Strength

Lol, no prizes this time. No one made a right guess. Still your wonderful support motivated me to write
Meagerakawaii: Sorry not Yuusha. :)Yuusha may challenge Sesshy, but he would NOT have spoken to Inuyasha like that. And the kids dont know and will never know if Inuyasha has his way
Kasai-chan : See above and Can you really imagine Kouga saying “ You will not do this to me!” - after which he has to immediately turn in his alpha status and wear that pweetty widdle dress. :D
Yami No Megumi : thank you for seeing Kouga would not scream that, still its not Hana either.
Synergy08 : Oh wow thanks a lot. But no prize the person is NOT Kagome. Not the ones mentioned above, and while Shiori is a good guess she is pretty obedient, so she is busy doing the barrier thing.
Pumpkinpi; Shohunky : Thanks I think Inu is damn strong here too, just damaged. Thanks for seeing that, sometimes it takes strength to survive and keep loving,
Rea : thanks and I wont forget Shippo. Thought he is not in this chappie
my_perversities : Seriously how could I NOT stop there.. muahahaa. But the reviews make strength the fic that get updated most – cause you are so great
Snowfall : Nope not irritating puppy abuser. Realization is slow to a certain daiyoukai in this fic.
Yoyo; Madame de Couer : Thanks very much ;3

Read, review and enjoy (you probably wont want to kill me in this)


Chapter 13 : You will not do this to me!

“Very well Sesshoumaru, I'll return to the Western Lands as the pups bearer, and if you agree to not push or try anything I do not allow, after a few years, we can look to working on getting you a new set of pups.” Inuyasha choose his words carefully, he did not say that he was providing the pups. Maybe he would try to find a suitable female Youkai who could be a mother to his pups, and a wife to his brother. Yes, bitter relief flowed through the Hanyou at that idea, in the next couple of years, he would work on that finding an appropriate replacement.”So is this an agreeable deal?”

“No, I will not allow this! You will not do this to me!” a voice rang out.

Everyone spun in shock, there was no one there. Then slowly by the window the very air seemed to coalesce, water particles formed and crystallized, and soon a regal form emerged from nothingness. ,

“Suijin!” Inuyasha gasped out. “What's wrong, why are you here? Do you need my help?” Inuyasha asked in surprise.

The Water Goddess Suijin, her black hair flowing around her, walked gracefully up to the Hanyou. Her aura shimmered around her, her focus on the Hanyou was so absolute that Sesshoumaru took a step back, to give her space - another female. There was something important going on here, Sesshoumaru needed to find out what. And if he had to rely on strange females to get the whole story, so be it.

“Inuyasha, you have changed so much in the last 7 years, and unfortunately not all for the better.” The goddess said softly as she reached out, and to Sesshoumaru's irritation, ran her fingers through silver hair. “You think of everyone else, now, care for everyone else. Tell me Inuyasha who takes care of you?”

“Keh! As if I need anyone to take care of me. I'm fine Suijin, you gave me all that I wanted. Sesshoumaru has claimed the children so there is nothing more to worry about.” Inuyasha said confidently. “Everything will be fine now.”

The goddess sighed, “No Inuyasha, everything is not fine. I have no issues with the other father acknowledging your children BUT will not allow you to get that agreement from the Daiyoukai, I will not allow it under those circumstances.”

“You will not stop me from bringing my family together, Goddess. The Western Lands is where they belong and that is where I will be taking my children as well as their Bearer.” Sesshoumaru said flatly, his eyes narrowed, not even a goddess would be allowed to stand in his way. “Goddess or not, none will be allowed to interfere.”

The Goddess turned slowly to the Daiyoukai, her smile was mocking. “Should I leave then, and take the knowledge I have with me, Oh Great DaiYoukai? Since you know everything there is no need for me to speak further, shall I leave now?” The goddess asked threateningly.

The goddess looked more then ready to hit the DaiYoukai, Sesshoumaru glared balefully. What was this... first the old Miko, then his own mother, then the human, and now a Goddess, all seemed to be blaming Sesshoumaru for something, all seemed out for his blood. How did the Hanyou get so many females on his side? Females that in some way managed to make Sesshoumaru feel unaccountably guilty. It was infuriating! He gnashed his teeth silently.

“Well, answer me? Shall I leave?” Suijin mocked.

“Errr.. Suijin, yes I think you should leave, there is really nothing more to be said.” Inuyasha said suddenly with a sinking feeling in his belly.

“No! No! Do not leave.” Sesshoumaru ordered, the Water Goddess raised a brow at the DaiYoukai and pointedly waited.

Sesshoumaru growled, there was that taste of his pride again. “PLEASE! Do not leave, please share the knowledge that you have.” Much to everyone's amusement the words were dragged from the DaiYoukai.

Suijin smiled, “There that was not so bad, was it?” her tickling brook laugh playing out.

“No, please Suijin, please don't do this.” Inuyasha whispered, realizing what she was about to do, desperation suddenly filled him. “Please, Suijin. This is for the best, there is nothing more to say, it doesn't matter, really it doesn't. Please, everyone will be happy this way, please.”

“And what about you Inuyasha?” She asked turning to him again.

“I have had my time, Suijin. You really gave me all I need. More then I could ever have expected. Its enough. Really its enough.” Inuyasha responded his eyes were resigned but firm.

“Enough? Really Inuyasha, really? You speak of others happiness – what about your own?”

“This Sesshoumaru, will see that the bearer of his pups is happy Goddess. It may take some years as the Hanyou is stubborn, but once he appreciates the protection of his Alpha, he will be happy goddess. This Sesshoumaru will see to it.” Sesshoumaru interjected, Inuyasha should be relying on him not the goddess, the Hanyou belonged to him now and he would not shirk his responsibilities.

“Oh that is a fine trick Sesshoumaru, how will you see to his happiness once he is dead?” Suijin asked flatly.

“Damn it Suijin! They DON'T fucking need to know that!!.” Inuyasha exploded. “Its not like anyone can fucking DO anything about it! Just leave it alone!!”

“No you are wrong Inuyasha, there is one, no there are potentially two beings in this room that can do something about it. You will not do it to me Inuyasha, you will not turn my blessing into a death sentence. Do you not understand pup? I cannot just sit back, and allow you to die, I cannot live a millennium with your unnecessary death on my hands. You will not do that to me! At least give them a chance to try to save you pup.” Tears gathered in the goddess eyes as she ran her fingers over Inuyasha's tormented face. “I cannot sit back, and allow you to die alone. Please, give us a chance to save you.”

“Goddess, the sons of my husband do not die easily. You need not fear if death stalks the father of my Grandchildren, if need be I will open the Meidou to save him.” Ryuko said, the witnesses were all standing, tension dripped from them.

“No, Lady InuTaisho. From the death that Inuyasha faces, neither the Mediou nor the Tensaiga would be able to save him, not without undoing the blessing, and killing his pups instead.” Suijin said flatly.

Inuyasha's eyes went red, he growled at the very thought. “See! You will not fucking interfere. I will tear you to pieces if you put my pups in danger!!” He snarled at Ryoku.

'Inuyasha! You will explain NOW! What does the Goddess mean!' Sesshoumaru tired of the secrets growled.

Inuyasha stared at Sesshoumaru, his fingers cracking.

“Inuyasha, if you do not tell them, I will.” Suijin said softly.

“Keh! Fine!” the anger and the energy seemed to drain out of Inuyasha, he had forgotten about the Tensaiga and the Mediou, they might have unknowingly endangered the pups if they had tried to bring him back. Maybe it was best they knew, so they would not do anything unnecessary. “Fine, I will tell you, but.. but.. if any of you tell the pups, if you make them feel guilty for even one second for being born, I swear, what will be left of you – will not be enough to feed Jaken. They are not responsible for this, it was MY decision and my choice alone. Understand!” Inuyasha said, the flat conviction with which he said it, showed he meant every word.

None said a word, they just nodded.

“I'm dying. Okay! To save all three pups, I drained my Youki beyond the point of no return. My lifespan has been shortened considerably. The Mediou and Tessaiga cannot save me, because there is nothing to save, not without taking the energy of my pups, and I will NOT fucking even allow you to try that.” He growled.

'How much time? How much time do you have Inuyasha?” Kouga whispered his voice hoarse.

Inuyasha shrugged “Two maybe three years. It may be a bit longer, but probably not, I have begun feeling the effects of he drain already.” Inuyasha responded simply. “I have no regrets, I'd fucking do it again to make sure the pups were alright.”

“Goddess! My brother is once again explaining without saying anything important!” Everyone turned to stare at the DaiYoukai in shock. Ryuko and Kouga both began growling at the callous words. “Silence!” Sesshoumaru snapped at the other Youkais. “It is unimportant because Inuyasha is NOT going to die, he is not allowed to. Goddess you said that Inuyasha can be saved, you will tell us now how this Sesshoumaru can do this, so that the pointless discussion of the Hanyou's non-death can be done with.” Sesshoumaru ruthlessly buried his emotions. The thought of the Hanyou dying, filled him with unspeakable rage, Inuyasha would not die, Sesshoumaru would not allow it.

“The circle must be completed and Inuyasha's Youki must be replenished. Birthing pups, under the worst circumstances possible drained Inuyasha's Youki, in order to replenish his Youki, the opposite must occur. Before Inuyasha's body begins to fail and he grows too weak to carry a litter to term, he must bear another litter of pups. This time the other father must be present throughout, supporting him. And the other father must be willing to open himself fully to Inuyasha, allowing his Youki to merge fully and replenish Inuyasha completely. It is only the act of love and sacrifice on the other Father's part that will restorre the balance and save Inuyasha.” Suijin said serenely.

There was a long silence, and everyone looked at Inuyasha who diligently staring at the wall, obviously unhappy at the revelations.

“Wait a second.” Kouga suddenly said, “Goddess, you mentioned that more then one Youkai here could save Inuyasha. Does that mean that it is unnecessary for Inuyasha's second litter to have the same other father, as the first?” a slow, considering and slightly lecherous smile bloomed on Kouga's face as he stared at the proud and beautifully strong Hanyou.

Before the smile was fully formed on the Wolf Demon's face, he was slammed against a pillar, claws around his neck, Sesshoumaru held the Ookami a good foot off the ground. “You will keep your eyes to yourself Ookami, cast your lecherous eyes on what is mine and this Sesshoumaru will rip them from your face.”

The choking Kouga glared at Sesshoumaru, then he glanced at the Goddess, the sly wolf realizing that he may have allies. “Goddess!” Kouga choked out. “Is that right?”

Immediately a scythe of water slashed between Sesshoumaru and Kouga, forcing the DaiYouaki to release Kouga and jump back. Sesshoumaru was not going to stand for any interference, summoned the energy whip and sent it slashing towards the goddess.

A blade sliced the whip in two.

Inuyasha's Junsaiga (Pure/prefect fang) sliced through the whip, as he stood between Sesshoumaru and Suijin.

Sesshoumaru growled, “You would attack your Alpha Inuyasha?”

“You attack those under my protection and hell Yes, I'll kick your bloody Alpha butt.” Inuyasha growled back.

Sesshoumaru stared into the Golden eyes. They seemed to boil like lava to Sesshoumaru, so young and yet so full of deep emotions -more suited of the very very old. Inexplicably Sesshoumaru calmed down. “Come to me, Inuyasha.” Sesshoumaru said softly, but with pure steel in his voice.

Inuyasha growled, but his sword arm slowly lowered, his back straight, pride and will in every step, he walked towards the DaiYoukai, Inuyasha stopped about two feet away from him. “What do you want?' Inuyasha snapped out. He stood stiff and braced. Full prepared to absorb the blow he was sure Sesshoumaru was going to give him. He knew the rules, he had submitted to his brother, and by their laws that gave Sesshoumaru some rights over him. As long as Sesshoumaru aimed his wrath at Inuyasha he would not fight back, the minute Sesshoumaru tried to hurt any of the others, all bets were off, and the Hanyou would fucking take Sesshoumaru's hand a second time.

“Would you accept the Ookami as your superior, Inuyasha?” Sesshoumaru asked to clarify things to the audience.

“Fuck No! I can kick the sorry wolf's pathetic ass from here to China, with one arm tied behind my back! No offense Kouga – just fact!” Inuyasha snapped at Sesshoumaru, sparing Kouga half a glance.

Kouga grinned whirly, taking the point, “Seeing you are delusional, none taken Mutt face! What say you, we will test that little theory one day?”

“Any time you mangy wolf.” Inuyasha said as he spared Kouga a quick, feral grin, it felt good to verbally spar with the wolf, almost like old times. Then he looked back at Sesshoumaru and sobered. “Look Sesshoumaru, let's just focus on the securing the pup's future okay, the other stuff, it does not matter. I know you claimed my death, but I don't think the pups would be able to accept you if you actually killed me. So when the time comes, I'll make it a death you can be proud of okay?” Inuyasha said with his now familiar blank smile, he had 'seen' his death, planned it so many times in the last seven years, he had accepted it and the part of him that had given up on himself ,yearned for the peace it would bring.

He wanted to live for his children, but for himself – he was utterly convinced that there was nothing to live for, he was tired, he was so damn tired. Still, until his last breathe, he would persevere, take what ever pain was dished out, keep standing and keep fighting. In his death, he would make them proud of him.

Then finally, Sesshoumaru saw it, he saw the raw desperation and despairing self condemnation in the Hanyou's eyes, and slowly began to understand. To see the real damage his treatment of his brother had wrought, just apologizing was not enough, like the scars on his body, much, much more was needed to cure the scars in the Hanyou's heart.

Sesshoumaru reached out slowly, and ignored the involuntary winch and tensing of the Hanyou's body, Sesshoumaru gently but firmly drew the Hanyou towards him, wrapping his arms around the slim strong body in an unbreakable embrace. He pressed the dog-eared head to his chest, “Inuyasha, this Sesshoumaru has made many mistakes, allowing your death will not be one of them. Your death is mine Hanyou, and I will allow nothing to take that from me. Since I have no desire to see the Bearer of my pups dead, you will live little brother. You are mine, and I will not allow you to die.”

Silence descended on the room as the small audience watched the two brothers in a strange awkward embrace. There were disturbed thoughtful looks on everyone's faces, many plans and decisions had to be made. None were willing to allow the Hanyou to go through another trail alone. This time, Alpha or not, Sesshoumaru would not be allowed a free reign. Inuyasha would be supported, in spite of himself.

Inuyasha stood stiff in the embrace. He had expected to be uncomfortable, but surprisingly he was not. All said and done, he had in a Shiro Inu ritual accepted Sesshoumaru as his Alpha. His head in Sesshoumaru's chest, none could see the sad smile that crossed his lips. Inuyasha did not doubt Sesshoumaru would try, but he also did not doubt that Sesshoumaru would fail, and in the end Inuyasha would still die. Sesshoumaru would try, for the sake of the pups they both would try, but Inuyasha knew without a doubt, Sesshoumaru would never be able to lower his defenses, that much, he would never be able to love a Hanyou. That was simply impossible. Inuyasha did not allow himself to hope for impossibilities.

Inuyasha's mind raced, he would allow them to try, they would never forgive themselves if he did not allow them to at least try. What ever it took, he had to do his best, and in the end, he would find a way to help them accept it, to make things work out for Sesshoumaru and his pups.

Beyond tired, Inuyasha could not stop a sudden yawn. The Water Goddess immediately took the Hanyou away from Sesshoumaru and gently led him to the pup's room. Shiouri saw them and lowered the barrier. Suijin tucked the unresisting Inuyasha into bed with his pups, they immediately cuddled around him. Inuyasha ran his claws through his pups hair, and a gentle contented look crossed his face as he allowed himself to escape the stress of the night and be lulled into sleep.

The water goddess turned, Sesshoumaru stood a few feet behind her, watching the sleeping Hanyou. His face in its impassive mask, but Suijin, saw beyond it, she saw the cracks in its impassive surface, and more she saw a seed of something in the arrogant DaiYoukai's face that gave her hope. It would be a long road, but she truly hoped the DaiYoukai would discover the deep truths within himself before it was too late.

--tbc--

Wow this chappie feels like a roller coaster for some reason. I wonder what the others plan to do....