InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Want To Be Your Slave ❯ Hiten and Manten ( Chapter 12 )

A/N: A big thank you to everyone who reviewed! Sorry I haven't been able to individually reply to each one of you coz I've been checking the reviews on my cell phone and it's not very easy to compose a reply on it ^_^' If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask. If any of you asked something and I haven't replied please remind me; I apologize for the inconvenience. If the story has any inconsistencies, I'll be happy to rectify. Thanks for taking the time to read and review! Tc!

Chapter 12 - Hiten and Manten

Sesshoumaru, Lady Tsukiko and Kouga were waiting when Hiten and Manten landed from their cloud in the castle courtyard. Lady Tsukiko stood in the front with Sesshoumaru standing on her right, close behind her and Kouga a little further back to her left.

"Welcome, Hiten-san and Manten-san of the South," she said cordially.

Hiten, looking much like a human male except for his red eyes, stepped forward and bowed formally to Lady Tsukiko.

"Thank you," he replied.

Manten followed behind his brother. At a glance, no one would have imagined them to be brothers. Unlike Hiten, Manten looked more like a lizard or a fish than anything else. Short, stout and bald with a large mouth and cunning eyes, no one could mistake him for a human.

"I hope you find your stay here comfortable," Lady Tsukiko stated. "If there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to ask."

She turned slightly and Sesshoumaru stepped forward. "You know my son, Sesshoumaru and this is the wolf Prince Kouga. Kouga is our guest for a few days."

Kouga nodded to them.

"Thank you, Lady Tsukiko," Hiten smiled amicably. "The Western Lord is well known for his hospitality. I am honored to be allowed to stay in such distinguished company." He glanced respectfully from her to Sesshoumaru and Kouga. Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed fractionally. A brute and a barbarian he might be but Hiten, unlike his brother, was smart. He knew better than to make needless enemies with his words before he got whatever he had come here for. This one would have to be watched.

Lady Tsukiko gestured to a servant and the young demon girl came forward.

"Nariko will escort you to your rooms. I'm sure you will want to rest a while after the long journey."

Hiten's lecherous eyes sized up Nariko and he smirked. "Yes, I am sure our stay will be…delightful."

Nariko smiled coyly at the handsome demon and bowed low. Lady Tsukiko headed into the castle, showing no reaction to this. A notorious ladies man, Hiten invariably required a few women to warm his bed. No servants in the Western Lands would be forced to service a guest against their will but since a lot of the young maids found the thunder demon sexy, the problem was solved. Rumor had it, however, that Hiten killed or devoured the young girls after he had his fun with them but that of course, would not be allowed. The diplomat of the Southern Lands knew better than to rouse the wrath of the Lord of the West by needlessly killing in his castle. Hiten would keep his sadistic instincts in check for the duration of his stay; his partners would be unharmed.

Manten cast jealous looks at the girl and his brother. Of course, females always favored his brother. Hiten had a long plait of dark, beautiful hair. Who would look at little bald Manten?

When Hiten followed the girl, eyes on her cute ass, Manten resolutely turned his eyes away, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in his chest that always came whenever he saw his brother with a beautiful girl. He glanced back; Kouga and Sesshoumaru had hung back behind the others. Manten could not help but think that Sesshoumaru seemed even more beautiful than the last time he'd seen him.

The breeze picked up, tossing the demon Lord's silver hair gently in the wind. Manten repressed a shiver at the sight. Sesshoumaru really had the most beautiful hair of anyone he'd ever seen, except for his brother. The cold, dangerous demon Lord had been in his fantasy since the last time he'd seen him. But he'd been too young to appreciate the beauty before him then. Now, however, he could fully appreciate the toned, lean demon Lord's decidedly hot body…and that hair. What wouldn't he give to have that hair curtain his face as the demon Lord crawled on top of him, preparing to push into him with-

He snapped out of his fantasy as Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed. Suddenly realizing that he'd been staring, he blushed and hurried after his brother.

"So, Sesshoumaru-sama…word is that you keep a hanyou pet."

Sesshoumaru's face remained impassive.

They were seated in a semi-casual seating room. Having freshened up and rested for a couple of hours, Hiten had expressed the desire to chat for a while with the prince, who was about his age. Sesshoumaru didn't want to, but Lady Tsukiko had insisted he comply. It wasn't right to be rude to diplomats.

That was how he found himself sitting with Hiten and his younger brother on silk pillows, answering questions about some mundane things and listening to the thunder demons talk about their life. Actually, Hiten did most of the talking. Manten mostly agreed with whatever his brother was saying. Sesshoumaru didn't fail to notice the adoring glances Manten threw his older brother.

"I mean no offence," Hiten assured him, correctly interpreting the look on his face. "We would merely like to meet him. Hanyou are rare in the south; not many survive the rather…rough atmosphere."

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Inuyasha was waiting in Sesshoumaru's room.

The Thunder Brothers were to arrive today and Sesshoumaru, Kouga and the Lady of the West had gone to welcome them. The demon Lord had warned the hanyou to stay away from both of them as they were not particularly nice people.

"Inuyasha," a servant came in and bowed slightly. "Sesshoumaru-sama summons you."

Inuyasha was surprised. Hadn't his master told him to stay put? But he nodded and followed the servant.

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"This is Inuyasha," Sesshoumaru introduced.

Inuyasha looked curiously at the two guests. One looked like a lizard while the other looked more human. Were they really brothers? They did not look at all alike. He bowed to them both.

Hiten was still smiling but Sesshoumaru recognized the cruel look in his eyes. The innocent little hanyou aroused the sadistic demon's instincts to break what was so weak, so vulnerable.

"He is charming," Hiten announced while Manten glared at the hanyou. "Perhaps you would allow me to get…better acquainted with him." .

Hiten stared into Sesshoumaru's eyes. There was no mistaking his meaning. If the thunder demon had not come here on a diplomatic mission, he would be screaming in agony right about now.

"I'm afraid that will not be possible," the demon Lord stated and the look in his eyes promised bloodshed if Hiten pressed the issue. Fortunately, Hiten was smart.

"I see," he said casually. "Well, it's a pity but I'm sure Nariko will keep me …entertained."

Manten glanced enviously at his brother. Of course Hiten would have a gorgeous young girl in his rooms to enjoy the night while he would be stuck alone in his room, fantasizing with only his hand for company. Unless…

"Eh…Lord Sesshoumaru…" Sesshoumaru turned inquiringly towards him and Manten blushed. "Perhaps you could…uh…show me around the castle…"

Sesshoumaru stared.

"It's, um, beautiful," Manten stammered, feeling himself get a little lost in the smoldering golden eyes. "Um, the castle, that is," he hastened to clarify, feeling uneasy under the demon Lord's gaze. "Yes, the castle is very beautiful…hehe…"

"Certainly," Sesshoumaru said finally.

"Well, I'll be turning in, if you don't mind," Hiten announced. Manten look at him, slightly disappointed. Of course, Hiten never cared what he did or who he did it with…

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The castle is just too damn huge, thought Sesshoumaru as he gave Manten a tour. Manten was far too inquisitive asking endless questions about this, that and the other. Sesshoumaru mentioned snippets of information about things and places and Manten gushed about how marvelous and breathtaking everything was. Sesshoumaru did not particularly like ass-kissers and it was obvious that that was in fact what Manten was trying to do. He couldn't wait to get away from this idiot and return to his delicious puppy.

Some time after dark that day, the castle tour came to a close in Inuyasha's favorite back gardens. Sesshoumaru stood facing the swaying trees, enjoying a moment of peace and the light, cool breeze. He glanced up at the cloudless sky, twinkling with stars. There was a very thin cresant moon visible. It would be new moon in a one or two days. Inuyasha had been in the castle less than a month but it seemed much longer.

"The flowers are beautiful tonight," Manten said, breaking him out of his thoughts.

"Yes," he replied absently without turning around. He froze as he felt the lizard demon's hand on his arm, caressing it slowly.

He tried to gently disengage his arm but Manten only pulled his body closer, plastering himself against the demon Lord's side. Sesshoumaru closed his eyes,

I must not permanently maim the diplomat, I must not permanently maim the diplomat, I must not…kill…

"Sesshoumaru-sama," Manten whispered in what he mistakenly thought was a seductive voice.

"I suggest you let go, Manten," Sesshoumaru ordered in a cold voice.

But Manten was not as sharp as his brother. "But the night is still young, My Lord," he whispered, attempting to embrace him. "Perhaps we can-"

Sesshoumaru moved his hand slightly and sent him flying into a nearby tree. Manten groaned as his back made contact with the tree trunk.

"Sesshoumaru-sama!" he cried.

"If you value your life, do not try that again." Sesshoumaru told him. "It does not befit you to try and make advances on the Lord of another land."

Manten scowled. The injustice of the words stung. It had nothing to do with being a diplomat, he knew. In fact, there were plenty of goings on between diplomats and princes and Sesshoumaru was not known for his virtuous nature. No, it had nothing to do with status at all…it was only the fact that he was bald…

"You will regret that, Sesshoumaru-sama," he whispered, rankled by the demon prince's aloofness. Sesshoumaru said nothing in response, only glanced at him contemptuously.

"Sesshoumaru-sama!"

Both sets of eyes turned to the entrance of the garden. Inuyasha bowed to them both and addressed the demon Lord.

"Lady Tsukiko requests your presence, my Lord."

Inuyasha looked curiously at the lizard demon slumped against the tree as Sesshoumaru walked towards him.

"Return to my chambers," he informed the hanyou, glancing at him and rubbing his ears absently. "I will see her now." Inuyasha blushed with pleasure and nodded.

The lizard demon's eyes burned with rage. Such affection to a hanyou…the nature of their relationship was very clear. Sesshoumaru would not object to fucking a hanyou child but he'd rejected him. He was almost a prince, dammit! What the hell did Sesshoumaru think of himself? Just because he was fuckin' beautiful, did not give him any right to treat him like dirt!

Manten could not tear his eyes away from the slave. His expression, the sparkle in his eyes when Sesshoumaru looked at him, the way he blushed at every touch from the demon Lord, his vulnerable, small body that was so appealing to his brother…Manten hated Inuyasha with every fiber of his being. The half-breed had no right to such happiness while he, a full-blooded demon, suffered in loneliness.

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While his Master headed for the Lord and Lady's chambers, Inuyasha did as he was told and headed for Sesshoumaru's rooms. The Prince's rooms and the Lord of the Castle's rooms were in different wings of the castle, the latter being quite a bit closer to the back gardens from where Inuyasha was returning. It was a considerable distance to walk but Inuyasha didn't mind it as he happily considered the prospect of spending time with his Master once he was done with his work.

"Inuyasha," a voice called and the hanyou turned around in surprise.

"Yes, Manten-sama?" Inuyasha asked, feeling a little uneasy. The lizard demon didn't seem very nice. His brother, on the other hand, seemed much nicer, more friendly.

"Don't worry, child, I just want to talk to you for a while," Manten said in an oily, sickly sweet voice. Inuyasha nodded unsurely.

"Sesshoumaru-sama is your Master?"

Inuyasha nodded enthusiastically. "Hai!"

"And you are happy with him?"

"Oh yes!" Inuyasha replied. "Sesshoumaru-sama is very kind to me."

"Perhaps a bit more than he should be," Manten murmured, looking at him carefully.

Inuyasha's ears flattened and Manten smirked in his head in satisfaction. Oh yes, the little kid was very easy to screw with. If he, Manten, had to face humiliation day in and day out from the cruel words of Hiten's endless line of lovers, it was only fair that Sesshoumaru's precious pet got a taste of that. The demon Lord had turned him down cruelly, after all, putting him lower even than a hanyou pet.

Hiten loved inflicting hurt with his hands and his weapons but Manten's weapon of choice was words. Words, after all, were not partial to those blessed with beauty. Words hurt everyone equally. It was not fair that pretty people got everything they wanted; Sesshoumaru's toy should also get a taste of the poison; no one was better than Manten at using words as weapons.

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The meeting with his parents continued well into the night. There were things to be discussed regarding the Thunder Brothers' visit and some things needed to be cleared up before the official meeting with the two took place where they would put forward their requests. Important as this was, Sesshoumaru was glad to return to his rooms for some well deserved rest. It was exhausting being nice all day.

When he entered his chambers, he found Inuyasha in a far corner of the room, hugging his knees and crying silently. The demon Lord frowned and strode swiftly to the hanyou. Who dared make his puppy cry?

Without preamble, he lifted the child in his arms and headed for his huge bed. Inuyasha stopped crying for a moment in surprise as he was suddenly being carried in his master's arms. Sesshoumaru sat back comfortably against his pillows and sat his puppy down into his lap facing him. Inuyasha tried to hide his face by looking down but Sesshoumaru would have none of it.

"Look at me, little one," he ordered.

Inuyasha shook his head, attempting to burrow his face in his master's chest. Sesshoumaru gently pulled him away and forced him to meet his eyes.

"What is the matter?"

Inuyasha whimpered but said nothing, attempting to get his master to release his face, but Sesshoumaru's hand wouldn't budge.

"Tell me what is wrong, puppy," Sesshoumaru repeated softly.

"I-I…" Inuyasha hiccupped, wide eyes brimming with tears.

"Manten-sama said…he said-"

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed. "Manten said something to you?" That asshole was going to get it.

Inuyasha nodded hesitantly. "He said...a hanyou can never be good enough to satisfy a taiyoukai's needs and that…and that I cause you more trouble than anything else and…and he's right!" he finished desperately trying to read the demon Lord's face but it was inscrutable as always.

"I'm too weak to be of any use to you, Master," Inuyasha said in a small voice, ashamed. "I-I know he's right. He said…he said that is why you would not have to take so much trouble to save me from everyone and…and-"

Inuyasha didn't get a chance to complete that sentence as Sesshoumaru's lips descended swiftly upon his. Inuyasha's eyes widened as Sesshoumaru's tongue softly caressed his own, petal soft lips meeting the hanyou's in the sweetest kiss. Inuyasha's mind shut down. There was nothing except Sesshoumaru's mouth on his, nothing but the sweet pleasure of his master's tongue exploring his mouth, nothing but the intimate connection between them…and it seemed to go on forever, as though they would never be parted again…

When the demon Lord drew away, Inuyasha stared at him, glassy eyed and speechless. He had kissed him. Lord Sesshoumaru had actually kissed a hanyou. It was unheard of! Masters never kissed their slaves unless it was to inflict some kind of torment afterwards and certainly never so gently.

"That son of a bitch is lying," Sesshoumaru assured him. "Do not believe a word of what he says."

Inuyasha opened his mouth to protest but his brain functions were not entirely back yet.

"You think you are troublesome?" Sesshoumaru asked, pulling him close.

Inuyasha nodded hesitantly, even as he soaked in the heat of his powerful Master's body.

"Why?" the demon Lord asked, draping one arm over the little puppy's back, the other hand reaching up to gently move Inuyasha's bangs out of his eyes.

"Because…I can't defend myself, Master. You have…you have tolerated me near you even though everyone said you shouldn't and whenever anyone tries to…to hurt me, I can't fight them at all and you have to take care of me…" Inuyasha bowed his head submissively. "I am more trouble than I am worth, Master."

"Do you like fighting, Inuyasha?" the demon Lord asked, still not loosening his grip on the boy.

Inuyasha shook his head miserably.

"Do you wish to learn how to fight?"

"Well," Inuyasha began hesitantly, staring at his hands. "I…I want to be useful to you, Master. If I'm not so helpless a-and weak, you won't have to keep me close all the time and I'll be less of a burden on you so-"

"Idiot," Sesshoumaru berated him, and Inuyasha looked up in surprise. "Just what do you take me for, puppy?"

Inuyasha flinched at his annoyed tone, ears lying flat on his head. Sesshoumaru's grip on him tightened.

"Protecting what is mine is not tedious; it is my pleasure."

Inuyasha's eyes widened. Sesshoumaru smirked wickedly. "Keeping you close to me all the time is not at all tiresome, Inuyasha. Whether you can defend yourself against others or not is irrelevant. I would not allow you to wander about alone in any case."

"This -" The hanyou gasped and blushed as Sesshoumaru's hands suddenly cupped his ass, kneading the cheeks. "-belongs to me. Those who seek to harm you will meet a swift and bloody demise by my hands."

"But you wanted me to be strong," the hanyou reminded him miserably. "You said I will have friends when I grow up because I will be strong but I'm not and I'll never be…"

"Strength…has many forms, Inuyasha," Sesshoumaru told him. Inuyasha looked up into his Master's eyes. There was no hint of humor in them and his tone was completely serious.

"Strength is in one's nature. In things that matter - like loyalty and honesty - you are more than strong enough. But it is not in your nature to fight and hurt others."

Inuyasha marveled at how well the demon Lord knew him. Yes, he did not like fighting because he could not bear to hurt anyone. With the slavers, with bullies, with cruel people who wanted to hurt him, he just didn't have the urge to hurt them back and that made him a weakling, didn't it? Wasn't that why everybody could walk all over him so easily?

"But…that means I will never be stronger…I'll always be…like this…"

"You will be strong," Sesshoumaru told him. "Just not in matters of battle because I know you dislike violence. You will grow strong in other facets. Strength in battle is not the most important; there are other strengths - to be strong enough to not let others affect you so much, the strength to be true to what you believe, the strength to believe in yourself."

The demon Lord's hold became possessive.

"And as far as people attempting to hurt you, it matters not, because I will always be there to protect you"

Once again, Inuyasha had tears in his eyes but these were not tears of sadness. He was simply overwhelmed. Sesshoumaru gently cupped the slave's face in his hands and brushed the tears away with his thumb.

"You are an uke by nature, puppy. You do not need to try and be something you are not. Violence…is not in your nature and that is alright. You are fine just as you are."

Inuyasha threw his arms around his master, rubbing his nose in Sesshoumaru's chest. The demon Lord smiled slightly and returned the embrace.

Inuyasha felt as though a big burden had been lifted from his heart. Sesshoumaru gently caressed the hanyou's head, amusement twinkling in his eyes as the puppy ears perked up happily at the contact.

"Sleep now, puppy. You have had a rough day."

Inuyasha let his eyes close, listening to the steady beat of his Master's heart. Then his eyes flew open with a yelp as Sesshoumaru's hand came down sharply on his behind.

"But you will be punished for letting that bastard lizard get to you, hanyou."

Inuyasha smiled at the roguish threat in the demon Lord's voice.

"I look forward to it, Master," he whispered softly, snuggling into Sesshoumaru's chest.

Sesshoumaru smirked at the prospect of reddening the pup's bottom the next day. Then his smile widened and his eyes darkened at the prospect of what he would do to Manten for messing with his puppy. How dare the idiot try to make his pet feel inadequate and miserable? If Manten wanted to play that game, it was time to let him know that he, Sesshoumaru, could play it better.

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"The fucker said what to Inuyasha?" Kouga bristled, balling has hands into fists, and getting ready to go kick his ass. "Wait till I get my hands on that-"

"Wait," Sesshoumaru ordered, pulling him back by his tail. Kouga scowled at him. "Get your filthy hands away from my tail," he snarled irritably. "If you think I'm gonna let that motherfucker get away with insulting the little kid you've got-"

Then he stopped short on seeing the amusement in Sesshoumaru's eyes.

"You're planning something," he stated, relaxing, no longer in any hurry to go anywhere. Whatever Sesshoumaru planned would definitely be far worse than any beating he could give the nasty lizard youkai. He knew from experience to run a mile when the demon Lord got that glint in his eyes.

"What?" he asked finally when Sesshoumaru didn't say anything.

Sesshoumaru still remained resolutely silent. Kouga sighed in exasperation. "Fine, asshole, don't tell me. Just tell me what I need to do." Irritating dog never told anyone what he was up to but it would nevertheless be a lot of fun to participate in whatever scheme he was hatching.

"You must injure Hiten," Sesshoumaru told him finally.

Kouga was confused. "Hiten? Why? That's pretty nasty, if you're planning to hurt his brother just to get back at him."

Sesshoumaru smirked in his head. You have no idea what nasty is, wolf…

"No, you idiot, that's not what I meant. Just injure his leg so he can still walk, but with difficulty. He must not heal for at least a couple of days and there should be no mark left by the injury."

Kouga frowned. "Why all the specifications?"

Sesshoumaru smiled evilly. "You'll see."

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A/N: Feedback appreciated!