Truth in Blood

Chapter 21 : Buck up or Else.


Inuyasha looked at Kouga, there was a pleading desperation in the large golden eyes that tore at the Seraph's heart. The eyes seemed to ask for something, they pleaded but did not beg, for an answer Kouga wished with all his heart he could give. But he could not.

“Sanctuary is only for those with Seraph blood, young Hanyou. You, though it is not obvious have Seraph blood in your veins. By that blood I can grant the sanctuary, but if Lord Sesshoumaru claims the Kit, I cannot grant him sanctuary. He is full demon and is therefore he is outright subjected to the laws of the Demon Kind. Without sparking a war between out two people I cannot extend the sanctuary to the Kitsune.” Kouga said sadly. Inuyasha had no idea why they thought he had Seraph blood in his veins, but considering he knew nothing of his heritage, he accepted what they said at face value. To him, it mattered little, no matter what was the source of his blood, he was Inuyasha, he was himself and to him that seemed to be the most important thing. So he took what was said at face value, and focused on what was important – which is their survival.

“Hanyou, know this you can still claim sanctuary, Sesshoumaru may not seem it at times, but he is a demon of honor. He actually has a child of his own and he will not hurt a child demon, or a child of any other race for that matter. His people may not love his icy ass, but they do respect him. If you choose sanctuary the Kitsune will be in no danger.” Kouga said.

Inuyasha glanced at the Lord, his look plainly saying that he found the Seraph's words a little (or a lot) hard to believe. Then the Seraph's words hit home, the bastard Lord had a child.. a wife, somehow that added a layer of pain to his state. The Lord had a home, why had he the need to destroy Inuyasha's. The idea of sanctuary was tempting, a place to hide. His head dropped, his bangs hiding his thoughts from the Lord.
But, the tiny body clung to him, the tiny sounds of distress that Shippo made rang in his ear. I was one thing for Inuyasha to leave Shippo behind if the danger he faced where he was going was overwhelming, but to abandon the Kit because of a little hardship... He was now pretty certain the Lords were not out to kill him. Inuyasha had no illusions, of he went back with the Lord, his body would not be his own. He would be the Lord's fucking fuck toy, and he'd probably be hidden or locked away somewhere to make sure the Lord's real family did not catch on the his cheating.

The Lord may not hurt Shippo, but Inuyasha was pretty damn sure that if he choose sanctuary, somehow the bastard would make the little Kit pay for his brother's actions. Could he do it? Could he bear it? 8 maybe 10 years of being the Lord's fucking slave until his little brother was strong enough to look after himself. Inuyasha's hand raised to stroke Shippo's back, of course he would bear it. There was no such thing for sanctuary if he was worrying about his little brother all the time. If he abandoned the one person in his life who he loved and who loved him because he was afraid of the Lord, he would never be able to live with himself. It was not like he was a virgin anymore any way. He was a Hanyou after all so it was not like he expected to ever find a real mate to care for anyway. Not like he every expected to have a family more then the crazy Kit who for some reason loved him.

Possibly this was the best he could hope for, it was what many in the streets had aspired for, to find a rich patron to care for then and provide them with all the comforts of being a plaything. This had to be better then dying and really leaving Shippo alone in the world.

Yes, he would bear it, he would screw his pride, bury his emotions deep inside himself, and his hopes and plans for the future... how foolish they seemed; he would fight with all his being to make Shippo's come true, to keep his little brother safe and help him grow up strong and happy, Shippo deserved that. As for his own, he had never been in a position to realize a single one of them, absolutely useless. Since he was a small child, his life had never been worth anything, worth less then the drugs to Lissa, worth less then the silver coins earned by his bosses. Stupid absolutely useless dreams, he would do this, face and accept the realities of the situation, and anyway lock away his plans for the future and hopes deep into himself.

Inuyasha squared his shoulders, he could do this, he would do this.

“Thank you for the offer Lord Seraph but to do what you suggest, what that is would not be in any way a sanctuary. There is no such thing as sanctuary for me, if have to abandon my loved ones to find it. If Shippo has to go to the demon Lands then I will have to go with him." Inuyasha straightened and spoke with a grace and sense of calm that befitted the Lords and Leaders of the land rather then a wild child off the streets.
Kouga nodded back, with due respect. He turned to Sesshoumaru and growled.

"Bloody hell Sessh, a real diamond has fallen into your lap, you stupid arrogant dog. If you mess this up, I am gong to kick your ass, peace treaty or not." Kouga said as he glared at the Demon Lord.

"Even then there is something I am going to do, there is no way in hell I am going to allow you Sesshy to act with total impunity. I can do nothing to help you right now my little Hanyou, but I will be challenging Sesshoumaru's actions at the next joint council. During Council I would be able to get both you and the little Kitsune away from the Lord you do not wish to remain in the Lands of the Demons, I will be able to take the both of you to the Land of the Seraph, and with the backing of the council even the stick in the mud, arrogant ass of a Demon Lord Sesshoumaru will not be able to stop me." Kouga smiled at Inuyasha and then glared balefully at the Demon Lord.

Sesshoumaru glared back. He was not going to allow himself to be worried about the threat, he was a demon Lord, he was not going to be intimidated by the threat of a pansy winged Seraph. Really he wasn't.
Kouga suddenly flashed to beside Inuyasha, his move surprising the Demon Lord. It was Kouga's turn to put up a barrier between them and the infuriated Demon Lord. He wanted a few words with the Hanyou and he would be damned if he did not get it.

A huge wing stretched out and Inuyasha was suddenly gathered in the fold of the wing. Shippo and Inuyasha were both stunned by this. And a pair of gold and a pair of green eyes, both pairs equally young and equally innocent gazed in surprise at the Seraph. Kouga felt all mushy and very protective inside as he witnessed the picture of strength and sheer cuteness. “Be brave little Hanyou.” The Seraph Lord whispered, “If the Demon Lord does not step up soon and do his part, you both will be removed from him. I swear, if he does not make up and learn what he needs to, so that he can make you happy, I will save you little ones. So do not lose hope and do not stop fighting. If that blasted Lord makes you happy I will not interfere, but if you are unhappy... your situation will not be allowed to continue. So swears Kouga Lord Heir of the Seraph.”

Golden eyes, went impossibly large at te reassurance. And Kouga could not resist, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to the Hanyou's forehead, he would not kiss the Hanyou on the lips uninvited. He would not take what was not offered. If the little Hanyou was happy with the Demon Lord he would leave it be, and perhaps make friends with the brave little mixed breed. If the Hanyou was miserable however...

Kouga turned and looked at the Demon Lord slashing with fury at his barrier, his eyes narrowed and he raised his voice so that it could be heard through the barrier. “Oh, Chill Sessh, I have already said I will abide by the laws of our people, and respect you claim at the moment. But know that by our law the one claimed has rights, and you had better keep this little Hanyou happy or else, you will lose. I was just saying goodbye.” Kouga blew the infuriated Demon Lord a sassy kiss, pressed another chaste kiss on the little Hanyou forehead, he could not resist stoking and petting the cute ears. Kouga quite enjoyed Sesshoumaru's almost incoherent curing and swearing, his grin was a little evil, even if things worked out teasing the Demon Lord over this little one was going to be so much fun.

Kouga was well aware that Inuyasha had allowed the liberties he had taken because he did not want to put the little Kitsune on his shoulder in harm's way. He bowed his hear in respect for the Hnayou's honor and bravery, the with a flap of powerful wings he took to the air. With a few flap pf his wings he had disappeared into the clouds, rising from the ground like a shot. Both Inuyasha and Shippo gazed up in wonder at the sight. “Wow'' they whispered in unison.

Kouga's wingless flunkies bowed at the Demon Lord and just as quickly disappeared into the thick green forest.
Then Inuyasha and Shippo were alone with the Demon Lord.

---tbc