Alls Fair in Love and War

Chapter 22

A piercing moment of dumbfounded silence was shared between two wide mouth princes as they stared at the young Youko standing next to a dragon who they thought, up until recently, was evil. How could such an alluring creature be the child of this beast?

Fiorello's confident smile transformed to one of a shy demon blushing at the rude staring. "Oh mon Pére. They are strange ones no?"

Now they were the ones flushed from the Youko's smooth accent flooding his windpipes.

"Yes they are." Ryuu tickled behind one of the fox's red ears. "But I believe they're a bit surprised by your presence. Remember I don't want everyone knowing about you."

The perked ears sagged down. "Pour poi Pére? That's why I have no allies of my own. I wish you would allow me some amis. I'm far too old to be alone like this."

"I will when I feel the time is right."

"But when will that be? You've told me this since I was a peu kit."

Ryuu sighed not feeling up to having this same argument with his only son. "Now is not the time Fiorello. But I would like to you speak to your guests now they're able to see you."

Fiorello blinked his green eyes back to the quiet staring young ones in front of them. Speaking to the two currently seemed an impossible task now since they in a current state of beauty shock. A slender red eyebrow lifted their peculiar behaviors. "Excusez-moi," began a slightly annoyed Youko. "You two have been raised to know that it's very rude to stare at people no?"

Koga shook his head elbowing Inuyasha in his ribs to knock them out of their exotic gaze of the prince. "Sorry about that. We just uh…I mean…Uh?"

"Hell you're pretty." Inuyasha blurted out. "We can't help but stare. I've never seen anyone who looks like you. So it's only natural that I want to stare."

This time it was Fiorello's face becoming a shade of marron against his odd skin tone. "Oh Pére. Your guests are so forward."

Ryuukotsesui laughed. "Why yes they are but you should be thanking them my son. They have both agreed to help you in your treatments."

The Youko's excitement shun in his emerald eyes. "Ah do say?" Fiorello eased from under his father's arm coming to tower over both Inuyasha and Koga. "I don't know how to thank you for your kindness." He grabbed Koga's face and kissed both cheeks. Then he reached for Inuyasha's face and did the same. "Merci Beaucoup little kits. I am truly grateful for your help. Now I'll be able to take care of my aging father who refuses to grow old."

"Watch your mouth Fio. You're not too old for my bullwhip." The king warned.

"Ahh Pére." Fio went to kiss his father's cheeks. "Pardonnez-moi?" He asked innocently.

Ryuu rolled his eyes smiling down at his child. "Of course I forgive you."

"Merci." Fio giggled sneakily at getting away with another insult and twisted around to face his helpers. "May we go out and get to learn more about each other? There are some things I'm interest to learn about you."

Inuyasha's focus was no longer on the thrilled fox but on his father who was doing everything necessary to avoid eye contact with him. "Uh you can Koga can go ahead. I'll catch up with you later."

"Huh? Say what?" Koga barked. "Are you serious? No way are we leaving you alone. We can wait for you right here."

"No I wanna talk to Ryuukotsesui alone." He playfully punched the frowning wolf's arm urging him to leave. "Go on. I won't be long."

Koga was hesitating about leaving his god brother with this guy who he still had mixed feelings for.

Seeing the reluctance in the wolf's disposition to leave his brother Fio walked up to clamp a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry mon ami. Your Inu-Ya-sha will be fine with my Pére. He will not harm him."

Still the wolf prince was worried until he heard the same promise from the dragon. "I won't harm him Koga. You have my word."

Inuyasha shoved the wolf away toward the door. "Go on stupid. I'll be there in a minute."

"Alright." Koga growled looking at the dragon. "If you hurt a single hair on his head I'll kick your ass from here to the next moon cycle ya got that?"

This time Fiorello was the one to growl. "Do not threaten mon Pére wolf. There is no need for such hostility."

"Boys, boys, calm yourselves." Ryuu intervened looking over at his son. "There's no need for the hostility on your part either Fiorello. He's only thinking of his brother's welfare. Now be off with you and take Prince Koga to the master gardens."

"Oui Pére." The red fox grabbed Koga's hand and dragged him out the door talking nonstop about the many beauties he wanted to show him outside.

The lone people left now stood quietly waiting until they felt the two demons were out of hearing range before speaking.

"Why didn't you tell us the person you wanted to save was your son?"

"Does it really matter?"

"Hell yes it matters!" Inuyasha sneered angrily. "If we'd known you were trying to save your own flesh and blood, we never would've made that pact with you!"

Ryuu shrugged. "A deal is a deal young hanyou. I care not about my life for I have lived a long lonely one anyway. Besides my son there was no other reason for me to keep on living." He walked back over to glance out the window. "I've been alone since that day your father's betrayed me."

Inuyasha joined him, sticking his hands in his long sleeves. "That's the second time you've said that they betrayed you. What exactly did they do?"

"It matters not."

Inuyasha sighed, feeling frustrated. "Yes. It. Does."

"Never mind that Inuyasha. It's a story for another time. But I would like you to answer a question for me."

"Ok?"

"Why do you care about the deal now that you find out the one I want to live is my son?"

Inuyasha gapped at the demon next to him. "Geez for someone old you sure are stupid."

Ryuu frowned at the insult.

"Listen. Koga and I aren't cruel. If we'd known that Fiorello was your son we would've never asked you to commit Ritual Seppuku. We probably would've thought of something less, well deadly."

"Such as?"

Inuyasha scratched the back of his head pondering over a better solution. "Hell maybe you could've been flogged or something along those lines. Maybe a lash for each victim slain?"

"Hn," Ryuu chuckled bitterly. "No I think the first choice will suffice."

"Keh, fine it's your life." Scoffed the hanyou prince. "But what about Fio? You're all he's got. So with you gone who will he have?"

"My son will survive."

Inuyasha tossed his hands in the air enraged. "How can you say that? He'll not survive! He'll be alone! Is that what you want? For him to live a lonely life without friends or family? He deserves to have at least one person in the world that cares about him."

"Why do you care what he goes through? You barely knew my son for a moment!"

"Because I know that if I were in his shoes I would be devastated to find out my father murdered himself just so I could live! Do you know how painful that will be for him?" Inuyasha hadn't realized he was on the verge of tears speaking so passionately on Fio's behave until a wet sensation stung his eyes. "You're so goddamn selfish! You're only thinking about yourself right now instead of what's best for Fio. Not only that, how do you think I'll feel huh? I don't want that bullshit on my conscious!"

Deep heaved pants blared through Inuyasha's flaring nostrils before he took a calming breathe to ease his anger. "I-I don't want him to know what it's like to be alone. He deserves better than that." He sniffled thinking about his loving fathers and brothers. Just the thought of any one of them sacrificing themselves so he could live brought a tight knot in his chest. "Oh Kami…I couldn't bear to lose them. And he doesn't need to know that pain either." He choked finally letting go the pent up tears from his eyes.

Ryuu watched astonished as one, than two, than more tears melt from the bold eyes staring up at him fierily with so much determination in their depths. The poor young prince was actually crying over his life. How could this brash young pup have such a heart so large? Even big enough to fit him into it?

"Come here." He coaxed.

"No fuck you!" He shouted stepping back.

"It's alright Inuyasha." He walked over to the weeping hanyou.

Inuyasha punched his chest. "No!"

"It's alright young pup." Ryuu pulled the lad to his chest hugging him as he would his own son. His claws raked through the boy's ponytail unraveling it to its plushy fullness. He whispered soft words of apology to him trying to sooth his hiccupped sobs. "It's ok. I didn't mean to make you cry."

"Go to hell." Inuyasha sobbed burying his face in the dragon lord's black robes. His claws fist a wad of the clothes in his hands. "You need to be here for him dammit! You need to be there! What the hell kind of father are you?" Every time he vividly imagined a crying Fiorello over his father's grave he became more emotional and crying harder. He clung to the older demon as if if he let go the man would suddenly vanish without a trance.

Ryuu sighed hugging the boy closer. "Shh it'll be ok…it'll be ok…" He chuckled softly rubbing small circles on the hanyou's back. "You're such a kind hearted young man." With a kind heart big enough for even the likes of him.

---

Fio arrived in the castle gardens with Koga in tow pointing out and explaining all of the various exotic plant lives the wolf questioned.

"And what's that one over there?" He pointed to a Weeping Lily Tree rooted near the stone wall.

"Ah this one here." Fio hurried over to rub the bark of the ancient tree. "This is my only ami." He said sadly. "Madam has been here for me since I was very small. She talks to me all the time."

Koga nodding knowing what he meant. The old Trinity Tree at his home watched and nurtured him as well while he grew up.

Fio looked up at the dripping flowers grazing the ground around them in a curtain of pale purple and pink. "Bonjour mon ami. How are you this morning?"

The wind teased a few vines of to brush his cheeks. "Je vais bein. I'm doing well." He feed a portion of his youki into the tree and settled down underneath. He patted a spot next to him for Koga. "Come join me."

Koga, looking at the tree than back at the Youko, thought it over and figured it was best to ask for permission to take a seat on her roots. Using the technique he's seen his family do he pressed his palm to the thick wood feeding his youki into the bark. "Hey good morning. Do ya mind if I sit here?"

The branches bristled and leaves shimmered in the morning sun. One lone flower floated down landing on the top of his hair. "Thank you." Koga picked a upraised root next to Fio's.

The two relaxed enjoying the cool crisp air blowing in the air coursing through their hair.

Koga looked around the beautiful environment admiring the well-crafted shrubberies, rows of sweet smelling blossoms and happy voices from all the joyous greenery. "They all seem so happy." He commented on all the whispering plant life.

Fio giggled knowing who he was referring to. "Yes well, they're happiest when they get a new visitor which is never often."

"Why?"

Fio caught a small bud in his hand from the tree. "Pére does not want me seen by the world."

"Again I ask why?"

The wind carried the tiny bud away from his hand. "I do not know. However I have reason to believe he's afraid."

"Afraid? That guy?" Koga jerked his thumb toward the castle. "Please I doubt there's anything that can scare your father."

"No, no. You are wrong young wolf." Fio reached into his hair for a seed casually making it bloom into a small rose. "I've heard mon Pére tell me in my sleep that he was afraid of being left alone. He's always told me that I'm all he has in this world."

Koga nodded his understanding. Although he's never known loneliness he could tell just by looking at the Youko's sorrowful eyes that he loved his father very much. Damn and here he had made a deal with the jerk to kill himself for a crime he only did for his son. How was he going to live with the guilt of having Fio live a lonely life after the process is over?

"Tell me about your famille Prince Koga. My Pére has told me you're from the Maison de la Rose no?"

Koga'a chest puffed out sweeling with pride. "Yea I'm kind of the youngest in the whole house."

"Ah that would mean your frère is none other than the infamous Yoko Kurama and your Pére is Yoko Kazo."

"Yea how did you know?"

This brought a smile to Fio's lips. "Have you not wondered why my accent is pure Youko even though I live in dragon territory? I was taught about my heritage there while a small kit. Most of my life was spent between here and there. Pére said that he wanted to make sure I knew all I needed to know about being a Youko. "

"Ryuukotsesui brought you to Youko territory?" He was sure Kazo would just love to hear about this.

Fio shook his head. "Pére never told me why but he's forbidden to be in the Youko kingdom. So he only allowed my nounou to take me there since she was a Youko demon. "

Oops nevermind then. "Oh so your nanny took you there while he stayed home."

"Oui. She's told me about the royal branches inside of the palace. I learned of Yoko Kuro and Queen Hina, Yoko Kazo and your frère Yoko Kurama. But you were not yet born when my teachings were completed."

"Oh and what do you think of them?"

Fio giggled covering his face shyly peeking out between his fingers. "I must say I've come to admire your frère Yoko Kurama very much. He's a very beau Youko."

"Hey watch it fox. That's my mate you're talking about."

"Oh?" Fio brought his hands down. "Je suis désolé. I had no idea you were a couple." He sighed helplessly. "Dommage I had hoped he would still be avalible for me someday but nonetheless I could always try for his other brother…I believe his name was Ses-sho-maru. He's the dog prince for the Maison de la Lune no?"

"He's taken too."

"Oh no fair. You're too greedy!" Fio shook a finger in the wolf's face playfully. "One must learn to share his spoils with his others little wolf." He pinched Koga's nose giggling and stood up. "Come on let's…let's—Agh!"

Suddenly Fio buckled down to the ground holding his stomach moaning in pain.

"Hey yo what's wrong?" Koga rushed by his side looping an arm around his shoulders.

"It's-It's nothing mon ami. M-my aura is going fou. I'll be fine in but a moment." Sweat pearled up on his brow clumping on his red banes. Another shock wave rippled through his body knocking him fully to the ground groaning.

"Hey what can I do?" Koga asked frantically.

"Get my…get…my Pére." He cringed from the tearing agony in his entire body.

"No I can't leave you here!"

Fiorello jerked as more horrific spasms claimed his slender frame. "S'il vous plait Koga. I must have him here. He'll…be able to— AGH!" He howled a wicked cry squeezing his stomach.

"Ok ok ok. I'll go!" Just when Koga rose to head inside he caught sight of Ryuukotsesui and Inuyasha hurrying toward them. He jumped up and down crazily waving his arms. "HURRY THE HELL UP WOULD YA!"

"We're coming!"

Ryuukotsesui made it first reaching down to scoop up his son in his arms. "Try to stabilize your aura Fiorello." One of his hands laced throw the ailing fox's fingers and feed a large amount of his youki into his son's system.

"Pére…I'm hurting." He wailed holding his father's hand feeding off the youki flowing into him.

"Be strong my son."

Inuyasha and Koga watched quietly observing the slight jerks of Fio's frame twisting around in Ryuu's arms. Neither realized they were holding their breaths until Fio sigh an exhausted breathe and fell unconscious. Ryuu wiped his brow of the worried perspiration while setting the boy down on the ground. Brushing aside the drenched red hair on his face, Ryuu turned around to the awe struck princes. "Sometimes they're worse than this. Luckily I was able to reach him before it escalated to that level."

Inuyasha grouched down next to him. "How often does he have these attacks?"

"They're becoming more frequent although there isn't really a pattern. Sometimes he has them twice a day others he's fortunate to go without them."

"How were you able to calm his aura?"

"Being his father, I do hold some degree of aura similarities to his own. But it's not enough."

Koga stared down at the motionless form remembering the way he cried out and howled in pain. He couldn't imagine what the more man was going through. To think he's suffered for all these years…How awful. "When can we start the treatment?"

Ryuu stood up with the resting Fio in his arms. "We'll begin when you two are absolutely sure that you want to do this for him. I don't want any doubts in your hearts that you wish to help my son to live. Otherwise the process will not work."

"Duh I wouldn't have asked if I weren't ready!"

"Yea me too!"

Smiling proudly at the two determined beings he nodded. "Very well. We could've started today but he'll need to be strong enough for the transfer to take. Fio usually needs about 1 or 2 days to heal. So we'll begin the treatment in two days. But I must warn you…"

"What?" They asked at the same time.

Grave green eyes became half-lidded. "The treatment is a very painful experience. Your entire aura supply will have to be drained and reentered into your body a series of times to flush out his harmful youki. The agony will rival that of having your insides burned and scorched with a flame of needles. So I ask you again, are you sure you will want to do this? Once you start there's no turning back."

Inuyasha stood up to look at Koga. Koga turned to glance at Inuyasha. Moments passed until two ear to ear grins spread across their faces.

"Yea you stupid dragon we're ready."

"Come on we can easily take a little pain right wolf?"

"Yea I can but not you." Koga shoved his younger brother.

Inuyasha pushed him back. "Oh get out of here. You know you're a wimp when it comes to pain and you know it."

"Whatever…"

Ryuu chuckled softly looking down at his slumbering son. "Well my son looks like you'll be getting well very soon…too bad I won't be there to see you better again…"

---

Later that night as Inuyasha and Koga crawled under the sheets, they talked over the medical process they were going to have to put themselves through and all for the sake of a demon they didn't really know.

"I'm worried about him Koga."

"I am too."

Inuyasha snuggled in his friend's embrace. "He really needs us to do this but I'm a little worried about us too."

"Why?"

"Well we talked big outside but what if the pain is so intense it kills us? Than we won't be able to get back to Sesshomaru or Kurama."

Koga rubbed along his brother's back soothingly. "Yea I know. But hey," He pulled Inuyasha's head back to look in his eyes. "Don't think that way. Once we help Fio out than we'll be able to go home and everything will be back to normal. We'll become a mated clan and we'll." He bounced his eyebrows.

"Ugh you are such a pervert."

Koga snickered. "Yea I know. Now kiss me good night because I'm tired."

"Keh, not on your life." Inuyasha turned around giving his back to Koga. The wolf decided that either way he would take advantage of the deal and rubbed his hand on the hanyou's tender behind. Inuyasha flinched scooting to the edge of the bed. "Cut it out you nasty freak!"

"But you're feel so good."

"So does this pillow." He shoved the pillow down between his behind and Koga's weeping cock. "Keep your hands to yourself. Damn you're as bad as Sesshomaru."

"Jerk." Koga snorted turning over on his side.

Finally feeling secure enough to get some sleep Inuyasha closed his eyes ready for some rest until…

Koga glanced over toward the window sill and noticed something shimmering in the moonlight. "Huh?" He slipped from the sheets keep his eyes trained on the flickering object. Curiously he tip toed over until he was in direct contact with it. Then he noticed that the small flashing orb was a seed. And based on the youki was emitting it was from his father. "Hey mu—" On second thought he'll just let the hanyou sleep. He didn't need to know.

Feeding his youki into the seed a tiny sprout erupted from the enclosure. It grew into a little vine attaching itself to the wall linking itself outside. Koga watched the vine stretch out from the sill toward the gardens and out the castle wall cracks. So father sent him a message vine huh? Clever old fox.

Only visible to his eyes Koga could clearly see the pulsing red lights in the vines streamline.

Koga we'll be coming for you soon. Brothers and god father are fine. Alert vine of your wellbeing and inform of standstill position.

Koga pressed his palm on the one bloomed leaf of the vine sending his own message back to his father. He knew the words he was about to send would piss off his father but they couldn't leave right now. There was something they needed to handle and he hoped that they'd understand.

---

After rereading the youki message for the tenth time Kazo removed his hand balling it into a tight fist. Why in the world did Koga want them to postpone their rescue? It didn't make any sense. Unless…Oh Inari could the boys have been caught and Ryuu was forcing them to send such a reply?

Dammit that had to be it. The dragon has more than likely bewitched the boys into wanting to become his mates. Curse him to hell! He and Taisho had to get there and quickly before something terrible happened to them.

The palm of his hand bleed an evil line as his claws dug into his flesh. Soon beast...very soon…Your end will come.

TBC: I think Kazo's over reacting… Oh well what father wouldn't right? Here's a sad alert for everyone. There's only three chapters left of this story and then there will be a two chapter long epilog. *Sighs*Sadly I'm a bit sad that it's ending so soon but at the same time I'm very thrilled to be so close to finishing my very first story. Stay tuned ^_^