My Boyfriend's Brother

Inuyasha cried out in alarm. The force and velocity of his falling body meant any tree branch he met on the way down broke from the impact. He looked down as the ground was drawing closer. The impact will break my legs. Two broken legs isn’t that bad… Right?

He cried out in pain as his arm was almost wrenched out of the socket. Abruptly he stopped falling, bare feet barely two foot off the ground. He raised his head and met his half-brother’s eyes.

“You saved me”, he said, his voice soft with wonder, “Why?”

His older brother grunted. He lowered him to the ground. Inuyasha scowled as his feet touched the ground.

“Of course it was you who put me in danger in the first place!”, he cried.

The demon lord made no reply. He stared at him. Then he turned and began to walk away.

“Hey!”, Inuyasha cried, “Don’t you walk away from me! You can’t just drop a bombshell on me like that and then just walk away!”

Sesshomaru barely glanced over his shoulder at him.

“Why not?”, he said.

“Because…”

He ran after him. He reached out and grabbed a handful of his hair before he could get any further away from him. The grunt of pain and surprise his older brother made when his head was yanked backwards was satisfying on so many levels. He stopped walking. Result! Then he turned an angry stare on Inuyasha. Aaagh! Very bad…

“Let go of my hair, you cretin”, Sesshomaru said.

Inuyasha dropped the hair as if it had burned him. It was not strictly out of obedience. He was a little disconcerted by how much he wanted to keep clinging on to that soft, silver hair.

“I need to talk to you about this!, he cried.

His older brother regarded him with cool eyes.

“Now you want to talk”, he said, “I must suspend you by your throat twenty feet off the ground more often…”

He rolled his eyes. He sighed.

“Very well… Walk with me.”

He turned on his heel and began to walk away once more. Inuyasha stared at his retreating back. He could feel the anxious eyes of his friends on him. Then he ran to catch up with him.

Sesshomaru kept walking until they had left the camp far behind. Inuyasha followed, keeping a distance of about six feet between them at all times. His head felt like it was stuffed with cotton wool, his ears were buzzing, his stomach sick.

His older brother stopped walking so abruptly, his body and face collided painfully with his back. He bounced off him and landed hard. He ended sitting on the ground, legs sprawled in front of him. He felt warm, salty, blood trickle into his mouth. He put his hand to his face and it came away bloody. His nose was bleeding. Crap!

Sesshomaru turned towards him.

“You look ridiculous”, he said.

Inuyasha stared up at him. He grunted.

“No stupider than you, lord-I-have-to-wear-a-silly-white-kimono-everyday!”, he exclaimed, “How the hell do you keep that damned thing clean out in the open?!”

The demon lord raised an eyebrow. Other than that he made no other outward reaction to his words. Feeling himself brushed disdainfully aside, Inuyasha flushed red. He examined his bloody palm. He was about to lick the blood away when his older brother cleared his throat. He met his gaze.

“Clean yourself up.”

He looked up, ready to impart a sarcastic comment but he fell silent when he saw a handkerchief in his brother’s grasp. His eyebrows went up. A smirk crossed his lips. He met his older brother’s eyes again. A faint pink flush crept across the demon lord’s nose and cheeks.

“I carry it for convenience”, he said, “My pup does not care that it is socially unacceptable to otherwise vomit or wipe his nasal discharge on his elders…”

He walked forward and dropped the handkerchief on Inuyasha’s abdomen. Then he moved off, putting a more comfortable distance of six to eight feet between them. Inuyasha bit down on his lip to try to keep the laugh from escaping. The great and mighty Sesshomaru at the mercy of a tiny pup… A slight sound spilled from between his lips. Sesshomaru looked at him out of the corner of his eye. Luckily, the handkerchief hid his mouth as he wiped it clean.

For some time, neither of them spoke. Inuyasha held the handkerchief to his face and mopped away the blood before it could drop from his nose and fall on his clothing. Sesshomaru was still standing with his back to him, seemingly engaged by the knotted bark of the ancient tree in front of him.

“The bleeding has stopped”, he said.

The half-demon raised his eyebrows.

“Thanks…”

His older brother turned towards him.

“I do not want us to become enemies over this, Inuyasha”, he said, “If in the final battle with Naraku, I am killed, I would not rest easy knowing we were at odds once again.”

Inuyasha’s eyes widened slightly at the corners. He took the handkerchief away from his face, hardly noticing the last drops of blood that rolled out of his nostrils.

“I’m glad”, he said.

The corners of the demon lord’s mouth turned up.

“I am glad, that you are glad…”

Huh! Is he making a joke?

“So”, Inuyasha said, “What happens now?”

“We journey onward.”

The half-demon’s eyebrows shot up.

“I’m talking about us”, he said, “What happens about the pup, and you and me and Kagome?”

Sesshomaru was silent a moment.

“Would you claim the pup?”, he said.

Inuyasha’s eyes went a little wide.

“I don’t know”, he said, “I can’t say I’ve given it much thought… Do you want me to claim it?”

He looked at him quizzically. Again his older brother was silent.

“You may claim him or her as is your right”, he said eventually, “But I think that Kagome would prefer if you did not, if you left it in her care…”

His older brother’s voice was careful. This time it was Inuyasha who was silent, considering the implications of his words.

“Are you saying you would be willing to raise the pup of your half-breed, half-brother and your human mate as your own?”, he said.

“Yes.”

There was no hesitation in his voice. He stared at his older brother.

“You’ve changed Sessh…”

Sesshomaru raised his eyebrows.

“Sessh?”, he repeated, “That is the second time you have called me by that name today…”

Inuyasha’s face flushed.

“Sorry!”, he said, “I forgot. Only Kagome gets to call you that. It’s just that I’ve heard her say it so often, that’s how I think of you… It just slipped out. I promise it won’t happen again.”

Genuine surprise showed on Sesshomaru’s face for a matter of seconds, which in his terms was an eternity, before it was replaced with his usual neutral expression. He grunted softly.

“Do not apologise, Inuyasha”, he said, “I am not angry.”

It was Inuyasha’s turn to be surprised.

“You’re not?!”, he said.

“No… Come. We should return to camp before Kagome worries…”

He walked towards him. He stopped by his side and extended his hand. Inuyasha stared up at his half-brother in surprise. Then he took the proffered hand and let him haul him to his feet. He reclaimed his hand and stepped backwards. Inuyasha looked at the bloodied handkerchief in his hand.

“Keep it”, Sesshomaru said, before he could speak.

“Eh, thanks…”

He expected his older brother to move off, but he remained standing in front of him, eyes thoughtful, watchful.

“What will you do once this expedition is over?”, he said.

Inuyasha shrugged.

“I don’t know”, he said, “I’ll go back to the human village for a while, get some rest… Then I’ll move on.”

“Where will you move on to?”

“I might go back to the village where I was born...”

“Why?”

“Why not? It’s the only home I’ve ever known…”

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow.

“Aside from Kagome?”, he said.

Inuyasha’s face flushed.

“You heard that, eh?”, he said.

“Yes… Inuyasha?”

“What?”

“There is no reason why in your wanderings, if you pass my mansion, that you should not come inside and stay for a little while…”

Inuyasha’s eyes widened. He stared at his older brother’s seemingly impassive face. He was learning that the true expression showed in his eyes. Sincerity, hope, things like that showed in them…

“Do you really mean that?”, he said.

“Of course. I would not say it if I did not mean it. After all you should have some input into your pup’s life…”

“True…”

“And Rin is very fond of you…”

The corners of Sesshomaru’s mouth turned up. Inuyasha grimaced.

“Don’t remind me!”

He studied his older brother’s face.

“When I come to visit…”

“Yes?”

“Will I be invited into the bedchamber with Kagome and you at any time?”

Sesshomaru stared at him for a moment too long. He was made nervous under his scrutiny. He began to sweat. His older brother finally spoke.

“Kagome has been reading the scrolls in my personal office pertaining to Inuyoukai mating rituals and pack traditions”, he said.

Inuyasha made no reply, not knowing what was expected of him. A furrow appeared between his older brother’s eyes.

“Do you know what that means?”, he said.

Inuyasha shook his head.

“She is aware of the tradition whereby a female can be mated to multiple males”, Sesshomaru said, “The secondary males are usually weaker and expected to be submissive to the primary mate. The secondary mates’ mark will be made below the mark of the primary mate. Naturally, it is rare in Inuyoukai society, since few would tolerate another male copulating with his female. The last instance of this practice on record was of a female who was mated to, two fraternal males...”

“Fraternal males?”

“Yes…”

The half-demon’s eyes widened in shock as he discerned the meaning of the word.

“You mean brothers?!”, he said, “Don’t you?”

“Yes, brothers…”

His throat was suddenly dry. He felt his mouth open and the next words form themselves and roll off his tongue but he could not hear them at first, his heart was hammering so loudly.

“What are you saying, Sessh? Do you want me to become Kagome’s secondary mate?”

His older brother sighed.

“Kagome is willing but to say it is a compromise on my part is a gross understatement…”, he said.

Inuyasha nodded, not quite recovered enough to roll his eyes and make a sarcastic remark.

“But it is a practical solution to the problem…”

“Short of killing me?”

The demon lord raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, but to kill you is no longer my wish…”

The half-demon’s eyes went wide.

“Nor mine”, he said.

“And Kagome would never forgive me…”

He sighed.

“At least our relationships within this little pack structure we have inadvertently formed would be defined, as would our roles and responsibilities… I sense your willingness Inuyasha, but I am not ready for such a thing to happen. The wound is still raw… I need time to think about the full implications of the situation before entering into it and adjust… Is that agreeable to you?”

The half-demon’s eyebrows shot up. You’re asking me for my opinion?

“Of course…”, he heard himself say.

“Very well. Let us depart.”

Sesshomaru turned and started towards the camp leaving Inuyasha staring after him. They really want me to a second mate to Kagome!? I can’t believe it… I’ll really get to live with them and see my child everyday and have sex with her over and over again?! Yes!

Will I have to share a bedroom with him permanently though? The thought made him scowl. And I’ll have to fight off Rin every day... I love the little minx but she drives me mad! He almost groaned aloud. Then he brightened. Who cares about that now! I’ll adjust! I hope… He grinned. Then he followed his older brother’s retreating back.


Trying to get Kagome alone for the next few days was a challenge, despite the words that passed between them. At every waking moment, Sesshomaru seemed to be there, guarding his pregnant mate closely. At night she slept in his embrace. As her mate her was naturally overprotective of her, but this bordered on ridiculous.

Even trying to have an uninterrupted conversation with her when his brother left her side to hunt was next to impossible. The idea of trying to elbow Sango and the Kitsune aside when they vied for her attention seemed unmanly and shameful. Demon hunter or not, she was still a fragile human woman and the Kitsune, a mere cub.

Frankly, trying to be this understanding of his older brother’s feelings was getting on his nerves. Any petty demon that was unfortunate enough to stray across their path and relieve them of the shards met with a grisly end. He had noticed the looks that passed between his friends but he paid them little mind. It’s not like he’d killed anything that didn’t have it coming, right?!


The happy couple were seated at the fireside with Miroku, Sango and Shippo. Kagome was repairing a smock belonging to Makoto. Seemingly it helped to ease the pain of separation by keeping something of his around. Inuyasha would have thought such a thing would have the opposite effect. He had taken up a position in a tree, high above the ground. Sesshomaru was seated directly in front of him. Kagome sat to his left.

Was he really giving consideration to the idea of making him Kagome’s second mate? Or was he just being diplomatic, pretending to consider it, while stalling for time until the final battle with Naraku was over? Then he could spirit her away. Once it’s all done and dusted he may move her and the pups to a different location where I’ll never, ever find them! I’ll never see her again! I’ll never see my pup!

His heart thudded against his breastbone as if it was trying to break free from its prison. Its beat thundered in his ears. Struggling with conflicting emotions, his hands balled into fists, claws digging into his palms as he fought the urge to howl in frustration. Blood dripped onto his hakama.

He turned his head to stare at the back of his deadly foe. An irritated growl trickled from Sesshomaru’s lips in response to the force of his gaze. He turned his head to the side and looked at him out of the corner of one wide eye. He was on his feet in seconds, facing him.

Miroku and Sango started, stood up slowly and began to back away from the fireside. The former monk held out his hand and the Kitsune fox cub leapt towards him. He scuttled up his arm and balanced on his shoulder. Only Kagome remained unperturbed by the turn of events. Inuyasha sat bolt upright on the tree branch.

“What the hell is your problem, you big jerk?!”, he cried, “You’re frightening my friends!”

Sesshomaru grunted.

“I will not harm them”, he said, “They know this… It is you who has incurred my displeasure.”

“Me? What? Why? What have I done to upset you now Fluffy-sama?”

His older brother raised an eyebrow.

“Fluffy-sama?”, he said, “Ah! That is how the Kitsune refers to me when he thinks I cannot hear him…”

Shippo’s face flushed red. He swallowed with an audible gulp. The demon lord made no move towards him, which was something of a relief. He was still standing with his back to him, attention on Inuyasha. Then Shippo became annoyed. Hey! Does that big idiot think I’m not worth bothering with, just because I’m small? I’ll show him… He shook a tiny fist in the demon lord’s direction. Miroku and Sango exchanged a look.

“Your incessant glaring irritates my senses…”, Sesshomaru continued, “I would ask you to stop or sit as far away from me as possible where I can no longer sense your animosity…”

“Pah! You and your sensitive senses… If you weren’t glued to Kagome’s side every minute of the day, then maybe I wouldn’t stare at you, did you ever think of that? Has it occurred to you that maybe you’re annoying her with your clingy behaviour too?”

His older brother grunted.

“If Kagome was annoyed by my attention she would not hesitate to let me know, is that not right, my sweet?”, he said.

Kagome sighed.

“Yes, Sessh and I believe I have let you know on occasion…”

His wide eyes widened further. He turned to Kagome.

“Kagome”, he said, “You have styled yourself as a woman from another time, but even in matters such as these, does not even a female from your era have a duty to support her mate?”

“Yes lover, but you have been a bit annoying the past few days… There’s such a thing as concern, but you’re going a little overboard.”

That, and the fact that you’re trying to keep Inuyasha away from me. How bad will your jealousy be once we’re all living together? Will it lessen or get worse? If you decide to let him live with us…

Inuyasha smirked. A faint pink flush coloured Sesshomaru’s cheeks. Miroku, Sango and Shippo seemed to be all having trouble with their breathing. Choking and coughing noises were coming from their direction. Kagome caught Sango’s eye and she had to fight the urge to laugh.

“Perhaps”, Sesshomaru said, “But it is only because I care…”

“I know”, she said.

“Hah!”, Inuyasha said.

“I’m including you in that assessment”, she said.

“Huh!”

A hurt, confused look crossed his face. The corners of Sesshomaru’s mouth turned up.

“Now!”, she said, “Can everybody just sit down and shut up! My stitches are all crooked because of you and now I’ll have to unpick them all and start again!”

“Eeee….”, Sango said, “I hope I’m not as cranky as you when I get pregnant!”

“Pah! That’s all I’ve got to say to you.”

Sango pulled a face at her. Miroku and Inuyasha exchanged a look. It was not lost on Sango.

“What?”, she said.

Some would say you’re already there…

Miroku’s face paled.

“Oh, nothing…”, he said.

“Tell me!”

She grabbed his ear and yanked it hard.

“Owwww!”


That night he was unable to sleep. From his vantage point he looked around the camp at his sleeping companions. His eyes fell on Kagome, asleep in Sesshomaru’s embrace. He dropped to the ground and stole across the camp. He crept closer to Kagome to gaze upon her sleeping face.

At least that bastard can’t stop me from looking at her while she’s asleep. God, what have I become? I’m sneaking around at night to get a better look at my lover’s face because I can’t look at her when she’s awake!

The light from the dying fire made soft shadows around edges of her face. The shadows made her dark eyelashes made looked like spiders’ legs across her face. For once her brow was relaxed, her full lips slightly parted, instead of together in a worried line. One upturned ear was bared to the night air.

He was tempted to lean over her and blow on it, to see if she would wake and come for a midnight stroll with him. Strangely, all he wanted for once was her companionship and a kiss or two. Lately, whenever he thought about her he inevitably began to recall their sexual encounters. He was pulled from his musings by a warning growl. His body went rigid like that of a thief caught in the act. He met his brother’s eyes.

“You bastard, Sessh”, he whispered.

He fought the urge to yell because their companions were still sleeping.

“You knew it was me. Why the hell did you growl like that? I almost crapped myself!”

The corners of the demon lord’s mouth twitched as if he was fighting the laughter that glittered in his eyes.

“Did I, little brother? Have you added divination to your store of useless talents?”

The half-demon scowled.

“No, but I know your nose and ears are sharper than mine!”, he said.

His older brother seemed to consider this.

“True…”, he said, “Your mouth is obscene. If I ever hear words like those from my pup’s mouth, I will know who taught them to him, and I will cut you down. That is a promise!”

Inuyasha snorted.

“Yeah, whatever…”

The demon lord’s surprise showed only in a slight widening of his eyes. He had expected his younger brother to return the threat but instead he had dismissed him. Perhaps the half-breed was maturing? Perish the thought! He grunted softly.

“I concur”, he said, “Now, leave us Inuyasha and go sleep in your tree or lay down next to us. I do not care which you do, so long as you quieten down and leave me to my sleep!”

He closed his eyes and settled down next to Kagome again. Inuyasha stared at him, eyes wide. Then he looked at her angelic face. He lay down next to her and watched her face until he too succumbed to sleep.

He woke at dawn to find her soft hand in his. Reluctantly, he let it go because Kitsune fox cub was awake and sitting on the ground by his head watching the scene. He could smell him, hear him breathing. He knew his face was red as his fire rat robe before he met Shippo’s eyes.


“Why are you holding Kagome’s hand, Inuyasha?”, Shippo said, “Why are you sleeping next to her and Fluffy-sama? Why aren’t you in your tree?”


“You ask too many questions, Kit!”

He aimed a half-hearted punch at the cub’s head. He dodged it easily. He stuck out his tongue at Inuyasha and pulled down his bottom eyelid to expose the flesh underneath the skin.

“Na-na-na-na-na!”, he sang.

Inuyasha’s blood boiled.

“Come here you little bastard!”, he cried, “I’ll teach you to respect your elders!”

Shippo grinned.

“No chance!”, he said, “You’ll have to catch me first!”

The Kitsune fox cub bounded away towards the safety of Sango. She was half-awake, rubbing her eyes and blinking in the morning sunlight. Kagome opened her eyes. She smiled automatically when she met his eyes. Then she yawned and stretched.

“What’s all the racket about?” she demanded groggily, “Were you fighting with Shippo again?”

Inuyasha showed her his best innocent expression.

“Me?!”, he said, “Never!”


From his perch high above the ground he tracked her movements on the ground. He knew that Sesshomaru was probably close by since he did not let Kagome out of his sight when they were out in the open, even when she said she wanted to be alone. Even if he could get some precious moments alone with her, just how long would he have to spend with her before his half-brother interrupted them?

At the edge of a clearing, Kagome stopped walking and leaned against a tree to rest. She negotiated her way to the ground, gruntingly softly. She closed her eyes and let loose a soft sigh. Inuyasha seized the opportunity as it presented itself. He dropped to ground lightly in front of her.

“Kagome?”, he said, softly.

She made no reply. He scrutinized her pretty face. Then his eyes moved downwards. The contours of her breasts and belly made rounded shapes beneath the layers of the simpler kimono she wore while they travelled. He watched them rise and fall of her as she breathed. Her dark, lustrous hair was parted in two wings, held back from her face with jewelled combs. The rest of it fell loose around her shoulders.

He found himself fantasising about kissing her soft pink lips, opening the neckline of that modest kimono and nuzzling and kissing her bared breasts. He could almost hear her moan… Then he would open that kimono further and stroke that small, rounded belly…

She made a small sound and her head rolled towards her shoulder, pulling him out of his reverie. Oh, God! Focus Inuyasha and try to think pure thoughts! This is the mother of your child you’re looking at… But she’s so damn sexy and beautiful!

He almost groaned aloud. Mister libido was back with a vengeance and it would not be sated. He looked back to her serene face again and his carnal thoughts stilled temporarily. He moved closer so that he was within touching distance. A few inches of tender flesh showed above the high collar of her kimono, the perfect place for a predator to strike. Is she really asleep all alone out here?

“Kagome?”, he said, “This is a very silly place to fall asleep…”

A smile crossed her lips. Her lids opened and her dark, brown eyes met his. They were shiny with repressed laughter.

“Gotcha!”, she said.

Her voice was soft and warm with feeling. His expression was caught between a frown and a smile. He crouched next to her.

“That’s not funny”, he said.

“Really? I thought it was hilarious! Besides, I knew you were following me…”

And Sessh is not far behind….

His eyebrows lifted.

“You did?”, he said, “I thought I was being discreet…”

“You were…”

A small furrow appeared between her eyebrows.

“It’s like my senses are more heightened lately…”, she said.

“Really? Do you think it’s a side effect of being pregnant?”

“Maybe, I don’t know…”

She grinned at him.

“So, are you going to keep yapping all day or are you going to kiss me?”, she said.

His eyes widened slightly. Then he smiled.

“I was thinking about it…”, he said.

“Well, don’t think too long. Your brain might overheat.”

“Hey!

She smiled at him and he found himself smiling back. He leaned over her. His mouth came down on hers. She touched his face, soft fingers caressing his skin. His tongue slipped out of his mouth and pressed against her parted lips, seeking a way inside. She let her lips part a little wider. He was about to slip his tongue into her mouth when she pulled away with a soft cry. His eyes went wide.

“Are you okay?”, he said.

Her hand was on her belly. Her own brown eyes were slightly wide and she was breathing hard. Her heart was beating so fast he could hear it.

“Is it the baby?”

He made the effort to keep his voice calm despite his rising panic. She brushed his long fringe away from his beautiful golden eyes. They were large and frightened looking. She smiled at him.

“I’m fine”, she said, “Just a little startled… Let me catch my breath.”

Her whole attitude confused him.

“Huh!”, he said, “But you…”

She took his hand and placed it on her belly. Beneath the surface something moved and impacted against the outer layers of flesh under his hand.

“Yaaaahhh!”

He started and fell backwards. Kagome laughed softly at the sight of him sprawled on the ground in front of her. He sat up with a scowl.

“What the hell is that?”, he said.

“Don’t you know?”

“No! That’s why I’m asking!”

“Haven’t you ever felt a baby kick before?”

“No…”

He stared at her, eyes wide and innocent like a child.

“So that’s…”

She smiled at him.

“It’s your baby, Inuyasha, moving inside me… Come here. Feel her kick again…”

She held out her hand to him. He moved towards her again. He let her take his hand and put on the appropriate part of her belly. Sure enough he felt the movements of the developing child turning in her womb again. She met his eyes. They were full of wonder. When he smiled at her it was the dopiest of grins.

“That’s my pup?”, he said.

She smiled back at him.

“Yes…”

“Why haven’t I felt it move before when I’ve put my hand on your belly?”

“I don’t know… She’s not very active during the day, only in the middle of the night when I’m trying to sleep!”

“When did you first feel it move?”

“Hmm…. Maybe about a week ago… I can’t remember exactly… I think she hasn’t been big enough until now for me to feel her moving.”

For some moments they sat in silence, his hand still resting on her belly. He scowled.

“I don’t feel anything anymore, except the warmth of your belly”, he said.

Kagome sighed.

“She must be gone to sleep again…”, she said.

He met her eyes.

“You keep saying she…”, he said.

She raised her eyebrows.

“Do I?”, she said.

“Yes, you do…. So you think you’re having a female pup?”

“Yes… It just seems obvious somehow… You mean you want a little girl?”

Her eyes widened slightly. He smiled.

“I think so…”, he said.

A small furrow appeared between her eyebrows.

“Don’t all men want sons?”, she said.

“Not all of them…”

“You’re just full of surprises…”

He grinned.

“Well if I didn’t keep you guessing, you’d get bored wouldn’t you, and run off with somebody else…”, he said.

Any capacity to joke about the issue astounded her. There was no resentment in his eyes, just good humour. The hurt is on the inside…

“That’s not why….”, she said.

“I know…”

He gave her a small smile. She smiled back, admiring his ability to forgive. She would never, ever expect him to forget.

“So…”, he said, “Knowing the sex of the baby… Is that another one of those female things you can’t explain?”

She frowned, not liking to be teased about this particular issue. Heightened powers were disturbing enough, without being teased about it, thank you very much!

“No…”

He kissed her cheek.

“I’m just teasing you…”

“I know. It doesn’t make it any less irritating…”

“You sound like Sessh… Sometimes I’m not sure which one of you is supposed to be the pregnant one. He’s being such a pain in the ass…”

“Inuyasha!”

He rolled his eyes.

“I know! I know!”, he said, “We all have to be considerate of Sessh’s feelings… Blah, blah, blah… He’s worse than any female and personally, I’m getting a little sick of pussyfooting around him…”

“So pussyfoot no more!”

Sesshomaru chose that moment to land lightly behind Inuyasha, making him start. There was no change in Kagome’s demeanour except to smile. She had seen him descending. Inuyasha whirled to face his brother.

“Sessh! You bastard! You scared seven freakin’ shades of crap out of me!”

His brother made a small smile.

“Always glad to be of service…”, he said, “Those little blockages in the bowel can become more serious if you do not find ways to free them...”

The half-demon scowled.

“Yeah… Well… You shouldn’t sneak up on me like that!”, he said.

“Why not? It amuses me…”

“Pah!”

The demon lord raised an eyebrow.

“Really, Inuyasha!”, he said, “I am disappointed. Is “pah!”, really all you can come up with? I expected a more choice string of obscenities to fall from your mouth….”

Inuyasha’s scowl became deeper. His bottom lip pushed out.

“Leave me alone, you overdressed idiot…”

“That is an improvement… Do you have anything else to add?”

“Not really…”

“Sessh…”, Kagome said.

Sesshomaru gave her his full attention.

“Yes, my sweet?”, he said.

She gave him a reproving look. The demon lord lifted an eyebrow. He grunted softly. Her eyes followed him as he circled around Inuyasha and come to her side. He dropped to his knees on her other side. She loved to watch him move. Despite his size was so agile. It was such a misconception that a big man/demon is slow.

He leaned into her and kissed her forehead. He noticed that Inuyasha’s hand was still on her belly. He gave him a hard look but his younger brother’s hand remained where it was. He stared back at him.

“Sessh…”, Kagome said.

“Yes, my sweet?”

She took a breath.

“Will you explain more about what’s involved in this secondary mate thing?”

Sesshomaru looked at her in surprise. A glance in his younger brother’s direction told him that he was just as startled by her utterance as he was.

“You read the appropriate scrolls for yourself, did you not?”, he said.

“Yes, but I don’t remember everything and I’m sure Inuyasha would like know more about what’s involved… Wouldn’t you?”

Inuyasha looked at her. Then he looked at his half-brother. He was staring at him. It was the kind of look that was not quite aggression, more like restrained violence.

“Why not?”, he said, “It would be good to know exactly what I’m getting into instead of finding out the hard way… Sessh did say something about me having to be submissive… I don’t have to wipe his ass or cut his toenails, do I? Because I don’t think I’d recover from that!”

Sesshomaru snorted.

“Hardly!”, he said.

Kagome made a face.

“Inuyasha, that’s just too weird”, she said, “How do you come up with this stuff?”

He shrugged, face slightly red.

“Uh, weird ideas just pop into my head sometimes…”

His older brother snorted once more.

“Perhaps you should engage your brain before you open your mouth?”, he said.

Inuyasha growled.

“Are you going to just sit there and insult me or do you actually have something useful to say?”, he said.

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow.

“Perhaps…”, he said.

“So speak!”

“Very well… Being submissive to me means that you are under my authority…”

Inuyasha waited for him to go on but seemingly his older brother thought the explanation was sufficient. He frowned.

“Let’s pretend I don’t know what that means”, he said, “Be a little more specific…”

The demon lord gave him a condescending look.

“It means little brother, that you will submit to my authority. You will never challenge or contradict me in front of others of lesser or equal dominance or you will be punished appropriately. You will assist me with my affairs…”

Inuyasha bristled. Anger, hurt and aggression rolled off him in waves. It batted against Kagome’s aura like a swarm of insects. She resisted the urge to shiver and pull away. She was relieved of the burden when Inuyasha sprang to his feet. He unsheathed Tetsusaiga. It transformed in a flash. The pulse reverberated down the blade to his trembling hands.

“In other words I’ll be your slave, listed among your chattels below your toady, your freakin’ two-headed dragon and your smelly boots!”, he cried, “I bet that’s how you think of Kagome and Makoto and that Rin girl too! As your possessions to do with as you will… You bastard! And all this time I’ve been a good little doggie not wanting to upset you just in case you won’t let me be part of your happy little home… Well, if this is the it is, then I want no part of it!”

Sesshomaru stood so rapidly currents of air upset her hair and clothing. He made no move to draw his sword.

“Stand down!”, the demon lord said, “Put up your sword and fall silent before you do or say something there will be no turning back from…”

“Why should I? I’m not your servant... I’m certainly not your chattel! I’m not your submissive. I’m not your anything! I don’t have to do a damn thing you tell me!”

“You’re my little brother…”

His voice threatened to crack. The pain and the desperation were present only for a second before his usual impassive, impenetrable demeanour returned. It was the face of a killer. Kagome shivered as air around him cooled. The charged currents coming from Inuyasha’s direction burned with a fiery intensity. She was caught between them, no place to run to, no place to hide. It was a struggle to breathe. Their clashing energies were suffocating.

“Half-brother!”, Inuyasha spat, “So you like to keep reminding me…”

“I do not want to fight you, Inuyasha, but I will subdue you if you continue with this unreasonableness…”

He pressed the hilt of Tenseiga upwards from its sheath with his thumb, readying it to draw. It slid from its sheath with a harsh metallic sound.

“Oh!”, the half-demon cried, “So I’m the one being unreasonable!”

“Yes, you are”, Kagome said.

Inuyasha turned his head to look at her. He gazed in shock at her irritated face.

“Kagome”, he said, “How…”

“Sit down, Inuyasha. Let him finish the explanation…”

She patted the flattened grass beside her. He sank down to his knees, wide eyes fixed on her face. Tetsusaiga was still in its transformed state, too big to sheathe. He let it rest on the grass but kept a hand on the hilt. Her facial expression softened. She leaned towards him and took his face in her hands.

“Do you believe me when I say I love you?”, she said.

His eyes were already as wide as they could go. The corners of them twitched.

“Yes…”

“Good… So believe me when I say I would never expect you to enter into a compromising or unreasonable situation just because I will it… Okay?”

“Okay…”

She kissed him softly on the lips. He was about to put his hands over hers to hold them there and kiss her back when Sesshomaru cleared his throat. He looked at him and was startled to see him crouching next to him, in front of Kagome. He made a small sound of surprise.

“Are you ready to listen to me little brother?”, Sesshomaru said.

He nodded.

“Good… What I ask of you is your unwavering loyalty and co-operation… And of course your friendship... In exchange you shall have my trust. You shall take your place among those I would die to protect… You will also share Kagome’s life, her love and her bed with me. We will all live in the same dwelling and raise our pups together… Is that acceptable to you?”

His words seemed sat on the air between them as if they had weight.

Your loyalty and co-operation… Your friendship… My trust… Die to protect… Share Kagome’s love… Her bed… Raise our pups together…

The half-demon’s eyebrows went up. His body sang with tension. His heart was beating so hard he could feel it in his throat, almost taste it in his mouth. He swallowed. Kagome took his hand. At the warm of her touch he felt himself relax a little. His eyes remained fixed on his brothers.

“You’re asking me for my agreement?”, he said.

His voice sound a little strange to his own ears.

“Yes…”

“In that case… It is acceptable to me.”

The corners of his older brother’s lips turned up and he felt something akin to relief. He looked at Kagome. She was looking at Sesshomaru. She nodded to him. He frowned, not understanding what had passed between them.

“Mark her”, Sesshomaru said.

He looked at his older brother.

“What did you say?”, he said.

“Bare the mark on her throat that I gave her and place your own beneath it…”

His eyes went wide.

“Now?”, he said.

“Yes. Now…”

Kagome touched his face, startling him.

“It’s okay, Inuyasha”, she said softly.

She took her hand away from his face and reached her hands behind her back to loosen her obi belt. She pushed the neckline of the kimono away from her throat, revealing a triangle-shaped patch of pale flesh. He could see the soft mound of the top of her breast rising from the gap between the sides of her kimono. He stared at it, transfixed by the sight of her exposed flesh.

“Inuyasha”, Sesshomaru said, “Concentrate!”

He spared him an annoyed glance. Then he leaned towards Kagome. He put his hand on her shoulder. He met her eyes and hesitated, wondering if he was supposed to kiss her first.

“Now, expose the scar…”

The sound of his brother’s voice made him jump. Obviously not! He moved the cloth of he kimono aside so that he could see the creamy-coloured scars between the back of her neck and shoulder. It would probably be better if I was behind her for this…

“Now bite down on the flesh but not too deeply. You do not want to take a chunk of flesh with you when you remove your teeth. Otherwise she may bleed to death!”

He flashed his brother an annoyed look. He just about resisted the urge to growl. I’m not a complete idiot you know!? Kagome gave him a small smile. Looking into her loving eyes and he realised for the first time the depth of the trust she had in him. How do you know I’m not going to loose control and kill you when I taste your blood in my mouth? I still don’t have complete control over my demon half…

“I trust you”, she whispered.

His eyes went wide. Did she read my thoughts? No! That’s impossible! I suppose it’s not hard to guess what I’m thinking right now… He smiled at her. He pulled her on to his lap. With a deft movement he turned her around. She made a small sound of surprise. His mouth quirked into a smile. His arm went around her, holding her against him.

He moved her hair aside with the other hand. Then he pulled down the back of her kimono a little, exposing the scar. He ran the pad of a clawed finger over the raised marks. She trembled in his embrace. Her fingers closed around the thumb of the hand attached to the arm around her waist. Her other hand touched the sleeve of his haori.

She’s nervous, despite that smile she gave me… I don’t blame her. If I was a tiny, weak human woman I wouldn’t want a half-demon to bite me either! He leaned his face towards the exposed skin of the back of her neck. He inhaled the sweet, sweet scent of her skin. His breath tickled her. She trembled in response. He opened his mouth, baring his fangs. A familiar scent wafted on the wind...



“Hey Inuyasha! What are you doing to Kagome? Why is she sitting on your lap? Why is Fluff, uh, Sesshomaru-sama just standing watching you? Isn’t he her mate?”

His head turned so fast he heard a bone in his neck crack. Shippo was standing between them and Sesshomaru, hand on hip, a confused look on his little face. He wanted to howl with frustration. He wanted to reach out and rip the bow off the Kit’s head and take as much hair with it as possible, the consequences be damned!

A growl trickled from between his lips. His fangs were bared. The look of shock on Shippo’s face was almost comical.

“Inuyasha!”, Kagome said reprovingly, “Stop growling this instant!”

She took his arm from around her and slid to her knees in front of Shippo. She drew the neckline of her kimono together. She held out her other arm to the fox cub. He bounded into her arms and buried his face in her hair.

“I was scared…”, he whimpered, “Inuyasha really looked like he was going to eat me!”

“Ssshh… It’s alright. Inuyasha’s not going to eat you… If he does I’ll Osuwari him into eternity!”

Shippo laughed.

“Yeah! That’ll show him!”

Inuyasha scowled. He glanced at Sesshomaru. The demon lord’s eyebrows were slightly raised. There was an amused light in his eyes. Bastard! He’s enjoying this. His brother felt his younger brother’s hostile gaze on him and looked towards him. His expression softened in sympathy with the half-demon.

“Perhaps another day…”


As always thanks for the reviews and your words of encouragement... The next and final installment should be completed in the next few days.