Strength

Dear reviewers, really sorry but don't have the energy to do individual responses. I have sent PM's to some of you and the reviews really help the direction of the story. I thank you all very much and hope you keep supporting. You all are my inspiration.
Kazuyo thanks for reviewing in spite of your eyes feeling poorly, I really appreciate your support, and this chappie is dedicated to you!

Read, Review and enjoy.


Chapter 22 : Plans

Twice more that night, Inuyasha was claimed by the Alpha. The third time, Sesshoumaru had moved them to the bed, and the exhausted Hanyou, slept curled up in the blankets. Dawn was breaking as Sesshoumaru watched over the sleeping bearer of his children. His sharp gold eyes narrowed, as in sleep Inuyasha every so often seemed to twitch, his body jerked slightly as if in reaction to some unknown pain. The young one was fast asleep, but even in sleep it seemed that the Hanyou had no peace. Sesshoumaru extended his Youki, he scanned the sleeping form hoping the 'see' the true state of Inuyasha's body.

It did not surprise the DaiYoukai, it shocked him, when his scan seemed to indicate that there was absolutely nothing wrong with Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru knew this to be a lie, he scanned again with the same results. There was no scent of deception about the Hanyou, his scan found no evidence to indicate that Inuyasha was not as fit as a fiddle. Frowning, the Daiyoukai's thoughts raced, he could take the results at face value and accept that nothing was wrong... only Sesshoumaru was no fool, (though he had in the past acted foolishly) his instincts screamed that there had to be more to this.

That Inuyasha could be strong enough to not only mask the true state of his body, but also mask the fact that he was hiding something – almost seemed unconceivable.

Unconceivable, until Sesshoumaru considered 'whom' Inuyasha had successfully hidden things from. Their children, the Town's demons, Sesshoumaru's own mother, and even a goddess, all had been deceived by the Hanyou at some level. Inuyasha had learned to keep secrets well, too well in Sesshoumaru's opinion. How could they care for Inuyasha if they were not even able to detect when something was wrong?

A deceptively delicate claw reached-out and combed gently through the sleep messed hair.

Sesshoumaru would quietly continue searching; he would not truly rest until he succeeded. Inuyasha's death had always belonged him, and since he decreed it was not Inuyasha's time to die -for a good long while-, the Hanyou would just have to accept the fact that he was going to live. Sesshoumaru would not be defeated, even against a foe so well hidden and invisible to him.

There was a lot for the DaiYoukai to consider, he ghosted a kiss between the twitching ears, and quietly got out of bed. Silently as to not disturb the sleeping Hanyou, Sesshoumaru left the room. There had to be a way to get past Inuyasha's defenses and do a true scan of the Hanyou. The millions of texts on Shiro-Inu and Youkai history seemed a logical starting point. Focused on solving the problem at hand Sesshoumaru stalked to the library.

Inuyasha awoke a little later, dawn had broken over the horizon, and the room was silent. Too silent. Inuyasha was alone in the huge bed, his body ached in a rather pleasant manner, and the scent of the DaiYoikai was strongly around him. No Youkai would miss the fact that Inuyasha had been claimed. Suddenly Inuyasha's hand went to his neck, he ran his fingers along his throat, looking for but not finding a mating mark. He was not at all surprised. A small and sad smile crossed his lips. Inuyasha touched his belly, he did not need to do more then that to know that the seed had not taken. He bet Sesshoumaru planned to mate him once he was actually carrying his pups, if he planned to mate him at all, that is. It really was just a formality after all, he didn't need to be mated to carry the DaiYoukai's pups. And what if he never actually got pregnant, ...sadness and an aching emptiness washed through the Hanyou.

Unable to take the strong scents of his pleasure from the night before, he got up and opened the balcony doors.

Inuyasha watched the dawn, taking solace from the birth of a new day. No point in Sesshoumaru mating with him if he did not get pregnant and seriously no point in worrying about it. Even with the DaiYoukai's energy singing in his blood, as he woke, pain had woken with him. He would do his best to get pregnant, but if he couldn't – then he couldn't, they would have to accept what Inuyasha had accepted so long ago, everything that is born on this earth will one day die. Inuyasha's death would just come a little faster then others. It really was no big deal, Inuyasha since childhood had faced death in order to survive, then he faced death in order to protect his small pack, truly as a Hanyou, that he survived so long was a miracle.

His parents had died for him, and to his thinking – that he die for his own pups – was not only right, it was... in a strange way- it was just.

Still, he would not be Inuyasha if he did not at least try to fight the inevitable. He would do what he could, he would fight with all his might to keep death away, and if his strength proved to be too weak to starve off death – that small, lonely, and broken part of his heart and soul,- would finally yield and welcome the ultimate lover's claim.

Even as the warm sun touched his skin, Inuyasha shivered, imagining death's cold embrace.

He felt numerous aura's approaching, and Inuyasha locked his fears and emotions away, far from even the sharpest of senses. He was dressed and smiling, when Yuusha burst into the room for his early morning cuddles. The presence of the children banishing any lingering sadness on the Hanyou, that may -just may - have been detected by the more trained senses of adult Youkai's.

It was towards noon, when the pups were having a break from their studies and training. Shippo did not really want to cause problems, but he was kindda -okay- he was very curious. The Kitsune had watched Yuusha's relationship with Inuyasha with a strange kind of awe. That the father and son were extremely close was unmistakable. Inuyasha's oldest pup, even when in play with the others was alot like Sesshoumaru, aloof and cool. It was only in Inuyasha's presence did the pup soften and get –well- cuddly. The siblings all seemed to know this and saved their hugs for their big brother, when their Papa was in attendance.

Shippo had been watching the latest developments in his new family rather closely. Sesshoumaru was clearly Inuyasha's Alpha, and Shippo was really getting increasingly concerned that Yuusha would somehow challenge Sesshoumaru, for the position of Alpha and their little family would be shattered irreparably. Shippo did not what to lose what he had just found. So gathering his courage he casually approached the little Youkai who had been a little quiet since morning.

"Yuusha?" Shippo said quietly "Ummm.. are you alright."

"Keh!" Yuusha said in a prefect imitation of his Papa, "Course Im alright? Why wouldn't I be?"

"Ummm... well.." Shippo rocked back and forth on his heels and then blurted out.. "Are you going to fight Sesshoumaru sama?"

A rather evil smile crossed the pup's face as he obviously enjoyed the thought of that, then he grimaced slightly and shook his head. "Nah, I can only fight that Sesshoumaru if Papa says I can, and Papa is not going to let me do that." The pup said in a rather sad voice.

"Ummm... why is that?" Shippo pressed.

Yuusha looked at Shippo in surprise, "Well because that Sesshoumaru is Papa's Alpha of course, and Papa has accepted him as such. What is wrong with your nose? Couldn't you tell?"

"..." Shippo squirmed a little "Well, ya I could tell, but you don't seem to like Sesshoumaru-sama."

Yuusha smiled a toothy grin, that gave Shippo the shivers, it was NOT a nice smile. "I don't not like that Sesshoumaru, I can't stand him."

"But you just said he was your Alpha"

"No Shippo, I said he was Papa's Alpha. I only have ONE Alpha – and that is my Papa. No one is stronger then my Papa, so no one will ever be my Alpha. That Sesshoumaru is the Shiro-Inu Sama, he is the Lord, BUT he is NOT MY Alpha – the thought is redil..redick..just silly. If our people went to war, the Lord can command me, but in all other things I will only ever listen to Papa. You know Shippo – you don't have to like your Lord, as long as in times of danger and stuff you are loyal." Yuusha said with utter conviction, he had spent quite a bit of time figuring out the chain of command and how much face he had to give the DaiYoukai, his decision was not all that much, not much at all.

Shippo's green eyes blinked. There was a twisted logic to Yuusha's thoughts but still there were somethings that needed clearing.

"If Inuyasha-sama is your Alpha why did you put your scent on him... and .. and .. well even I know that Sesshoumaru is stronger the Inuyasha, I'm sorry Yuusha – but Sesshoumaru-sama is a DaiYoukai – that's just a fact." Shippo said in a rush.

Yuusha looked at Shippo long and hard as if considering something, then he got up and indicated for Shippo to follow him. The two young ones, went to a corner of the garden where there was no chance of being overheard, by the others. Yuusha sat on a log, and looked at Shippo again. He swung his legs and seemed to be gathering his words... Shippo was a little concerned – if he did not know better he would swear Yuusha was afraid.

Then Yuusha looked up, and Shippo gasped; for the first time since he had known the little Youkai, Yuusha looked his age. Yuusha looked a little scared, worried and very young. Shippo suddenly felt honored, just that look of Yuusha's and the Kitsune realized that he was now a real member of the family. What ever Yuusha divulged Shippo knew he would respect.

"That Sesshoumaru in a fight may be stronger then Papa (but probably not), still Shippo there is all kinds of strength. You want to know how strong my Papa is? I always knew he was strongest- but I couldn't prove it till last year." Yuusha took a big breathe and continued, "In Winter last year, there was a birth of Baby Youkai from a male and another male; the mate had gone hunting and got lost or something, and the bearer had a small fall, so the babies wanted to come early. Everyone was panicking and I wondered why. They came to Papa for help, and he of course went and found the mate and brought him back in time to save the bearer and the pups. Then I found out why – everyone was panicking cause – they all said that the pups and bearer would DIE without a mate. Mee-chan and Kishi did not understand what that meant, I did. Papa is our bearer, and Papa had us WITHOUT a mate, Shippo, Papa had no one with him when we were born – but we are alive! Do you think that arrogant Sesshoumaru could have done that? No, only Papa can, my Papa! No one is stronger then MY PAPA!" Yuusha said, suddenly the little boys eyes went a little cloudy and he started to shiver.

"But.. but it was not easy for Papa, Shippo, can you remember being in your mummy's tummy? I can't but sometimes its like a dream, I remember being safe and warm, and having everything I need, and I know its because Papa is keeping me under his heart. But in the dream no one is keeping Papa safe, he is fighting and running, protecting me, protecting us – but he is all alone. Then when we were born, I didn't know why – but Papa hurt really, really bad, and his Youki was so weak. Still he gave his Youki to us to help us change, and he almost died, Shippo. He almost died! I felt it, I could feel Papa disappearing, I wanted to stop it, I tried to stop taking Papa's energy – but he would not let me. He would not let me stop killing him." The little boy's voice was full of pain.

"I could not save Papa, I was killing him.. than Mee-chan called, and that Sesshoumaru finally did one thing right. HE should have been there from the start. I don't care what Papa says, I will accept no excuses! He is the weak one for letting Papa have us alone. HE will NEVER be my Alpha! He does not deserve it." Yuusha snapped in anger.

"But Papa needs him, so I will put up with him." As fast as the anger flashed it disappeared. Shippo was silent, he was too stunned by the revelations to say anything. But Yuusha was not quite done yet.

"Shippo, I can't tell the others, and you have to promise not to tell anyone, yes?"

Shippo nodded. After another deep breathe Yuusha continued. "I have my scent on Papa not because I think I am Papa's Alpha, I am his son, and he is my Alpha so it is right that my scent be on Papa. But that is not all, I am scared Shippo. Sometimes at night I dream of Papa disappearing, of Papa's Youki just going away and Papa in a lot of pain. I have to find Papa when I wake up on those night.. but do you know what Shippo? Every time I have those dreams Papa is not in bed, he will be in the balcony or the garden, and I don't know why, but I get scared that the dream is real, Shippo. I get scared that Papa is going to disappear." The pup's tears never actually fell, but his small face twisted in fear and his claws shredded the bark of the tree next to him.

"With my scent on Papa, I can always find him. If my scent is not on Papa, something bad will happen Shippo, I know it. My scent has to be on Papa, then I know we are safe." Yuusha finished softly. He did not know how or why he knew what he did, he just knew it was true.

Shippo was going to reassure Yuusha that nothing like that would happen, when suddenly the memory of Inuyasha's strange question at Kaede's village flashed in his mind. The Kitsune caught some of the pup's fear, as the words of reassurance died unuttered. Shippo sank down beside Yuusha, "We cant tell the others.. they could not take it." he whispered.

Yuusha just nodded, pleased that Shippo had caught on fast. They sat quietly, thinking, finally Shippo still in a whisper, "What can we do Yuusha?"

Yuusha's lips lifted in a small smile, Shippo probably did not know it, but with those words he had fully accepted the younger Youkai as the leader between the two of them. It felt good to have shared his growing fears with another, and there was a certain relief in having a partner in crime who was as crafty as he was. His other siblings were just too innocent.

"The main thing we need to do is watch Papa carefully, Papa is really good at hiding stuff, but I am really good at finding out stuff – especially if its about Papa. We need more information, so..." The two young Youkai happily began planning. While their plans may not amount to much – they were just children after all – the plans helped the two deal with their fears, and gave some sense of control in a situation that neither really understood.

-tbc-

Well I hope this clarifies Yuusha's seeming obsession with his Papa, and his need to have a clear claim on Inuyasha. For those who wish to see Sesshy and Yuusha get along – hmmm.. come back in another 500 years and that may happen – but probably not. :)

Layers and layers of complications,... this story is paced really slow, have no real intention of speeding it up – cause I will lose the characters if I do – I think.

Anway please review, as you can see your concerns and views really impact this story's development.