Chapter 18
Pained grunts and groans signaled to the patient young pups the awaking of one of their loving brothers from his unconsciousness. Inuyasha and Koga both had a waited for the pass five hours for their brothers to finally come too and were thrilled to see them finally stir.
"Hmm." Groaned Yoko as he sat up from the wall with a heavy sigh, rubbing his head.
"Damn it's about time you woke up."
That voice. It couldn't be. Yoko squinted from the throbbing headache to seek out the scruffy tone of the entity he assumed was Koga. "Koga?"
"Yea it's me you stupid jerk."
Oh he didn't have time for that attitude right now. "Where's Inuyasha."
Koga knelled down in front of his brother to feel his forehead, ignoring the question. "You need to relax." He ordered pushing him back to the rocky wall. "You've lost a lot of blood and you gained a fever from the infections."
"Where's Inuyasha…and Sesshomaru?" He repeated blinking at the odd environment he was in currently residing.
Koga jerked his thumb to the side of them where Inuyasha had Sesshomaru's head laying on his lap resting peacefully. Yoko could now breathe a little easier knowing his clan was alright now. Being the head leader, it was his responsible to ensure their health and safety.
Than a thought a struck him. "Where are our Fathers?" He rasped.
"Father went out to help god father in battle." Inuyasha mumbled while rubbing Sesshomaru's hair soothingly. "He said he'd be back for us later."
Then the memory of his father poisoning him with a sleeping pollen reappeared in his mind. Damn Kazo for his cheap tricks. He knew that he'd come after him if he hadn't put him to sleep. "How long have we been out?"
Koga thought for a moment but the hanyou answered. "I think you've guys have been sleep for about five or six hours now."
"Uhh five or six hours?" Yoko groaned feeling another roaring headache coming around.
"Shh just relax would cha? You're still recovering from your injuries."
Suddenly another painful grunt signaled the awakening of the other resting demon inside. Sesshomaru's eyes fluttered open looking around the cave before settling on the person whose leg he was resting on. "Inu-Yasha?" He whispered reaching up to cup his face.
Inuyasha covered the hand on his cheek. "Yea dumbass it's me."
"What," He flinched from the dry cough in his throat. "What are you doing here?"
"Obviously taking care of you."
Sesshomaru shifted his head to the side searching for his older brother. When he saw the fox demon lending against the wall nearby he was able to breathe easier. Even Koga was there although he shouldn't have been surprised to see him.
"You've awaken as well little brother." Kurama noted toward the blinking gold eyes looking his way.
"Indeed." Sesshomaru tried to sit up from the warm leg under his head; however the world proved to be a jelly land as it swirled and twisted into many unfamiliar figures. He shook his head of all the colorful confusion and finally rise sitting upright.
"How you feel?" Ask the youngest.
"I'm feeling well. How," He glanced around the enclosure. "Did we get here?"
Koga checked on the healing wounds of his fox brother while answering. "Our old man brought you guys here. God father says that the battle between that dragon guy and father was strong enough to fry us all."
Two pairs of gold eyes widened all knowingly. If the youki rise was that high it could only mean that Kazo had transformed as well as the dragon lord. The battle was sure to be a fierce one indeed. "We must make haste. Godfather could be in need of our assistance." Sesshomaru made to get up from the ground but Inuyasha held him down.
"Take it easy you fool." He scolded. "You're still too weak to do anything now. You guys would only get in his way."
Koga agreed. "He's right. So just sit back and wait until we get word of what to do next."
Feeling like disciplined children the older brothers quietly consented to the commands taking in the attention being given. Everyone was silent for a long while as wounds were steadily licked clean and hair combed untangled.
"Yo I got a few questions you assholes need to answer." Inuyasha grunted rudely as he finished combing out the last dirt and grime in Kurama's silver hair.
"Yea me too." Koga licked the last of dried blood on Sesshomaru's neck and face. "We can begin with why the hell you raped us."
"We didn't rape you." Kurama mumbled softly.
"Like hell!" They both shouted angrily.
"Please," Sesshomaru said holding a hand to his aching head. "If you must scold us, at least do it quietly."
Kurama sighed thinking it was time he explained what they actually did do to the young ones.
"Before you begin, will this answer also explain why you AND him," Inuyasha pointed between the too. "Decided to do that?"
Kurama nodded.
"Good." Koga and Inuyasha finished up the repairs and made themselves comfortable on a nearby wall. "We gotta hear this one."
Sesshomaru closed his eyes to rest where he was positioned by Kurama and waited for the eldest of them all to begin explaining.
"You see when we heard about the arranged mating taking place Sesshomaru and I were disappointed and sort to fix it." Kurama turned to the young hanyou. "I have no ill will toward you Inuyasha but I was upset to learn that you and I were engaged when I loved another."
"The same with me Koga." Sesshomaru added in. "I was upset about the coupling between us for I too was captivated by someone else. It wouldn't be fair for us to be a couple and I not feel as strongly for you as I did my true love interest."
Inuyasha and Koga blushed while the other two smiled.
"But it couldn't be done for our mating was set in stone. So we came up with a plan for all of us to be joined as one. A Joint Clan."
"Joint Clan?" Koga repeated.
Sesshomaru nodded. "It's a ritual that's gone unpracticed for centuries. It's when more than two demons wished to be joined as a full mated family of sorts. The only way we could make sure we were able to have our chosen Beta is if we joined together."
The Youko explained further. "But it could only work based on a few conditions. The first being that the chosen Alphas had to actually deal with loving someone else besides their chosen Omega. Meaning that I do love you Koga but I've also grown to care for Inuyasha as my own too."
"The same applies to me. I've chosen you Inuyasha as my main mate but I've become fond of Koga as well."
"This is the reason why we both took you earlier today. We first had to take our chosen mates than the other had to stake his claim on the other Omega to complete the claiming process. However we were unable to finish it because of…the place where we combined the rut."
Now realizing the extent of all of it Inuyasha nodded but asked another perplexing question. "What did you mean it wasn't finished? You both mated with us. So?"
"There are two stages. The first is already done but the second requires you and Koga baring our marks so that another demon may not claim you. You're still vulnerable enough to be taken against your will should another Alpha find you worthy."
"Oh." So that explained a whole lot.
Kurama sighed sitting back. "But there's also another catch. The two of you play a large part in it as well."
Sesshomaru nodded. "You must come to accept the opposite object of your affections. Koga could you learn to accept me as your Alpha?" The question directed to the quiet wolf.
Koga was reluctant to answer the question considering his best friend was sitting next to him. During the short time he'd spent with Sesshomaru he'd become attracted to him but not as much as he loved Yoko. "I-I don't know. I mean," He glanced over to see the curious expression Inuyasha was giving him. "I do sort of like you."
Kurama was fine with that answer. "Inuyasha could you learn to love me as well?"
Now Inuyasha was the one to hesitate answering. In the very brief time he's shared with Kurama he'd grown fond of him too but how would Koga take hearing that? "I think I could." He mumbled looking at his best friend.
"Very well. Then there's also the status issue that is already established." Kurama pushed himself up from the wall coming to stand in front of the seated younger brothers. Sesshomaru stood up as well coming to stand next to him. "The group's leadership is based on age, therefore I am the head of this clan. Sesshomaru is next in line should anything happen to me. There's more." He said when the two open their mouths to complain. "When this mating is fully completed I want you both to know something."
This time when he spoke his and Sesshomaru's eyes became hardened glints. "This bond is permanent meaning forever. I will not allow either of you to be touched by another besides myself and Sesshomaru. I am head of this clan which means my word will be law. Although Sesshomaru will also sire the children we have, I will be the one to give the final decision on any paternal issues. The children will not only belong too you but all of us. There will not be only two parents but four. They shall see you two as their mothers but me and Sesshomaru as their dominate parents."
This was a lot for the two of them to take in but they nodded nonetheless.
Sesshomaru included another detail that brought embarrassed blushes to their faces. "If you and Koga wish we could allow you two to take one another as mates but you won't be able to sire any children being what you are."
Inuyasha and Koga shared a looked suddenly giving the other a curious once over. The other guy wasn't too bad on the eyes but that was still something to think over. But it was something fun to think about. Being mated to one another meant that they could always be together. With that bit of enjoyment in thought the two shot up from the ground grinning from ear to ear. "Alright it's a deal." Inuyasha and Koga held their hands out to be shaken.
Kurama looked at the out stretched hands than at the others. "We won't seal the mating this way."
"Then how?"
"Like this." Sesshomaru tilted both of their heads up and kissed on very, very gently on the lips. Kurama nodded and did a similar move that left them feeling a kind of dazed in a lustful state.
"Oh—well that works too." Teased the hanyou prince. His cheeks rose to an unspeakable level when two long arms circled around his waist holding his side toward the owner.
Lending in until his chin rested on Inuyasha's temple Sesshomaru sighed breathing in the scent he'd longed for all day. Gods how he'd missed this boy's smell. It was such a welcoming odor from all the blood splatter and burned flesh still encased in his nostrils. Spice and creamed powder. Probably put on him when he was at the castle last. Such a huge fresh remainder of why he loved him so much.
Yoko's actions were similar as he took Koga in his arms from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder. Even if it's only been a mere few hours, it felt like an eternity since he'd last held the child in his arms like this. He was so desperate to get closer to him; he turned his face inward under Koga's ear to inhale his charming scent. Earth and Lavender just like when he first found him in the forest all those years ago.
A relieved sigh of contentment erupted in their chests at the instinctive notion of feeling at home at last.
There was no need for words to express what they were all feeling right now. From all the years of pent up emotions and careful decisions made, they no longer had to hide it. It was known who wanted who and who would have who. The overwhelming happiness was enough to choke the aura circulating around them. Yes they could all have what they truly wanted now. A chance to be with the one they cared for most and a chance with another possible romance.
"Hmmm how touching?" Said an amused voice from the mouth of the cave. "Four young demons bonding into one clan. How ridiculous."
Kurama and Sesshomaru instinctively shoved Inuyasha and Koga behind their backs prepared to defend.
Ryuukotsesui smirked at the protective behavior. "My my my possessive aren't we? Just like your mutt of a father." The last part growled bitterly. "He was just like you when he was younger. Quite possessive when it came to Kazo. Always making sure that he never left his sight, never went too far, always stayed near, wouldn't allow anyone to talk to him. Yes you and you," Referring to Sesshomaru and Kurama. "Are just like him."
The admission of his father's having a possible romance confused the young demons.
"What lies do you speak beast?" Sesshomaru spat. "You know as well as I that our fathers are of Alpha form."
"Ohh tsk tsk tsk." Ryuu mocked sadly. "Did your godfather not inform you of his condition? Oh such a pity. I thought he would've at least told his eldest children."
"What are you babbling about?" Kurama said becoming annoyed with the questionable riddles.
Ryuukotsesui turned his green eyes over to the silver fox. "Kurama have you ever been curious as to why you have no memory of your mother?"
"That's because she died in childbirth. Father told me years ago and I've come to accept that."
"Wrong." The dragon sauntered over until he was less than a foot away from them. "Think about it. All you know are Taisho and Kazo. And not once did you hear a single word spoken about this so called mother. But I'll tell you why. All you have to do is look at the dog general's sons to see why."
Kurama frowned than shot a glance over toward Sesshomaru and Inuyasha studying them carefully. But he still didn't get it. What did these two have to do with him and his Father?
"Still fretting ignorance? Very well I'll help you."
Suddenly the older dragon faked a charge directly at them than vanished only to reappear slashing a thick gash in the dog children's arms. The wounds weren't fatal but still stung. "Take a good whiff and you'll see what I mean."
Why? What could him smelling their blood prove? He's smelled their blood plenty of times before and it meant nothing. Well he's only smelled them not really taking a deep inhalation of it. Deciding to play along with the dragon's game, Kurama walked over keeping a close grip on Koga until he was directly in front of them. The first he smelled was Sesshomaru's arm which he lifted and inhaled rather deeply. That scent. How strange. But why?
Next he grabbed Inuyasha's arm and brought it to his nose to smell. It was the same thing. Very odd. How could this be? They didn't have the same mother or father…Unless…
"No," He whispered taking in more of their physical features. "It couldn't be."
"What? What's wrong?" Inuyasha said worried from the wide eyed expression on his face.
Kurama shook his head refusing to believe it. He released Koga's arm than used his sharp claws to slash a cut in his own arm and sniffed it. The scent…it was the exact time if not a tiny bit different. It was the same. How was this possible? Kazo is an Alpha and so is Taisho. Kurama was born before Sesshomaru and he was there when Inuyasha was born so none of them shared mothers.
The fox's silver bains lowered to cover the growing anger in his sight.
"Yoko what is the matter?" Sesshomaru walked over toward the tall demon and grabbed his arm.
Kurama looked over at him and nearly went into a cardiac arrest as a slow burning realization settled at the pit of his stomach. How could he have been so blind until now? The eyes, the hair, the skin tone, the height, all of it. So many similarities and yet they never noticed. He sighed looking at his cut gashed arm than at his god brother. "See for yourself." Came the dull answer as he lifted his arm for inspection.
Sesshomaru was confused and lend forward to smell the irony odor. At first his eyes blinked curious at the bizarre familiar smell. He wasn't positive at first so he sniffed it again. How peculiar, Yoko's scent was strangely similar to his, Inuyasha's and their father's. But why? Unless… That's when he looked up and stared deep into the Youko's eyes. His golden eyes…his long ashen hair…his pale skin…Oh Kami. "You're…our. You can't be... How?" He whispered in disbelief.
"What? He's what" Inuyasha damn near shouted snatching Yoko's arm and sniffing it himself to see what the crazed hush, hush was about. He tested the odor with his nose and frowned. Two dark eyebrows marred on his brow. "No way," He mumbled taking another strong stiff. "How in the hell—"
"What manner of trickery is this dragon?" Sesshomaru demanded angrily.
This made the dragon lord laugh. "You imply that I used some type of sorcery on you? My I never took you for a joker Sesshomaru."
"I'm not amused." Was the chilled remark.
"I am." Ryuu wiped the tear from the corner of his eyes than regarded the four demons in front of him. "Besides the young wolf all three of you share blood with each other. In lament's terms you three are all biologically brothers."
Inuyasha's heart sunk to the tip of his toes. He couldn't believe what his ears were hearing. He had another brother? And of all along it's been Kurama? Kurama's always been his brother? Not just his god brother? Oh Kami this was too much.
"Huh what is he talking about?" Koga questioned pointedly at Kurama. "What does he mean 'except me'?"
This was so twisted. Kurama could not believe this beast. Not only has he left everyone in a daze of confusion about their sibling heritage but, he's reveal a secret to Koga that everyone agreed he never needed to know of.
Koga saw the guilt flash in both of the older brother's faces. "Hello? Anybody wanna clue me in as to what's going on here?"
"Koga I—"
"Oh Kami this is too rich!" Ryuukotsesui started off with another hearty evil laugh. "Did you really believe you were of royal blood? Come now, Koga I know you're smarter than that. Why look at you? You hold no noble canine blood characteristics in the least. Your dark and skin are far too dark. Surely you should've known something was a miss."
Koga blinked than shifted over to look at the three brother's he'd grown up with. As he gazed at each one of them it became even clearer what the dragon was talking about. They were pale skinned. Their hair was long and silvery. And all of their eyes were a deep gold. While he…he was dark tanned with black hair. How could he have been so blind? A part of him knew he was different but whenever he approached Father about it he told he that it was a rare Youko trait when they were born with different features. He felt sick and suddenly ashamed.
"Koga listen to me. It matters not what you are, you understand? You are my brother. You are
our brother." Kurama spoke every word with the shake of the wolf's shoulders.
"You knew?" He questioned suspiciously. "You knew I wasn't a Youko didn't you?"
"Yes but it doesn't matter—"
"Like hell it doesn't" Koga shrugged out of the touch feeling betrayed. "If I'm not a fox than what the hell am I?"
Sesshomaru sighed and answered quietly. "You're a wolf."
"A-A wolf? I'm a wolf demon?"
Kurama nodded.
Oh Inari. He felt sick. All this time he'd thought… He'd actually assumed that… "Then is everything I thought? Everything I am? Is it a lie?"
"No No No. Koga I care for you. We all do." Kurama crushed the young wolf to his chest. "Don't you dare think all we've been through is a lie? All that's happened between us is truth regardless of the circumstances."
Koga buried his face in his brother's chest trying to hold back the anguish growing in his chest. "We'll talk about this when we get back home. Ok?"
"Yes of course."
Ryuu sighed dramatically while clapping his hands. "Ahh how sweet but I have a more pressing matter that needs dealing with and I require the help of both pups. So if you don't mind I'd like to carry on."
"Over my dead body." Sesshomaru snarled placing himself in front of his brother. "I'll kill you before you touch him."
Kurama kept his arms tight around the angry wolf.
Inuyasha stepped in front of Sesshomaru. "I'm not scared of this creep. If he wants me than let him try." The sounds of his claws cracking echoed in the cave. "I'll gladly rip out his guts and feed them to him if he likes."
"Yea" Koga pushed Kurama away already feeling pissed off. "If he wants me than let 'em try."
"It's not up for debate!" Yelled an angry Youko.
"Listen when we're mated
thanyour word becomes law. Until tough because we're not and we can do whatever the hell we please until than!" Inuyasha reminded him.
Ryuukotsesui looked between all of them shaking his head. "This won't go well for you unless you submit." He sung all too happily.
"Bring it on!" Koga shouted powering up.
A low rush of youki flooded the cave as Ryuu demonstrated just what they were all up against. The tiniest flicker caused the skin on their bodies to sting and burn. Yoko and Sesshomaru held their ground ignoring the growing pain. Inuyasha and Koga could feel the blunt of the agony more because of their lower powered youki and groaned.
"This isn't what you want to go for young ones. Just give me the pups and I'll make sure to let you two go with your lives."
"Kiss my ass!" Inuyasha grunted struggling to stay standing.
Ryuu frowned unleashing another heated wave. "Very well I guess I have no chose but to take you by force. Prepare yourselves!"
The four of them took on a fighter's stance, raising their youki to the highest of their abilities. This was going to be a heated battle…but who was going to come out of it alive? All of them watched in a adrenaline rush as the dragon lunged straight for them…with the full intent to kill.
TBC: We can't forget about them now can we? In the next chapter we're back on Taisho and Kazo…Well the fox live?... *Runs into bathroom and locks door crying* OH KAZO!
