The Love of Brothers

Chapter Twelve

In his many centuries of life, Sesshoumaru had never felt such defeat as he did now. Inuyasha had carried a limp Kagome into the palace, bypassing everyone without a word. He had taken Kagome directly to her chambers and put her to bed. She didn't wake when he stripped her clothes from her and tucked the sheets around her. Her face was swollen from crying, her face bore many small scratches.

Sesshoumaru looked on in silence as Inuyasha gently bathed the wounds with cool water. He had not said anything but Sessh felt his anger and hurt. "What happened?" He asked after Inuyasha set the bowl and cloth aside. Inuyasha's ears twitched and his shoulders sagged. "She went to the well, I don't know why. She hasn't been there since it was destroyed."

Sessh hmpfed, "And then?". Inuyasha stood swiftly, turning to glare in the impassive face before him. "Well obviously I didn't let her go to it!" he snapped. Glancing at Kagome, he lowered his voice again, "She doesn't understand. I told her it was a trap and she knows how Naraku is…. She just misses her family so much." His tone grew wistful.

Sessh sighed, "We are her family now." He said simply, "In time she will not question this. She will not go near the well. I have said this and it will be so." Inuyasha shook his head slowly, of course his great and terrible brother wouldn't know. "Sessh, human hearts don't work that way. Hers broke today, didn’t you feel it? She won't forgive us for this and she won't accept that she can't go home."

Sessh stood in silence. It was true, the workings of human hearts were unknown to him. Usually he would not have cared, but this was his mate and her pain was unacceptable. Still this was not a question of her feelings but her safety. A hurting Kagome was better than a dead Kagome. Sessh laid his hand on the strong shoulder of his brother, "She will forgive, it is in her nature to do so. When she wakes I will explain to her, perhaps I can ease her mind."

Inuyasha shrugged the hand away. How dare his brother sound so certain and smug? He didn't know how Kagome was feeling, he hadn't seen her fight against Inuyasha as though her very life depended on it. Inuyasha had never seen her eyes gleam so desperately before. There was one person who could help and he was going to get her.

Sessh watched him go. "Where are you going Inuyasha?". The younger didn't turn, "I need to talk to Sango." Sesshoumaru let him go and stared down at Kagome. Oh yes he had felt it, that shattering of her heart. He hoped that her place here would comfort her and give her some peace. Damn that Naraku, there weren't enough ways to kill him satisfactorily.


Inuyasha stood in the door of Sango's home, his expression as unguarded as it had ever been. In a terse voice he told her the events of the day. Sango squeezed Miroku's hand as her eyes filled. "How terrible for her." She whispered. Inuyasha raised sorrowful golden eyes to her, "What can I do?" Sango sighed, "I don't really know Inuyasha. Kagome has been through so much, she misses her family and there are so many things she needs to talk to her mother about. Things that you and I can't help her with."
In the end, Inuyasha left with more answers but still no solution. Upon returning to the palace he found that Kagome had awakened but refused to see him or his brother. Word spread like fire, the lady of the west had barred her husbands from her presence. Inuyasha had shouted through the door to her, resorting to pleading but she said nothing.

Sesshoumaru was willing to allow her time. Her behavior could not keep on however, it would make him the laughing-stock of the demon realm. At this moment, he wondered if he even cared about that. Kagome had never been so upset with him, not even in her earliest days in the palace. He found he disliked it immensely.

Days went by and Kagome refused to leave her chambers, refused to let her mates approach. Her miko energies barring all but Sango and Masani. She had confided her fears and pain to Sango, weeping into her friend's ample bosom. Her barely coherent phrases summed up two points: If they cared why had they hidden these things from her? If she mattered at all why would they not let her test the well? Sango had of course presented these questions to the lords.

Kagome peeked from the entrance to her room on the sixteenth day. She had not been sleeping and her constant use of her powers had sapped her strength. As much as the thought of their actions hurt her, Kagome admitted that she missed her two mates. She was incomplete without them. She knew they worried and felt guilty about it. She would apologize to them and hear them out, maybe then her heart would stop aching. She recalled Sango and Masani's words. Inu youkai were possessive and territorial, in demon culture they were nearly extreme in it and males took their marital duties very seriously. They hadn't meant to hurt her, they were driven by instinct to keep and protect. Until they were certain that there was no danger, they would hold her.

She bathed and dressed in her sleeping gown, seeing that it was well after dark. Inuyasha's room was empty, another patrol she supposed. Then she slipped to the adjoining door to Sesshoumaru's room and slowly unlatched it. The sight that met her eyes caused her heart to lodge in her throat. Sesshoumaru had Inuyasha pinned to the bed, his hands fisted in the silken hair of his brother's head as he took him from behind.

The moonlight spilled into the room and cast Sesshoumaru in silvery light, setting his hair aglow. He growled deeply as he poured his lust onto the trembling man before him. Once clawed hand slid from Inuyasha's hair and grasped his hip, claws digging in slightly to the skin.

Inuyasha moaned softly, his hips snapping back against the powerful thrusts. His eyes were closed and his lips parted with panting breaths. Sesshoumaru angled his hips and slammed forward, drawing a yelp from Inuyasha and the younger began to beg. Not beg to be left alone, no. He begged for Sesshoumaru to take him harder, faster and Kagome gasped.

Two pairs of glowing eyes locked onto her and she took a step back. Inuyasha shivered at his release even as he called out to her, "Kagome.". She shook her head, her stock of tears replenished in that moment. "What else have you kept from me? Everything in this palace is a lie!" She spun and fled before they could stop her. Sessh stopped Inuyasha's flight after her. "I’ll go."

Sesshoumaru was angry with his guard, they had failed to stop one human woman from fleeing the palace. Kagome had run into the surrounding forest. Her heart hammering in her chest. What had she seen? She had thought about them together, of course she had. Still, she was shocked, she had always imagined them together… with her.

Sesshoumaru tracked her to the depths of the forest. It was here that her strength flagged and she sagged against a tree, sobbing. There was confusion and hurt and something else. His nose was never wrong, was that a hint of arousal on the wind?

He stepped into sight and Kagome drew back against the tree. Her wet eyes wide as they locked on him. He had been with Inuyasha, he had been with Inuyasha! He said nothing, merely waited. Kagome wasn't one to not speak her mind. "I saw it didn't I?" she whispered, nails biting into the bark of the tree, "You were with him…. Making love to him."

Sesshoumaru didn't move, standing still as the winter wind lifted his hair. The first flurries of the night's snow swirled around him. "Yes, " he said at last, his voice even and quiet. She sniffed and her head lowered as she hugged herself. Sessh narrowed his eyes, her thin sleeping robe offered little protection from the elements. Pinching the bridge of his nose with one hand he extended the other to her, "Come, it's too cold for you here."

Kagome stared at his hand as though he might strike her. Her mind was working furiously. Lifting her chin, she met his eyes defiantly. "No, I won't." she stated quietly, an edge of steel threading in her words. Sessh was not accustomed to being disobeyed and that his mate should do it, a woman, seemed unnatural to his way of thinking.

He took a calming breath, "You will return with me now." He told her. Again, she shook her head and he growled in warning. Kagome stepped away from the tree, arms crossed over her chest as she stared him down. "Why should I? You haven't been honest with me, you hide things from me, and you have Inuyasha to warm you at night." She challenged.

Sessh narrowed his eyes dangerously and it wasn't so very long ago that she would have feared him. Not now though. "I have not lied to you, I have simply elected not to share every detail with you woman! It is not the place of the lord to explain his every movement to anyone, let alone his human mate." He said icily, he practically spat the word 'human' at her.

Kagome stiffened. "You don't need me, you would be happier without me. Just let me go to the well. What can I possibly be to you that you want or need?" she argued, gesturing with one arm madly. The demon lord glowered at her, "Pups." He said sharply, "Inuyasha may give me pleasure but he can give me no pups. You are my wife, it is your duty to see this done."

Kagome gasped, "Is that all I am to you? A breeder?" she demanded. Sessh pounced on her, pinning her to the snow covered ground in a spray of white. He was furious. "You ask me that?" he dared her, vision seeping red, "You locked youself away, haunted my ahlls with your tears, made me fear for you! You refused to even speak to me for so many days and then when I take and give comfort with Inuyasha you flee the palace….. Why is that?"

Kagome took a shuddering breath, he was heavy and she couldn't wriggle away. "It's wrong!" she shot back, "You don't love me, you love him, and it's wrong." Sessh leaned back slightly, confused at her words. "Demons do not love, not like you do." He told her. She wept still and he mulled over her words, "Why Kagome?" he asked softly, "Why is it wrong?".

Kagome shivered beneath him but he ignored it. Her clothing was becoming wet. "Two men." She stammered, but he cut her off. "Two men cannot be together in your time?" he asked. Kagome shook her head, "No, they can be and many are… but he is your… brother. That is wrong." She explained. Sessh snorted. "Human rules don't apply to me. It has been done for centuries. Demons can engage in bed play with anyone without issue, save of course their parents and own children. It's the way of things here."

Kagome sniffled and shivered again. "You're wet and cold, we're going back now." He told her, and made to get to his feet. Kagome stopped him by pulling him back down to her. Her eyes were still moist but now held curiosity. "May I ask you something?" she asked softly. He nodded, watching as the pink tip of her tongue swept over her bottom lip.

"Did…did you enjoy it?" she asked shyly, "When you were together?". Again the slight scent of her arousal met his nose. "Yes, " he said, "We both enjoyed it very much." She made a small 'oh', then gained her courage, "Doesn't it hurt him?" she pressed. Sessh nearly smiled, so she was curious. "The first few times can be a little uncomfortable, if your partner is not careful or you are too tense. Demons at times need to be rougher than usual…. Inuyasha can take it, as I can, but you would be hurt. We must be gentler with you than we are with one another." He told her.

She chewed her lip and seemed to think about his answer. Standing, he pulled her up with him. "Do you want to know what it is like?" he asked and her cheeks flamed at she stared up at him. "I-uh, no, I don't know. I think. " She stuttered much to his amusement. "Will you be with him again?" she asked. Sesshoumaru pulled her closer to him as he lifted into the air. "Yes and I will also be with you. You are equal to me, your place is with me Kagome as is his.". She leaned against him, seemingly satisfied with his answer.

Inuyasha was pacing before the large hearth in Sesshoumaru's rooms. It had been nearly a half hour since his brother had left to find Kagome. What if he hadn't found her? That was a stupid thought, of course he would. What would he say to make things right with her. He loved Kagome, suspected that Sessh did too. They wouldn't say it though. He wanted to make love to her, but he wasn't going to give up his moments with Sessh either.

He spun to face the tall balcony doors as they swung open, admitting cold wind, swirling snow, and his two mates. He felt his heart start to beat again. "Kagome!" he cried rushing to her, and Sessh set her down before closing the doors. Kagome threw herself at Inuyasha, burying her face against his chest. "I'm sorry that I worried you, both of you." She said as she turned to look at Sessh. Inuyasha cupped her face in his hands, bringing his nose to hers. "If you ever do that again….. Well I don't know but trust me it won't be good. Defying a demon mate can be dangerous Kagome."

She nodded, hugging him close to her. He pressed a kiss to her upturned lips, "Kami, I've missed you." Kagome pressed her face under his chin, a submissive move that brought a soft whine from his lips. Sessh drew his attention then, "Kagome is curious about the way we come together.". The girl in his arms blushed like fire when Inuyasha stared down at her. His eyes snapped back to Sessh, who stood by patiently, "I was thinking perhaps I can train her tonight and we can finish this circle come morning."

Inuyasha's mouth opened with unspoken questions. He looked back down at Kagome, "Kagome… I…. Do you…. Well… do you want to do that?" Kagome stared at the floor, "I get the feeling that this circle means all of us together at one time?" she asked and they nodded in unison. Her blush intensified, "Well that would mean that one of you would.. Um, well you know. Right?". Inuyasha's thumbs stroked her cheeks, "We don't have to do it that way." He admitted.

Kagome looked over to Sessh, his golden eyes shining in the dimness. "But you would want to?" she asked. Inuyasha sighed, "Well yeah, eventually, but we can wait if you aren't ready.". She smiled, twining her fingers in his hair. "I'm ready, or I will be." She whispered, suddenly very shy. Isessh smiled, "She has yet to be punished for defiance." He added. Inuyasha kissed her sweetly before breaking away to look at Sessh. "You'll be gentle." He growled.

Sessh took hold of Kagome's hand, "More than you." He teased. Inuyasha gave one last lingering look at Kagome and moved back to his rooms. He wanted to bathe and not be around to hear the sounds he knew would come. If he did, he might barge into the room. She wanted them both, and she wasn't angry anymore that they had been together.

Kagome stood stock still as the door clicked shut. She shivered as she felt Sessh move behind her. "You should get out of your wet clothes." He murmured as he passed her. She stared mutely after him and then seemed to recover herself. Her numb fingers plucked at the ties of her robe and she slid the clinging wet garment from her pale body. The heat of the fire felt good and she inched closer.

Sessh brought a thick quilt from his bed to her and tucked it around her, urging her to sit before the fire. He had other items in his hand as well. There was a bottle of some kind of liquid and various other items that she couldn't make out. Was that rope? She turned wary eyes to the demon lord as he sank gracefully down beside her. "I will explain some things to you Kagome." He said, as he reached over and pinned her long hair atop her head with a silver stick.

He picked up an object that looked much like a paint brush and moved behind her. She didn't resist when he pushed the covering below her waist. "Demons are sexual creatures, which I'm sure you know by now." He said softly, running the brush lightly across her neck. His strokes light and slow. "Our…appetites are very different from humans. We have almost no taboos, and we like sensations to be varied. At times we can be gentle and loving" his words accentuated with a soft kiss to her shoulder, a blossoming of lips against her cool flesh.

"At others we give in to the animal urges that dwell within us. At these times we can be rough and primal." Again his words were accented by action, this time he tugged her hair back, lengthening the column of her throat as he ran his fangs over the white skin. She sucked in her breath and let her eyes fall closed. Sessh kissed a gentle path along her shoulder. "We like submission from our women, but a feisty woman who won't give it easily tempts the blood. Like you do."

Kagome opened her eyes when the brush ran lower against her spine, the tickling caress making her back arch. He reached both hands forward to lace his fingers with hers, before tying them together with a leather throng. "What..?" she asked, struggling against the hold. Sesshoumaru chuckled behind her, "When our women defy us, our youkai demands she be punished. Tempting the youkai to anger can have harmful consequences so we have devised ways of appeasing it without bringing serious harm to the female."

Kagome shivered at his words. He continued on as though he hadn't noticed. "A demoness, might be forced into submission, her body stronger than yours and the wounds would heal. You can be forced but not in the same manner. As you are new to this idea, I will allow you the choice of your first punishment. Shall I beat you, brand you, torture you?" he asked lightly. Kagome was shocked, it all sounded horrible!

Sessh knew what she was thinking, and he was amused to let her imagination run away with her. Branding was possibly the most painful thing he would do to her, leaving a mark on her body with his poison claws, but he suspected she'd not be choosing that. Kagome gasped when the quilt was torn away and she was pulled up to her knees. "Well woman what will it be? Five lashes, the brand, or an hour of torture?" he asked.

Five lashes didn't sound so bad, she supposed. She didn't want any of it though. Swallowing, she forced her answer from suddenly dry lips. "Fi-Five lashes." She whispered. Sessh smirked behind her. He pulled her across his lap, face down. "Now then Kagome, I will punish you." He told her, his voice most stern. Kagome expected to feel a whip or something, but instead his hand fell on her exposed cheeks. She yelped and jumped at the contact. He merely held her down and counted out her 'lashes'.

She whimpered and wept against his legs as his hand rose and fell. Her bottom was stinging and she was humiliated. He was spanking her like a child. Sessh let his last blow fall, his hand remaining on the red heated flesh. He had, of course curbed his strength greatly for her sake.

Kagome lay limply against him, she bit back a moan as his palm smoothed over the burning cheeks. "You will be punished as such for future infractions." He told her, his voice soft and smooth. He felt the wetness from her tears on his pants. He stroked the trembling flesh, then stretched her face down on the furred rug. She felt him lean over her, his long hair teasing against her back as he whispered in her ear, "And now, dear mate, I will teach you the pleasures of our world."

Kagome shivered at his lips caressed her ear, her bound hands gripping the fur above her head. He trailed his tongue down the curve of her spine, nipping at the dimples above the red cheeks. She took in a sharp breath when she felt his hands stray down her ribs as his tongue ran over a small welt on her bottom. He kissed along the abused cheeks, his saliva soothing stings.

Kagome felt his hands move over hips and then his hands slipped to her inner thighs, forcing them apart. He pressed a fanged kiss to her lower back as his fingers slipped between to find her. She was wet with want already. Apparently she didn’t dislike her spanking as much as he had thought. She felt his long finger press up into her. Her hips lifted and moved back against his hand, and he knelt between her thighs.

With one hand teasing her flower, his other hand locked on her shoulder limiting her movement. She groaned in frustration, she was close, so close. Sessh lifted her hips into the air and slid beneath her, face up. She almost shouted when she felt his tongue dart up to tease her. He lapped at her flesh and flicked the nub hidden in the folds. She shook violently above him.

Sessh had always enjoyed giving females pleasure in this way. Feeling Kagome tighten around his finger and tongue made him glad of his skill. He grabbed her roughly by her hips and pulled her hard against his face, running fangs over swollen lips and thrust his tongue deep inside of her, feeling her contract around him. She let out a keening cry as she hit her orgasm. Sessh raised her slightly, feeling her juices flow into his mouth and across his chin, His long tongue flicked her again and she jerked as the feeling took her a second time. Her scream echoed in the room, "Sesshoumaru!"

Sessh let her fall to the rug as he moved behind her again. Her body was glistening with a light coat of sweat, her thighs shimmering with the evidence of her desire. Kagome lay helpless and panting, she had never orgasmed so hard in her life. Her heart beat a furious tattoo in her chest and she couldn't seem to catch her breath. Sessh decided it was as good a time as any. Moving his hand between her thighs again, he gathered moisture on his fingers and slid them upwards to the cleft of her bottom. Kagome whimpered at his touch. Sessh parted her with deft fingers, finding the puckered entrance to her body. She stiffened slightly as he rubbed against it. Pressing a kiss to her ear, he soothed her, "Shh, easy Kagome. Just relax. You have to be ready.".

The pad of his thumb moved over her in small circles, massaging the tight opening. Kagome trembled at the feeling. She recalled when they had used finger on the delicate opening and how good that had felt. As if reading her thoughts, Sessh gathered more fluid on his finger and slowly slid it into her. She let out a small moan, tightening around him.

Sessh smiled, "So responsive." He murmured. She lifted her hips when he slid the finger out of her and then pushed back in. She felt a second finger prod at her, this time she felt a twinge of pain. "Relax." He instructed as he felt her tense. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to relax as his fingers slid inside of her. She was small, very tight. Sessh decided that it would be best to let her do this and removed his hand.

Grabbing the bottle from nearby, he poured a small amount into the cleft of her ass. Kagome flinched as the cool slippery liquid slid between her cheeks. She turned to look over her shoulder at him as he undid her ties. She watched as he palmed a fair amount of the liquid, coating himself with it. His pale hand fisting on his length as he covered every inch of himself.

Then he sat back on his heels. "I don’t want to hurt you more than is needed." He told her, his voice growing harsh with desire. He grabbed Kagome's hips and brought her against him. She felt the tip of him nudge against her hidden hold. He merely held her hips and waited. Kagome slowly lowered herself, feeling the slight burn as the tip pressed more forcefully against her.

Sessh didn't move a muscle. Kagome let herself down a little more, the pain increased and she wanted to move away from it. It was an instinctive reaction but she squashed it. She took a deep breath and forced herself to relax further, the pain blossomed and she bit her lip, closing her eyes. She was in charge of this, she knew if it became too painful he would not force this.

Sesshoumaru gritted his teeth and tightened his hold on her hips as he felt the tight ring of muscles slowly slide over his tip. She was going so slowly, it was like a delicious torture and he steeled himself against pushing up against her. Not yet.

Kagome felt tears start to prick her eyes and then something happened. She felt him. Not the stretching pain, but him, felt him slowly being accepted into her body. It filled her with a sense of victory and she was able to relax more as he filled her. He was large and she was amazed that she was doing this. The pressure inside was uncomfortable, as though her body was wanting to push him out at the same time as pull him in.

Sessh had only another inch to go before he was buried inside of her. He rumbled low in his chest, "Ah… that's it Kagome, just a little more." He encouraged. Kagome lifted herself a fraction and sat fully on him, imbedding him to the hilt. Her muscles fluttering against him as she did so. His head dropped back as he snarled at the sensation. Kagome let her own head fall back to rest against his chest.

His hands were still locked at her hips and she felt him pulse within her. His breathing was ragged and hers was much the same. He flexed inside of her, and she whimpered, "Sesshoumaru" she panted. Gently, he leaned forward, taking them to their knees. He felt her tense around him, her body still uncertain of him and this new invasion. He nipped her shoulder, his youkai flared, eyes bleeding red. Now was not the time to lose control. "Good girl." He rumbled to her.

Kagome didn't know what hit her, one moment her body felt like a vice and the next he was slowly pulling from her, pushing back in. She moaned and shuddered at the small lingering pain, the filled feeling. Sesshoumaru wanted to take her roughly, knew he couldn't. He locked his hands over her shoulders and drew her back against him as his thrusts became more forceful. Broken cries and incoherent phrases tumbled from her lips, she was getting closer, closer, needed something.

Sessh reached around her to flick her pearl, her body bucking under his. He growled encouragingly, "Yes, that's it. Let go. Give yourself to me." He panted. She loved his voice, that was a damn sexy voice. She never thought that voice would be purring almost obscene things into her ear, but he did and she moaned for it. "Hmm, Kagome, you're all wet again. Do you like it like this? Do you like it when you have to submit to my desires? My inhuman desires?". He didn't expect an answer from her, her clenching body told him all he needed.

"I'm going to cum." He told her as he felt her orgasm claim her, "I'm going to cum in this little hole of yours.". With his final thrust he swept her hair away from her neck, biting her there. She arched against him like electricity and screamed her release to the skies. His own hardness pulsed and twitched inside of her, hot spurts hitting her. He snarled against her neck, holding fast. Tiny trickles of blood ran over his tongue and he slowly removed his fangs, licking the redness away. Her body tried to hold him as he slid from her. She knelt on shaky legs, feeling his hotness slip across her thighs.

Sesshoumaru panted as his sex gave a last surge, the last of his seed landing on his thigh. A small pink smear of her blood was present on him. He looked up at an exhausted Kagome. Without a word, he scooped her up and took her to the bath. He was gentle as he washed the remains of his loving away. She leaned back against him, licking at his neck as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "The hot water will ease much of the soreness." He told her as they sat there. Kagome suddenly felt shy. She must be a mad woman. Sesshoumaru looked at her pink cheeks and chuckled against her wet flesh. "You were perfect." He assured her.

They soaked in companionable silence for a while longer. Kagome looked to the high window, the sky was starting to lighten, just barely though. Soon she would have Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru together in bed. It excited her and worried her and she decided that to date they hadn't done anything in the bedrooms that she didn’t like. She was a bit surprised... it seemed she was mated to two kinky demons, funny she hadn't really known it, but she had a few kinks herself. It might be awkward at first but they'd manage.