For the Honour of My Family

Sesshomaru could not stop himself from trembling. It may have not been noticeable to anyone else, his trembling, but he knew. He knew, and Sesshomaru did not like it one bit. The daiyoukai prided himself on his self-control and ability to assess any situation with a cool and collected attitude. To allow even a little slip was unacceptable.

There was nothing for it, however. No matter how hard he tried, Sesshomaru still shook on the inside, and it was because of the aura radiating from Inuyasha.

Fortunately for him though no less baffling, Inuyasha had yet to notice the power emanating from his swelling abdomen. The daiyoukai marveled at his brother's oblivious state to his own condition, but then Inuyasha always appeared happy with how things were progressing. On a few occasions, Sesshomaru witnessed his brother placing a hand over his abdomen and just absolutely glow with contentedness and happiness. Sesshomaru knew he should not have been surprised by anything when it came to his brother, especially since Inuyasha slept sound as of late, but the daiyoukai had a hard time fighting back the surprise.

'How can you be so carefree, Inuyasha?' Sesshomaru wondered as he carried the hanyou towards the healing rooms. 'Especially now, of all times?'

Of course, his question remained unanswered. He had not spoken aloud, and Inuyasha slept on.

'Do you even know you carry four pups, otouto?' Sesshomaru questioned silently. 'It would seem that you would . . . you do know . . . I can sense it now . . . I've always been able to sense it . . . so why do I feel this fear in myself? Why this anger?'

For a moment longer, Sesshomaru pondered his emotions and the questions they raised within him. They were foreign to him, the feelings of fear and worry, and he was not sure he liked them. They also did not answer his questions.

Why was he afraid? Why was he angry? He knew he feared for Inuyasha's safety as well as for the safety of his unborn pups. Such things were a given, he believed. It was his anger that confused him. Who was he angry with? Sesshomaru could not say for certain.

Then he felt it again, that slight tug of youki. It was a powerful tug, and it caught Sesshomaru's attention immediately. It demanded he focus on the gravity of the situation, and Sesshomaru realized this little surge had not been evident the day prior when he and Inuyasha were in the gardens. The aura had appeared suddenly and strong, and the fact it could be sensed now worried Sesshomaru. It would not be long before other demons would sense it and be drawn to his brother and the pups. As a result, Inuyasha's life was now in mortal danger. The pups' lives were in mortal danger as well because of the aura now radiating from Inuyasha.

Most demons were no real threats to Sesshomaru, to Inuyasha even in his current condition, or to the inuyoukai warriors guarding the palace. They were lesser creatures and easily deterred by the presence of inuyoukai warriors. Those who were not met quick ends. Their desire to get their filthy hands on his brother would end in failure. Sesshomaru would see to it.

It was Naraku that troubled Sesshomaru. The dark hanyou would not hesitate to attack a group of inuyoukai warriors and absorb their powers. Most demons knew about the strength the warrior classes possessed, and most knew to stay away from a silver-haired demon with green facial stripes. Naraku would not stay away. He would do whatever he could to trap an inuyoukai warrior, especially if he knew anything about inuyoukai. What elevated Sesshomaru's concern was the fact he already had NatsuMaru within the palace walls. NatsuMaru was the oldest of all inuyoukai warriors and the most powerful. He was, as far as Sesshomaru knew, the only warrior capable of defeating most of the royal family, with the exception of the Old Dog himself. If Naraku could get a hold of NatsuMaru, he would have five thousand years of power infused into his being, and such a thought was chilling in its own right. While he knew the palace and his family could be well protected with a hundred inuyoukai warriors or more, their protection had to be taken into consideration as well. The knowledge simply left Sesshomaru frustrated with his concerns over Inuyasha's safety and the safety of his pups.

'I have to protect them . . . somehow . . .'

Despite his concerns and his worries about Naraku trying to capture NatsuMaru, protecting Inuyasha and his unborn pups was not entirely difficult. NatsuMaru patrolled the halls and outer perimeter of the castle. While the inuyoukai warrior's strength and prowess stemmed from his age, it was supplemented when he had someone to protect. He would not be an easy catch for Naraku, and he definitely was the best warrior around to protect his brother.

'And I know he will. He is loyal like that. So why am I still rushing Inuyasha to Shinsei? He is not in any immediate danger . . .'

Deep down, Sesshomaru knew the answer to his question. It was not just because of the tug of youki he sensed and the fact that it was strong. Given Inuyasha's unique status, it should have been expected. The strength was not what surprised Sesshomaru. It was the sensation the youki aura was familiar, like a comforting force he had not known in many centuries. At least, he had not sensed a similar aura since the death of his father.

'Is it even possible?'

It should not have been possible, and, in Sesshomaru's mind, it was not possible. He had not realized it yet, but he hoped it was his imagination about the familiarity of that aura. It was why he carried his still slumbering sibling to Shinsei in the early hours of morning. Out of everyone in the palace, only Shinsei and NatsuMaru still remembered his father. They were the only ones who could tell him for certain as to whether or not he was imagining the power of the youki aura.

A soft moan and his brother starting to wake caught the daiyoukai's attention, and he paused for a moment. His golden eyes landed on Inuyasha's face, noting its peaceful and somehow angelic features. The hanyou had been sleeping well, secure for the first time in his life, and Sesshomaru knew he had no right to wake the boy so early. Amber eyes opened sleepily, and Inuyasha offered him a faint smile.

At seeing that smile, Sesshomaru momentarily forgot why he had carried Inuyasha from their rooms and into the hallways. Inuyasha's expression was filled with youthful innocence and content, probably the first time in decades he had known such luxuries. It was as if the world had not touched the boy or harmed him in anyway. Sesshomaru found he liked the look. He liked it a lot.

"Where are we going?" Inuyasha inquired with a yawn.

Sesshomaru hesitated with his reply. The innocence still remained on his brother's face, and it completely enthralled the daiyoukai. He did not want to shatter that lovely visage as the innocent and youthful look suited Inuyasha far better than anger and suspicion. A soft smile graced Sesshomaru's features as he finally spoke.

"Back to our rooms," he murmured. "I was worrying over nothing."

"Worrying? Since when did you worry?"

"Shhh . . ." Sesshomaru silenced him as he nuzzled h is brother's cheek. "You need to rest, Inuyasha. There will be time for talking later. Right now, you should reserve your strength."

Swiftly, he turned around and carried Inuyasha back. He did not care who saw them. It was not as if their relationship was secret, and his actions would only reaffirm the fact Inuyasha belonged to him. As he walked back, Sesshomaru's mind wandered back to ways he could keep his brother, and his pups, safe. An idea came to him.

'Perhaps Grandfather would be willing to spare Haru for a while. The more protection for Inuyasha and the pups, the better, even if it is not in the form of a warrior . . . I will protect you otouto. Even if it costs me my life, I will protect you.'

* * *

"You sent for me, my Lord?"

Sesshomaru turned to see NatsuMaru kneel. The inuyoukai warrior's posture was one of assured confidence and respect. He knew his place, what his duties were, and the older man definitely knew how to carry out orders in an efficient manner. Sesshomaru would not doubt if the elite guard had been an assassin at one point. In front of and off to one side stood Jaken, the imp fidgeting with a bit of apprehension. He nodded as he stepped towards NatsuMaru.

"Yes," Sesshomaru answered. "Grandfather knows of Inuyasha. If he did not, you would not be here. How long before he and Uncle Kenmaru arrive?"

"Lord Kenmaru will not be traveling with Lord Rei Inu," NatsuMaru stated. "His duties prevent him from doing so. However, Lords Akira and Hiroshi will be with him. They should be here by the end of the day."

"What?" Jaken squawked. "They're coming here?"

"As expected," Sesshomaru said, giving the imp a cold stare. "Father never told Lord Rei Inu of his youngest son."

"And Lord Rei Inu demands he . . . inspect all children born into the family," NatsuMaru added. The entire time he spoke, the warrior's eyes remained on Sesshomaru. "It is a custom of his."

"Indeed," Sesshomaru murmured. One question was answered. One more remained. "Grandfather will have Master Haru with him, I presume?"

"By some coincidence, he will. Your grandfather has taken Master Haru with him on several journeys lately. It is most unprecedented, given his behavior for past endeavors. Perhaps it has something to do with this Naraku I keep hearing about," NatsuMaru said.

"It is possible," Sesshomaru agreed. The news of his grandfather's arrival delighted him secretly. The Old Dog would prove to be a very huge deterrent for any youkai attacks. He would even prove lethal to Naraku. No one fought Rei Inu without receiving some kind of injury for his effort. The Old Dog was just too wily. "And you said he will be arriving by the time the sun sets?"

"Yes, my Lord." NatsuMaru bowed once again. "Per your grandfather's orders, I have the servants preparing for his arrival."

"You what?" Jaken's face turned red. "How dare you! You had no right . . ."

"Jaken . . ."

Chagrined, the imp stopped in mid-tirade. He bowed, trembling.

"Yes, my Lord?"

"Be quiet."

"Yes, my Lord."

NatsuMaru's lips turned up in a slight smirk, not enough for Jaken to see, but noticeable enough for Sesshomaru to catch. To anyone else, catching the smirk could be seen as malicious and gleeful on NatsuMaru's part, but Sesshomaru knew better. The guard knew his place and only crossed the lines when the occasion called for him to do so. If such an occurrence were to take place, then the royal family knew something was amiss. Inuyoukai warriors pledged loyalty to those they protected, and they always died in service of their lords.

"NatsuMaru . . ."

"Yes, my Lord?"

"See that Inuyasha and the wolves are on their best behaviour for Lords Rei Inu, Akira, and Hiroshi. You know how Grandfather dislikes disrespectful behaviour."

"Yes, my Lord."

"Jaken . . ."

"Yes, my Lord?"

"Send the ningens to me."