

Silence reigned in the room. "So you are a male! I wondered why Sesshomaru would accept such an uncouth and boyish sounding female."

"You miserable hag! You thought I was female?!"

"Better a tiny female than a tiny male."

Inuyasha determined that he hated Chie. Alas, she was to be his healer until the pup was born.

At least the tailor proved to be a more relaxing experience, despite him tutting at his current outfit.

"Oh, no, these rags just won't do in the presence of our great lord. Do not worry, young Master, I will make you exquisite!"

"Please don't address me like I'm food," Inuyasha moaned.

"Darling, it can't be helped if you are absolutely delicious enough to be eaten! No wonder Lord Sesshomaru kept you away! It is a shame that the wolves got to you first. Did Lord Kouga really have eyes so blue that they rivaled the skies?"

So dealing with the tailor wasn't that relaxing, considering how much the male liked to talk. But at least he wasn't being insulted every few minutes. The only sour moment was when the tailor actually reached up to rub his ears.

"So velvety!" he squealed, causing Inuyasha to flash back to Jankotsu. He couldn't help but wonder if this was some distant relative of that crazy human.

The tailor finally left after showing Inuyasha piles of fabric, making him choose colors and patterns that struck his fancy. "Just leave it to me, Darling. I'll have my people work on this quickly so you'll have something in time for the  festival and dance."

"Wait… what? What festival? What dance?!"

The encounters left him tired, but that didn't deter him from visiting the kitchens as lunch time approached.

He showed Hina how to use herbs and spices in human food and found himself enjoying his time spent there. He did have to put up with some of the younger giggling demons who wanted a closer look at him and his ears, but they at least didn't try to touch him.

He did have them laughing several times as he took to juggling some of the vegetables in the middle of explanations and instructions. They marveled at how skilled he was with the knife. They were somewhat appalled with how the wolves did things, but at least they didn't show complete disgust.

It was harmless curiosity and them trying to understand how they could live life like that.

They also expressed sorrow when they learned that most of Inuyasha's skills were learned when he was a little tyke fending for himself. He surprisingly made it through mentioning some of the techniques he had learned from Kagome and her mom, as well as Kaede.

His voice did waver a bit when they asked what became of the humans who taught him. He kept it simple, stating that they had passed away.

"Human lives are so fleeting," one of them said. "It makes me sad to think of how quickly Rin and Kohaku are growing."

Unlike dinner the previous night, lunch was much more pleasant affair as Inuyasha ate his food with much more gusto. Hina looked pleased with herself and she excused herself back into the kitchens. Sesshomaru did stare at him as he ate, but it didn't seem disapproving so Inuyasha chose not to comment.

It wasn't until after lunch that Inuyasha found himself staring out towards the direction they had arrived, hoping to see the carriage approaching.

"You could wait out in one of the gardens," Sesshomaru stated, coming up behind the hanyou.

Inuyasha's ears twitched, signaling that he heard him. "Is there one that will give me the best view?"

Sesshomaru moved towards the window his brother was staring at and looked downwards.

"There is one with a little pond. The skies are not obstructed by the sights of any trees. Only the mountain peak blocks any arrivals, however that is in the opposite direction then where the guests will be arriving from."

Inuyasha looked up at Sesshomaru. It was odd hearing him speak so gently, and not as cold as he was when they were surrounded by servants. He couldn't help but wonder if this was the manner he spoke to Rin, which would explain why the human girl stuck around for so long.

But then again, the girl struck him as being somewhat stupid and stubborn so he wouldn't have needed to speak to her any differently.

But then Sesshomaru's eyes hardened as he looked down upon Inuyasha. Then he turned and walked away.

"What the hell, asshole?" Inuyasha grumbled. Maybe his brother had mistakenly let his guard down. Pity. Inuyasha felt that if he showed that side more, he would at least be willing to try and be friends with his brother instead of tolerating his presence. X

"Must you stand there all day?"

"I have been assigned to watch over you, Young Master Inuyasha."

"Well, can't you do it either in my view or completely out of my sight? Having you in my peripheral is driving me nuts!"

Inuyasha glared at the demon that now stepped completely into his view. "It's not my purpose to make sure you are comfortable. It is my purpose to make sure you are safe."

"I'm not invalid at the moment. Should something attack I'm sure I can fend for myself long enough for you to get help."

The demon's eyes flashed and he growled. "I do not need help to do my work."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes and turned away, keeping his eyes on the koi that were swimming in the small pond.

"Whatever. What's your name?"

"Tamotsu."

"And is it just you?"

"No, young Master. I have a few of my men standing by."

With that, another demon suddenly appeared next to Tamotsu and whispered into his ear.

The demon looked at Inuyasha. "A carriage approaches."

Inuyasha's eyes shot up to the sky.

"Follow me, sir. I will lead you to the landing sight."

"Is it where I was first brought?"

"Yes, young lord.

"Then I really don't need to be lead anywhere." With that, Inuyasha took off in the direction to which he had first arrived.

He could hear the demon behind him curse, and he couldn't help but grin.

He needed to b e clear to all that until his stomach grew too big for him to move around, he was not going to be treated like some helpless noble female. Sesshomaru did not get armed escorts, so neither should he!

Inuyasha arrived well before his guards, unable to help but smirk back at them and ask what took them so long. They just glowered at him, while a couple of the younger ones pouted.

Tamotsu just gave him a calculating grin. "I have stood guard for many unwilling princely brats and unruly princesses. You will not discourage me."

"Keh!" Inuyasha turned away from the confident soldier and looked up to the skies.

He could see the carriage coming near and his heart beat against his chest.

Was Katsu doing fine? He hadn't been away from his son this long in all these past seven years.

He caught the scent of Sesshomaru as his brother approached form behind, but he did not acknowledge him. His ears were focused in the direction of the carriage, and he wished that they were the ones downwind so that he could catch the scent of his son.

He could make out Rin waving enthusiastically, and within moments, the carriage landed.

The servants didn't make it to the carriage as the door flew open, with Ginta tumbling out. Katsutoshi leapt out of the carriage, landing on Ginta's back and bouncing off of him. Looking around, he spotted his father and quickly ran to him.

"Poppa!" Katsu gave Inuyasha a large grin and held out his arms.

Inuyasha grinned and caught his son, throwing him up into the air and then holding him close as he landed in his arms.

"Gods, I missed you!" Inuyasha stated, hugging Katsutoshi tightly.

Katsu hugged him in return, nuzzling him.

"Something smells good!" he heard Hakkaku say as he got off the carriage and helped the sick Ginta back onto his feet.

Miss Hina stepped forward and bowed. "I am pleased to announce that dinner is prepared and ready to be served."

"Kohaku, we arrived on time!" exclaimed Rin, as she bounced around the young man.

Kohaku gave her a patient smile while Jaken grumbled.

All were led towards the dining hall, with Inuyasha still carrying Katsutoshi. Sesshomaru led the, ignoring the glare he felt coming for the little dark child. The brat was being awfully bold, but he refused to react to him.

This time dinner was filled with lively chatter as the wolf demons let Inuyasha know what happened after the two brothers had left. While nothing physically happened, there was much conversations that occurred and they felt that Inuyasha needed to know what was said and by whom.

Rin let out a happy laugh when she tried her food. "This is wonderful!" she said. "Inuyasha, if I didn't know better, I would say that you cooked our meals."

Kohaku looked confused as he ate his meal, eyeing Inuyasha.

Inuyasha shook his head. "I just made some suggestions."

Kohaku grinned. "Made some suggestions or did you take control of the situation?"

"Bah! I know better than to try to take over a place with lots of sharp objects!"

"Then the food is to your liking?" Sesshomaru asked.

Rin nodded enthusiastically. "The food has always been decent, but this tastes richer!"

"Our compliments to the cook," Inuyasha said to one of the servants, who nodded and ran back towards the kitchens.

Once dinner was done, the group began to retire to their rooms. Sesshomaru gave Inuyasha a look, which the younger brother understood.

"Guys, wait up," he said to Ginta and Hakkaku, as a servant began to lead them away. "They will be staying with me tonight. Please show them their chambers tomorrow night. And they are pack creatures, so one room will be sufficient for them."

The servant nodded and bowed. "We will procure a room with a large enough bed for the three."

Inuyasha paused and then nodded.

So they meant for Katsutoshi to be in a separate room from him. He would have to find a way to compromise with that one.

Once in Inuyasha's room, they began to talk in earnest.

"Well? You don't smell different. Did Sesshomaru reject Kouga's plea?"

Inuyasha shook his head. "He is waiting until tomorrow. He's offering me one last night to be with you guys before erasing Kouga's claim on me." Inuyasha felt his throat choking up, and the wolves became subdued.

"I suppose I didn't think of the full implications," Hakkaku murmured. "And Katsu?"

"He refuses to take responsibility over another ward at this time."

"I don't want him to," Katsu muttered. "Kouga is my only guardian."

Inuyasha gave him a sad smile. "But that also means you really can't spend your nights with me. Our scents will mingle and conflict with what Sesshomaru is doing."

Katsu pouted. "Can't I be with you on your human nights? He could always put his scent on you afterwards."

Inuyasha let out a bitter laugh. "I suppose that is one way."

He really didn't like the idea of submitting to Sesshomaru monthly for a chance to spend evenings with his son. But unless there was another choice, that may be the only way.

They began to talk about plans for exploring their new home and as the skies turned dark, they began to pile onto the bed.

Inuyasha held Katsu in his arms, tucking him under his chin, relishing in the feel of those small arms holding him back. Hakkaku had taken his place again behind his back, spooning against him, one arm resting across his shoulders, his hand resting against Katsu' head. Ginta was spooned against Katsu's side, his arm trailing over Katsu, and his hand resting against Inuyasha's ribs.

The mountain air was cold, and while the sheets provided some warmth, it was the heat of bundled bodies that Inuyasha knew he was going to miss.

The soft breathing sounds and warmth that surrounded him lulled him to sleep.

He would deal with being marked tomorrow, and he would find a way to compromise with his brother so that he did not have to completely give up his need for his clan members, and the company of his son.

To Be Continued