A Fine Mess

Chise awaited Fusao with a small group of other cat demons that she acquired who were looking for work. Unfortunately none of them had Akio’s power to collar the Inu demons. They would just have to wait until the pups were born and then kidnap the babies using them as leverage to control the two demon dogs.

“Fusao are you sure that Inuyasha is pregnant?”

Fusao nodded.

“The change has occurred and the boy is now female.”

Chise smiled. Indeed their plan would work since Inuyasha would be weak after the birth of the pups and Sesshoumaru could not keep watch forever. He had to gather food for his mate and pups therefore it was just a waiting game at this point.

*************************************************************************************

Sesshoumaru worried for his mate. Inuyasha had been ill a few times and had lost a little weight. He had to find food and fast.

“Inuyasha I am going to create a barrier. I want you to remain inside of it while I hunt us some suitable sustenance.”

Inuyasha nodded as he sat on the ground feeling completely ill. He didn’t want to move afraid he was going to lose more water since his stomach was now empty of any food he once consumed.

Sesshoumaru rushed out into the woods. He would gather as much food as possible creating a cache so that he didn’t have to hunt again until after his pups were born.

It didn’t take long before Sesshoumaru found a farm just outside of the forest with plenty of cattle to slaughter. Killing ten of them didn’t take much time in his full demon form and he ate one whole which would sustain him for at least a month. It was only a three month gestation for Inuyasha and so they didn’t need much, but Sesshoumaru wanted to insure that hunting would not take him away from his family for long.

The human farmers could do nothing as the huge demon dog took off with their prized cows. They were just grateful that was all that the demon wanted as they cowered in their home waiting for the mighty dog to disappear back into the woods.

“My dear I think we need to take up gardening.”

The farmer said to his wife as their cattle, spooked by the dog took off in different directions breaking down the fence.

**********************************************************************************

Inuyasha felt completely miserable when Sesshoumaru returned, but after the dog dropped the food it changed everything. Inuyasha was impressed and although sick was wandering about looking for a way to build a fire.

“Inuyasha what are you doing?”

Sesshoumaru stated as he looked at his mate like he had lost his mind. Even being mainly female, Inuyasha was acting completely male and very odd for an Inu demon. Why gain firewood when it was not cold outside? Perhaps this was an oddity of his human half.

“I am going to start this fire you idiot. Why else would I be gathering wood?”

Sesshoumaru made his mate set down ythe wood and used his powers to create a fire.

“I do not know how you can be cold Inuyasha, but this should satisfy you.”

Inuyasha then took the wood making a makeshift spit as he started to gut and clean one of the cows. Sesshoumaru followed suit by creating long strips of meat he would dry out for later.

“I need it for cooking my food. You forgot I don’t eat raw meat.”

Inuyasha stated testily as Sesshoumaru smirked.

“The humans have corrupted you too much little one. Raw meat is good for your demon and you should satisfy your stronger half. Have you ever tried it before?”

Sesshoumaru stated. Inuyasha frowned and then ripped off a piece to try it only to feel his gag reflex coming back.

“NO thanks………I will stick with cooked meat.”

Sesshoumaru was surprised, but it figured after years of conditioning due to Izayoi raising the boy that he would probably never get used to the delicious flavor of fresh meat from a kill.

“Give me that.”

Sesshoumaru took the spit and the rest of the carcass from Inuyasha as he shoved the liver, heart, and then the tongue of the beast onto the spit.

“These are high in value so get used to feasting on them.”

Inuyasha shrugged. He liked all these items and even pulled out a nice hindquarter to add to these holding it over the fire while the rest cooked.

Sesshoumaru recalled Rin cooking for them and grasped the hindquarter from Inuyasha.

“I will create a larger spit. I am to provide and care for you Inuyasha. You will not do anything unless I order it. You are to care only for yourself and the pups.”

Inuyasha pouted hating that Sesshoumaru was going to do this, but then afterwards he thought about things. Only Kagome had done such things for him and it was nice to be cared for.

“Thanks……..”

Inuyasha stated softly. Sesshoumaru was surprised by the show of gratitude.

Grunting his approval Sesshoumaru went about his business.

Inuyasha gathered the cattle skins together anyway ignoring Sesshoumaru’s harsh words to leave it be. He couldn’t just sit around forever. He cleaned the skin and started to lay them out.

“What are we going to do with these?”

Inuyasha asked once the skins were soon strung up and drying after the fat was pushed into the soft skins.

“We shall make them into whatever you desire Inuyasha. Now eat.”

Sesshoumaru watched in horror as Inuyasha devoured the meat like it was his last meal. It was like watching a rabid dog except instead of white foam it was whatever food ended up on his face. It was definitely his youkai in charge when it came to meal time.

Inuyasha ignored his brother’s horrified expression as he enjoyed his meal. It was perfect except it missed the spices Kagome would put on it. After a little while he had to stop eating since depression hit him like a rock. Kagome was really dead and here he was mated so soon after. He hadn’t really had any time to mourn.

“Sesshoumaru………I think I need a moment to myself.”

Sesshoumaru frowned.

“You are thinking of her aren’t you?”

Inuyasha nodded as he wiped away the food on his mouth with the back of his hand. Then Inuyasha rushed away to clean himself with Sesshoumaru following him.

“She was my wife damn it! It isn’t like you could possibly understand Sesshoumaru.”

Sesshoumaru resented that remark.

“I was married once……to a human in fact. It was long ago, but I found it to be detestable.”

Inuyasha looked at Sesshoumaru like he grew two heads.

“You did what?”

Sesshoumaru completely distracted him from his depression and it wasn’t fair. How come it was always about his brother?

“I married a human. Father did so and therefore I needed to understand him. I do not see why you both were so obsessed with them.”

Inuyasha seethed.

“You didn’t even love this human did you?”

Sesshoumaru shrugged.

“What does love have to do with procreation and marriage?”

Inuyasha shook his head.

“I can’t discuss that with you right now? Can you not see I am distraught and miserable? I loved my wife I didn’t just marry her because Father did. You just don’t understand.”

Sesshoumaru sighed and looked at Inuyasha like he was a simpleton.

“A wife is only for making children, caring for them, and caring only for her husband’s needs. I can do such things on my own. I have a ward, I care for her, and Rin lives for me. You see human children are useful. You can train them, but human women are beyond all help and much too slow for my needs. I find you both waste too much time over them. They are too weak so you and Father had to be extra gentle with human women or you will harm them.”

Inuyasha snorted.

“What did you do? Kill her?”

Sesshoumaru was silent for a moment.

“You killed her?”

Sesshoumaru sighed.

“Not on purpose. She could not withstand my claws and the poison seeped out.”

Inuyasha looked horrified.

“So on my human night you just stay the hell away from me.”

Sesshoumaru frowned.

“I learned from experience so that will not be necessary Inuyasha.”

Inuyasha didn’t feel very reassured by this news.

“So you married some woman you didn’t even love and killed her on accident. You definitely have issues Sesshoumaru.”

Sesshoumaru straightened up a bit.

“Inuyasha I did not love her. You see your miko would have died before you. It is pointless to love someone who will outlive you and would you honestly still love her when she looked like Kaede?”

Inuyasha didn’t want to think of anyone looking like Kaede.

“You mean when she got old? Of course I would love Kagome. You don’t understand love.”

Sesshoumaru shrugged.

“Who said I ever wanted to? Love is a weakness. I say such things to placate you so you will be silent. I protect, provide, and give my mate what I am entitled to give. Nothing more is expected of me.”

Inuyasha felt cheated.

“SO you wouldn’t even cry if I died? You really are cold hearted.”

Sesshoumaru thought about that for a moment.

“Cry for you? No. I would mourn your passing and move on. That is what the living do.”

Inuyasha stopped after they reached the river as he washed off.

“Well I am mourning someone I loved. I do feel love Sesshoumaru. I loved Kagome and part of my heart still belongs to her. I have not had time to mourn her passing, but I will do so for many years.”

Sesshoumaru frowned.

“You are with pup so you cannot mourn for more than a few days. It would be unhealthy to do more. Humans die Inuyasha. Being part human you should be aware of that more than anyone else. Loving people will only cause pain. It is pointless.”

Inuyasha ignored that comment and really wondered who his brother was trying to convince.