Dark Horizons

CHAPTER SIX: THE JEWELS OF THE OUTER DARK

“Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru are joined you say, Kagura? How … wondrously strange.” Naraku laid his hands palm side up on his knees as he sat cross-legged in the throne room of the abandoned castle he had taken as his own.

“Yes, my lord,” Kagura answered. Her own knees and back ached from kneeling with her forehead pressed against the floor where she had been for what felt like half the night.

“And they seek the Seer. Why? They cannot be uncertain that they are joined …”

“No … no, you are right on that, lord.” Kagura swallowed the rest of her suppositions.

“But you have an idea why they might go see her, don’t you, Kagura?”

Mentally lashing herself for thinking that Naraku would not sense her holding back, Kagura said, “Only a humble opinion, Lord Naraku, which I did not think I should trouble you with, but if you wish it, I shall gladly tell you all I think on the matter.”

“I do wish it, my servant. Why do you not sit up so that we may converse more easily.”

Stifling a groan, Kagura gratefully sat up and saw the laughter in Naraku’s eyes at her stiffness. Oh, how he loved to diminish her. ‘But not for long. Not with Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru joined.’

“Now, tell me your thoughts, Kagura. Oh, and I do not mind if you leave out the ones that involve my destruction by the dog brothers. I already know your wishes on that score.”

Kagura’s red eyes met her master’s violet ones. Naraku lifted one delicate eyebrow as she held her breath to see if he would punish her for her ever-present desire for his death.

“While I so enjoy our staring contests, I do wish to hear what you have to say about the Seer, Kagura.”

The wind sorceress expelled the breath she held and lowered her eyes. “Yes, my lord. Something has been … disturbed in the Outer Dark.”

“Really? And you think the brothers’ joining is the cause of this disturbance?”

She shifted her weight uneasily, still unable to shake off the effects of the darkness that had fallen in the clearing while she watched Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru become intimate, “It would seem so. I sense watchfulness from the vast expanses. I sense … movement. There is a connection between this and the brothers. I am sure of it. Sesshoumaru felt it, too. I think he wishes to see the Seer to find out what the effect his and Inuyasha’s joining will have in the future … on the world.”

Naraku ran his hands through his long black hair, his gaze focused inward as he attempted to sense what the wind sorceress did. ‘Ah yes, something is coming this way.’ Naraku smiled and licked his lips, tasting the power of this being on the very air.

“My lord?” Kagura felt chilled all of the sudden by the focused, hungry look on Naraku’s face.

“So the stories are true … excellent.”

“What stories?”

“Kagura, I’m surprised that you of all people don’t know about them. It has to do with the Shikon jewel.”

Kagura suppressed a sigh. ‘;Everything has to do with that damn jewel. Get on with it, Naraku.’

“You do know where the jewel originates from, don’t you, wind sorceress?”

Kagura began to shrug her shoulders then stopped as the answer came to her, “The Outer Dark?”

“Yes. The Shikon jewel first appeared after an Ancient came down to Earth from the Outer Dark.”

“And this thing that’s coming here … you think that it’s an Ancient?”

Naraku’s smile and nod would have been encouraging, if it weren’t so feral, but Kagura continued on with her logical progression.

“And you believe that this Ancient might also have a jewel … another Shikon jewel?” Kagura felt the first skitters of fear run through her. Naraku with two Shikon jewels … it did not bear thinking about.

“I want you to follow Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru. I want to know everything they say and do. Help them in their quest to find the Seer if necessary. I wish to be … prepared … when this Ancient comes to Earth, wind sorceress, and you will keep up your part in this plan.”

Naraku did not have to add ‘or else’ because ‘or else’ was always to be inferred. Kagura shivered, touching her fan against her lower lip in an unconscious gesture of nerves.

“What are you waiting for, Kagura? Go.” His eyes flicked shut after this dismissal, already meditating, assured that she would respectfully leave.

Kagura rose to her feet and bowed quickly. As she raised the feather that would carry her to the demon brothers, she heard Naraku say something. She turned her head to look at his relaxed form, wondering if he would say those words again so she could be sure. She was not disappointed. ‘Kikyou, come to me.’ What did Naraku want with the dead priestess? Kagura decided to watch her master just as closely as she did the joined demons.
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When Sesshoumaru laced his fingers with Inuyasha’s the young hanyou felt the warm flame inside him swell. He glowed from within. Mindful of Kagome’s presence, Inuyasha limited himself to just a smile at his older brother instead of the burning kisses he wished to give. Sesshoumaru’s quick glance at Kagome with narrowed eyes told Inuyasha that Sesshoumaru still held hard feelings close to the surface towards the priestess. But his face smoothed back into its normal calmness when Inuyasha leaned his head against Sesshoumaru’s shoulder.

Kagome stilled the jealous pang she felt in her chest watching Inuyasha cuddle against Sesshoumaru. ‘He’s never been so open before, not even with Kikyou. He’s always been so afraid to trust, but with Sesshoumaru … no, I refuse to believe in this joining business. It was too pat just like Miroku said. It’s not fate that they are together. I just won’t believe that.’ The sight of their friends and the warm glow of a campfire snapped Kagome back from her black thoughts. She found herself hurrying, half running to get into the warm circle of light.

Miroku was perched on a log by the campfire watching an interchange between Jaken and Shippou. Sango sat by his side, a small smile on her lips. Rin was busy cooking fish on branches over the flickering flames, a delicious sizzling sound filling the air as the fish smoked and shrank over the heat. Shippou was sprawled beside her, warming his paws, while Jaken paced and gestured wildly with his staff.

“What about Miyoku and Tsang?” Shippou’s voice had an unexpected challenge in it.

Jaken’s sigh carried loudly, “Mother and daughter.”

“Then Renas and Coilu?”

“Sister and brother.”

“Numare and Mamoro?”

“Father and son.”

“But … but when my father told the stories, he never said--”

“He must have assumed you knew that the famous joined demons were all blood-related. You are a demon for gods’ sake, we do not have the same taboos as humans. Perhaps you hit your head when you were younger? That you can be so ignorant is mind-boggling,” Jaken hissed and stamped over to Ah Un’s side.

“Jaken, you seem to be very knowledgeable about joined demons,” Miroku said.

“I ah … well, I ah--” The green demon’s skin flushed a darker color and he stared at his staff as though it could answer for him.

Sesshoumaru shocked everyone when he spoke up as he and Inuyasha entered the firelight, “Jaken is very interested in demon history. Most joined demons have had an … effect … on the world.” As a whispered aside to Inuyasha, “Not to mention the smut aspect of the tales.”

Inuyasha grinned and whispered back, “Right. Makes me sort of wish I heard these stories as a kid.”

Sesshoumaru gripped Inuyasha’s hand harder, “If you’re very good, Inuyasha, I promise to tell them to you in great detail later.”

Inuyasha’s face flamed and he laughed nervously when he saw Jaken boggling at them, whether it was from Sesshoumaru’s defense of him or if he heard the whispered comments, Inuyasha couldn’t be sure. But his good mood did not last when he saw the grim look Miroku gave his clasped hands with Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha frowned back at him, stifling the urge to growl at the monk. ‘He’s just worried about me. He acts this way because he cares. Gotta keep that in mind so I don’t reach over and strangle him.’ Inuyasha frowned deeper when he saw Kagome go and huddle by the demon slayer, her face looked pinched and pale even in the firelight. When she saw him looking, she gave him a wan smile and began to dig in her backpack.

“I’ve got ninja food for you, Inuyasha, your favorite flavor,” Kagome said and tossed the bowl of dried noodles over to him. He let go of Sesshoumaru’s hand to catch it and was surprised at the loss he felt.

“Thanks, Kagome.” She brightened at his genuine smile.

Shippou pointed to the water already boiling in a pot over the fire. “Remember to add the water this time, Inuyasha.”

“I’m not stupid, Shippou!”

“Well, you didn’t last time and—urp!” Shippou was cut off as Inuyasha tackled him.

Sesshoumaru watched as Shippou wriggled out of Inuyasha’s grasp and bopped the hanyou on the head with his back paw. Inuyasha cursed, but his mouth curled into a smile as he proceeded to chase the fox demon in circles around the campfire. Shippou let out happy squeals and squeaks each time he avoided Inuyasha’s hands. A feeling of contentment and rightness flowed through Sesshoumaru. He settled down on his haunches and only looked away from Inuyasha’s play with Shippou when Rin shyly offered him a fish.

“Thank you, Rin.” He took the smoking fish on a stick from her.

The human girl stood looking at him for a long moment, her hands clasped behind her back, a large smile on her face.

“What is it, Rin?”

“I’m so happy for you, Lord Sesshoumaru,” she answered so only he could hear although her voice was bright with joy.

“Why is that?” Sesshoumaru said as he tore off a piece of the juicy fish.

“You are … filled with light, Lord Sesshoumaru. When you look at Lord Inuyasha … you glow. It is so wonderful to see you so happy.”

Sesshoumaru gave her a steady appraising gaze. He had not considered whether Rin would be disgusted or unhappy by his joining with Inuyasha. He expected her to accept it as she accepted everything else about their lives together. So it surprised him when he felt a pang of warmth and joy that not only did she accept it, but understood and approved.

“Thank you … now eat, Rin, and get some sleep. We are journeying to the Western Lands tomorrow and it is a long road ahead of us.”

She bobbed her head and ran back to her place beside Ah Un. She immediately began to dig into her own fish on a stick with the relish of the young.

“Western Lands?” Sango asked him.

“Inuyasha and I must go see the Seer. She resides in the mountains near my … Inuyasha’s and my home.”

“What do you need to see this Seer for?” Miroku asked.

Sesshoumaru decided to ignore his habit of being close-mouthed about his plans. These were Inuyasha’s friends and he knew his little brother wanted them to come with on their journey. The monk would accept nothing less than a full disclosure. “Inuyasha and my joining has attracted notice from something. I wish to know what that means. I am convinced that our father knew that Inuyasha and I were destined to be joined and that this joining would be … observed somehow. Father spoke to me of a conversation he had with the Seer about it. I want to know what was said.”

Sesshoumaru was disturbed by how pale the monk and demon slayer suddenly became. The monk’s eyes went to Shippou, but the fox demon had not heard what Sesshoumaru said as he was pouring boiling water into the noodle bowl for Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru expected the monk to question him extensively, but he seemed intent on studying the bowl in his hands, biting his lip while his gaze went inward. Sesshoumaru was distracted from the monk’s reaction by Inuyasha sprawling out beside him, steaming bowl of noodles in his hands. Inuyasha began to slurp the noodles down immediately.

“Sesshoumaru, you have to try these. They are so good,” Inuyasha said between sucking down a batch of noodles.

“All right.”

Inuyasha twirled some of the noodles around his chopsticks and moved them to Sesshoumaru’s lips. His ears began to twitch and warmth flooded him as he watched Sesshoumaru delicately take the chopsticks and noodles into his mouth, sucking on the ends for a moment before releasing them. A little of the noodle sauce spilled on his chin as he chewed and swallowed the food.

“Delicious,” Sesshoumaru almost purred, his eyes fixed on Inuyasha’s face. Inuyasha went pink.

“You have …” Inuyasha gestured to the sauce.

“Could you get it off for me, Inuyasha?”

“Ah … yeah … sure, of course,” Inuyasha stuttered and moved to wipe the sauce off Sesshoumaru’s chin with his sleeve, but Sesshoumaru leaned away from him.

“Not that way,” Sesshoumaru said softly and licked his lips showing Inuyasha the way he wanted to be cleaned.

“But … but every one will see,” Inuyasha whispered hoarsely, half terrified and half aroused by the thought.

“Then let them.” Sesshoumaru’s eyes glowed suddenly. “I doubt they’ll notice, they’re all in their own thoughts. Now … clean me, little brother.” The last was almost a growl.

Shivering with a need he didn’t quite understand, Inuyasha leaned in towards Sesshoumaru’s face and licked off the noodle juice with his warm pink tongue. The sweet salty taste of the sauce was pleasant, but the taste of Sesshoumaru underneath was better. Inuyasha licked Sesshoumaru’s chin again, relishing the softness of his brother’s skin. He licked along the side of Sesshoumaru’s jaw then let his tongue glide up to Sesshoumaru’s cheekbone.

“How do I taste, Inuyasha?”

“So … so good. Can I have some more?” Inuyasha murmured.

The older demon shuddered and nodded, his eyes hooded but burning with need, as Inuyasha then licked Sesshoumaru’s lips. Sesshoumaru captured his brother’s sweet mouth with his own and plundered it with his tongue. He sucked on Inuyasha’s lower lip, nipped it lightly, causing the hanyou to keen softly in the back of his throat. Sesshoumaru fisted his hands in Inuyasha’s coat, dragging it down so that Inuyasha’s right shoulder became bear. He broke away from his younger brother’s lips and began to kiss down Inuyasha’s white silky throat to the hollow at the base of his neck. Inuyasha arched backwards to give Sesshoumaru more access to his skin. Sesshoumaru licked the hollow and began to suck lightly on the skin there as he felt his brother’s pulse beneath his lips.

A cough then a louder cough jerked Sesshoumaru back to the world beyond his brother’s pulse, skin and taste. Inuyasha moaned when Sesshoumaru’s lips left his flesh.

“Uhm … guys, we’re … ah … still here with you, you know,” Shippou said in a small voice.

Sesshoumaru took in the blushing faces and averted eyes, realizing that things had gotten out of control. ‘Must get Inuyasha alone. Must get him home. I want our first time together to be in a bed … my bed … our bed.’ Sesshoumaru quietly went back to eating the fish, letting one thigh continue to brush against Inuyasha’s.

Inuyasha’s reaction to his friends and especially Kagome’s stricken faces as they sought to look anywhere but at him was more violent that Sesshoumaru’s. He suddenly jumped up, his face alternating between flushed and pale.

“Sorry. Need air. Sorry,” he muttered and took off from the campsite.

Sesshoumaru gathered up Inuyasha’s unfinished dinner and shredded the last of his fish in with the noodles. “I’ll bring him back,” Sesshoumaru told them and went after Inuyasha.

He didn’t have far to go. Inuyasha was sitting on the edge of a cliff, legs swinging off the edge. He was bathed in moonlight and looked almost ethereal: alabaster skin and silver hair glinting with moonbeams in contrast with the blood red of his outfit. Sesshoumaru handed Inuyasha the bowl of food. The younger demon accepted it, but made no move to eat. His expression made clear that he wasn’t hungry at the moment.

“Are they mad at us? At me?” Inuyasha’s voice was small and low.

‘He’s still ashamed of his feelings. Still trying to know if it’s right. My beautiful brother, whether its right or not, the feelings will not go away. Best to embrace them.’ Sesshoumaru stifled a sigh.

“No, they aren’t angry. Just embarrassed. I’m sorry, Inuyasha, I shouldn’t have started something like that when I knew … knew we couldn’t pursue it there. I just … wanted you.”

Inuyasha glanced up at his brother’s face with its delicate planes and curves like a statue carved of marble, but so warm, so alive. “You want me?”

Sesshoumaru stared out at the vast plain below them. “More than anything. I’ve never felt like this before, Inuyasha. I never knew I could. But now that I’ve … tasted … what its like to be intimate with you, I want everything … you writhing underneath me and screaming my name as you orgasm.” His shoulders twitched but he went on. “I want to take you to such heights that you’ll never come down from them.”

Inuyasha’s breathing had sped up as Sesshoumaru talked. “I want that, too. I want to touch every part of you … taste every part of you. I want you … inside me, Sesshoumaru.”

Sesshoumaru shivered again. “Do you, Inuyasha? And do you want to be inside me as well?”

“Yes,” Inuyasha swallowed at his presumption. “I want there to be nothing we don’t share with each other. Sesshoumaru, I … I burn inside just thinking of you!”

Inuyasha drew his legs up into his chest, wrapping his arms around them and began rocking, undone by his need. Sesshoumaru maneuvered himself so that he could bring Inuyasha against his chest, wrapping his one arm around the hanyou. It stilled Inuyasha’s panicked rocking. Inuyasha moaned and leaned back into his older brother’s embrace.

“I promise,” Sesshoumaru said as he kissed his brother’s head. “Once we get home to the Western Lands that I will make love to you until you cannot move from exhaustion. You shall have everything you imagined you want from me and more.”

“How long until we get there? It’s been awhile since I was back … home.”

“About two days journey with our human companions.”

“Two days!”

“It will go quickly,” Sesshoumaru chuckled.

“I doubt that since every minute with you is an eternity … I mean that in a good way.”

“I’m glad, because we have true eternity together, Inuyasha, and I want every moment of it to be spent with you.”

Inuyasha cuddled deeper into his brother’s embrace giving a warm satisfied sound.

Their absorption with each other stopped them from noticing the ground shaking beneath them until the sound of hooves and the movement of the ground nearly tossed them over the edge of the cliff onto the plain far below.

“What is that?” Inuyasha cried as he jumped from his brother’s lap and gave Sesshoumaru a hand up.

Sesshoumaru scanned the darkness behind them. He could not believe what he saw. Animals of every sort, bears, deer, rabbits, squirrels, and elk to name but a few, were rushing towards them at a breakneck pace with no signs of slowing. The animals would reach them within moments and trample them underfoot if they did not get out of the way. Sesshoumaru slid his arm around Inuyasha’s waist and bounded with his brother to the side at almost the last minute. The animals never slowed their rampage. They soared off the edge of the cliff only to make a parabolic arc in the night sky as they plummeted to earth. The sound of them breaking into pieces, the gush of blood and organs bursting and brain matter flying onto the plains below was awful to hear. When the last poor creature had flung itself to its death, Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha slowly walked over to the edge and looked down at the piles of carcasses, some still twitching below them.

Inuyasha swallowed hard, fighting back the urge to vomit, “Why, Sesshoumaru? Why did they do it?”

Sesshoumaru’s lips tightened into a thin white line. “I don’t know, precious one. I think we should make a very early start tomorrow to get to the Seer.”

Their father’s words rang in the older demon’s mind: ‘Sesshoumaru, there is a darkness coming. It will blot out the horizon and try to darken all the lands. I have seen the Seer and she predicts that you and your brother, Inuyasha, will be … connected to this evil that comes.’

Sesshoumaru tightened his grip on Inuyasha’s shoulders and began to lead the hanyou back to the campsite. Father, what did you mean? Will we fight the darkness or … or are we the cause of it?