The Sacred Trees

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Explanations
“with the force of a Miko's arrow” : That was an analogy not an actual arrow. The sound, the whimper that Inuyasha made to his pack, is a very watered down version of the howls Inuyasha instinctively used to try to get assistance as a pup. (All the way back in chapter 1) The whimper for assistance cut through Sesshoumaru's lust.

Bad guys : Nothing to do with Naraku, in Canon Naraku died, this is true to canon TILL the point of Naraku's defeat alright? There is a traitor BUT not a Canine. More as the plot unfolds.

For all those who have been asking about the past 500 years, this chapter is dedicated to them. Man its LONG – Enjoy!! See the benefit of reviewing? Please continue to do so.

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Chapter 11 : The Ookami and Neko Demons

In the next two days, Sesshoumaru learned the meaning of true helplessness. Inuyasha was in pain, he was almost comatose from it. And there was NOTHING the Lord could do. The spiritual power of human sub-generals, the healers in the castle and even Lady Shida (Who he had contacted in desperation) had not been able to assist, to ease his brothers pain. Inuyasha lay in the Shogun's own bed, curled in pain. The Hanyou would writhe and spasm when he was hit by a particularly powerful wave of pain, blood would leak from his eyes and mouth as blood vessels burst from the spasms. Through it all the Hanyou did not scream or cry out, not once. Sesshoumaru would have preferred to hear his brother's howl, the small sounds his brother released seemed to rebuke him for the years negligence.

Sesshoumaru's claws dug into his own flesh, the small sound from the Council chamber still echoed in his head. That soft mewl, the pleas to the pack, his brother had released had cut though his madness saved him from a crime for which there would have been no redemption.
Sesshoumaru as the leader of his pack, had in the last 500 years answered countless howls of assistance. He had tuned himself to respond to the instinctual howl released by his canines, when they were in desperate need.

Inuyasha had not howled. Even in such dire states the puppy had not howled.

Sesshoumaru cursed his own youthful arrogance. Guilt burned him. How many times had Inuyasha howled as a pup for assistance? How many of his pleas to the pack had gone unanswered?
Sesshoumaru felt 2 feet tall, how many times had he ignored his brother's howls, before the instinct died? Till the Hanyou had lost the ability to trust the pack, to howl?

Sesshoumaru was Alpha – he had always been Inuyasha's Alpha. For the howl of his pack member to die, for the howl to become nothing more then a tiny whimper, marked Sesshoumaru as a failure. One main reason he had begun protecting his people , was to atone for this. Atone for his failure as a big brother.
So Sesshoumaru himself cleaned and held his brother, he wanted to stop the pain. He never again wanted to see his brother suffer like this, he wanted to protect his Inuyasha. But he was Shogun, and he swallowed the bile that seemed to rise in this throat, he knew that sometimes there was no way to get what you wanted.

Shippo and Sesshoumaru, their pain too raw and similar avoided each other. The Kitsune patrolled around the Shogun's wing tirelessly. He eyes missing nothing, his guards were extremely vigilant the Kitsune's punishment for any kind of slacking or carelessness had been swift and merciless. After two guards had been flogged by the Kitsune, one for going to relieve himself without finding a replacement, and another for chatting on their mobile, the level of seriousness the situation was, sank in.

Kouga took over all practical aspects. He fielded the demands of the Council and with the assistance of the Sub-Generals looked after all the other tasks usually carried out by Sesshoumaru and Shippo. The whole Canine pack seemed to be waiting, Kouga would be damned glad when Inuyasha awakened.
On the third day golden eyes snapped open. Fully conscious and free of pain, only the aches in his muscles a reminder of the nightmare 2 days, Inuyasha felt refreshed and good. He always bounced back from healing, sure shit happened but since he was still alive and sane Inuyasha pushed useless thoughts aside. He felt the far off pulse of the ancient one he had awakened, and a satisfied smile settled on his lips. Puppy ears flicked as he felt the warmth of the Ancient ones though his connections, he was rather proud of himself, had done good. Then the other memory came back to him, and he winched. He could not stay amongst the Youkai.

“It was good to see you smile otouto. I had feared for you.”
Inuyasha turned and saw his brother sitting on a chair watching him, Sesshoumaru was shocking. He actually looked tired and worn. His hair was a little mussed and his clothes messed up. Inuyasha raised a brow, “Jackass, It looks like you should be in this bed and not me.” Inuyasha said rather thoughtlessly.

“Hm, good idea.” Sesshoumaru said with a smile, before Inuyasha could blink the Shogun was beside him on the bed. Inuyasha's jaw dropped, he tried to scramble off the bed, but was hauled back in a hug. “Hush brother, I cared for you for 2 days, this Sesshoumaru requires a short sleep. Stay until I sleep, I wish to hear your breathe free of pain, then go find your Kit, he is in distress. We will speak after I awaken.” Sesshoumaru pulled his brother's back to him, and finally relaxed, sleep approaching him fast.

Inuyasha lay tense on the bed. He had no idea why his brother was acting strange, but he could appreciate that his Aniki had stayed with him over the two days. More then that Sesshoumaru had saved him for the 'situation'. Inuyasha shuddered at the memory and pushed it aside. He would stay to explain what he could, and then he would leave. Having decided Inuyasha relaxed a little. It was surreal having a sleeping Sesshoumaru on his back. His brother's breathing evened out and deepened.

Inuyasha silently got out of bed. He was again in a pair of shorts, this time there was no clothing around, only a yukata on a chair. Inuyasha pulled it on, and followed his nose to the suite's hall where a platter of cheese and meat awaited him. Too hungry for niceties, he gobbled the platter down. The wind shifted while he ate, and a scent from outside the window, made him forget his hunger. He was out the balcony in a flash, his Kitsune sat on a rock despondently tossing stones into a koi pond. Inuyasha soundlessly dropped down behind Shippo.

'Keh! You are going to kill the Koi” Shippo lost his balance, slid off the rock, he arrested the movement and flipped to gape at Inuyasha. “Inuyasha!” Shippo gasped. He reached out to touch, them paused and clenched his fists, no, he had lost that right. The Kitsune dropped to his knees, looking at the ground. “I.. Im sorry, I hurt you. You were going to use the WindScar but you didn't because it was me, I knew that a part of me knew that, but I could not stop. I was going to.. I was .. I'm sorry. I failed you. I dishonored myself.. I am a worthless son.. I'm soooo sorry. I hurt you!! I hurt my father.. I have no right to live!” Shippo wailed, failing to fight back tears, his scent was thick with shame and remorse.

Inuyasha dithered, after a number of failed attempts to get Shippo to stand or at least just look at him, Inuyasha patience ran out. He smacked the Kitsune on his head HARD! “What arrogance! Keh!! You hurt me kit? You need another 1000 years of growth before that happens.” Inuyasha bopped him again.

He suddenly sat cross-legged and bodily dragged the Kitsune on to his lap. As he had done when Shippo was a pup, Inuyasha pushed Shippo's head into his shoulder and cuddled him. “Hush Shippo. I am fine.” Inuyasha whispered, “Real men never show their tears remember?”

Shippo gasped at the memory, he burrowed into Inuyasha's embrace, a smile peaked out in spite of everything. “Father's a hypocrite!” he muttered. Shippo whimpered in pleasure when Inuyasha's knuckles gently rapped his head again. His father had forgiven him, still accepted him; now all he needed was a few hundred years to forgive himself.

Inuyasha's claws stroked the kit's head. Shippo whimpered again. The Kitsune had missed this so much. No one had held him like this in so long.

Sesshoumaru had been Shippo's rock, but he was aloof, not really welcoming touch. Shippo treasured the moments the Shogun would tussle his hair, pet his head or lay a hand on his shoulder and squeeze. Even rarer were the times when distress would over whelm the emotional Kitsune, and Sesshoumaru would allow him to rest his head on his Lord's lap and cry. At those times they shared the loss of Inuyasha and other of other pack members in the brutal existence of the Youkai during the Secret War, Shippo cried tears for both of them.

No other words were spoken between the father and kit, none were needed.

Kouga had peeked into his Lord's room to check on the two, and was treated to the sight of his Shogun fast asleep. Wisely letting sleeping dog demons lie, Kouga followed his nose and found the cuddling pair. Two wolf lieutenants and a small group of guards stood gaping at the sight. Kouga leapt up to them to keep them away from the two.

“Father, the Hanyou.. he... General Shippo.. what..”

Kouga rapped his son's head, “Stop that!” he growled “You sound like a Kitsune. Why are you so surprised Kinta, Ayoga, have I not held both of you like that many a times? Do not let his physical age fool you, that mangy mongrel IS Shippo's father, and the General is reacting appropriately.” Kouga said with approval, as he herded his sons and the guards away. Kouga set the guards on perimeter watch, as he and his sons approached the main door 4 other Lieutenants joined them.

“Now that Inuyasha has awakened, Father, what are your orders? Do we maintain full security alert?” Ayoga, Kouga's oldest son and highest ranked Lieutenant asked.

“Oh yes! Hmmm I suspect the most violence will be internal, caused by a certain Hanyou when the Shogun reveals his plans. Make it clear to all the men, they are to guard Inuyasha, not to try to fight him. And for the sake of our forefathers do not touch the Hanyou unless they have a death wish.” Kouga said warningly.
To Kouga's mild surprise, the sub-generals, Aidon, Nannaq and the other Lieutenants suddenly appeared out of the woodwork. Word of the Hanyou's awakening had spread, breaking the oppressive tension at the manor. Kouga wanted to relax a little as well, but he could not, with Sesshoumaru distracted, they were looking to him for leadership. Without hesitation he assumed full command on behalf of his distracted leader.

Kouga was first General of the Canines, he had been offered a position to form a separate pack as Dai-Youkai when the Council was formed. He had flatly refused. 4 of his seven surviving children were Lieutenant ranked among the Canines, forming another pack would have weakened the Shogun's armies, and Kouga would not allow that. More then that, Kouga was one of the handful of people that Sesshoumaru relaxed with, one of the few that could bear some of the Shogun's personal burden and further while Shippo was his nephew, Kouga was the Shogun's friend. His leaving the Canines would have weakened the Shogun personally, and Kouga would cut out his own heart before allowing that.

Kouga would never forget the day the smell of blood- his own, his mate's, his pack members and even his children had hung thick in the air. He had scented his own death, then Sesshoumaru and Shippo had come, the DaiYoukai had not healed him, instead he had forced him through words alone, to choose life, to fight; when death would have been so much easier. Of his 11 pups, Sesshoumaru had managed to save 7, as well as some of his other pack mates. The next day, for the first time the Wolf Prince willing knelt before another, he submitted totally, accepting Sesshoumaru as his Alpha.

After centuries of fighting together, in many ways they were equal, Kouga served because he choose to. His loyalty to his Alpha and pack one of his defining traits. Kouga's presence was the only reason why Sesshoumaru could focus solely on his Inuyasha for a time, without concern for the safety or running of his pack.

Kouga spent a good two hours, overseeing details, directing and delegating duties; when that was complete, he requested an outdoor meal be prepared and he and the sub-generals went to find Inuyasha and Shippo. Kouga knew Sesshoumaru would awaken soon, and figured the garden when the Lord could hear his brother was the best place for them to clear details. The Hanyou and Kitsune were in the same position Kouga had left them in. Kouga could not help himself, he walked up to the two, and knelt beside them. Green and gold eyes watched curiously as Kouga rested his head on Inuyasha's shoulder. The strange presence of the Hanyou, comforting him.

“We'll wait for the Shogun, before asking you questions.” Kouga said softly.

“Ya, repeating myself would suck.” Inuyasha agreed, “You have human guards?” Inuyasha asked curiously noticing the two humans. “Hoi, Shippo my lap is getting numb, get off!!” Inuyasha grumbled he gently pushed the Kitsune off him.

Shippo got off reluctantly and sat close to his father. “They aren't guards, they are sub-Generals.”
The humans came forward almost shyly. The female spoke first “Lord Inuyasha, we are commander's of the General's human forces, we fight with technology and spiritual powers. You.. you knew our ancestors. I am Ya'Sango, direct descendant of Monk Miroku and Lady Sango. Generations ago, when our village was destroyed by a natural disaster, General Shippo came to our rescue and we have lived served the Shogun ever since.”

“And I am Renji” The male said “Descendent's of Kohaku and Rin, while we are long lived – we cannot match the life span of demons, so our rank is that of sun-Generals. It is an honor to meet you. Both of us have large families My Lord, hundreds strong, your companions legacy lives in all of us.”
Inuyasha stood, he stared and felt the connections, though the two humans, to his pack of old. He smiled and nodded, “Keh, must have taken you a bit to convince Sesshoumaru to take in human villagers”

“I made a brilliant argument and convinced the Shogun of what an asset they would be.” Shippo said puffing up a bit.

“Hm, more like he nagged and whined for days on end, refusing to allow me to rest, until I agreed just to shut him up.” A dry voice said from above. Sesshoumaru, back to being immaculate, floated down. The Shogun's face was relaxed but unreadable, and his eyes never left the Hanyou. Inuyasha tensed noticeably, his brother was up to something, he was not sure what Sesshoumaru wanted, but Inuyasha was wary. Smoothly he stepped back from his brother, maintaining a distance.
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed, he did not like Inuyasha's reaction, but for now he would let it go.

“You have humans, but no Hanyou in your service?” Inuyasha asked almost accusingly. Sesshoumaru grit his teeth as the human sub-generals discreetly stepped back and left. Kouga quickly spoke up.

“Inuyasha Hanyou are too valuable to be on the front lines. 2 Hanyou are special forces commanders, but they stay with the Hanyou settlements and avoid contact with other clans for their safety. Kilala's descendants almost exclusively work with Hanyou.” Kouga explained.

“Sesshoumaru-sama, Sesshoumaru-sama..!!” An irritating grating voice yelled out, as a green toad demon ran up to the Lord, falling over itself to get to the Lords feet. Shippo began to growl. Kouga sighed he did not need this.

“Jaken!” Sesshoumaru said coldly, “You were not summoned.”

“But your faithful Jaken heard rumors that the half-breed Inuyasha was back, and Jakan thought surely his Lord would want his faithful servant to serve again, especially since the Kitsune no longer requires our most powerful Lord's protection!” Jaken glared at Shippo.

'Toad! I don't NEED protection. I am a General and I serve the Canines.” Shippo glared back. Inuyasha watched amused.

Jaken's staff swiped at Shippo, and Shippo dodged. “Leave with the Hanyou, Kitsune!! Jaken knows you are unreliable, and My Great Lord will need my personal services once again!”

“My UNCLE tolerated your presence. YOU do serve BUT far away!! Go back to the farms Toad!” Shippo ground out.

“You dare speak like that. See Sesshoumaru-sama, see the real face of the disrespectful Kitsune.” Sesshoumaru stood impassive watching the two circle and spit at each other. A sound caught his attention. Kouga and Shippo's heads snapped around. Inuyasha was leaning against the rock laughing. The three stared in shock, they could not remember ever seeing the Hanyou laugh in such a carefree manner. The sweet sound of his laughter seemed to catch in the breeze, the forest and the trees rustled, seemed to laugh with him.

“Oh my God, Jaken and Shippo are two dogs fighting over a Sesshoumaru-bone. This is soo pathetic its funny!” Inuyasha said insolently. “Sesshoumaru-sama NEEDS his Jaken.” Inuyasha mimicked chocking with laughter. A faint tinge of red washed over Sesshoumaru, he was NOT used to being laughed at. Inuyasha laughed harder, Koga bit his lips.

“Hanyou HOW DARE YOU!! Jaken will rid the world of your blight!” Jaken prepared to release a blast from the staff at Inuyasha, immediately he found him self 6 feet in the air, facing a now furious Sesshoumaru.

“Jaken, do not address my brother with disrespect, further you will NEVER raise your hand to my brother. Even if he was cutting you to tiny pieces, you will NOT seek to harm him or retaliate in any way. Understood.”
“Y.. yess! Great Lord Sesshoumaru, Jaken lives to serve you.” The toad whined.

“Then serve! Your place is at the Farms, Jaken. You do an acceptable job there. The Kitsune's place is now with me, you choose this when you sought to manipulate this Sesshoumaru. Now leave. Kouga!”
Sesshoumaru released the Toad, before he hit the ground, Kouga kicked and sent the Toad flying over the walls of the mansion. His cry fading.

“Good kick! The toad actually tried to manipulate you?” Inuyasha asked, between chuckles.

“Ya!” Shippo answered with satisfaction. “Stupid Toad, hates my guts, he tried to arrange for me to be adopted by other Kitsune and be removed from Sesshoumaru's service. But that really didn't work, because I am your son, so the fact that I am Sesshoumaru's nephew could not be disputed. When that failed the Toad actually gave Sesshoumaru-sama an ultimatum, him or me.” Shippo smirked. “Fool. Ultimatums don't work on the Shogun. Jaken found himself tasked with overseeing our farmlands.”

“He actually does a good job, NOT having to hear his voice on a daily basis helps.” Kouga said. Inuyasha nodded his mind already going back to a key topic of conversation that had been interrupted.

“Kouga. You mentioned Kilala's kits. Kilala.. how..” Inuyasha began but stopped when Shippo released a sorry whimper.

This time it was Sesshoumaru who reached out a hand and placed it on the Kitsune's shoulder. “It is why being an impersonator is such a great crime, Inuyasha. Shippo always knew you were alive, so did the humans, so rumors abound.”

“Sesshoumaru-sama never believed you were alive and he refused to let us talk about it, so he did not know what happened, until he actually listened in the council.” Shippo said with a smug told you so look at his uncle. Sesshoumaru only raised a brow.

Then Shippo went serious, “When the Secret War broke out, we formed the Canines after Kouga joined us. We are very close, and as we grew stronger, someone figured out that they could exploit the rumor and infiltrate the ranks of the Canines. The first impersonator was easily identified and dealt with, the second was a Hanyou, and he actually managed to enter one of our outlaying villages. He was welcomed, as people wanted the brother of the Shogun to be alive. Two villages were destroyed before the trick was found out and we killed the impersonator. That was when Shogun issued the kill order.” Shippo took a deep breathe and continued. “80 years ago, I had begun to see familiar things like that wheeled contraption and bags that seemed to look a lot like Kagome's so I got real excited, thinking it was Kagome's era. I was a fool.” Shippo said bitterly.

“We all were.” Sesshoumaru said firmly. “The impersonator contacted Shippo privately, they had an amazing amount of information, information that they had painstakingly collected. They convinced Shippo and he could not come to me because I never entertained any rumor of you surviving, and would most likely attack on sight. The bastards used even that against us.”

“The impersonator convinced Shippo to meet with him at the vanishing Isle. It was a trap of course. Shippo went alone, he realized it was a trap as soon as the impersonator was in sniffing distance. But it was too late, the jaws of the trap had sprung. 2 battalions of assassins each two hundred fifty strong, and 4 powerful Youkai including the impersonator , attacked our little General.” Kouga continued “Shippo howled as soon as he saw it was a trap, and though Sesshoumaru heard him, by the time we got there, if Shippo had been alone he would have died. Kilala had seen him leave and had followed. The two of them fought off the waves of attackers. Just the two of them had killed over 60% of the assassins and two of the Youkai. When the impersonator saw us approaching, he unleashed a killing wave at Shippo, Kilala pushed Shippo down and took the blast instead. We finished off the assassins and took the impersonator alive. Kilala had not survived the blast and Tensaiga did not pulse for her.” Kouga finished his words were simple but they conveyed a deep respect and sorrow at the loss.

“The impersonator was alive?” Inuyasha asked his voice dripping venom.

“We thought it appropriate that his death last at least two weeks. He was most grateful to this Sesshoumaru when I finally allowed him to set himself ablaze on Kilala's kits fire.” The Shogun said with icy satisfaction.

Inuyasha was silent as he said goodbye to one of his most trusted companions. She had died a hero's death, and it was right that she was still remembered.

Food was brought out, and the four sat on the grass and ate, the mood somber.

Finally the Shogun spoke. “You have heard some of our tales, now it is your turn Inuyasha what the hell happened in the council chambers ?”

Inuyasha had been dreading that question. He had enjoyed their company so much. He was glad for them, fiercely glad, that they were a strong pack. But his time with them was almost over, he would probably have to leave Japan. If he stayed, more trouble was sure to follow. The Hanyou sighed.
“I broke the rules.” Inuyasha admitted softly. “I am sorry, all of you! What happened was my fault totally. I knew better. 'Do NOT heal in front of Youkai.' I knew this and I ignored it, so you see, it not your fault at all. Its mine!”
The three seemed to want to interrupt, Inuyasha raised a hand, this was hard enough without interruptions.

“Let me finish!” The Hanyou stood and took 2 steps away from the Youkai, he folded his hand into the sleeves of the Yukata, and looked away. The gentle breeze teased his hair and clothes, sunlight reflected of flowing white. He stood still, and he looked beautiful and lonely.

“You have figured out some of it, my mission is a simple one, awaken the Ancient Ones; trees with a life force that connects them to the earth and everything else. The task is easy really and I love them, the Ancient ones, so its not a burden. Healing requires a bit of my soul, did you know that souls recover? The bit I give, grows back in a couple of days. The healing cannot be done in front of Youkai, I knew that, and yet I did, and put everyone in danger. It will not happen again.” Inuyasha turned to them, a soft smile on his face. “ Thank you for today. It is wonderful for me to see you. Sesshoumaru where is my robe and sword. I think it best I leave before dusk.”

“Inuyasha, NO! You cant mean to leave!” Shippo wailed, he was the only one of the 3 surprised by this.

“I have to go Shippo, I have my mission and Youkai cannot come with me. I'll call and keep in touch, maybe visit sometime.” Inuyasha was firm.

“General Shippo, you are to go the the far perimeter. You are in charge of the outer perimeter patrol, do not approach the mansion until you are ordered to do so. There had been some testing and spying at the perimeters, ensure that they do not succeed.” the Shogun ordered suddenly.
Shippo snapped to attention. Deciding to trust his Uncle, he hugged Inuyasha hard, bowed and walked off. The three waited until Shippo was well out of hearing before continuing.

Kouga laid a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder. “Inuyasha I don't think you understand what happened in the Council room. Hell I don't understand it myself mutt-face. But I do understand that the choices here are limited. I won't ask you to forgive me, because I know you will anyway.” Kouga said with a sad smile. “I am selfish, I want you around. So while the next few days are going to be hard for you, I believe in the end you will be happy.” Inuyasha's ears flicked in confusion. “The mansion will be secured, Inuyasha nothing will get in without the Shogun's permission. Nor will anything get out.”

“What the hell are you talking about you mangy wolf?” Inuyasha growled. “I am fucking walking out of this dump.”

“You're wrong Inuyasha,” Sesshoumaru growled, his frustration and patience finally coming to an end. “You are not leaving.” Inuyasha spun to face his brother, Sesshoumaru was stalking towards him, pure determination and possessiveness etched in his face. His voice contained a dangerous undertone. “You are mine, brother. And it is time I enforced my claim.”

“Are you fucking crazy?” Inuyasha knew his brother was insane. He took a fighting stance. He felt Kouga shift his fingers on his shoulder, the next instant blood flow was interrupted, and Inuyasha fell forward in a faint. Sesshoumaru caught him.

“If you had started fighting here, Inuyasha would have been hurt. I have no wish to smell more of his blood.” Kouga said in way of explanation. “Sesshoumaru!” Kouga only called his Lord that when they were alone, “Do you love him, or do you just want him?”

Sesshoumaru stared at his General, he did not need to answer his sub-ordinate, he needed to answer his friend. The Shogun's claws gently caressed the Hanyou's face. “Yes. If I did not love him, the lust would have consumed me. Make no mistake Kouga, I have missed him for 500 years. He is mine, I will claim him, but I will not break him. His fire is more precious then you know. My brother will be mine, he will not be able to help himself, and I will book no interference, not even from you.”

“As long as he is safe in body and spirit, I will not interfere Sesshoumaru. Focus on bringing Inuyasha home Sesshoumaru, I will take care of other things.”

“Thank you Kouga.” the words were soft as Sesshoumaru lifted off, carrying his brother to his bedroom, suite. Magic pulsed around the room, the balcony disappeared. Sesshoumaru made plans to seduce and claim his little brother.

--tbc---

Next cappie ... Lemons anyone?