The Sacred Trees

Okay sorry I have not updated, went on the worst vacation – cause I spent most of it in hospital. Siiiggghhh. Anyway sooo glad to be back.

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As usual, read, enjoy and review.

Chapter 24 : Pregnant Inu Hanyous.

He gnashed his teeth, his body thrust ruthlessly into the hapless form before him, his claws dug into trembling thigh. He came in a burst of pleasure as his hands went up and cracked the neck of the body that had been the vessel of his seed. He stood looked contemptuously at the dead Hanyou, it had been less the satisfactory. Then forgetting it, he walked off. Leaving it for the servants to clean the mess.

It was infuriating. 400 years of planning of careful execution and now months before his final moves, things were unraveling fast.

Inuyasha, Inuyasha, INUYASHA! How he had grown to despise that name. He had never even heard of such a name 4 months ago, and now it seemed every time he turned around that name was whispered, his carefully laid plans spoiled. Worse there was nothing he could do right now! He had planned to attack while the Tree finding Hanyou had been pregnant. But no thanks to the ill timed terrorist attacks, the god dammed humans were everywhere, and they had managed to crack his stealth magic. HOW?! All his submarines that he had tried to send to Japan had been discovered and destroyed, not by Youkai but by stupid HUMANS!!!

Lord Kira had been one of his most efficient commanders, doing work in Japan, China and Korea. Now they had NO one of import in Japan, what information he received were just strands of intel, picked up from general forces. The strong hold he had on Japan had been reduced to almost zero. The Shogun Lord Sesshoumaru and his Canines; now there was a long standing thorn in his side. The only good thing is that the Canines had for the most part kept their activities to Japan, but still their influence had spread. And many groups tailored after the Canines had sprung up around the world, interfering with his work to separate and weaken trust and ties between Youkai.

Human activity would not last for ever, the moment, that it ceased, he would be leading thing forces into Japan, and the Canines would be crushed. Claws twisted the railings to almost dust. If that Hanyou refused to submit to him, then he and his pups would die a slow satisfying death!!

“Ahhhh.. just the person we were looking for, I do believe we have something to discuss.” Agoya said lazily as he Kinta and the rest of his siblings surrounded Yuusha who had just walked in to the room. Yuusha froze wide eyed, as he was suddenly in the middle of a gang of Kouga's kids, with Ayoga and Kinta in his face.

“Ummm we do?” Yuusha asked nervously.

“Oh, yes Yuusha-kun we do, come tell us, what is your relationship with our father, that gives you leave to waltz into the First General’s room so casually?” Kinta asked with a not too nice smile.

“I.. I.. don’t do this casually, General Kouga-sama instructed me to do so.” Yuusha asserted.

“Yuushamaru, you did not answer my brother’s question. You will answer me, what is your relationship with our father? What do you and he do at night?” Ayoga asked his Youkai flaring asserting his dominance. Three other children of Kouga who were natural Alpha flared their Youkai as well. Surrounded by Ookami this should have been a harrowing experience for Yuusha, but strangely it was not. There was no threat in the Youkai, only dominance, and as a subservient in the pack, to be surrounded by strong pack Alphas was comforting, Yuusha whimpered as what felt like a blanket of warmth engulfed him. The questions though made him nervous, because now he had to answer.

“Nothing, nothing! I swear we just sleep, he allows me to sleep the sleep of pups. That’s all.” Yuusha said quickly to reassure them.

“Are you a pup?” Kouga’s daughter asked.

“Errr.. No of course not. Still nothing else happens.” Yuusha said going beet red.

“Well why ever not?”

“............ ???”

“Do you not find father attractive?” Ayoga asked softly.

“Huh? Of course I do.. but...”

“So he’s not your type? Too bossy and intimidating?” Kinta interrupted.

“No!! No!! He is wonderful, strong and caring.”

“So there is no chemistry then? You don’t what him that way?” Ayoga said flatly.

“What! OF COURSE I DO!” Yuusha burst out, there was silence after that and Yuusha went even redder. “But.. but .. he is the Ookami General what would he want with me... and he was mated with a female.” Yuusha whimpered out.

“Foolish pup!” Ayoga said, and on an unseen gesture all the Ookami, sniffing, rubbing and stroking Yuusha. “Our mother is dead, as befitting Ookami Youkai, father did not look at another for double the span of time they spent together. Even after that he has never sought another, so focused has he been on the war, and on supporting the Shogun. Now however things are finally changing for the better. He deserves a good break, so we think you should seduce our father.”

“..... WHAT?” Yuusha gasped out his eyes huge in his face.

“Oh yes.” one of Kouga’s Alpha daughters said. “You see Yuusha, dad is treating you with kid gloves, like a pup. But we know you aren’t one, you have had the company of some of the other Ookami females in the cave.... oh don’t look so stricken. We all understand that it was all the comfort they could give you and you were never presumptuous or intrusive. You were however rather good. (wink) Anyway we know our father and we have seen how he looks at you, but his honour will never allow him to make the first move. So seduce dad already.” She finished cheerfully as she nuzzled his arms and stroked his thighs.

“Look dad does not need a mate for pups.” Kinta said as he kneaded Yuusha’s flat stomach.. “Oh and seeing what The Shogun in going through, I doubt dad would want to pup you for a long time... hehehe.. make that a hell of a long long time.” They all chuckled at that.

“Still, we think he needs companionship, relief and love, lots of love. And we suspect you can give that to him.” Ayoga’s long fingers explored Yuusha’s face.

“Me.. why me? And what are you all doing to me?” Yuusha asked their touch was non sexual, but still sensual, and he felt extremely good.

“We are replacing the scent of the Cave Ookami with our own. You are our family now, and as family we are rather jealous of our own. So other then father’s, Lord Inuyasha’s, The Shogun and the Kitsune’s General’s scent which we cannot overpower, the only other scents allowed to stick to you is ours. Get used to this Yuus-chan, you are family and we are definitely keeping you.” Ayoga smiled into the brown eyes, that washed with tears. “As to why you? Firstly dad is very attracted to you.”

“Secondly,” Kinta continued “Unlike The Shogun, father really cannot handle having another Beloved in the front lines of battle. In practice we have all seen you have a natural affiliation for the sword and shield. A shield is not a common practice weapon for us, but Lord Inuyasha insisted we give you one and you took to it like a duck to water. You are a defensive rather then offensive warrior. Lord Inuyasha has already ordered that you be trained in defensive and protective magic. Lord Inuyasha has further decided that your first role in the Canines is going to as one of his puppy-sitters. And for father having his beloved under such guard most of the time would be a major relief to father.”

Yuusha looked awed he had no idea that Inuyasha had so much to do with his training. But the last bit floored him. “I..I..I am to puppy-sit? Me? But.. but.. why?” he whispered in almost a reverent tone.

Now the Ookami’s looked a bit confused, didn’t the youth realize what Inuyasha had done. “I guess we really can’t scent ourselves.” Ayoga contemplated. “Yuus-chan, The Shogun’s scent on you is like his is on all Canine, he is our Lord. Father’s scent on you is strong because of contact. I have no idea what Lord Inuyasha did in the caves, but his scent on you is paternal, similar to his scent on the Kitsune General. At first his scent on you was very light, but it is growing. Any sniffing your lineage now would swear you had two fathers and a mother, and in a few years I suspect that any sniffing you will have no doubt that Inuyasha is your father. Darn it, don’t cry again.”

“Are you bullying my Yuusha?”

“Lord Inuyasha!” The Ookami crew broke apart in shock as the heavily pregnant Inuyasha managed to still walk into the room, with his strange grace. “We weren’t... we ..we were .. not..”

“Keh! Inu ears remember, I overheard most of your conversation.” Inuyasha said as he approached Yuusha who was kneeling and bowing to him. He marched up to the kneeling Ookami and bopped him one. The Ookami jerked up in surprise and Inuyasha looked at the confused countenance and bopped him another one.

“Ow.” The pup whined holding his head.

“There! Did that knock some sense into you? Stop with all the moping about ‘why me,.. why me..?’ I can’t have one of my adoptive sons going around like that can I?” Inuyasha asked belligerently, then his face fell. “Oh! I did it without asking, didn’t I. I’m sorry Yuusha the trees tried to teach me patience but sometimes I fail, especially now. I think being pregnant has made me a little impulsive.” Puppy ears drooped. “It’s just you reminded me of me.. in a way. The claiming I did has nothing to do with the Canines, it won’t hurt your standing. I can stop the process if you want.”

“NO!” Yuusha grabbed the base of the Inuyasha’s robe. “Please, don’t stop it, please. I.. I.. want to belong, please.”

“Ahhh, Yuusha don’t you get it yet? You already belong pup.” Inuyasha squatted down, ignoring the suddenly strangled sounds made by Kouga’s kids. “We are your family.” Inuyasha said stroking Yuusha’s nose and looking deep in his eyes.

“Thank you Lord Inuyasha, but please, please stand up.” Yuusha felt emotional but those emotions were drowned by the panic for the safety of the too pregnant Hanyou. Yuusha quickly stood helping Inuyasha up, well at least trying to, Inuyasha kept swatting his attempts to help away.

“Okay then, I do believe I interrupted a rather interesting conversation. Care to tell me what you were plot.. errr... discussing.” Inuyasha asked.

All the Ookami twitched, they didn’t want to say anything, but Inuyasha was a Canine Alpha, they could not feint the truth. “My Lord, we just think that Yuushamaru and Father make a good couple.” Ayoga said. “We were listing reasons why firstly dad is attracted to him, and secondly Yuus-chan is not going to be in the front lines.”

“Interesting, what other reasons.” Inuyasha asked.

“Umm.. well, we like Yuus-chan quite a bit, he kindda matches dad’s fire, and he understands what it takes to lead and protect. He does not seem to be the kind of person who will try to come between us and dad, because he knows all about pack loyalty and sacrifice. And finally we think that what is between them can grow to love.” Ayoga said, as the oldest he spoke for his siblings.

“Huh! Well it won’t at the rate Kouga is moving at. I never knew him be this slow.” Inuyasha said.

“Yes, so we were trying to encourage Yuusha to take steps.” Kouga’s eldest daughter said.

“Great, you have my permission.” Inuyahsa said airily.

...... ???!!!

“Um... my Lord?” Yuusha said uncertainty lacing his voice.

“You are mine, right? So you need my approval, I assume that is why you were hesitating.” Inuyasha said in a cheerfully arrogant manner. Yuusha could only agree. Inuyasha tussled Yuusha’s hair. “Good boy, go seduce the pants off that Ookami.” Inuyasha winked at Yuusha, and he and the other left the room. Yuusha was thoughtful for a while, then a small half smile bloomed on his face. He could hardly disappoint his Lord could he.

“Did we do good my Lord?” Ayoga asked as soon as they were away from the Yuusha’s hearing.

“Brilliant. I am very happy I approached you all with the idea. I wasn’t sure you would go for it, but thank you so much. It is going to be such a relief to have your father happy again. Kouga does deserve it, does he not?” Inuyasha asked.

All of Kouga’s children agreed and Inuyasha walked off gleefully, to plot his next change.

“You know I think I have finally figured it out.” Ayoga said after Inuyasha was gone.

“What?” Kinta asked when Ayoga was silent after the statement.

“How many of you would ever imagine we’d actually TELL someone to seduce dad?” Agoya asked his siblings.

“A week ago, heck, three days ago I’d have said not in a million years. I like to keep dad to ourselves, but after Lord Inuyasha talked to us, it seemed well.... it just seemed wrong to disagree.... well not really disagree... more like displease him. And his plan made more and more sense.” Kouga’s oldest daughter said.

“Exactly, Lord Inuyasha has changed a great deal since he has been pregnant. He should be driving us away with his manic mood swings, yet we all run to him. Everything about him that made him charismatic while he was not pregnant, has been amplified many, many fold. The first time I met him I was struck by the sheer courage, unyielding will, strange innocence, and the deep knowing in his big eyes. (Siblings staring at Ayoga) Okay, okay I notice the cute ears as well... sheesh.” He took a breathe as his siblings smirked at him.

“Anyway, all that has been amplified. His courage is now at ridiculous levels, he seems to have no clue that he is doing potentially dangerous stunts, no one changes his mind about anything, his knowing is damn frightening. Try to argue with him and he looks at you, and you just feel like a ridiculous idiot, cause we think so, but Lord Inuyasha KNOWS so! His level of cuteness, that has got to be a crime. He is utterly adorable. AND he does all he does with the utter lack of self consciousness of a puppy. He is driving everyone nuts, but we keep begging for more.” Ayoga said in a exasperated but strangely loving tone.

“I think all this is part of the defense mechanism to keep him protected and alive while he is pregnant. Lord Inuyasha even now is not the kind to hide or avoid danger, like other sane pregnant Youkai. The Gods, the Ancient Trees, or what ever it is that looks after Lord Inuyasha must have seen this. So to protect him I suspect they engineered this. He will not protect himself, so all of us now protect him, not by orders, but because instinctively we protect what is cute and adorable. And that is why we agree his insane plans, because to have Lord Inuyasha sad while he is pregnant is just not acceptable.” Ayoga finished.

“That’s great big bro, I think you are right. So now that we know what do you plan to do? How to you plan to escape from the dastardly cute clutches of Lord Inuyasha?” Kinta asked with a smirk.

‘Escape? Knowing that there is a method to his madness, makes him all the more adorable, to me. What?! Stop looking at me like that. Lord Inuyasha has me wrapped around his little finger, and I am quite happy where I am.” Agoya said easily. “Okay you lazy lot, breaks over. Lieutenants back to your posts and the rest of you stop hanging about. Dismissed.”

Inuyasha with a satisfied smile waltzed into his room. Arms slipped around the heavily pregnant belly, massaging softly. “What have you done now mate? What kind of mischief have you been up to?”

“What ever do you mean, Sesshoumaru. I have been good.” Inuyasha turned and pulled the handsome face down to him for a long satisfying kiss.

“Hmn, you are not only good, you are excellent.” Sesshoumaru licked and nipped from Inuyasha’s lips to his neck, as he unerringly found the mark to gently torment with his questing lips. Inuyasha shuddered with happiness. He had never felt this happy, this high in his life. Ever since his first month of pregnancy, life seemed great, wonderful. He could do no wrong, and everyone around needed to feel wonderful too. He was just trying to help, it wasn’t fair that his stodgy older brother considered that meddling rather then helping.

Sesshoumaru’s hand traced the one thing that sobered the Hanyou, the birthing lines on his belly. The lines were clearer and more pronounced.

“Inuyasha..” It was all Sesshoumaru said, but the wealthy of concern in the word was phenomenal.

“I'll be fine, Big Brother. The birthing lines are clear I should be able to follow them without much trouble, and since I can feel our pups, its is another layer of protection. Don't worry so much, it is part of the natural process. Just make sure you feed me energy after the birthing so that I can heal.” Inuyasha said comfortingly.

“Of course little brother, you can have all the energy you need. The healers have just begun lessons with me on child birth. Do not fear, I'll be ready when the times comes.” Sesshoumaru replied.

Inuyasha leaned into his embrace, feeling comforted. There was a delicious warmth between, soothing, loving, a touch of sex, and just a little damp.... DAMP?!

Inuyasha lifted his head and looked down at the dampness on his top, the birthing marks have started oozing.

“Sesshoumaru, I hope you are ready, cause the time for the birthing is now.” Inuyasha said with a touch of wonder in his voice.

“Now, now that is impossible. Stop this at once, I am still in need of more lessons. You are not havong the pups now.” Sesshoumaru said his voice hitting strange keys.

“Keh! Me and your pups, do the impossible all the time. The birthing lines are ripe, it is time to bring them into the world. See.” Inuyasha stripped off his tops showing clearly the star shaped lines on his belly that oozed a clear liquid and had taken on a bright red tinge.

“Remember I don't want anyone but you touching me, but I'll get the healer to have the birthing area..” Inuyasha was cut off by a large 'thunk' behind him. He turned and gaped at the sight of the Shogun sprawled in a faint on the floor.

Inuyasha quickly considered his options, and grabbed for the digital camera, and began clicking. Sure his pups were ready to be born, but some moments just needed to be recorded. It was a good thing Sesshoumaru was out cold, or the gleam in the huge golden eyes would have quelled even the stoutest of hearts.

---tbc

**evil grin... Sesshy is soooo hating me at the moment. Muahahahahahaha!

OMG how many pups girls or boys...... hmmmm!!!!