Serpents and Dog Demons

Mightnightscream, usmorgan, toni, natahsa : Thanks for the support really appreciate it.

arya : Glad you are enjoying it. No plans for a mate for Sesshy, to tell the truth if its not Inu I really cant see Sesshy with anyone. Hehehe

Am not gonna angst this fic too much for Yasha – taking it in a different direction from other fics – what do you think? Anyway apologies on short : but still fighting writers block... *sigh

Chapter 15 : Happiness

Inuyasha was pouting, the pain had stopped 2 days ago, and the Hanyou would have soooo preferred the pain to this freaking weakness – and the other stuff..... His Youki had turned inwards, taking with it his strength and Hanyou abilities, he looked like his normal Hanyou self, but he was only as strong as a human. How irritating.

Inuyasha shifted uncomfortably, what was worse, was that his body was hot itchy. He had learned that because he had been asleep for 50 years his heat had been delayed and as a result, he was getting a double dose of the maturity crap, which is why the pain had been almost unbearable, and the feelings now were intense and growing. He needed, his body was beginning to need, to hunger, to itch in a bloody irritating way. Inuyasha growled as he scratched at his head and arms. Legs and hands diligently applied to ease the god-damned itchiness.

“INUYASHA!!!” Shouts rang from all around the camp area. “Stop scratching!!!” Just about everyone yelled out for the umpteenth time at the Hanyou. Without his healing, the scratching had turned him raw.

“Shut IT! I'm freaking Itchy!” Inuyasha yelled back at everyone.

The group after discussing the safety issues had decided to not return to the Human Village during Inuyasha's maturity period, which may have brought unnecessary trouble to the village. Instead they were camping beside a river, with a rather comfortable cave nearby, in case it rained or something. Kaede on hearing what was happening, had decided to join them at the camp site.

“Stop scratching Inuyasha, this will help!” The old lady said as she knelt behind the Hanyou and began slapping on so cream to his irritated skin. The relief was immediate. Much to Kaede's shock, unconsciously Inuyasha his eyes closed, leaned into her touch, and indulged in the sensation of relief as the cream was applied. Jaws dropped around the camp, the sound that Inuyasha was making was amazing, it was not a cat-like purr, but rather a low contented growl of a puppy, that didn't want the petting to stop.

They had never seen Inuyasha like this, the maturing process, had torn down much of Inuyasha's natural defenses and he just could not regulate his rioting emotions. And shockingly, his predominant emotion was happiness. Inuyasha had known so little happiness for much of his life, now felt so happy, he almost could not stand himself. It was unlike his old self, if one had told him he would feel like this a week or two ago he would have laughed sarcastically at them. He would never have believed it to be possible, and yet here he was, with amazing bubbles of happiness that seemed to dance through his system.

What was he happy about? Let's see... he stretched a bit to allow Kaede to apply more of the cream and he let his mind drift.

First nobody seemed to want to kill him, well except maybe for Naraku, but the Spider didn't count, not really- sides Sesshoumaru was keeping the evil Hanyou entertained, so for the first time, it seemed that he was not being attacked and hunted. That in itself was an amazing feeling.

Then there was Sesshoumaru, an amused smile broke the Hanyou's face, was his father. It was hard to process, but now that the spell had left Inuyasha, he could scent the truth on himself. As the spell had broken it had also released the hidden dream message activated by he breaking of the spell. The message was from InuTaisho – his fath.. no -HIS Grandfather- and it had been a simple one. In his dream his Grandfather had come, and told Inuyasha of his true lineage. He had not made excuses or apologized for his actions. Instead he just said that given how much he had grown to love Inuyasha's mother he had done what he considered was best, and he believed that any progeny of his blood would be strong enough to overcome and handle the situation. What could Inuyasha do after that, except prove how strong he was and accept the situation. Inuyasha now looked at all their past encounters from a new perspective and it had led to an amazing revelation, Sesshoumaru did love him -his son-, in the DaiYoukai's whacked up and screwed up way of course. Inuyasha's smile got bigger, it was fucking amazing.

The third reason he was happy almost made him crow, they were OFF, the bloody god-awful cursed chain around his neck was finally off, and he had done it himself. He puffed up with pride at that, he had overcome Kikyo's and Kagome's combined magic – take that, stupid Mikos, chalk one up for Hanyou supremacy! Inuyasha smirked totally ignoring how long those beads had been on.

Hmm the fact that his relationship with the rest of the pack had NOT been damaged since he lost the blasted beads and in fact had gotten better, was also a contributing factor to his disgustingly happy mood.

The forth reason he was happy, and this was strange even to him, was that his body was finally ready to have proper mate. AND his mate would not be a human, who could easily die and leave him, but would be a Demon or a Hanyou. How amazing was that? Inuyasha had always wanted a mate, had always wanted someone he could call his own, who would stand with him against all the shit the universe threw at him, who would love him. He had never imagined a Youkai or Hanyou would want him, so he had settled for the human who had seemed to want him. Sure, with both Kagome and Kikyo there had been so many strings attached it had become an invisible yoke around his neck, but still they had wanted him, so he had settled conditions and all. Resigned that it was the best he could expect.

Now, according to Sessh.. excuse me, Lord Stripy, really powerful beings would want to mate him, HIM.. INUYASHA.. who would have ever thunk that was possible. Yup, Inuyasha had always wanted a mate, and finally it seemed that proper mate material would want him, the wondering Hanyou! He had decided that he was going to enjoy the process of choosing a mate. He fully intended to enjoy himself, while finding the one who would be his other half. Finally, his own mate, a true family.

Inu's eyes lazily opened at the thought as they unconsciously sought and found the slim frame of the dark haired Hanyou leaning against a tree at the perimeter of the camp.

Ahh the 5th reason he was happy. BanMidou, he had since the beginning of Inuyasha's maturity process taken over as Alpha of the pack, and despite feeling weak, there was no fear attached to Inuyasha, there was no reason for him to be on alert, for him to keep an eye out. His pack was safe, he was safe and for him to know he was so weak, but still feel so gloriously safe and secure was incredible.

Sheesh Inuyasha was happy, but he hoped his feelings would settle after this maturity bit. Well he wanted to be a little happier afterwards – but just not bubbling with it. If the bubbling stuff continued for too long he had a feeling he'd end up irritating himself. Could he clunk his own head?

Feeling the weight of Inuyasha's stare, blue eyes turned to meet lazy Golden ones, as a small half smile stretched out on Ban's lips. Inuyasha had cream all over his face and neck, but had a goofy smile on his face. Damn the pup was cute, and Ban knew, probably better then any other, how emotionally vulnerable Inuyasha was. Though his expression never changed one hand dug into the tree trunk. Inuyasha's would choose his own mate, and Ban with had a nasty premonition that the White haired Hanyou was going to be spoilt for choice. And while Inuyasha was strong, the maturity seemed to be confusing to the Hanyou and many would seek to take advantage of the overwhelming emotions that came with surging emotions. Ban would protect the pup from exploitation from anyone.

He would allow no one to take advantage of Inuyasha,.. and that included ... himself.

With a small wave, Ban went back to scouting the perimeter and keeping the pack safe.


--tbc--
Sorry this is real short – just got a call have to do stuff. Toss up between waiting to post or posting now, decided to post and ask on what you think of Inu's thoughts AND HIS attitude to mating which by the way I do think is canon – he WANTS a mate bad – and that is why he puts up with the 2 K's??? Anyway I know Inuyahsa's attitude is different here from my other fics so Please review.