Two Blades

It Hurts

Love is not supposed to bite
It is to be strong
One to hold tight
It is causing me such pain
A forever feeling
It wounds me
My head reeling
A sharp pain

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Sesshoumaru was sick and tired of the Lords coming by to inquire about his mate. The Lord of the East, North, and South had all come to his home to find out about Inuyasha since he was almost due anytime. Mainly the Lord of the North was who pissed him off the most.

Kouga no longer came by with the gifts he was showering upon Inuyasha. Instead he sent others from different tribes. They were all congregating at his front door again today with food and offers of a treaty from some of the other continents where the wolves did not run under Prince Kouga’s rule. Everyone had heard of Inuyasha’s exploits and wished to be part of the whole birthing event.

No longer was it people wanting to fight with the Inu’s. Instead everyone seemed to want to make peace and then get a piece of Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru finally set up guards to keep his mate safe when he had duties to attend to.

Today when he went out to the courtyard where Inuyasha sat with his Mother they were going over all the invitations to the pup’s first showing. Inuyasha looked exhausted and very round pregnant. He was due any time and Sesshoumaru was concerned about his beloved.

A servant was fanning both Ladies to keep them cool when Sesshoumaru came to greet his Mother and mate with a chaste kiss to both of their cheeks.

“So I see our Inuyasha is a popular one. I doubt we can invite all of Japan to your children’s first showing. I believe only family should be invited and a few mated Lords and Ladies. No need to wear the child out more than he will be.”

Sesshoumaru looked confused as he sat down next to his wife since he had them married in front of the priest last month. Inuyasha had not been too thrilled at being the ‘wife’, but it was one way of insuring that they were going to mate for life and not take any others.

Mother still thought the boys were too young to make such long term decisions, but it was their lives.

“What do you mean pups? I thought there would only be one in this litter.”

Inuyasha sighed.

“Apparently the doctor felt three pups within me. There were three tiny sets of feet pushing against my abdomen. I am surprised you haven’t noticed.”

Sesshoumaru frowned at that. He hadn’t been allowed to bed his mate after last week since Inuyasha would soon be taken to the birthing room. No males were allowed.

“Mother, you do realize Inuyasha is a male and that I have to be there to cut the pups out.”

Louna stopped stuffing envelopes and then realized her mistake.

“I will inform the midwife. I think we all forget since it has been so long dear. I mean having an Inu male that produces is so rare.”

Inuyasha had Sesshoumaru help him up. He was having a hard time getting around with such a round belly.

“You should be in bed little one.”

Sesshoumaru stated softly keeping one hand on Inuyasha’s back and the other arm ready just in case Inuyasha stumbled.

“I don’t want to sleep. That is all I do is stay in bed.”

Inuyasha grumbled. He didn’t want to go back to bed although that is where they were heading.

“I must insist you remain with me in my room Inuyasha. It is obvious the females forget things and I will not have you suffer for their forgetfulness. I want to be by your side just in case it is time.”

Sesshoumaru stated as he ordered everything moved to his room. The midwife tut tutted until Louna arrived and explained the situation. Then both women felt rather foolish. Inuyasha needed to be with Sesshoumaru.

“I can carry you.”

Inuyasha shook his head no causing the beads to clink together that were in his hair. He indeed looked like a perfect glowing pregnant female. It was beautiful, but Sesshoumaru knew what was under those mountainous robes of silky green. These were Inuyasha’s favorite robes too so Sesshoumaru knew how he felt about being carried since it wrinkled the fabric.

“I want to walk.”

Inuyasha stated irritably. Suddenly another Lord arrived at the front door and this time it was the Lord of the South. At first glance the fox demon Lord was fascinated by the tiny beautiful creature that was for now Lord Sesshoumaru’s mate. He was equisite.

“My Lord, I have come bearing gifts for your happy moments.”

Servant after servant came with what seemed to be mountains of presents and then a young man arrived that Inuyasha knew. He was dressed in the same finery as the Lord.

“Shippo?”

Lord Hideharu was pleased that the lovely hanyou knew his nephew.

“Inuyasha is that you?”

Shippo was shocked and not sure what to say. He had grown up quite a bit and couldn’t believe for the life of him that Sesshoumaru would mate Inuyasha. After all their years of fighting it was hard to see them both like they were. Still, in some ways it made Shippo happy since that meant Inuyasha was not alone.

“Yes it is me.”

Sesshoumaru recognized the kit and helped Inuyasha over to meet up.

“Do not strain yourself too much, you still must rest Inuyasha.”

Inuyasha nodded and then smiled at Shippo blushing at the fact that Shippo had always seen him as the strong man who was………well always manly. It was strange to be in this position for Inuyasha too. However he figured it was the pregnancy that was making him accept all this crap.

“I know I look ridiculous.”

Shippo shook his head no.

“You look incredible. You really do Inuyasha. You look like you should. It is for your protection and I am glad that Sesshoumaru cares about you now.”

Inuyasha showed Shippo the ring.

“We are more than just mates, we are in love. We got married last month.”

Shippo smiled and wanted to hug Inuyasha, but it was not proper. Lord Hideharu frowned. This complicated some things.

“So you plan on staying mated for a while.”

Sesshoumaru stepped forward.

“Lord Hideharu, you should know by now I plan on keeping Inuyasha as my mate for life.”

The Lord laughed.

“Inu’s never had mated for life…..”

Inuyasha growled.

“Our Grandfathers did……..”

Shippo didn’t know about that, Inuyasha would explain it later.

“I would watch your tongue in my home.”

Sesshoumaru growled. Lord Hideharu stepped back and bowed his head.

“I apologize for my assumption. I do however know that your Father’s father had more than one mate and therefore I was not aware of a situation like yours.”

Inuyasha frowned.

“Uncle…….please do not cause any more friction. Inuyasha’s condition and the fact Lord Sesshoumaru will rip your limbs off might be something to think about.”

Lord Hideharu saw the murderous look in Sesshoumaru’s eyes and the hurt look in Inuyasha’s he knew he overstepped his boundaries. It was common knowledge was it not?

“Inuyasha come on. We are going to our room. You may let yourselves out.”

Sesshoumaru worried for Inuyasha as Inuyasha burst into tears.

“Is it true?”

Inuyasha felt so betrayed by such a romantic story that he had high hopes for him and Sesshoumaru. Those hopes just got shattered.

“Yes it is common knowledge that Grandfather Arashi had more than one mate until Grandfather Yashiro came of age to mate. Then they became mates for life and he removed himself from all others. He had not known like me that his younger hanyou brother could bear offspring and with the Inu pure bloods being so low in numbers it was a good match. In turn Father was born from their union. Did you not read that in the book?”

Inuyasha felt a bit better, but he was so tired of everyone sending them stuff for him and he just wanted the pups out of his body. It was getting to be a weight on his back and legs after a while.

“Yes I remember the book. It was just that he had other mates. A lot of them.”

Sesshoumaru smiled.

“Oh, that is what is bothering you. I see. Well I could have done so myself, but none would make me happy. Do you think having many mates would make one happy?”

Inuyasha shook his head no. How could you trust so many people with something so intimate and then just up and leave them after having kids? Didn’t anyone want to have a family anymore without always leaving people behind?

“I don’t understand why Fathers have to leave their pups and Mothers have to die on you before you are ready.”

Sesshoumaru pulled Inuyasha into his arms and felt bad that he had not been the kind brother he should have been. He should have protected the whelp when he was alone and he should have been there for Inuyasha as he grew. It was his fault that Inuyasha was indeed such a child still and so innocent to demon knowledge. His own heritage had been destroyed because Sesshoumaru didn’t explain things to him. All he kept doing is pushing that he should be proud of his demon half, but how could he be when he didn’t understand it?

“Inuyasha I don’t have the answers, but I could have given more than I did. I was angry, not so much with you, but with Father. I believe in what our Grandfathers had done and that is why when I chose you as my mate I made a decision. We live forever together or die together. This way not one of us has to live with being left behind to suffer.”

Inuyasha nodded and Sesshoumaru helped his mate get undressed. To Sesshoumaru Inuyasha was incredibly beautiful with his round belly full of pups and he did glow. Everyone said he did, but he really did glow.

“Sesshoumaru, I worry that the pups may come on my human night. What do we do if that happens?”

Sesshoumaru tried to find an answer, but he really didn’t know one himself.

“We will still have to cut them out of you. I will place tensaiga close by and we will see if the sword will help. I am no expert on this kind of birth, but from what I read we have to be together. I have to be with you and I am glad to be. It is rare when a male is present for his own pup’s birth.”

Sesshoumaru gently put a hand on Inuyasha’s abdomen. He could feel all three pups moving within and it made him smile. It was such a wonderful thing to know his first litter was going to be both strong, beautiful, pure blood Inu pups like he always wanted.

Inuyasha felt very tired and so Sesshoumaru lifted him carrying his mate gently placing him on the futon. It was too hot for blankets so he placed a sheet over his beloved and curled up behind him holding Inuyasha’s hand over the pups protectively. He indeed had someone to protect.