UnBound Memories

A/N: I hope you will forgive that the last few chapters have been a little slow in movement, but I hope you will forgive me as Lemons will be coming soon.

Chapter 14

Through the Well

It had taken a few days for Miroku and Sesshomaru to recover, longer for Miroku, and Sesshomaru doubted it was because the monk was human. They were no longer linked, but Sesshomaru could sense it was because of the demon slayer’s betrayal more so than any other weakness on the man’s part. While Miroku recovered, Sesshomaru came to discipline Sango and Hitomi for their behavior of such dishonor while within his castle.

They were not to be allowed to go to Kagome’s time for the wedding, and would be required to stay within the palace, as little better than prisoners for one week. After than, Sesshomaru would leave it to Jaken to decide whether or not they are ready to be moved to a village nearby which was in need of a lord and someone to defend it from constant barrages of demons. With the help of Kohaku, Sesshomaru was confident it would be a good fit, though he didn’t want to tell Miroku he would essentially be rewarding the two people who had betrayed him.

As for Kouga, he and his pack would be helping to take care of the western lands. It had been a way to appease the wolf demon for the fact that Kagome and InuYasha were going to be married. It was a matter of pride, and if he kept the lands in check, it would mean an alliance with the western lands, beneficial to both kingdoms.

When the day finally came to travel to Kagome’s time, InuYasha and Sesshomaru stood in front of the bone-eater’s well. Before jumping in, Sesshomaru at the lead because he was in possession of the jewel and tenseiga, Sesshomaru picked Rin up and held her against him, then latched an arm around Miroku’s waist. Doing the same with Shippo and Kagome, InuYasha followed shortly after.

When they hopped out of the well, Sesshomaru could hear the movement of people outside of the building as InuYasha turned toward him. “You might want to duck.” He looked at the kitsune on his back. “You too.”

The group was faced with an old man, a middle-aged woman, and a teenaged boy. Much to the surprise of the four new visitors, the old man screamed out, “Demons!” and threw ofudas at Shippo and Sesshomaru. Even if the ofuda was worthless, Sesshomaru still had to give credit to the old man, his aim certainly had no room for improvement. It had stuck itself to Sesshomaru’s left cheek, though he allowed for no reaction. To his left, the mere shock of being blinded by the piece of paper overh is eyes sent Shippo rolling of InuYasha’s shoulder. While Miroku dove to catch the tumbling fox, Sesshomaru unceremoniously peeled the ofuda off his cheek.

Kagome chastised her grandfather, then hugged her mother and brother, proceeding to introduce the new guests, but was stopped by Souta. “InuYasha, why do you have marks on your face?”

As InuYasha described each mark, he traced over them. “Those mark me as a nearly full demon, a gift from the complete shikon jewel. This on my forehead tells the world I’m his son and heir,” He pointed to Sesshomaru with his thumb.

“This is your father?” Kagome’s mother asked. “You hardly look old enough.”

“I have seen five hundred and fifty-seven summers,” Sesshomaru said. “I had seen three hundred and eight before InuYasha was born.”

“Mother, this is Lord Sesshomaru.

Mrs. Higurashi bowed, Sesshomaru lowered his head. As Mrs. Higurashi rose, she looked up questioningly. “I thought Lord Sesshomaru was InuYasha’s brother.”

“I am afraid that a bit of magic was involved and blocked my memory. I had no idea he was my son,” Sesshomaru answered.

“Now, mother, if you are satisfied," Kagome said in mock exasperation, “this is Rin, Lord Sesshomaru’s adopted daughter. The little fox grandfather hit with the ofuda is Shippo, and the man holding him is Miroku.”

“I am surprised you didn’t bring Sango. You’ve called her your best friend,” Souta said. Kagome, seeing Miroku wince at the mention of that name, rubbed her hand on his arm sympathetically.

“Well, now that you are here,” Mrs. Higurashi said, “that explains the packages.”

As the group moved, Kagome’s grandfather looked at the sword at Sesshomaru’s waist.

“On your sword, is that what I think it is?”

“The Shikon jewel. It attached itself after it was completed.” Sesshomaru could see the questioning look in the old man’s face. “The Tenseiga, while it has the ability as a weapon, is first and foremost a sword that can revive the dead.” The old man looked down at the sword in awe, and Sesshomaru could not help but feel pride that for once it was his sword earning such respect.

The group moved together to Kagome’s home and saw six boxes scattered around the main door.

“These are all marked from the Taisho Company,” Mrs. Higurashi said. All six of the travelers paid attention to the name. “It is a huge media conglomerate owned by the Taisho family, and was recently taken over by the eldest son Sesshomaru Taisho about three years ago. After he took over, it became hard to escape it.”

InuYasha shot an angry look at Kagome, “But someone managed to.”

“I’m hardly home, leave me alone.”

Sesshomaru could not help mirroring the faces of his companions as his eyes were wide with surprise. These boxes were from himself, an over 1,000-year-old version of himself. That would make him one of the, if not the, oldest demons to ever live.

As though allowing him to, the others stepped out of the demon’s way in order for him to find the package bearing his name, care of the Higurashi family. With ease, he lifted the box, despite its weight. He sat it on the dining table, so intent on the contents that he did not even take the time to observe the strange surroundings. Written very clearly on the box was “Open with your claws” and an arrow pointing to the tape. Sesshomaru held out an index finger and sliced through the tape. He lifted the flaps and found on the top a white piece of paper covered in writing distinctively his.

“Greetings from your future,” Sesshomaru read aloud, glancing up at the humans and demons who listened carefully. “I cannot tell you anything of what lies in store for you, but I also cannot allow my doppelganger to wander through the city looking like a guest at a costume party. Also, as your presence as well as Miroku’s and the two children will not be needed in each step of planning, I have provided money for you and the other three to enjoy yourselves in the city. Inside these boxes are articles of clothing for each of you. Though I know Kagome has clothing, she should consider this a gift. I also have a place for you to stay, an apartment, for you, Miroku, Shippo, and Rin. There is a map enclosed, but please have Kagome help you finding it. More clothing will be waiting for you at the apartment, as well as money and any other amenities you might need. I have included a series of instructions and tips I feel you will need on all products within the apartment. I also have a several page letter in this box you may use as a manual. Welcome to the 21st Century.”

Sesshomaru then opened the other boxes, handing them to their labeled owner. InuYasha’s was the largest, probably because he would be staying with Kagome.

Kagome offered Rin her hand. “Why don’t we change into the clothing Lord Sesshomaru has provided for us. And Miroku, you stay out.”

Miroku looked up at Kagome like that thought honestly had not crossed his mind. And somehow, the daiyoukai felt it truly hadn't.

“You can all use my room if you want to,” Souta said.

InuYasha began looking through the box. “Well, we can either struggle with these alone or try to figure out the weird things together.”

InuYasha placed Shippo’s box on top of his own, and carried them to Souta’s room. Sesshomaru and Miroku exchanged glances and followed behind.

********

Once inside the young boy’s bedroom, the three demons and Miroku each found a place to spread out the clothes, which were numbered in order of when they went on the body.

“Chichi-ue,” InuYasha said, sounding somewhat traumatized as he held onto the item labeled #1. Everyone turned quickly, looking to a very embarrassed InuYasha. “This thing called underwear has instructions.” Miroku looked to his own pair of the things and saw why his friend was the same color as his robe. The instructions gave specific directions on how to wear the boxers, and how to find the most comfortable position for their manhood.
“Oh, dear Kami!” InuYasha exclaimed again in a groan. “You hentai. There is a picture.”

Certainly enough, a diagram for positioning was included, and Sesshomaru’s own face soon matched InuYasha’s. In the far corner of the room, Miroku could not help but smirk. “It seems I have abdicated my title.”

Sesshomaru shot Miroku an angry look, but the remaining red tint to the usually pale, stoic face undermined the power of his expression.

The four, having a nervous chuckle among them, decided to follow the rather embarrassing instructions. The older three faced the respective walls and stripped down, pulling the boxer shorts out of the paper bags and examined the strange items. Shippo, who hadn’t learned modesty or that there could be an awkwardness to changing in the presence of the inu lord stripped down without hesitation and was the first to have the underwear on.
Miroku, as he stepped into his underwear, caught a glimpse of Sesshomaru’s now naked body, glimpsing at the lean, muscular build of the tall demon, taught butt, long white hair cascading down over the left shoulder and slightly lighter complected left arm. Miroku’s mind had managed to capture the perfection of that body, probably because of the mental link, but to see that standing in the flesh, just a few feet from his reach brought back the familiar hardness, and the agonizing reality that the moment he turned around, the three demons would surely see proof of his arousal.

Miroku yanked the underwear over the painful erection, then grabbed item number two, and saw with relief, that these required a seated position.

Miroku wheeled around and sat on the bed, opening the paper package and followed the instructions for properly putting on the socks, though Miroku felt they were self-explanatory on their own.

In relative silence, the men managed with the shirts despite buttons and zippers. The pants were not so much different as they were frustrating for the four, who were unaccustomed to anything so constricting.

The shoes were another issue. Future Sesshomaru had made accommodations for Shippo’s tiny fox paws, but it was InuYasha who complained most at having his feet covered. Both Miroku and Sesshomaru quickly adjusted to the new tightness, as both wore a shoe of some sort. The four examined one another in the strange clothing, supposing that it looked good, though none felt they were very good judge of future fashion.

Sesshomaru pulled out a stack of papers resembling an instruction manual. “This says we have dinner reservations at a restaurant.” Sesshomaru then pulled out a rather thick envelope full of what InuYasha recognized as money, which the inu lord placed in his pocket.

InuYasha then opened the door to the hall, stepping out of the room with Shippo, calling out to Miroku to stop taking so long

Irritated, Miroku grabbed the package, putting it under his arm. When Miroku moved his box, he accidentally knocked something metal on the floor. As he shifted the box containing his blue hakama and haori to stop it from sliding out, he saw that Sesshomaru was already retrieving the dropped object. “It says it is a pocket watch. I have a wrist watch on, but this seems very different,” Sesshomaru said. He read the instructions, then looked up at Miroku. “I will hook this on.” Sesshomaru latched the chain of the watch to Miroku’s left front belt loop, then reached to Miroku’s left pocket and allowed the sliver timepiece to slip in.

With Sesshomaru so close, Miroku had a thought he felt certain would mean the loss of his limb. For just a moment, Miroku once again considered patting the demon’s behind. “Um. Thank you,” Miroku said. He couldn’t understand with the blood link gone why his thoughts continued to center around Sesshomaru, images of that dream recurring, seeing Sesshomaru’s nearly naked form and his white head slowly bobbing over Miroku’s straining erection. The desire to touch, do more than touch was growing nearly unbearable. His breathing was getting a bit rapid, and he found he was once again standing at attention. Was it possible after years of chasing women, he preferred men?

InuYasha wasn’t that different in appearance, but that thought alone made Miroku feel sick. Kouga was nearly as repulsive, as was Sango’s new love Hitomi. The only times Miroku could think of a man as remotely attractive was when he had mistaken one for a woman, or when they were Lord Sesshomaru.

Realizing he had been standing, staring for some time, Miroku forced his feet to move, one after the other. He felt certain that Sesshomaru should have observed the bulge in the constricting clothing, but either out of politeness or disgust, never said a word. Perhaps the gods were with him, and the demon really hadn’t noticed at all