The Love of Brothers

It may be a few days before I can post a new chappie, sorry. Working way too much for not enough money.... don't we all? LoL It's a living. Enjoy this chapter. I won't leave you hanging long I promise!


Chapter Seventeen

Sesshoumaru was gone by the time Kagome awoke. It irked her slightly to wake without his warmth beside her but she supposed that given the sheer size of the west that his duties would take him from her time to time. With a sigh she rose and stretched. Last night's loving had been more incredible that she had ever imagined. She figured she was pretty spoiled, having the attentions of not one but two ravishing demon lords who were obviously well versed in keep a woman happy. A frown marred her pretty features, where had Inuyasha learned? From Kikyo?

Shaking her head she grew angry with herself. Who cared about the past? He was her mate and Kikyo was gone forever. There was no reason to be jealous or upset now. Mentally reprimanding herself, Kagome carried herself to the bath.

She dressed and went to find Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. She wanted to go and see Sango in the village. Turning the corner she found them talking to Koga. They all nodded in greeting and Kagome smiled in return. Inuyasha put his arm around her, "Hey Kagome, what's going on?" he asked. She stared up at him and then over to Sessh. "Well, I would like to go and see Sango."

Inuyasha eyed his brother. Sesshoumaru didn’t want her going to the village until that damn well was gone, but how long could they really hold her there before all hell broke loose? "No." Sesshoumaru gave her his answer. She looked at him, "I’ll stay away from the well. If you don't trust me then come with me." She replied. Sessh pinned her with a frosty gaze, "This isn't about trust Kagome, it's about your safety." Koga stepped forward, "Ginta and Hakaku are there. I was going to get them… I could escort her if you like."

Koga was only trying to be helpful but found himself staring back at two sets of narrowed golden eyes. "Or you can stay here." He quickly added. Sessh hmpfed and Inuyasha feh'd, while Kagome damn near growled with frustration. With a sigh she plastered a sweet smile on her face and bowed slightly, "My lords… may I have a moment in private with you?" she asked. Inuyasha knew that tone all too well. Sessh was not entirely unfamiliar with it.

Kagome had already headed into a side room. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha followed a short distance behind. "Oh man we're gonna get it." Inuyasha muttered, he tugged at the beads around his neck. Why the hell did they still work anyway? They faced Kagome across the polished floor. "Look, you can't keep me a prisoner here. I want to see my friends too!" she exclaimed.
Sesshoumaru took immediate offense, "You are not a prisoner, you are the lady of this fortress." He bit out.
"Fat lot of good that does. I can't even go to the village."
"I have explained my reasoning to you. That is sufficient."
"I really wish you had some beads."
"Wishing is not likely to give them to you."
"I can't go?"
"No."
"Ever?"
"I have not said that."
"Then when?"
"When the mysteries of the well are known."
"I could test it you know."
"I am aware of your abilities."
"Then why not?"
"This discussion is finished Kagome."
"I miss my family."
"We are your family."
"It's not the same."
"I would hope not."
"I want to see them again."
"That world is lost to you Kagome, it does not serve you to dwell on it."
"There is so much I want to do. I want my mother to know that I'm married. I want her to see her grandchildren."
"I know that."
"Sesshoumaru! Tell me why you are so set about this? Tell me why and maybe I will understand."
She pushed him and he felt his temper flare at her questions. She wanted him to admit things that he didn't want to. She stared up at him with wide eyes, full of trust and he heard the words fall from his lips before he could stop them. "I do not wish to lose you."

His words caused her to stiffen, and Inuyasha beside him as well. Kagome reached a hand out to him, "Oh Sesshoumaru." He turned from her, "Do not question further. I have made my decision. Inuyasha or I will take you to see Sango in a few days. Until then a servant may fetch her."

Inuyasha had been surprisingly silent through the entire thing. He understood his brother's attitude and his reservations, but his heart, that remaining human part ached for the woman he held so dear. Hell, he missed her mother and Souta… even Ji-chan. Sesshoumaru was walking down the hall, leaving Kagome to stare after him.

"It’s not easy for him." Inuyasha said in the silence, "Explaining himself to you. It's something he's never had to do before and in this culture he shouldn't have to. Not to you. Don't be angry Kagome. We just want to make sure that Naraku doesn't get his hands on you." She looked back at him sadly, "I know Inuyasha…. I know." He held her against him, smoothing his cheek against her hair. That bastard Naraku was messing with his life and he couldn't allow that. They had to act quickly on the well.

Sesshoumaru beat the hell out of at least ten of his men in the sparring ring. It did little to ease his anger and frustration. Demons didn't act like this. They didn't fawn over their mates and coo like children, they didn't ache when the other's heart hurt. Nothing was right. In all his long years he hadn't felt this way and he sure as hell didn’t like it now. He had confided as much to Bokuseno during his after training patrol.

He found himself beneath the old magnolia tree, much like he had in his younger years. "Why is this happening old Bokuseno?" he demanded. The old tree regarded him a moment, "Because dog lord," he said at last, his voice as old and creaky as his branches, "You are in love with your wife."
Sesshoumaru reacted in his usual manner… he didn't. "Impossible." He snapped finally, "Demons do not love."

The tree demon sighed, were all the inu's so hard headed? "If your father were here you could ask him, since my word matters so little to you." Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at the tree, "My father was a great and terrible demon, he did not suffer such weak inclinations. His flaw was lusting after mortals." The tree quirked one barky brow, "And now you yourself suffer the same it appears."

Sesshoumaru growled much to the tree's utter indifference. He drew himself to his full height and glowered at the old tree. "You try my patience you overgrown shrub." The tree huffed in indignation, "Settle down you surly pup, you sought my advice… now be silent and take it!" Sesshoumaru blinked. Had this old tree just given him a scathing set down? That hadn’t happened in at least five hundred years. It almost made him smile. He propped himself against the tree and sat down. He was silent for a very long time and the tree sat patiently. He after all wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Sesshoumaru spoke at long last, "He did love her didn't he?" he asked softly. The tree felt pity for the lord before him. Sesshoumaru's own mother had loved the Inutaisho very much but the political match brought her little happiness. He had been kind to her of course, and sired her proud son, but his heart hadn't belonged to her and she had died knowing that.

She had never felt pain like that and she sought to save her son from feeling it either. "You must not show others how you feel. Great demons have no such emotions, for they do not serve to better you." She had said and then she had died. Far too young even by demon standards and the young lord had grieved in the way she taught him. That day he locked away his heart and gained the iciness for which he was known.

When his father lost his heart to the mortal princess Izayoi, he felt that his mother's memory had been betrayed. Rather than confide as much to his father, he had looked down on a woman who, in his eyes could never match the might and splendor of his beautiful warrior mother. A mere human had gained the territory that the demon woman had longed to have, and that was unacceptable.

Inutaisho was a loving father and he poured his attentions on his cold son. He taught him to fight, to read and write.. Leadership it seemed came naturally to Sesshoumaru and the old general was most proud. He shared his thoughts and his joys with his stoic son. On the day that he confided marking Izayoi and giving her his child, Sesshoumaru had been angry.

He made his way in secret to the palace where the human princess lived and spied on her from the garden wall. What was so great about this woman? What did she have that his mother, with her impeccable breeding and strength did not have? He watched her many times and little by little he admitted that she was kind, but still utterly human. A human that had led his unbeatable father to his death. The west had been thrown into chaos and Sesshoumaru barely out of the bands of childhood had been forced to take up the lead and fight off the would-be successors.

In the end he had slain many of the demons he had grown up with, his will to survive and conquer far greater than his attachment. In his battling, he was unable to seek out the one blood relative that remained. Inuyasha. At the end of the wars, with everything that he had lost, his bitterness grew until he no longer wished to acknowledge his father's hanyou son. So he hadn't, until he sensed Inuyasha's strength.


He closed his eyes against such memories. It was no use thinking on them now. "Sesshoumaru, it is not a bad thing to love." Bokuseno assured him, "Your father found his true happiness with that woman. His heart was lighter because of her. It mattered not that he was a lord and demon. Only that he was a man that she loved very much. Your own mother loved."

Sesshoumaru growled, a pain filled sound, "And look where it led her." He muttered darkly. Bokuseno smiled gently at the silver crown of the lord's head. "But my boy, you have the heart of the woman you love. Your life will not become so bleak."

Sessh thought about that for a moment. He was silent and very still for what seemed like ages. In fact the magnolia tree had just begun to doze when he spoke again, "This Ses….I do not know how to do this." He admitted. The tree wished he had arms so he would pat the boy, "You don't have to." He replied, "Your heart knows. You do not have to hide away anymore." Sessh surged to his feet, "I do not hide." He snapped as he walked back into the forest, "Thank you Bokuseno."

Inuyasha was sulking through the halls. He was busy trying to find Kagome, but the obstinate woman seemed to vanish whenever he got close. His keen ears heard faint giggling down the hall. Rin was up to no good, he'd bet money on it. Suddenly Kagome's voice reached him, "Oh no! Please someone help me!" He tore down the hall and into Rin's rooms, Tetsusaiga drawn and at the ready. "Don't worry Kagome I'll save you!" he shouted.

Three sets of eyes locked on him in question. Jaken was tied to a chair in the corner and Kagome was standing on a table, a sea of pillows beneath it. Rin was wearing some strange looking cornered hat of paper and a black patch over her eye. He stared at them in wonder. "What the hell are you doing in here?" he asked gruffly, "And why are you dressed up like Kaede-baba?" Rin glared at him, before raising her little finger menacingly at him, "I'm not Kaede, I'm a pirate!" she insisted, "See this is my hook. Yarr!"

Inuyasha blinked and then looked back to Kagome, "And what are you doing?". She still stood on the table. Rin rolled her eyes, "Well obviously she is walking the plank and going down to meet a watery end in Davy Jones' locker." Inuyasha arched a brow, "A what? And who is this Dav-eee Jones?"

"It's an old sailor legend Inuyasha. Davy Jones keeps the souls of drowned people in his box at the bottom of the sea." Kagome explained. Inuyasha feh'd, "So he's a demon?" he asked moving to stand beside the table and reaching for her. Kagome slid into his arms and let him set her on the ground, "Ummm not exactly." She admitted. Inuyasha winked at Rin, "I bet I could beat him. So what else do pirates do?"

Rin happily sang him a song detailing all the nasty business of being a pirate. He turned questioning eyes to Kagome. "What the hell are you teaching her? A pirate's life?" He demanded. Kagome laughed at him, "It's from Disneyland." Inuyasha scratched his head for a minute, "Oh yeah, that place with the mouse with the big white hands." Kagome nodded, pleased that he remembered.

Rin was untying Jaken and ushering him to the table, apparently the toad was about to walk the plank. Inuyasha leaned down to whisper in Kagome's ear, "I want to be a pirate." Kagome looked at him in question. "You know," he explained in a soft tone so Rin wouldn't hear, "Kidnap and ravage?" Kagome caught the gleam in his eye and chuckled. "You're so bad." He chuckled lightly, a rush of heated breath against her neck, "Come on, I'll show you just how good I can be." Rin watched as Kagome wandered out of the room with Inuyasha before turning devious eyes to Jaken.

Inuyasha backed Kagome into a hidden alcove, pressing feverish kisses to her upturned mouth. Anyone could walk by and see them, or at least hear them. When he knelt at her feet and began to push her kimono up above her knees, she protested. "Inuyasha, what are you doing?" He peered up at her, "Do you really have to ask?" She tried to tug him up to his feet again, "We could be seen."
"Doubt it." He went back to kiss at her knees.
"Heard. We're bound to make noise."
"Oh I planned on that. Who cares?"
"I care."
"What for? It's not like they are going to interrupt or anything."
"Kami Inuyasha! It's not proper to just do things like this out in the open!"
He nipped just above the curls, "Kagome, don't you know it's more fun if you can get caught?"
"Wha?"
"Just relax and try to be quiet."
"But I…"
"Shut up Kagome."

Kagome pressed her fist to her mouth to keep from crying out when Inuyasha teased his tongue against her. She whimpered softly and her legs began to buckle. Inuyasha stood, pinning her to the wall with his body, keeping her upright. Heavy drapes threw them into semi darkness as he turned her to face the wall. She felt his loosen his hakamas and fumble with her robes.

A cool draft on her bare bottom made her shiver. "So tell me Kagome," he whispered in her ear, "Did you enjoy having both of us?" Her increase in temperature told him she did. She arched her neck to him when he bit lightly on her ear. "So how well did Sesshoumaru train you? Did he make you scream?" She was panting at his words.

Inuyasha reached into the folds of his haori and withdrew a small vial. Kagome felt a slightly warm wetness as he trailed his fingers over the globes of her bottom. She gasped when his fingers delved between. "Inuyasha!" she gasped as he slid a finger inside, testing. He rocked his hips against her, feeling hunger raise inside of him. "Shh Kagome, I won't take you this way here…yet." He murmured, "Now be quiet as a mouse or we might get caught."

Kagome felt his fingers move to the front of her body as he nudged his tip against her opening. Her moist flesh accepted him as he slid home. She fought to breathe, to be silent. They were not far from the others. Right around the corner and he was taking her like this!

Inuyasha groaned softly when he was firmly seated. "You hot Kagome." He told her, she moaned and he clamped his hand over her mouth. His tongue teased her ear, "Quiet as a mouse Kagome. You like it when I talk to you don't you? You like the dirty little things I whisper to you?" She moved her hips in silent response and he gritted his teeth against the pleasure.

"Well Kagome let me tell you a few more things." He went on, his voice rough with desire, "I love to fuck you. Now that I know how much you enjoy it outside of our rooms, I'll have to do it again. What if someone comes Kagome? What if they came by right now? Looked behind the curtain? What would they see? I’ll tell you… they'd see me taking you."

His words were like electric fire in her blood. Was Inuyasha an exhibitionist? Hadn't her friends talked about weird fetishes like this? Inuyasha was moving against her, his thrusts growing more forceful. He grunted lightly, groaning against her. Kagome bit her lip to keep from crying out. She barely noticed that Inuyasha had bunched up the heavy velvet drapes and tucked a wad between her body and the wall.

The material rubbed against her, causing delicious friction as the demon behind her pumped rhythmically. She was feeling the coil twist in her stomach, how could he expect her to be silent? It was killing her. He was nearly slamming into her now. She felt his chest pressing against her back, the cold stone of the wall against her cheek. His forearm suddenly appeared before her face as he braced on the wall. Her release was almost on her now and he could feel it, the tiny rippling of her body around him.

"Give…. Me…….uhn…..a……pup!" He rasped out as he felt his own body tighten. When Kagome found her release she bit down on his muscled arm to keep from shouting and the sensation of little teeth his flesh pushed him over. He buried his fangs in her shoulder to muffle his own roar and growled softly around the mouthful of flesh. Kagome rested against he wall trembling, feeling the residual spurts of his body within hers. "A pup?" she whispered. Inuyasha withdrew his fangs and licked at the wound gently, "Give me a pup Kagome."


Kagome sank lower in the water, her nose barely above the water. Inuyasha wanted a pup! Did Sesshoumaru want that too? He said that he hated humans and hanyous, if she gave him children they would be half demon. She was not worried that he would accept them or care for them, and she knew his hatred couldn't run too deeply. She suspected it was a bit of denial on his part. Still, she wanted her children to be accepted as human and demon. Knowing Sessh he'd insist on them being raised as demons… period.

Her life was so different now. If someone would have told her a year ago that she'd be the lady of the west, she'd have laughed. Now it was almost surreal. There were some obstacles to overcome still, but all in all… she was pretty happy.


Naraku leaned against the wall listening to Kanna's report. Everything was going just as he had planned. Soon he'd have the miko in his grasp and he would harness her power. The girl would be a broken shell of her former self and he would be the strongest demon in the land. Those pitiful dogs. "Kanna." He said softly and void came to stand before him. He traced her pale cheek with a fingertip, "Send the miko dreams. Make her heart bleed."

"Yes my lord Naraku." She replied softly. Naraku nodded, "I want to hear her cries. Give them to me Kanna, she WILL pass through the well and then she shall be mine. Tell Takenmaru to prepare himself, he will have company soon enough I think."


Takenmaru listened intently as Kanna relayed Naraku's instructions. So, the miko was about to fall. He cared little about that. His only concern was defeating the sons of the dog general. If he had to use a woman to accomplish that so be it. He and his sister were the last of their kind, and she was barely clinging to life. Miserable half dead being that she was. Inutaisho had done this to her, in the great battle that had claimed his kin and kind. They had lost that day, nearly erased from the earth.

His revenge would come and then his sister could die in peace. Then he would be free, free to live or die… it would be his choice. He simply had to hold the miko until Naraku gave him an army. He held little trust for the clever hanyou but he had little choice. If he felt that Naraku was betraying him, he'd simply kill the woman. His yellow eyes scanned the hall of his home, resting on the pitiful form of his sister. She cawed and mewled in the corner. "Once you were a great warrior, a princess Sutanio. Now you are a lowly wretch. I will avenge you or I am not a griffin demon." He rasped to her.

Kagome curled herself tighter in her sleep, her eyelids flickered as she dreamed. The well, it lay just before her. With a smile, she leapt into it, the bluish fluid of the magic wrapping around her as it carried her far from her mates. She was eager to see her family again, hug them and then say goodbye. Forever.

"Mother, why are you leaving?" came a soft voice. Kagome turned to it. There before her stood a small boy with silver hair and golden eyes, he had no fangs and his ears were human, beside him stood girl, slightly taller and resembling Sesshoumaru greatly, save for the small ears atop her head.

Kagome looked at them in question. "Who…who are you?" she asked in a whisper. The girl smiled a fanged grin, "We are your children." She replied, "Mother you must take care for we three are in danger. You must listen to father." Kagome moved to touch her children but the began to fade away. "Wait, wait!" she called, "I don't even know your names!"

"Kagome! Kagome why do you break your mother's heart, why did you leave and make me worry for you? Kagome why won't you come and say goodbye to me?" her mother wept to her, and Kagome reached for her, wanting to embrace her. "Don't cry mom, please don't cry. I can't come home yet." Kagome told her, tears springing to her eyes.

Sesshoumaru had entered the room and took in Kagome's restless actions at once. Moving to the bedside, he leaned over her. "Kagome, you must awaken." He commanded softly. Kagome tossed about, her whimpers grating on his ears and heart. "Kagome." He said more forcefully and gently shook her. She surged upwards from the bed and into his arms.

Sesshoumaru held her weeping form against himself. She had cried out for her mother and he longed to see her desire granted but it was too dangerous of yet. Instead he soothed her with faint rumblings in his chest and stokes to her hair. She began to relax against him. "What did you dream?" he asked. She shook her head, unable to recall much of it… only the strange longing in her heart.

With a sigh, he stood and shrugged out of his robes, tugging a sleeping robe into place. He had just tied the robe closed when Inuyasha slipped in the room on silent feet. "Been working in that have you Inuyasha?" he asked lightly, "You were almost negative sound." Inuyasha crossed the room and pulled a sleeping robe from the cabinet. "Whatever." He replied, tugging it haphazardly into place.

Sesshoumaru watched him a moment before pushing his hands aside and fixing the rumpled cloth. Inuyasha gave him a quick kiss in thanks. "I am dead tired." He complained and crawled into the bed. Sessh rolled his eyes as he took up position on the other side of Kagome. "Who decided everyone had to be in my bed tonight?" he asked. Inuyasha shrugged, slipping an arm beneath Kagome's head. "It's the biggest." He muttered.

Kagome rolled to her side and threw an arm over Sesshoumaru's chest. "Go to sleep you noisy men!" came her sleepy comment. "You didn't come to dinner tonight, Koga and the others were somewhat worried." Sesshoumaru told her. Kagome yawned and buried her nose in his hair, "I had a stomach ache, it's better now but for a few hours I was starting to worry."

Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha kept silent but each was hoping that this stomach ache was a result of a pup. Demon children often took root painfully. Once in place, they grew at an accelerated rate but caused little harm passed a normal child. In three more days, Sesshoumaru thought, I will know if she carries my pup.