Theories

Theories - Chapter 2

Ok, Skubluey... you asked and you now receive- the story will continue...


The sight of a smiling Demon Lord Sesshomaru was etched into Miroku's memory. It was better than his first kiss, better than his first orgasm (okay- masturbation orgasms aren't always memorable- but hey), better than the first time he made love to his now-intended mate. "Mate," the word whispered from Miroku's lips as he gazed upon that rarest of all beauties, his Sesshomaru- smiling; not only on his gorgeous rosy lips but in his golden eyes. Was it his imagination, or were the twinkling stars actually dim in comparison to those sparkling, amber-colored eyes. He stared at Sesshomaru, just like he had seen hundreds of young maidens stare at him in his travels, after he clenched their hands and asked if they would bear his child. That star-crossed gaze, that look of wonder... Oh, by all that Heaven abounds, he was really in love with Sesshomaru!

The mesmerized look on his face was not unnoticed by Sesshomaru, which only seemed to make his smile grow wider. "Yes, Miroku, Mate. On the first day of summer, at my castle in the midst of the Western Lands, you will become my Mate." Then the spell was broken, and the stoic Sesshomaru reemerged. Turning towards the campsite from which they had hastily exited, Sesshomaru started walking, calmly stating, "Come, Monk, we must tell the others."

So much for fairy tale romance. Miroku blinked, and yes, it was his Sesshomaru, but the smile was now gone. As quickly as it crossed his face, it was erased, as if it never happened. Miroku sighed, at least he had seen it, it wasn't imagined, and at least he didn't think so. The sigh must have been accompanied by a look of lose... hurt... something, because Sesshomaru stopped. Amber eyes lost their sparkle as the Demon Lord questioned, "Have you changed your mind? Do you not think my decision was correct?"

Miroku looked up at Sesshomaru's face, it was placid, unemotional as always, but there was something else there. It was in the eyes, was that a sign of emotion, not anger, but something akin to doubt? Did he now doubt his decision to take a human male for a mate? "Err, No, I haven't changed my mind. I... I totally concur with the decision that was made. I will be honored to become your mate."

"Then what?" It was vague, but there was no question what Sesshomaru wanted to know.

Knowing that once they were mated, he would not be expected to back down, he chose to make his stand here. "I need to know something. The answer will not change my decision in the least, but I still must ask. Do you feel anything for me, other than a scientific theorization that we need to mate?" Well, the question was there. It wouldn't make a difference if there was no love, he never expected love, but was this just something to be done? He wanted to know so he could plan on his future with the Demon Lord. After all, he really needed to know what his place would be in his life, was he merely going to be a bed partner, or something more?

"If you refer to the human emotion of love, no, I do not love you. I do not love anyone." Sesshomaru couldn't help but notice the body language Miroku exhibited at this reply. His shoulders slumped, his head dropped and his eyes began to well up with tears again. Something very deep within him knew that he had to say something to appease Miroku, but he would not lie or lead him to false hope. He walked over to where Miroku stood and raised his chin to look at the forlorn face of his intended. He wiped away a trailing tear. "However, I cannot say that I do not care what happens to you or how you feel. I will not have you crying over this useless emotion. Even now, it is causing you undue pain. Know that I care, and have that be enough."

Miroku knew his answer, and if nothing else, Sesshomaru was brutally honest, as always. This time, though, his words did not seem as harsh. It may have been wishful thinking on his part, but if that was so, he wished to make it that way. He blinked back any more tears and gave a modest nod. "Thank you. Your honesty is welcomed and can totally accept our future, My Lord."

Sesshomaru removed his hand from Miroku's chin and turned. "It's late, the others will want to sleep soon, and we must leave now." Miroku followed closely behind Sesshomaru’s lead to the campsite.

InuYasha was still reclining against the boulder; his arms still crossed over his chest, only this time, his eyes were staring directly at the approaching pair. It was obvious, even from this distance that something was up with Miroku, and he didn’t like it. “What’d ya do to Miroku, you asshole?” He looked closer at Miroku’s face and saw the trail of tear stains against his cheeks. He bound from his seated position, jumped over the waning fire and landed directing in front of his brother and yelled, “I asked you, what’d ya do to Miroku to make him cry?”

That last barrage was enough to awaken the entire sleeping entourage. Shippo rubbed his eyes and swished his tail in Kagome’s face which made her sneeze. Sango sat up abruptly, which dislodged Kirara from her slumber and caused her to transform to her Fire cat demonic form. Kirara’s growls were just the beginning of the yells and screams aimed at InuYasha for waking everyone, until Sesshomaru was seen. Then, as if a candle had been blown out, everyone hushed and froze in their places.

Sesshomaru stood his ground, not wavering at his younger brother’s tirade. He withstood another round of the same question, this time with colorful expletives added before he raised his hand, intending to silence the verbal onslaught. “Quiet, half-breed! Mind your place!”

As the hand started to descend to strike InuYasha, Miroku grabbed Sesshomaru’s sleeve, hesitating the motion. Calmly, he asked, “Please, My Lord, don’t. He’s only concerned for my well-being.”

To everyone’s surprise, not only did the hand halt in midair, but Sesshomaru turned and stared at, but did not strike, Miroku.

InuYasha watched the exchange between the monk and his full-demon brother. To say he was shocked that Miroku had any influence over Sesshomaru was an understatement, but the fact Sesshomaru allowed Miroku to touch him, that really stunned him. Taking a step back, he looked at the other two males, their eyes locked on one another. Miroku’s eyes were begging Sesshomaru to stay his anger, and Sesshomaru, well, he wasn’t showing any emotion. However, the next action by Sesshomaru surprised everyone. He lowered his arm to his side and allowed Miroku to walk past him and stand between InuYasha and him.

Miroku looked at his best friend and other traveling companions. He could see the amazement on their faces at the influence he seemed to have over Sesshomaru’s actions. His outward appearance remained calm, while his heart was thumping rapidly and his stomach was churning. Taking a deep, calming breath, he exhaled. “Would everyone please sit with us? Lord Sesshomaru and I have something we must tell you.” He turned to face Sesshomaru and whispered, “Please, My Lord, will you sit while I deliver our news?” Nodding once, Sesshomaru walked over closer to the fire, crossed both legs and gracefully descended onto a log. Miroku followed behind, sitting next to Sesshomaru, but on the ground just left of him.

It took a few moments for the shock of this turn of events to sink in to everyone. No one moved, just stared at the demon Lord and the monk. Once they were seated next to one another, each other member of the encampment snapped out of their stupor and preceded to approach the seated pair and take positions close by. InuYasha, of course, was the lone exception. He chose to stand where the original exchange took place, and act like his usual stubborn self.

When everyone seemed to be as comfortable as the situation allowed, Miroku proceeded to make the announcement. “As you are all aware, I have been not quite myself the past couple of months. For this I apologize to each of you. Sango, I have acted in a reprehensible manner towards you, and I am sorry. Kagome, you have every right to defend Sango when I upset her. Shippo and Kirara, I know that I have not been very kind to either of you either.” Turning to look up at InuYasha, “And you, my best friend in the world, I have denied telling you anything about what has been happening to me. I refused to tell you why I have been so distant. Perhaps, all will now become clear.”

He looked to Sesshomaru, eyes questioning if he should tell all, but words never spoken. An understanding between the two seemed obvious, and as if Sesshomaru could read his thoughts, he gave a single nod of his head. Miroku decided to continue. “Several months ago, Sesshomaru began to follow us. At first we all assumed it was simply because we all were seeking Naraku, The paths we led were the same, so there was no reason to think otherwise. It became apparent that Sesshomaru was not just following, when he began to defend us in battles that he would normally never be bothered joining. Although we were all grateful for his assistance, he never stayed long enough to even receive a thank you.”

Miroku didn’t notice when a clawed hand moved to his back, giving physical support, if not emotional support to the monk. The motion, however, did not escape InuYasha’s keen eye. Showing is usual lack of tolerance for stories, InuYasha interjected, “Will ya just tell us what you have to say? And what’s with the touchy feely going on with you, Sesshomaru?”

At that, Sesshomaru withdrew his hand back to his lap, and stared at InuYasha. Plainly and simply, using no emotion whatsoever, he stated, “What he is trying to say, little brother, is that he has agreed to become my mate. On the first day of summer, we will convene at the castle and the ceremony will take place.”

Sango and Kagome fainted. Shippo and Kirara just sat there, totally dumbstruck. InuYasha, however, laughed. “Yeah, that’s a good one. Now, tell me the truth.”

Knowing that this was not going to go well, at all, he stood and walked towards InuYasha. “He’s telling the truth, InuYasha. When we went to the forest before, we decided that the only course of action for us is to become mates.” Miroku knew he needed to be sure that his friend understood the seriousness of the situation, so he held out his left hand, and displayed the ring bearing the family crest. “We have been together quite frequently these last few months, and tonight Sesshomaru made it quite clear that was what he wanted. I agreed.”

InuYasha stared at the ring, he had seen it only a few other times, and it was always on Sesshomaru’s right hand. It was the only other item that was always carried on Sesshomaru’s person that was left by their father, other than Tensaiga. He glanced over to Sesshomaru and noticed the ring was not there. It was definitely their father’s ring, and if Miroku was wearing it, then Sesshomaru had to have given it to him. InuYasha turned back and stared at Miroku, unsure that he even knew the person before him.

There was silence in the camp for several minutes, only the crackling of the fire could be heard in the night air. Miroku knew that his friend was devastated, but was not sure if it was because he felt betrayed by omission of facts earlier, or because it was Sesshomaru he was to mate. He reached out, to place his hand on InuYasha’s shoulder, like he had done countless times before, but InuYasha pulled back.

With crimson-tinged eyes and fangs bared, he yelled, “Don’t touch me! Don’t ever touch me again! Leave us, go with Sesshomaru now. Don’t wait for summer!” With that he turned and ran from the campsite and into the woods.

Miroku fell to his knees. This was not the reaction he expected from InuYasha. He wasn’t sure exactly what the reaction would be, but this was not it. He felt totally defeated. His best friend acted like he hated him.

The girls had just revived as InuYasha lashed out at Miroku. They too were stunned at his reaction, but were not totally surprised he was upset. Kagome got up and walked over to Miroku, to try and console him. Putting her arms around his shoulders, she gave a little hug. “Give him time, he’ll come around. You know his temper. Once he has time to think and cool off, he’ll be back and apologize.”

Miroku wasn’t so sure. The look in InuYasha’s eyes was that of hatred. The only other times he had seen that look was when he was fighting … Sesshomaru. And then, he was trying to kill him. “Kagome, thank you. I know this is a shock to everyone. But, I think he’s right. My place is with Sesshomaru now.” He looked to Sango, who merely smiled.

Sesshomaru stood up, turned and looked towards the cliff that overlooked the campsite. “Come, Miroku.” Nothing else was said, he started to walk away.

Miroku rose from the ground, retrieved his staff and a few personal items. He quickly said goodbye to his friends, promising to return soon to try and settle things with InuYasha. In just a few hasty moments, he was trailing behind Sesshomaru.

The next destination, Rin and Jaken at Sesshomaru’s campsite.

TBC