Affliction

Moonlight shafted between leaves, scudding clouds blocking the glow of the stars; a silhouette shaded against the floral backdrop that decorated the chateau. Golden orbs soaked with crimson splatter blazed from the shadows, an entity frozen amid the fog. Aromas of a dinner untouched lifted upon the gentle breeze, a growl deafening the melodic silence. It was unlike Inuyasha to leave a meal undevoured; delicacies from exotic regions had been sought after by Sesshomaru as only the best would be presented for his mate and self. Given the benefit of the doubt, considering therapy and being in a relationship with someone who would leave you at the drop of a feather, Inuyasha's unexplained absence from supper was excused. That was until Miroku and Kouga called.

"Hey, Sesshie-boy! Is the mutt there?"

"That would be none of your concern."

"C'mon. He left here kinda spazed. Me and the lecher are worried about him..."

"What do you mean left here?"

"Oh, yeah. He came down to the Red Light District, heh."

The conversation didn't last long, neither did Sesshomaru's patience.

Morning. Everything was blissfully perfect. Bodies nestled beneath sheets, intertwined in the pleasure the company the other brought. When Sesshomaru kissed Inuyasha, he heard him whimper; when the youkai held his brother, he felt the lithe body tremble. Hearts began to race against each other, a surge of carnal desire beginning to blossom. Golden eyes roamed over Inuyasha's body, finding the form exotic, beautiful. In all his life, or what he could remember, Sesshomaru had never loved so much nor feared equally the same.

That was morning. This, this was the evening...the corrupt, damnable nighttime.

For what resembled an eternity, Sesshomaru's life had been a series of decisions. No guide for the walk of life, no indication of what was right nor wrong. As one decision was chosen, one doorway unlocked, he would face what may come, alone, despite consequence and accept responsibility. Again, Sesshomaru felt betrayed. Only this time, if Inuyasha had failed, there would be no forgiveness and love would certainly not prevail. Another decision laid ahead.

Shuffling boots into the earth with each stride, Inuyasha had come staggering from within the thicket and onto the winding path which led to the chateau. Flesh itched, burned; the hanyou would have sworn it was rippling like waves along the bones. Waterfilled orbs squinted as Sesshomaru's form came into view; terror and relief collided. Inhaling sharply from the assaulting emotions, Inuyasha dashed for his brother, his mate. Tossing arms over broad shoulders and tangling claws into silvery mane, nothing felt more wonderful in all of creation. Weeping uncontrollably, Inuyasha buried a cold nose into the divot of the youkai's shoulder, dried lips began to quaver as words failed to exist.

Clutching harshly onto Inuyasha's heaving shoulders, Sesshomaru tore the body from his; lifting the half-breed from the earth, enraged eyes bore into the frightened pair ahead. Confusion, anger, betrayal, disappointment...a variety of emotion jerked back and forth. Slivers of the youkai yearned to literally beat Inuyasha into a bloodied pile of slop, the other fought to console the hanyou and understand the nature of the situation. Disgust, Sesshomaru discarded his brother to the side then turned his back on the younger demon. He couldn't even bare to look at Inuyasha.

"Se...Sess...Sesshie! I didn't."

"Hmph."

"I promise I didn't take any heroine....I, I didn't do anything. Hell, I didn't even drink!"

"However, you went. Lied to me, betrayed our relationship, jeopardized our future. How do I know you still do not spout poison from your tongue?"

"I went to tell them in person to fuck off. Maybe they'd understand then. LIE!? I never lied to you. Not now, not ever."

On hand and knee, Inuyasha crawled to Sesshomaru and once there arms snaked around slightly bent knees.

"Powers-That-Be! Sesshomaru I want you! I want to be with you, to be your partner. I wouldn't screw that up. Don't you understand!?"

His heart, wrenching with unfathomable pain, screamed out for the youkai to embrace Inuyasha. To believe him. Sesshomaru took a couple of deep breaths, then drifted a heartbroken gaze to Inuyasha. At first sight, Sesshomaru had never been attracted to someone the way he was his sibling. Passion blossomed in the winter of the youkai's soul - he had just been too self-involved to realize it until centuries later. Sesshomaru wanted to weep in frustration. Another mistake could not be afforded. Releasing the stronghold placed upon taut legs, Sesshomaru hefted Inuyasha into his arms like a child and nudged a nose to a fluffed ear. No words could define what was felt on either side.

With his lips lingering to Inuyasha's softer ones, Sesshomaru pulled the warm body as close as their clothes would allow. Shyly, Inuyasha's fingers began traipsing exposed areas of skin as if rediscovering his brother's body all over again. A rush of heat swarmed over the elder demon's body with those gentle caresses, his mind drawing blank as feelings of an undescribable need began to reign. Inuyasha had been lulled by the sounds of his brother's breathing and the feeling of his heartbeat drumming against his ribs; fear had dissipated and replaced by the comfort of Sesshomaru's affection. As the affectionate gesture withered and need for air arose, a strange and wonderful silence befell as eyes locked into an intimate embrace of their own.

"Don't hesitate for a moment to think that there still isn't something that needs to be addressed, Inuyasha."

"I know."

Sesshomaru lowered his lips to Inuyasha's once more, the hanyou tilted his head for a more effective experience. Affection from Sesshomaru was better than any opiate; his lips curved slightly, the hanyou being content to be high from love than any drug. He was satisfied with a victory - power to arouse the most feared and loathed demon was in the touch of a hand, a curl of the lips. Inuyasha glorified in this discovery. As lips parted once more, eyes locked into another affectionate gaze as both demons smiled. The impact was powerful.