Strength

Hiiii.. Good to see you all again this year. I had to take a break cause I have a rather heavy teaching, supervision and research load this sem, so my writing hours are limited. Just to inform everyone, I have decided to finish Strength before continuing Survive, so please don't think I have abandoned it, just easier to focus on one at the moment when I have less time and energy to write. :)

I am glad everyone like Sesshy's declaration of his feelings. Thank you all so much for the support.

Read, Review and Enjoy

Chapter 40 : Melting

A couple of days after Sesshoumaru made his feelings clear, the parents took all the children out on a picnic. Jaken and Hana accompanied them, but other than that, it was just Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha and the pups, oh as well as the dozen or so body guards stationed around the perimeter of the picnic area, out of eye sight. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha both played and enjoyed the time together as a family. Ball games became the focus, and there were much screams of pleasure and fun. Even the toddler got into it, running after his older siblings, or being carried by his Papa, as they were chased by the others. It was a great morning, a fun time, a family time, and all of them were relaxing. Lunch was packed bento sets with all Inuyasha's favorite foods.

After lunch they played a little bit more, than the children began to get a little tired, Noaya was the first to curl into Inuyasha's arms and fall asleep. Kishi saw the brilliance of that and immediately joined his littlest brother. Inuyasha sat under a tree with both of them on his lap. The two girls were playing quietly with Hana and Jaken, they were tired by they didn't want to sleep. Yuusha and Shippo sat on a branch of a tree, and Sesshoumaru noted, his oldest son, ever since the end of lunch had been increasingly glaring at him. Sesshoumaru was a little disappointed, the whole morning had been great, why was Yuusha acting up now, Sesshoumaru decided to ignore the pup, he glided to the yawning Shoiri and Me-chan scooped them up and let them sleep on his shoulder. Sesshoumaru sat beneath a tree next to his brother, and they all were lulled by the family feel into a nice nap.

A feel of something hitting his head, had Sesshoumaru snapping awake, from the position f the sun it was almost 4 in the evening, he had napped for almost an hour. An acorn on the ground was a clue to what had woken him up, only... he was sitting under a Sakura tree. Barring a tooth Sesshoumaru turned to glare at Yuusha, the only one still awake, who had generously donated the acorn to his father. The boy really needed a spanking. Using Moko-moko to cradle the girls, Sesshoumaru stood and glared at his son. Some time while they napped, Shippo had moved to nap next to Inuyasha, so Yuusha was alone on the tree. The pup jumped to a different tree, looking back at his father, clearly indicating that they should move away from the dozing doggies.

Sesshoumaru returned with a cold glare, fine, punishment in private. He made one leap and landed in a small grove ahead of Yuusha. He stood and waited as his son, joined him. Before Yuusha could say a word, Sesshoumaru grabbed hin by the scruff of his neck, and administered five sharp spanks to the pup's posterior. "You will not disrespect me like that, you do not throw things at your father!" Sesshoumaru said coldly, he was not angry – he could put up with the glaring, but he would not allow the pup to think he could get away with sheer inappropriate behavior.

Yuusha was bright red, his bum hurt but it was far less painful than the bruises he got during practice, this was just more humiliating. He did not cry out, but he was also aware that throwing the acorn had been too much. Sesshoumaru was his father's alpha and his Lord, the pup had gone too far and he knew it. He nodded solemnly, and when Sesshoumaru stepped back. gave a short bow in acknowledgement and apology.

Having administered discipline, Sesshoumaru raised a brow, wondering at the reason for his son's strange behavior. When Yuusha bowed at him instead of sulking at the punishment, Sesshoumaru could not help but feel a tinge of pride at the child, he had not cried out at all during the spanking, and he did show an understanding of his mistake. For all the issues between them, Sesshoumaru was proud of his main heir. "Well?" the DaiYoukai asked when Yuusha straightened up.

The pup was still glaring – but that was pretty normal.

Yuusha took a deep breathe, "Okay, you have played and done everything right, we had a great morning and lunch. Now don't you think its time, you leave us kids with Hana and Jaken, and take Papa away for some spoiling? I know you and Papa have very busy schedules, and this is maybe the only free day that you have before the birthing. I DON'T LIKE IT! But I think Papa needs to spend some time alone outdoors with you in the day – not just at night. You looked like you were going to sleep the whole day away - so I had to do something!" Yuusha glared balefully, he did not like being put in this position, but he was really worried about his Papa.

Grudgingly he had noticed, his Papa seemed better, healthier whenever his other father was around. And from his investigations with Shippo he had discovered the Sesshoumaru was feeding his unborn pups and his Papa Youki. That had made Yuusah happy and annoyed at the same time. Happy his Papa was supported and annoyed that Papa missed out on so much when he was carrying them. Stupid, absent other-father.

Yuusha had also discovered that Sora's parents had a romance that was really talked about and he had asked Sora the secret of how the couple had been happy together. Sora had told him of how his parents, while giving time to the children, really spent time alone together. Allowing their bonds to grow and be nurtured by spending time together doing what each other liked. Now, Yuusha did not really care about what Sesshoumaru liked, but he knew his Papa liked trees and nature, and since coming to the palace, Inuyasha had hardly had time to be outdoors.

Yuusha had to struggle with his decisions, he really, really wanted to be selfish and keep Papa to himself, his Papa would let him – he knew that. But finally two things decided this distasteful course of action firstly else Yuusah wanted his Papa to be happy and healthy and if that meant teaching his blind other father how to be a better mate to his Papa so-be-it and secondly more than anything Yuusha wanted to be like his Papa, but everyone from Kishi to Naoya looked more like his Papa than him. So what he had to do was sometimes be like his Papa, and he knew what his Papa would do. So Yuusha would be like his Papa, do what was best for his family, regardless of how irritating the task was to him.

Sesshoumaru stared at the tiny version of himself in astonishment. This generosity of spirit was not something the pup had inherited from him, to see it in a being that looked so much like himself, was surreal. Sesshoumaru's expression outwardly showed none of this. Finally after a short pause he said, "What about Naoya?"

Yuusha grimaced, he liked his new brother, but he found the god rather clingy. The Pup when not in a familiar place like his room or the family areas, that had the scents of the family strongly around, always wanted to hang on to Papa, Lord Sesshoumaru.. or him. Grudgingly (the things a Pup had to do) Yuusha nodded, "Don't worry about Naoya, I'll look after him while you are both gone. He is fine with me.." Yuusha could not help a cheeky smile, "He likes ME best after Papa after all."

Since Sesshoumaru was not quite sure if that was true or not, simply nodded, and slowly headed off towards the sleeping family. Since Yuusha was not gonna follow or walk behind Sesshoumaru, the Pup turned into his Dog form and raced around to reach the grove from a different direction. They both loved Inuyasha and would find ways to work together for their family, but between the two the rift was solidly there. The air of challenge between the two of them never quiet disappearing.

Inuyasha opened a lazy eye as soon as the two returned, noting that while the went in the same direction they returned from different ones. Of course Inuyasha had noticed the two of them leaving, regardless of the guards, outdoors, Inuyasha was aware and on alert. He was napping, but the fading of the Youki as the two had moved off, had been enough to awaken him. Yuusha came to him and cuddled for a few moments, then the Pup took the sleeping Naoya from his Papa. Only ten did Sesshoumaru, reach down and gently placed Kishi and Shippo, beside Yuusha, both who protested the spoiling of their comfort, but went back to their naps once they cuddled closer to their brother. Inuyasha raised an inquiring brow.

Sesshoumaru smiled and reached out a hand, "Your son has generously gifted me with some precious alone time with my mate. Let us make full use of the gift, come."

Inuyasha turned to look at Yuusha in surprise, the Pup tried to put on a stoic face and just nod an asset, but the proud look of pleasure in Inuyasha's face, had Yuusha flushing and than grinning hugely in delight. As annoying as it had been, he had done good.

Sesshoumaru slipped his arms around his heavily pregnant mate, turned them both into balls of energy, and shot off. He had talked to the guards before he returned to the grove, and the bodyguards all moved closer as their Lords skipped off. ]

Sesshoumaru took Inuyasha to a secret place at the edge of his lands. It was a small natural hot springs, that was well hidden by tall trees. Sunlight streamed down the emerald canopy, causing the stream to have a light green glow. Birds sang in all directions, and the breeze danced through the trees. It was not awe inspiring or even unique, it was just simply beautiful. Sesshoumaru stripped quickly, draping moko moko carefully on a branch – he did not like his fur getting wet. He gracefully sank into the warm waters, he turned and was disturbed to see his mate, dithering at the waters edge.

Inuyasha had removed the outer layer of clothes, but his inner shirt was still on. The Hanyou instead of simply removing the shirt was adjusting it so that it would stay firmly on as he got into the water. It was what Inuyasha normally did when he had to get into water out doors, he kept his inner shirt on.

Sesshoumaru had completely forgotten about the scars, he didn't pay the scars any attention, seeing them as a part of his beautiful mate. Inuyasha, when he was alone with Sesshoumaru hardly noticed them as well, but out here, in daylight.. Inuyasha had lived with the scars for too long to truly forget. They were not pretty and he would spare any passer-bys the ugly sight.

Sesshoumaru hid his frown of concern, he watched silently as Inuyasha entered the water with his inner shirt, grinning almost apologetically at Sesshoumaru. The daiyoukai had to quell the desire to rip the shirt from Inuyasha and show him once again how beautiful he was. That would help him, but not help the one carrying the scars. Instead Sesshoumaru reached out and open hand, that Inuyasha grasped, and he drew the Hanyou to him. Inuyasha resisted a little when he realized that Sesshoumaru intended for him to sit on Sesshoumaru's lap.

"Seeshou about this putting me on your lap business in the mornings..." Inuyasha began, but Sesshoumaru interrupted before he could say more.

"Is not enough?You like it too much and I should put you on my lap more often?" Sesshoumaru asked his tone clearly indicating that Inuyasha was threading on dangerous grounds, that will lead to 'Public Display of affection" that would cause the Hanyou to want the earth to open up and swallow him whole. Inuyasha understanding his Alpha's implication clearly, went bright red.

"Err.. no, no it fine as it is. Just fine." The Hanyou quickly said, dropping the conversation.

Sesshoumaru replied smugly and he placed Inuyasha firmly on his lap, "Indeed, this Sesshoumaru thought it was fine as well."

The DaiYoukai's arms went around Inuyasha and under the warm water gently massaging his belly, down to his upper thighs and around to his small of his back. Inuyasha while he never complained about it, had constant aches in his lower regions. He groaned in pleasure as his mate rubbed the tight knots of muscle. Inuyasha relaxed against his Alpha, allowing Sesshoumaru full access to his slowly unwinding body. Inuyasha allowed his mind and body to float in a daze of pleasure as the warmth invaded and the rarely experienced feeling of safety and comfort took hold.

It was only when he felt Sesshoumaru's hand loosen his shirt that Inuyasha stirred, he began to protest, but gentle and firm lips on his stopped the words. "Hush, my Beta, trust that you Alpha will take care of you."

A gentle as the words were, Sesshoumaru's eyes were dominating, and Inuyasha knew they were and order. He stared at the point just over Sesshoumaru's shoulder, his face blank, the tension returning to his limbs as his Lord removed the covering from his body, and exposed it to the suddenly harsh rays of the evening sun. It was his imagination, but Inuyasha could feel every mark on his body, could feel the pitying and disgusted looks from invisible denizens of the forest. He felt naked and exposed, but his face was blank and his back unbowed.

Then the Hanyou's eyes widened in surprise, as the pristine Moko moko responding to the will of its master, drenched itself in water, as it curled protectively around Inuyasha, molding itself to his back and effectively blocking the scars from the world. The mask cracked, and young vulnerable eyes stared into the Daiyoukai's.

Sesshoumaru leaned his forehead against Inuyasha's, "I love you my little mate, and until you can see yourself from my eyes, as your Alpha, it is my right and my pleasure to protect you from everything. Even this." Sesshoumaru's lips claimed Inuyasha's once again and the two made slow gentle love in warm pool. It was about, touch, foreplay and companionship more than sex, it took hours for them to mutually climax.

The warmth melted parts of the shattered heart, and unconsciously those parts began to heal.

-tbc-

Well what do you think? Resolution is coming fast, any suggestions and ideas are needed now. Keeping them in character in this chappie was a little hard, hope it worked. See you soon.