Bound
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InuYasha › Yaoi - Male/Male › Kouga/InuYasha
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
7
Views:
28,439
Reviews:
33
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Category:
InuYasha › Yaoi - Male/Male › Kouga/InuYasha
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
7
Views:
28,439
Reviews:
33
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Disclaimer:
I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.
Chapter 6
A/N: This chapters binds Bound and it's Sess/Miro sidestory "The 200 Words of Sesshy/Miro Smut Series" together. Therefor it sadly has no Kou/Inu smut but only Sess/Miro. Sorry for the inconvenience.
I sincerely thank each and every one of you who has commented on this fic and believed that some day, I might write more. This is for you guys!^^*hug*
I imagine myself wrapping this up in another 2-3 chapters at most. Then I'll be doing ... a sequel.
- - - -
Ahh, he could just barely hear them, there was ---
“Miroku!” Sango slapped the houshi's head, hard. And then she yanked him away from the door to Kouga's chambers by his ear. “I just knew it! Kagome was right!” she huffed as she dragged the struggling and complaining monk with her back to the quest quarters. “You're such a pervert! I can't believe you'd eavesdrop on them!” And she smacked his head again just for good measure.
“Oww, Sango! Oww! Leggo of my ear! I wasn't doing anything!”
But Sango just remained silent and dragged him along her. They soon arrived back at the quest chambers where Kagome was waiting, discoursing with Izumi. Shippou was sitting in her lap while Kirara had curled her tail around her legs, purring contentedly, unaffected by all the changes around her.
The women looked up as Sango entered with the unrepentant monk.
“Hah!” Kagome shook her finger at the monk, a disapproving look on her face. “ I knew it! He was eavesdropping, wasn't he?” she asked Sango who nodded. “Lecher!” Kagome cried out.
Izumi chuckled to herself, eyeing the monk with such look he deemed almost to be indecent.
Miroku finally shrugged Sango's grip on his ear off and smoothed his robes. He saved both of his female friends a glare. Then he gave Izumi a little bow and asked “Which way can I get out Izumi-sama? I'd like a little walk.”
“Just turn left and walk straight until you reach the exit.” She told him, winking.
“Remember to go straight out, no wandering around!” Kagome yelled after him as he turned. He scoffed at the reprimand.
Miroku left, feeling nervous of the old healer. She seemed to know too many things for his comfort. He walked straight out and into the woods surrounding the caves. He ambled between the trees aimlessly, lost in his thoughts.
He was only alerted beforehand by a slight rustle of silk. It was all a blur of white and red as he was pinned to a tree by his throat.
“Mine! I told you you were mine!” Sesshoumaru hissed it against his ear, Miroku saw his lovers eyes bleed between gold and crimson.
He was choking against the crushing hold of the strong clawed hand. It was delicate but deadly. He tried to gasp in enough air to speak before unconsciousness claimed him. His eyes pleaded with his lover. He hadn't even dreamed that the youkai could get this jealous.
“Your... yours... always..,” he finally managed to choke out while sparkly stars filled the edges of his vision, making Sesshoumaru's face look rather curious.
The clawed hand released it's hold.
Miroku slumped against the tree momentarily, lungs gasping for air. His reprieve was short, though, as his breath was stolen by demanding lips which kissed him roughly. Sesshoumaru ground his frame against the tree, kissing him to the brink of oblivion and back.
Soft, gentle fingers caressed the bruises on his neck in remorse. And when Sesshoumaru finally drew back to allow Miroku to breathe before he passed out he leaned and kissed the abused flesh.
Sesshoumaru's breath tickled Miroku's skin as he whispered against his skin. “I'm sorry beloved...”
The lord of the western lands continued his litany of 'I'm sorry' against Miroku's neck, pressing ever gentle kisses on the skin, murmuring his affection to the monk's very pores.
Sesshoumaru's hands left their place on Miroku's hips to wind down to cup his delectable behind, squeezing it lovingly. “Open your robes...,” he whispered into Miroku's neck almost too low to be heard by the human.
But Miroku did hear him and obliged.
He wrapped his legs around Sesshoumaru as the youkai cupped his bare ass, keeping him suspended against the tree. The robes hung loose behind him and Sesshoumaru drank in his naked body. Miroku believed it was jealousy that made the youkai lord to crave the sight of his skin, craved to possess him.
And him?
He didn't have any objection to that what so ever.
Miroku let out a strangled moan as a claw inadvertently flecked a bloody scrape on one of his ass cheeks. He had thought that this time wouldn't be rough.
Seemed that he was in err.
Sesshoumaru stretched him laboriously slow.
It seemed as if the youkai had never felt the insides of the most intimate part of his body with his fingers ever before. He searched, curled his fingers and prodded.
Explored.
Until he hit the spot that made Miroku scream out his name in a yelp.
Sesshoumaru nipped the skin just beneath the monk's chin with his teeth and then lapped at the skin with his tongue.
“To whom to you belong?” he whispered.
And curled his finger upwards to brush against the spot again.
“You!” Miroku cried out, eyes tearing up at the pleasure.
“Whose are you?”
And that delicious touch again.
“Yours! I'm yours! Oh please kami-sama!... Sessh.. Sesshoumaru-sama!” Miroku trashed against Sesshoumaru's finger now, craving for his touch.
Sesshoumaru smirked against his neck. And bit down to mark the skin. He had every intention to show the world to whom the delicious little monk, his monk, belonged. He scissored two fingers inside his lovers passage, the digits slick with oil.
And finally thrust his hard, oil coated member to his lovers willing and pliant body.
Sesshoumaru wrenched a moan from his lover with every one of his thrusts.
He was hard on the lithe body, reminding his monk to whom he belonged.
And to hear how his moans turned to howls and then high pitched cries of his name until they were incoherent as the human neared his release were proof enough.
Sesshoumaru had, admittedly, missed the feel of the monks tight body gripping his. How it swallowed him up and how he fit into it so snugly. He stole a kiss from his lovers plump, reddened lips, plundering his mouth with his tongue.
Miroku came, calling out his name and clenching his insides around Sesshoumaru's cock delightfully. Drawing out his lust with a few more thrusts the youkai soon came himself, coating Miroku's insides with his seed as he bit down on the monk's bruised neck, making him his.
The monk jerked at the bite, screaming, but still Sesshoumaru felt him harden as the lust of the bonding took over and then he had his hands full with a moaning monk who was almost incoherent with the force of his rekindled lust.
“Please, please, please... Yours always yours...” Miroku sobbed.
He was aching with his need. It was a fire in his veins, consuming him wholly. He saw only Sesshoumaru and was only aware of Sesshoumaru. There was nothing else in the world: just him and Sesshoumaru. And the lust they needed to quench.
Miroku let out a delighted and appreciative moan as he felt how Sesshoumaru's member inside of him sprang to hardness again, nudging against his sweet spot.
And then Sesshoumaru started to pound into him again.
Miroku placed his hands on the bark to brace him against the tree which already shook from the force of Sesshoumaru's assault on his body.
The monk had never felt this happy. The sense of belonging was incredible. He could feel their hearts beat in rhythm.
Neither lasted long the second time. Their twin cries of release moulted into one hoarse scream full of joy over their joining, their belonging, they were one and would be for the rest of their days.
Miroku snuggled against Sesshoumaru's chest as they lazed together in post coital slumber.
Sesshoumaru admired the handiwork of his mark.
Two thin red stripes adorning the left side of Miroku's bruised neck. The markings didn't stand out much from their black and blue background but after the bruised had faded there'd be no confusion as to whom the little monk belonged.
Behind them a tree collapsed and crashed down.
- - - -
“Prince Kouga!”
There were voices coming into Kouga's bedchamber through the flap which separated it from the attached audience chamber. The slumbering forms on the bed stirred. Inuyasha sighed sleepily and drew Kouga closer as the ookami tried to pull away.
“Prince Kouga!”
“Stop it!” Kouga slapped at Inuyasha's hand snaking down to his crotch. “Nnnh.. Inuyasha! Stop!”
They tussled for a moment, Inuyasha not yet completely awake, and ended up on the floor, tangled in the furs.
“What is it?!” Kouga finally shouted out, trying to untangle himself from the furs and Inuyasha. “Leggo!” The ookami yelled to Inuyasha as the hanyou wound his body around his leg, humping his calf.
“The lord of the western lands is here! He demands an audience with you and the council!”
Kouga felt Inuyasha freeze in place.
“Sesshoumaru.... Kuso, I'd forgotten about that bastard!” Inuyasha's eyes widened in horror. “He's so going to be pissed that I'm with you without his permission, if he even acknowledges me!”
“Well get up already and get dressed so we can see what he wants!” Kouga ordered his lover around, searching for his own clothing.
A few moments after they emerged into Kouga's audience chamber where the council of Sisters was already waiting, as was Sesshoumaru along with Sango and Kagome. But Inuyasha's eyes were swivelling to stare at Miroku who was by Sesshoumaru's side. There were bloody welts and bruises riding up from under his robes and on his pale neck. And those strange lines...
Kouga's eyes followed Inuyasha's and he bit back a surprised gasp.
“Bastard, what did ya do to him?!” Inuyasha shouted at Sesshoumaru for the welts were obvious claw marks. And there were bites too. Kouga held him back. This was once again one of those things where Inuyasha's upbringing, or rather the lack there of, rose up.
“I did not do anything to him that he did not wish for, brother” Sesshoumaru answered in a cool, collected voice, his tone commanding to the last syllable. He brushed his fingers lightly over the wounds on Miroku's neck, making the monk shiver and inhale shakily.
Inuyasha gasped. Sesshoumaru never acknowledged him in front of other youkai. He looked at Miroku again. At ease by his brother's side. And then he remembered. ”And by the way, you couldn’t put a word for me to your brother, he’s the most sinfully handsome man I ever saw...” Inuyasha's eyes widened.
The monk had the hots for his brother.
“I can't believe it!” Inuyasha said in a low tone. “You...” Inuyasha looked at his brother with stunned incredulity. “With a human?”
“That is none of your business, brother.” Sesshoumaru drew Miroku against his side with a possessive grip. He nibbled at the monk's ear, keeping the man flush against himself. Miroku's eyes were almost glazed over and he seemed totally out of it.
“He is my mate...”
And then Sesshoumaru kissed Miroku, then and there, claws gripping the man's bottom possessively to grind their hips together. Miroku's eyes closed and he whimpered, totally immersed in the reality that now existed for him: he belonged.
When the lord of the Western lands had his mate succinctly breathless and dazed by his side he turned to his brother, totally ignoring the shocked faces all around the room. He instead looked at his brother and then at the ookami by his side.
“May I congratulate you on the happy event?”
And was the bastard actually smiling? Inuyasha felt like he couldn't take it in. He sagged against Kouga.
“I... you! I...” Inuyasha gave up, he didn't want his brain to overload. His brother had mated! With Miroku!? Congratulating him about his and Kouga's pups!
The council, to which Inuyasha noticed Izumi belonged, were whispering amongst themselves.
Sesshoumaru turned to Kouga and nodded politely. “Greetings, lord of the wolves. I see my brother is your intended?”
Kouga grinned. “He is, lord of the West.”
“Does the Council of Sisters approve?” Sesshoumaru nudged his head.
Izumi spoke out. “They are twice blessed with children and have a strong bond. I approve.” There was a common assent from the other elder ookami women that were the council. They would not start opposing their leader as he had finally taken an intended and was happy. And was well on his way to having heirs to his lands. Some of the Sisters actually almost cooed at the graceful swell of their leaders stomach, imagining what the children would look like.
And Inuyasha was a good match, since Sesshoumaru had acknowledged his brother, there would be a bond again between the two lands.
“May this union strengthen the bonds between our lands.” Kouga said formally, Inuyasha still silent by his side, staring at his elder brother in quiet disbelief. When had his ice queen of a brother melted and who was this polite youkai who called him brother and took a human as mate?
“And may the children you'll bear be a gift to your lands” Sesshoumaru bowed his head ever so slightly. “I'm intending to have a heir of my own. Or at least try!” Sesshoumaru joked and slapped Miroku's ass. The monk yelped in indignation. “Congratulations otoutou, you've chosen well. May your children be healthy.”
Inuyasha finally found his voice. “Thank you, oniisan. May you find happiness with your mate.” And he winked to Miroku. The monk blushed, suddenly not quite the lecher he always professed to be.
The brother's eyes met for some moments, an understanding passing between them. The hatred was over and for the first time they were simply brothers. They still had a ways to go but they would be all right in the end.
“Well, I must be off. I need to sort out many things now that I've caught my elusive mate. I shall see you at the mating ceremony. Farewell.” And with a blur of silk Sesshoumaru left, snatching Miroku along with him despite the monks vocal protests.
“Well that should be interesting!” Inuyasha said and broke into laughter.
I sincerely thank each and every one of you who has commented on this fic and believed that some day, I might write more. This is for you guys!^^*hug*
I imagine myself wrapping this up in another 2-3 chapters at most. Then I'll be doing ... a sequel.
- - - -
Ahh, he could just barely hear them, there was ---
“Miroku!” Sango slapped the houshi's head, hard. And then she yanked him away from the door to Kouga's chambers by his ear. “I just knew it! Kagome was right!” she huffed as she dragged the struggling and complaining monk with her back to the quest quarters. “You're such a pervert! I can't believe you'd eavesdrop on them!” And she smacked his head again just for good measure.
“Oww, Sango! Oww! Leggo of my ear! I wasn't doing anything!”
But Sango just remained silent and dragged him along her. They soon arrived back at the quest chambers where Kagome was waiting, discoursing with Izumi. Shippou was sitting in her lap while Kirara had curled her tail around her legs, purring contentedly, unaffected by all the changes around her.
The women looked up as Sango entered with the unrepentant monk.
“Hah!” Kagome shook her finger at the monk, a disapproving look on her face. “ I knew it! He was eavesdropping, wasn't he?” she asked Sango who nodded. “Lecher!” Kagome cried out.
Izumi chuckled to herself, eyeing the monk with such look he deemed almost to be indecent.
Miroku finally shrugged Sango's grip on his ear off and smoothed his robes. He saved both of his female friends a glare. Then he gave Izumi a little bow and asked “Which way can I get out Izumi-sama? I'd like a little walk.”
“Just turn left and walk straight until you reach the exit.” She told him, winking.
“Remember to go straight out, no wandering around!” Kagome yelled after him as he turned. He scoffed at the reprimand.
Miroku left, feeling nervous of the old healer. She seemed to know too many things for his comfort. He walked straight out and into the woods surrounding the caves. He ambled between the trees aimlessly, lost in his thoughts.
He was only alerted beforehand by a slight rustle of silk. It was all a blur of white and red as he was pinned to a tree by his throat.
“Mine! I told you you were mine!” Sesshoumaru hissed it against his ear, Miroku saw his lovers eyes bleed between gold and crimson.
He was choking against the crushing hold of the strong clawed hand. It was delicate but deadly. He tried to gasp in enough air to speak before unconsciousness claimed him. His eyes pleaded with his lover. He hadn't even dreamed that the youkai could get this jealous.
“Your... yours... always..,” he finally managed to choke out while sparkly stars filled the edges of his vision, making Sesshoumaru's face look rather curious.
The clawed hand released it's hold.
Miroku slumped against the tree momentarily, lungs gasping for air. His reprieve was short, though, as his breath was stolen by demanding lips which kissed him roughly. Sesshoumaru ground his frame against the tree, kissing him to the brink of oblivion and back.
Soft, gentle fingers caressed the bruises on his neck in remorse. And when Sesshoumaru finally drew back to allow Miroku to breathe before he passed out he leaned and kissed the abused flesh.
Sesshoumaru's breath tickled Miroku's skin as he whispered against his skin. “I'm sorry beloved...”
The lord of the western lands continued his litany of 'I'm sorry' against Miroku's neck, pressing ever gentle kisses on the skin, murmuring his affection to the monk's very pores.
Sesshoumaru's hands left their place on Miroku's hips to wind down to cup his delectable behind, squeezing it lovingly. “Open your robes...,” he whispered into Miroku's neck almost too low to be heard by the human.
But Miroku did hear him and obliged.
He wrapped his legs around Sesshoumaru as the youkai cupped his bare ass, keeping him suspended against the tree. The robes hung loose behind him and Sesshoumaru drank in his naked body. Miroku believed it was jealousy that made the youkai lord to crave the sight of his skin, craved to possess him.
And him?
He didn't have any objection to that what so ever.
Miroku let out a strangled moan as a claw inadvertently flecked a bloody scrape on one of his ass cheeks. He had thought that this time wouldn't be rough.
Seemed that he was in err.
Sesshoumaru stretched him laboriously slow.
It seemed as if the youkai had never felt the insides of the most intimate part of his body with his fingers ever before. He searched, curled his fingers and prodded.
Explored.
Until he hit the spot that made Miroku scream out his name in a yelp.
Sesshoumaru nipped the skin just beneath the monk's chin with his teeth and then lapped at the skin with his tongue.
“To whom to you belong?” he whispered.
And curled his finger upwards to brush against the spot again.
“You!” Miroku cried out, eyes tearing up at the pleasure.
“Whose are you?”
And that delicious touch again.
“Yours! I'm yours! Oh please kami-sama!... Sessh.. Sesshoumaru-sama!” Miroku trashed against Sesshoumaru's finger now, craving for his touch.
Sesshoumaru smirked against his neck. And bit down to mark the skin. He had every intention to show the world to whom the delicious little monk, his monk, belonged. He scissored two fingers inside his lovers passage, the digits slick with oil.
And finally thrust his hard, oil coated member to his lovers willing and pliant body.
Sesshoumaru wrenched a moan from his lover with every one of his thrusts.
He was hard on the lithe body, reminding his monk to whom he belonged.
And to hear how his moans turned to howls and then high pitched cries of his name until they were incoherent as the human neared his release were proof enough.
Sesshoumaru had, admittedly, missed the feel of the monks tight body gripping his. How it swallowed him up and how he fit into it so snugly. He stole a kiss from his lovers plump, reddened lips, plundering his mouth with his tongue.
Miroku came, calling out his name and clenching his insides around Sesshoumaru's cock delightfully. Drawing out his lust with a few more thrusts the youkai soon came himself, coating Miroku's insides with his seed as he bit down on the monk's bruised neck, making him his.
The monk jerked at the bite, screaming, but still Sesshoumaru felt him harden as the lust of the bonding took over and then he had his hands full with a moaning monk who was almost incoherent with the force of his rekindled lust.
“Please, please, please... Yours always yours...” Miroku sobbed.
He was aching with his need. It was a fire in his veins, consuming him wholly. He saw only Sesshoumaru and was only aware of Sesshoumaru. There was nothing else in the world: just him and Sesshoumaru. And the lust they needed to quench.
Miroku let out a delighted and appreciative moan as he felt how Sesshoumaru's member inside of him sprang to hardness again, nudging against his sweet spot.
And then Sesshoumaru started to pound into him again.
Miroku placed his hands on the bark to brace him against the tree which already shook from the force of Sesshoumaru's assault on his body.
The monk had never felt this happy. The sense of belonging was incredible. He could feel their hearts beat in rhythm.
Neither lasted long the second time. Their twin cries of release moulted into one hoarse scream full of joy over their joining, their belonging, they were one and would be for the rest of their days.
Miroku snuggled against Sesshoumaru's chest as they lazed together in post coital slumber.
Sesshoumaru admired the handiwork of his mark.
Two thin red stripes adorning the left side of Miroku's bruised neck. The markings didn't stand out much from their black and blue background but after the bruised had faded there'd be no confusion as to whom the little monk belonged.
Behind them a tree collapsed and crashed down.
- - - -
“Prince Kouga!”
There were voices coming into Kouga's bedchamber through the flap which separated it from the attached audience chamber. The slumbering forms on the bed stirred. Inuyasha sighed sleepily and drew Kouga closer as the ookami tried to pull away.
“Prince Kouga!”
“Stop it!” Kouga slapped at Inuyasha's hand snaking down to his crotch. “Nnnh.. Inuyasha! Stop!”
They tussled for a moment, Inuyasha not yet completely awake, and ended up on the floor, tangled in the furs.
“What is it?!” Kouga finally shouted out, trying to untangle himself from the furs and Inuyasha. “Leggo!” The ookami yelled to Inuyasha as the hanyou wound his body around his leg, humping his calf.
“The lord of the western lands is here! He demands an audience with you and the council!”
Kouga felt Inuyasha freeze in place.
“Sesshoumaru.... Kuso, I'd forgotten about that bastard!” Inuyasha's eyes widened in horror. “He's so going to be pissed that I'm with you without his permission, if he even acknowledges me!”
“Well get up already and get dressed so we can see what he wants!” Kouga ordered his lover around, searching for his own clothing.
A few moments after they emerged into Kouga's audience chamber where the council of Sisters was already waiting, as was Sesshoumaru along with Sango and Kagome. But Inuyasha's eyes were swivelling to stare at Miroku who was by Sesshoumaru's side. There were bloody welts and bruises riding up from under his robes and on his pale neck. And those strange lines...
Kouga's eyes followed Inuyasha's and he bit back a surprised gasp.
“Bastard, what did ya do to him?!” Inuyasha shouted at Sesshoumaru for the welts were obvious claw marks. And there were bites too. Kouga held him back. This was once again one of those things where Inuyasha's upbringing, or rather the lack there of, rose up.
“I did not do anything to him that he did not wish for, brother” Sesshoumaru answered in a cool, collected voice, his tone commanding to the last syllable. He brushed his fingers lightly over the wounds on Miroku's neck, making the monk shiver and inhale shakily.
Inuyasha gasped. Sesshoumaru never acknowledged him in front of other youkai. He looked at Miroku again. At ease by his brother's side. And then he remembered. ”And by the way, you couldn’t put a word for me to your brother, he’s the most sinfully handsome man I ever saw...” Inuyasha's eyes widened.
The monk had the hots for his brother.
“I can't believe it!” Inuyasha said in a low tone. “You...” Inuyasha looked at his brother with stunned incredulity. “With a human?”
“That is none of your business, brother.” Sesshoumaru drew Miroku against his side with a possessive grip. He nibbled at the monk's ear, keeping the man flush against himself. Miroku's eyes were almost glazed over and he seemed totally out of it.
“He is my mate...”
And then Sesshoumaru kissed Miroku, then and there, claws gripping the man's bottom possessively to grind their hips together. Miroku's eyes closed and he whimpered, totally immersed in the reality that now existed for him: he belonged.
When the lord of the Western lands had his mate succinctly breathless and dazed by his side he turned to his brother, totally ignoring the shocked faces all around the room. He instead looked at his brother and then at the ookami by his side.
“May I congratulate you on the happy event?”
And was the bastard actually smiling? Inuyasha felt like he couldn't take it in. He sagged against Kouga.
“I... you! I...” Inuyasha gave up, he didn't want his brain to overload. His brother had mated! With Miroku!? Congratulating him about his and Kouga's pups!
The council, to which Inuyasha noticed Izumi belonged, were whispering amongst themselves.
Sesshoumaru turned to Kouga and nodded politely. “Greetings, lord of the wolves. I see my brother is your intended?”
Kouga grinned. “He is, lord of the West.”
“Does the Council of Sisters approve?” Sesshoumaru nudged his head.
Izumi spoke out. “They are twice blessed with children and have a strong bond. I approve.” There was a common assent from the other elder ookami women that were the council. They would not start opposing their leader as he had finally taken an intended and was happy. And was well on his way to having heirs to his lands. Some of the Sisters actually almost cooed at the graceful swell of their leaders stomach, imagining what the children would look like.
And Inuyasha was a good match, since Sesshoumaru had acknowledged his brother, there would be a bond again between the two lands.
“May this union strengthen the bonds between our lands.” Kouga said formally, Inuyasha still silent by his side, staring at his elder brother in quiet disbelief. When had his ice queen of a brother melted and who was this polite youkai who called him brother and took a human as mate?
“And may the children you'll bear be a gift to your lands” Sesshoumaru bowed his head ever so slightly. “I'm intending to have a heir of my own. Or at least try!” Sesshoumaru joked and slapped Miroku's ass. The monk yelped in indignation. “Congratulations otoutou, you've chosen well. May your children be healthy.”
Inuyasha finally found his voice. “Thank you, oniisan. May you find happiness with your mate.” And he winked to Miroku. The monk blushed, suddenly not quite the lecher he always professed to be.
The brother's eyes met for some moments, an understanding passing between them. The hatred was over and for the first time they were simply brothers. They still had a ways to go but they would be all right in the end.
“Well, I must be off. I need to sort out many things now that I've caught my elusive mate. I shall see you at the mating ceremony. Farewell.” And with a blur of silk Sesshoumaru left, snatching Miroku along with him despite the monks vocal protests.
“Well that should be interesting!” Inuyasha said and broke into laughter.