The Love of Brothers

Chapter Three


Sesshoumaru stood on the balcony of his chambers overlooking a field where Kagome was gathering herbs. It had started to rain and he was about to go after her, when a scent caught his attention. Inuyasha? Kagome felt a presence, a powerful youkai and she tensed. Sesshoumaru's eyes fell on her as she leapt to her feet and bolted for the palace. She felt the presence gaining on her and sucking in breath she screamed, "Sesshoumaru!". The demon lord was beside her before the cry was complete, shoving her behind him and unsheathing Tokijin. He sensed his brother, but this was not hanyou Inuyasha, this was full demon Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru knew all too well what that might mean. "Kagome, it's Inuyasha. You will not go to him until I have said you may."
She stared up at him but his attention was on the tree line, he was in his battle stance. Kagome was smart enough to know that something must be wrong. Just as suddenly as the scent had come to him, it was gone. Reaching out with his senses he found no sign of demons. His brow furrowed in unspoken question. Wrapping his arm around Kagome, he rose. He would return her to the palace and then he would seek out his brother. Kagome did not argue with his decision, she seemed disconnected at the moment and he ordered Jaken to bring her tea. When he turned to go he noticed her grip on his fingers. He gave them a reassuring squeeze and then was gone.
Inuyasha was back. The thought flooded her mind. He was back and that must mean he had killed Naraku. Something had been wrong though...had he used the jewel? She suddenly wished that Sesshoumaru hadn't left, she needed his warmth, his strength. He who had been her enemy, had become her friend, her companion, her champion. She worried for him and now she worried for herself. He had told her what would happen should Inuyasha return. She now had two overbearing mates......awww just great. After so long of wondering and worrying about the half demon she was irritable at waiting, even a few minutes more.
Sesshoumaru raced through the forest towards the village. Full demon, he had smelled full demon, and yet not quite. He was uncertain as to what he might find but his heart prepared for the worst. It would break Kagome's heart if Inuyasha was beyond help, and he would have to dispatch him if that were the case. A flash of red caught his attention in the distance near the shrine and he slowed.
Inuyasha stood in the small courtyard of the shrine, his eyes closed as he breathed deeply. He sensed his brother's approach and did not turn. "This place smells of her." he stated quite calmly, his voice was his own. "Inuyasha, your scent has changed." Sesshoumaru said, willing his brother to turn around, "Let me see your face Inuyasha.". Inuyasha chuckled darkly, "You wonder if I am full demon, if I am a mindless brute." Inuyasha replied turning to face his questioner, "No, I am not that. I am something else.". Sesshoumaru took in the jagged purple stripes on the tanned cheeks, the golden eyes that burned more intensely but held no madness. Then he caught it, "Your humanity is diminished. You are not a full demon, nor are you half." he whispered.
It was like staring at his father and Sesshoumaru felt his heart lurch. Inuyasha was lost somewhere between full and half, completely in control of himself and devastingly powerful. A fight between them would most assuredly result in death - to which one, he couldn't be certain. "You have killed Naraku?". Inuyasha growled, "No." Sesshoumaru straightened, "You said you were going to hunt him, that you would not return until he was dead.". Inuyasha flashed a wry fanged smile, "Unhappy to see me brother?". Sesshoumaru frowned, "I merely wish to know the reason of your failure.".
"Where is she?" Inuyasha asked suddenly. Sesshoumaru felt the possesive tug within, "The palace.". Inuyasha nodded, "You made her stay behind in case I challenged you?". Sesshoumaru growled, "I made her stay behind so that she would not see you as a mindless killer once again. If that had been the case I would have slain you and I would not want her to see it." Inuyasha huffed, "So you would have killed me and let her believe that you had not found me?". His brother smirked at him, "I have no secrets from Kagome.". Inuyasha did not miss the tone of his voice. "You told her of the arrangement?". Sesshoumaru nodded. Inuyasha felt fear stab into his heart, "And?" he demanded impatiently. Sesshoumaru glowered at him for a moment then smiled, "The sooner you explain to me what happened, the sooner you can see our mate.".
Several hours later Sesshoumaru leaned back in his chair in the war room. He stared at Inuyasha. They had returned some time ago and Inuyasha had just finished telling the tale of his journey. "So it was like the demon who's fangs made Tokijin?". Inuyasha nodded, "Naraku's plan was to have this demon attack me, one bite is all it would take, the longer he held on the more humanity drained from me. He wasn't that good however, he forgot that my strength increases with my demon blood. I forced the demon to confess all before I killed him. Naraku intended this incarnation of his to cause my transformation and then leave me to be hunted by those I trusted most. Bastard."
Sesshoumaru agreed, "Indeed. Inuyasha, are you still capable of wielding the Tetsusaiga?". His younger brother nodded, "Yeah. So you understand that I can't beat Naraku alone, and neither can you. We need both of the fangs of our father and we need a powerful Miko.". Sesshoumaru nodded, "Well little brother, it seems that we have the means of his destruction at our disposal." Inuyasha nodded and lifted his eyes to his brother's. All he wanted now was to see Kagome. He wanted to breathe the cool scent of her hair and hold her against him.
"Jaken!" Sesshoumaru called aloud and the imp hurried to his side.
"Yes my lord?"
"Bring our mate to us."
"Of course my lord, I shall wake her at once."
"No. Don't wake her. Where is she?"
"In your chambers of course my lord."
Sesshoumaru smiled, Inuyasha growled. "Your chambers, in your bed?"
"Is there a problem Inuyasha?"
"You should have waited. She hardly knew you!"
"Calm yourself, I haven't touched her...much. You left her in the care of her percieved enemy, you left her afraid and alone and the responsility of soothing her fell to me, do not presume to lecture me on how or when I should do so. I have waited to claim and mark her for your death or return. I would remind you that it now you who are strange to her."
Inuyasha hung his head, it was true all of it, and he knew that Kagome had to be closer to his brother than she had been.
Sesshoumaru stood, "Come Inuyasha, we will see her now.". He left the room, leaving Inuyasha to follow after him. They passed down the smooth stone corridors into the family wing. He barely recalled it. But he knew when they reached Sesshoumaru's rooms. The demon lord shoved his door open quietly. His eyes fell to the bed where the small woman was curled. He allowed Inuyasha to enter, watching as the former half demon approached the bed.
Inuyasha knelt at the side of the large bed so that his face was level with hers. She was more lovely now, her features no longer cast in the shades of childhood. He brushed her hair from her brow. "Kagome?" he whispered to her, she moaned and stirred. Her eyes slowly coming open to focus on his face. Her eyes widened at the sight of the stripes, "I've missed you Kagome." he told her. She bolted upright in the bed and into his embrace. Sesshoumaru shut the chamber door and waited for the happy babblings to end. "Inuyasha! I have been so worried about you!" she breathed, cupping his face in her hands, staring at him, making certain that he was alright.
Inuyasha crushed her to his chest, nuzzling in her hair. "You won't leave again will you?" she asked against his throat. He shook his head. She leaned away from him, "Where is Sesshoumaru?". The taller demon moved to sit beside her on the bed, "Here kagome." She met his gaze with misty eyes, a tear sneaked out of the corner of her eyes and down her cheek as she flung herself against him. He soothed her with soft growls and whispers, before wiping her tear away. Inuyasha watched and felt warmth move through his heart, she really was ok. Sesshoumaru had taken care of her, and kept his word, she carried a hint of his brother's scent from being near him so often. But she was untouched, unmarked.
"There will be alot to do" he said and Kagome straightened. Sesshoumaru agreed, "We have to have the ceremony, presenting you as our mate formally, then the marking and the claiming.". Kagome was aware of all of this, a shiver crept through her. Inuyasha noticed it first and looked at her, "What's wrong?". She blushed, "How will... you now, the other stuff, after the ceremony...". Sesshoumaru gave her a small sqeeze, "That will be up to you. In time we will all be together.. As the eldest it should be I who take you first, however Inuyasha is more familiar to you, given your history I will allow him to take you."
Kagome blushed more, Why couldn't I have normal life and be a bank teller or something? Inuyasha met his brother's eyes willing him to read the gratitude there. "I'll send the messengers tomorrow, we'll set the ceremony for the full moon, a week from now. In that time, you can get reaquainted. Is this agreeable to all?" Sesshoumaru asked. The others nodded and Kagome yawned, the excitement of the day too much. Sesshoumaru watched as Inuyasha laid her gently back down on the bedding. He brushed a kiss across her lips and smiled softly, "Get some sleep."
She nodded, and closed her eyes. Inuyasha stood and left the chamber, moving to the chamber adjoining it. Inside he saw that it was hers, and the door beyond was obviously meant to be his. He decided to sleep in her room, he doubted she would mind, besides her scent clung to every corner of the room, soothing him. He headed to the bathing chamber, cleaning away hours of dust and sweat from the journey back. In a week's time she would be his...and his brother's. He was grateful that Sesshourmaru had been good to her, he had worried that his arrogant brother might break the fierce spirit of the girl and he never wanted that to happen.
However, his brother had not done any such thing and had obviously been a pillar of strength for her in her dark hours for she clung to him as much as she clung to Inuyasha. It should have made him jealous, it might have in the past. He thought about the way she curled in the large bed, his brother would no doubt be settling against her and he wished it were him. It would be, soon enough. He was glad he didn't have to explain anything to her, it made things much easier on his part. In a week he would have what he always wanted, Kagome pinned beneath him, writhing in passion and calling his name, and he would be her first. Entering her rooms again, he flopped face down on the bed and let sleep claim him.
Kagome waited under the covers for Sesshoumaru to come to bed, she was tired, she'd been through alot but she wanted to talk to him too. He felt her eyes on his back as he slipped into a sleeping robe, "You should be sleeping." he told her, canting his voice low that he would not be heard beyond the room. He moved to join her and pulled the linens over himself before turning to look at her. She was beautiful, her dark hair spilling over the red silk of his sheets. Her expression gave nothing away and this was how he knew she was upset by something. She tried to copy him. "What is it?" he asked sliding down until they were nearly nose to nose. His lower half resting against her, pinning her to the bed.
Kagome looked up at the angelic face above her, she was in love with him! It hit her hard, she was in love with Sesshoumaru and she was in love with his brother. She wasn't sure when it happened. She knew that it was probably for the best, being as how she faced eternity with both of them, but didn't that make her disloyal to them in some way? That neither had full possesion of her heart? Tears came unbidden to her eyes and Sesshoumaru nuzzled her hair, "Kagome. Tell me why you weep.". She sniffed against his neck, "It's stupid I guess." she muttered. He tilted her chin up and met her eyes, "Not to me." he said and then nodded to the other door, "And certainly not to him.". She nodded slowly, " I know, it's just..."
Golden eyes asked the question in eloquent silence. "I just, I just realized something about the two of you and it kind of scared me is all.". Sesshoumaru kissed her brow, inhaling her scent. "What is it that you discovered hime?" he whispered a scant inch from her lips. She slipped her arms up around his neck, she didn't want to tell him, not when she feared it would be a burden. They didn't love her...did they? "Sessh, " she asked after a silent moment. His lips were tracing along her cheek, "Hmm?". She threaded her fingers through his silken hair, "Is it wrong to have feelings for two people?". He nipped her chin, so this was the core of her worry. She cared about both of them, it made him smile against her skin.
"Not always, in our case...never. Do you care for us?"
"Yes, very much."
"And you love him?"
"Yes."
He brought his lips to hers, "And me Kagome? Do you love me as well?"
"Yes Sesshoumaru, I do."
He growled low in his throat, her words pleasing him greatly. He crashed his lips to hers, in a conquering devouring kiss. His tongue teased at her lips, begging entrance and she let him in, sighing in pleasure. His fangs grazed the fullness of her lower lip as he kissed her deeply. He allowed himself to kiss her as he hadn't before, worrying that he would not be able to control himself, now he knew he had only to wait a week to have her. Part of him wished that he was the one to take her innocence, but it wasn't something that would plague him forever. She kissed him back, giving as good as she got and he felt his youkai rising to her touch.
His hands trailed along her rib cage, and he knew he had to stop. Gently he broke the impassioned kiss, resting his forehead on hers. They panted together, slowly coming back to reality. "One week more Kagome." he breathed, and rolled to his back, gritting his teeth and forcing himself to calm. There were a good many things she needed to know about him, about inuyoukai and demons in particular before the week was out.