Strength

Ok, ok I have been struggling with how to write this chapter. Am kindda happy with how it came out – I know its short – but as usual - I have my reasons. Thanks everyone for the wonderful reviews and only one person gets cookies see at the end. Also, based on what people have reviewed the story is going at my pace – which is not gonna be fast. So sorry for those who wanna get to the 'good' bits – but things don't really happen that fast, with such complex couples, numerous wrong assumptions and pride and secrets. Also keep in mind I think angst is part of the good bits. :P

Read, review and Enjoy :) *smirk

Chapter 28 : The more things change, ....


There was warmth, comfort, a cocoon of safety,.. and all of it was - temporary.

It was not unexpected, in fact it was totally expected – and understandable-, Inuyasha felt nothing except weary acceptance, as the cocoon of warmth was withdrawn in the early morning.

What was surprising was the soft kiss that was placed on Inuyasha's forehead. Sesshoumaru assuming Inuyasha was still sleeping whispered softly “Sleep little brother, we will not change the routine, the pups need it for stability. I will join you after your time with them.” So saying, rather proud of the level of consideration he was showing, Sesshoumaru quietly left their rooms, heading for the library once again.

Inuyasha waited until the echo of footsteps faded before blank golden eyes opened tiredly. The pain would start soon, and he had no idea the impact of what the DaiYoukai had done on his early morning visitations. Sesshoumaru had explained nothing to Inuyasha – and the Hanyou knew he had to accept his Alpha's actions without question. It burned his ego a little, but at least Sesshoumaru gave him the respect of allowing him his privacy to manage the pain. On top of the pain, having to confirm how weak he was before the DaiYoukai -especially after that show of power – was too humiliating to consider. Soon, Inuyasha would find out, first hand the impact of what the DaiYoukai had done. There was nothing he could do except wait.

He would get as much sleep as he cold before it began. Rather exhausted from the night activities, his eyes closed again, and Inuyasha wrapping his pride around his heart like a shield, willed himself to sleep.

Sharp pain yanked the Hanyou out of hazy disturbed dreams, no sound was allowed to escape his lips as Inuyasha curled up to face the onslaught. It was sharp and it was agonizing, it felt as if white hot blades were piercing and maliciously twisting in the base of his spine, in his the chest and on his forehead. The pain was immense, acidic and deep and - the pain was -bearable. He was curled up, clenched and shivering in pain, but his body was not writhing, he was not twisting, nor were his muscles convulsing in agony as they had been for the last few weeks. The pain was centralized in those three places, not spread around him like an ever tightening lattice of torture. Whatever the DaiYuokai had done – worked, there was pain but it was – for one who had been through as much as Inuyasha had - bearable.

Even as he shivered, with clenched teeth, a parody of a triumphant smile twisted his lips. The fear he felt that the morning agonies would actually cause his body to reject and even kill any unborn puppies faded. Ryoku had been right! Sesshoumaru had done right by him, he was cured enough to actually carry the pups to term. He was sure of it. A surge of pure relief ran though his system. Yes, he could carry the pups to term, and Sesshoumaru, the other father this tine, would be around to protect them. Gratitude flooded Inuyasha, they would be alright. Now as it had been then – what was offered to him - was enough.

'*

Inuyasha's breathing evened out, he ran his claws through his hair. The pups would be here soon, and as their Father had said, pups needed their routines to be secure. With the mating – the pups would probably be a little uncertain. Inuyasha refreshed himself a little, changed his clothes, and got back into bed to wait. All that was left was slight echoes of agony as the doors burst open a few minutes earlier than usual and Yuusha launched himself into his Papa's arms. The pup's nose wrinkled a little at the overwhelming scent of Sesshoumaru on his Papa, but – it was there untouched, his scent on his Papa.

His Papa had protected and maintained Yuusha's scent on him, and Yuusha hugged his Papa tight. The slight fear he had haboured banished like the morning mist under the bright sunlight; the love his Papa had for him was unchanged, his place in his Papa's arms was protected, secure. All was right in Yuusha's world once again, and the pup relaxed.

'*

The other three pups poked their heads through the door. They had all been a little unsure when they had been told that their Papa was 'mated' with their father. They knew that it was supposed to be good, but they were just not sure. Yuusha especially had been quiet and tense; and that had impacted them all. Now when they saw Yuusha relax, they knew that there was nothing to worry about and the three made a mad dash to their papa. The tumble that ensured was all fun, laughter, love and joy.

Sesshoumaru's heart rose in satisfaction and pride as he walked into his room, no.. Inuyasha was here,.. this was his 'home'. Here, he was greeted by the warmth and love that was so freely give by the Hanyou to their pups, and by extension to him. It was something that Sesshoumaru had never really experienced and something the DaiYoukai had never realized he needed.

“Father” Mee-chan ran to him excited, he picked her up. “You mated Papa, I am sooooo happy!!” Mee-chan beamed her approval at her Papa. Kishi slammed against Sesshoumaru's thigh, standing on his Father's foot for a ride. “Yup, yup, yup! We saw a ga-zillion 'Splosions!! it was great!” The pup focused on the most important thing from last night first. “Oh mating good too!!”

Sesshoumaru's smile was a little proud, but he had to control his slightly twitching muscles, when his oldest son curled comfortably in his mates embrace said in a dry tone. “Yes it is good, that Lord Sesshoumaru has FINALLY done SOMETHING good... given that time is relative to Youkai – 8 years late is better than NEVER after all.”

Shippo and Inuyasha, both- had too look away from the slightly twitching Sesshoumaru to control their chuckles. Yuusha in a light pseudo-innocent voice, seemed to know exactly how to 'poke' his other father.

“I like your mark on Papa, father its pretty like the mark on your forehead. Your mark is sooo cute!” Mee-chan said happily touching Sesshoumaru's neck.

“That is good little one.” Sesshoumaru said absently, he wasn't really paying attention as he was busy admiring his mark on his mate. It was just what he wanted it to be, prominent, clear and positioned so that even a Chinese collared shirt would not hide the mark, the Hanyou was his – and anyone looking at the Hanyou would know it immediately. Pretty much focused on his mark on his mate, Sesshoumaru who was never concerned about his own immaculate appearance had not bothered to see what his own mark was.

Curious, the other pups, including a slightly grudging Yuusha came closer to have a look at Sesshoumaru's mark.

Yuusha tried to be aloof and distant, until he saw the mark. Then his eyes went wide and his mouth dropped open. In that moment his face was open – he showed confusion, a little envy mixed with admiration, and a strange kind of vulnerable longing. To Sesshoumaru -Yuusha suddenly looked his actual age and Sesshoumaru's breath caught as the pup for the first time resembled his mate more than himself. Yuusha was trembling a little as he stared at Sesshoumaru's neck, and the DaiYoukai while still focused on his son, finally began to seriously wonder about the mark.

Yuusha pointed an almost accusing finger at the Mark, “Its beautiful!! So beautiful.” then turned to his Papa with a mix of annoyance, belligerence and pure envy. 'Papa! Its not fair! I want that! Its too beautiful for HIM! If I am stuck with these, at least I want marking like that PLEASE PAPA!!! Its not fair!” the 7 year old child, teary eyed and throwing a minor tantrum – managed to shock Sesshoumaru and Shippo. Inuyasha and the other pups however looked on with loving eyes, it was rare, but Yuusha was a pup – and like any child – rare as they were - he too had his moments. And like anytime else Yuusha felt vulnerable – only his Papa's cuddles would do. Yuusha sobbed almost broken hearted into Inuyasha's chest and to preserve his pup's dignity – Inuyasha pulled the covers over his son and him, poking only his head out - cause he had a fair idea of what was going to happen next, and he really didn't want to miss it.

Sesshoumaru slightly stunned, had to see what had caused all the fuss, he finally turned to a mirror to inspect his neck. He tugged the collar aside to expose the mark. At first glance it seemed to be a crown, two larger triangles with some smaller triangles in the middle, sitting on an arch.

Then Sesshoumaru noticed that the triangles had gently curved lines, and one of the larger triangles actually had a crook in it.. as if it was...intently.... listening.

Inuyasha's most noticeable feature.

Ears... on the neck of the regal immaculate DaiYoukai were a pair of Hanyou Ears, with tuffs of hairs sticking out so care free between them. Purple Inuyasha's ears in all their glory on Sesshoumaru's neck, a dull red color started creeping up the china white skin.

Inuyasha bit his cheeks to contain himself.

“Aren't they beautiful Father?” Mee-chan asked innocently. “Poor Yuusha Nii-san, he always wanted to have Papa's ears, so fine and pretty – not just the plain old boring Youkai ears. That is what Nii-san says, I think Father's ears are pretty too. So Nii-san is really jealous – that Mark is kindda the second best thing. You are sooo lucky Father, its so pretty. Papa's ears mark, don't you just love them?' Mee-chan to Inuyasha's delight innocently made Sesshoumaru squirm, the DaiYoukai who never lies was put in a spot.

Sesshoumaru threw a sharp irritated eye at his brother who was snorting, barely able to contain his amusement. Inuyasha's face and head were all that was visible. His eyes danced with amusement, his ears crooked exactly like in the Mating mark, full lips quirked into a mischievous smile, the strong face, chiseled from sorrow and pain, softened and relaxed. It was how Sesshoumaru's mate should always look – young, eyes sparkling and clear, confident and simply enjoying Sesshoumaru's company.

In a flash, realization dawned, there was really no need to lie. Sesshoumaru slowly smiled. His eyes never leaving the face of his mate, he calmly answered his daughter. “Indeed, this Sesshoumaru loves them dearly, there is nothing quite as precious. My mark is as unique as my mate, and this Sesshoumaru will wear them proudly.”

The strange unreadable look was in Sesshoumaru's eyes again. Inuyasha looked wonderingly at Sesshoumaru. Then there was a knock on the door, and Shiori, followed closely by Jaken and Hana walked in. That disrupted the family mood, and Yuusha his face once again composed moved to sit beside his Papa. The pup cast secret baleful, glaring looks at his other father, and Sesshoumaru had a sinking feeling that the mating mark only gave his oldest another reason to be snippy with him.

Breakfast was brought in. Kishi and Shippo started bickering about something. Mee-Chan and Shiori sat together telling secrets to each other. Inuyasha and Yuusha took their seats at the family dining table. Sesshoumaru stood for a second watching his family. His long fingers absently stroking the mating mark, this was his family, and Sesshoumaru was pleased, things were going smoothly, better even then he had planned. He had brought about his change with his hard work, study and planning. Everything was perfect. Feeling rather smug, he gracefully took his seat at the head of the table, and the children ran to sit down for breakfast.

Things changed, but life went on as normal,and the routine continued.

--tbc-


Ok please please review I want to see your reactions.
cookies for LunarGoddess DCCXL from Adult Anime for the only correct guess as to the mating marks.