My Boyfriend's Brother

She was wakened by a calloused hand gently shaking her shoulder.

“Wha…”

She rubbed her eyes and met Sango’s gaze.

“Ssshh…”, her friend said, pressing a finger to her own lips momentarily, “Everybody else is still asleep. I was about to go down to the spring for a soak. Do you want to come with me?”

She looked at the questioning face of the demon slayer kneeling next to her.

“I don’t know…”, she said.

“Come on! It’ll be fun! Just us girls for once… We can have a girlie chat…”

“But…”

“Don’t worry! I’ll protect you.”

Kagome gave her smile.

“I know that”, she said, “I’ve been trying to ask you if we should bring Shippo-kun with us?”

“Oh!”

Her friend’s face fell. She raised her eyebrows.

“Or not…”, she said.

She smiled brightly.

“Yeah, it’s been ages since it was just you and me… Help me up.”


The heat of the spring was heaven for her sore back and feet. She was used to having company as she performed her daily rituals because she and Rin frequently bathed together, so the presence of another naked woman did not bother her. At school, showering after gym class in the communal showers had been a nightmare, comparing herself to the petite or the taller, thinner figures of her classmates, while they compared themselves to her. The memory was enough to make her shudder.

For sometime neither of them had said anything. They were sitting back in the water with their eyes closed, each woman lost in her own thoughts. She could feel her eyes growing heavy.

“Kagome-san”, Sango said.

“Yes, Sango-san?”

“There’s no way to put this delicately so I’m just going to come out and say it…”

Her eyes flashed open. Fully alert now, she focused on her friend’s anxious face.

“This sounds important…”, she said.

She smiled, trying to make light of the situation. She had strong feeling that she had invited her down to the hot springs alone because she wanted to discuss Kagome’s personal situation with Sesshomaru and Inuyasha. Yet part of her hoped in vain that Sango had news of her own to impart. Perhaps she too was going to become a mother or she was having some kind of marital difficulty and she wanted a little friendly advice? A frown line appeared across the other woman’s brow.

“Don’t smile at me, Kagome-san. What I have to say is serious!”

Her face instantly sobered.

“I’m listening…”

“Shippo told me what he saw…”

She raised her eyebrows. She tried to keep her voice as pleasant as possible. She knew that Sango had ever right to be concerned about her, she would not be a good friend if she was not, but her personal situation was her own business unless she cared to talk about it with others.

“What did he see?”, she said, playing along.

Her eyes went wide.

“Oh, dear God! Did he see me and Sesshomaru together on the bank of the hot spring that day? He was giving me really amazing oral and I was moaning very loudly…”

She giggled.

“It must have looked a little odd… I hope he didn’t think Sessh was hurting me?!”

She looked suitably distressed. Sango’s face flushed. She cleared her throat.

“No, and I could have done without the description!”, she cried.

Kagome chewed her lip to suppress a smile.

“Sorry!”, she said.

“Like hell you are! You told me before how great his tongue is!”

Kagome grinned. Her friend returned her smile. Then her mind returned to her previous concern and her brow creased again.

“That’s not what I was trying to talk to you about…”

She resisted the urge to sigh. Her face sobered again.

“What is it, Sango-chan?”, she said, reverting to the older, more familiar term of affection, “You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”

“Right, Kagome-chan…”

Sango automatically followed her lead. She sighed.

“Before I begin you should know that I say these things to you because you’re my best friend and I care what happens to you…”

Sango looked so sad she wanted to hug her. She felt guilty about feeling impatient and angry with her earlier.

“I know… I feel the same about you. Go on…”

Her friend managed a small smile.

“This thing with Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, whatever it is… I’m worried about you.”

“Why? You don’t need to be…”

“It’s my job to worry about you. You’re the first real friend I’ve ever had!”

“Oh, Sango…”

She rested her hand her friend’s shoulder and kissed her cheek. Then she leaned back and patted her shoulder reassuringly. A pretty blush spread across the demon slayer’s cheeks and nose.

“Inuyasha's my friend too but just hate the thought of you being caught in the middle between them!”, she said, “I know it’s horrible but sometimes I think it would have been better if the well had stayed broken and you’d never come back…”

Kagome stared at her, mouth open in shock. Her friend pushed on, as though she was oblivious to the expression on her face.

“But I’m selfish. I wanted you to come back and keep being my friend. I wanted you to help us find the rest of the shards so we could defeat Naraku and stay afterwards. I wanted my brother back. I wanted things with Miroku to stop being so damned complicated! I wanted to be normal again, whatever that means!”

A tear crept down her cheek.

“Now I’m crying… Stupid eyes!”

She rubbed her hands frantically across her eyes and face. Kagome’s face crumpled. She rested her head against her friend’s shoulder. Sango put her arm around her. She stroked her hair until they both stopped crying and their breathing returned to normal. Kagome sat up and wiped at her face.

“Sorry”, she said, “Stress…”

The demon slayer smiled.

“I know how that feels…”

She sighed.

“So what happens now?”, she said.

“I don’t know…”

Her friend’s brow creased.

“I’m going to ask you a question and I don’t want you to get mad at me…”

Kagome raised an eyebrow.

“Okay”, she said, “But I can’t promise anything until I’ve heard it…”

Sango took a breath.

“The child you are carrying at the moment…”, she said, “Is Inuyasha the father?”

The other eyebrow rose to join the previous.

“Yes.”

Her friend’s expression did not change. A small furrow appeared between her eyebrows.

“You don’t look surprised”, she said.

The demon slayer shook her head.

“No”, she said, “When Shippo told me what he had seen, it sounded to me like he was attempting to mark you as part of an Inuyoukai mating ritual… Then things began to fall into place; the fighting, the jealousy, the looks exchanged, Inuyasha’s frequent side trips to see you… It all made sense! Then there was the morning you left the village after you came for my wedding…”

She smiled.

“I asked Inuyasha if you’d banged their heads together… He went all red. Miroku guessed what was going on long ago but he didn’t say a word until I put it all together, the crafty old lecher! I think I didn’t want to believe it. That’s why I didn’t realise sooner…”

She paused to catch her breath.

“I hope you know what you’re doing, Kagome, I really do…”

Kagome’s eyes went wide.

“I thought you’d disapprove of what we’re doing!?”, she said.

Her friend shook her head.

“No”, she said, “Why would I, Kagome-san? It was not uncommon for men and women to have more than one wife or husband in times gone past. In fact, it is still goes on in some parts… So long as it makes you happy…”

“It does…”

Sango smiled.

“Then that’s all I want to hear”, she said, “I won’t say another word on the subject… But remember, if you ever need anybody to talk to, I’m here for you…”

“Thank you, Sango-san…”

Her voice was quiet. She chewed her trembling lip.

“I think I’m going to cry again…”

“Oh, Kagome-san. Come here…”

She put her arm around her shoulder. Kagome leaned her head against the curve between her neck and shoulder.

“What did I ever do to deserve such good friends?”

Sango opened her mouth to speak but she did not have time to answer. She spied Shippo bounding towards them obviously in distress…

“Naraku!”, he cried, “He… They’re fighting him!”


She thought about those closest to them who had fallen before Naraku’s might: Kikyo, Kohaku, Kagura… How easily his agents had separated them from the shards they themselves had painstakingly collected… She watched Sesshomaru and Inuyasha fight as team, the latter charging into battle with the same fearlessness and arrogance as the former, as if he truly believed that the unity of brotherhood made him invincible. Sango and Miroku hung back to keep the tirade of demons that accompanied their foe from harming Kagome and Shippo, should the shield that she had constructed around them fail.

The assault seemed never ending, yet they battled on through the fatigue, Kagome occasionally sending purifying arrows through small gaps in her shield. Inuyasha was trapped in Naraku’s diamond grip, draining his energy. Ignoring the missiles that slashed his face and body, Sesshomaru rushed to save him, sword hacking at the joint of the limb. He cried out in surprise rather than pain as a diamond blade struck his scalp. A chunk of silver hair floated to the ground. Blood streamed down his face and into his eye. Inuyasha gasped.

“Your head…”

“It is not as bad as it looks…”, the demon lord assured him.

He shook his head, sending blood flying in all directions. Some of it landed on his younger brother’s face. The half-demon gaped at the horrible wounds on his older brother’s face and body. He could feel the crushing pain in his own body but he the wounds were sealed by Naraku’s deadly fingers. He fought the nausea as his precious life force was sucked out of him.

“Sessh, you idiot!”, he cried, “You’re going to break another sword if you keep on like that! Don’t you know that he wants you distracted? He’s planning something…”

“Silence half-breed! Your whining hurts my ears…”

His eyes were red and his face was contorted in anger. The half-demon lapsed into silence.

“Stay still. I have a notion I should like to try…”

He moved backwards through air giving himself room. Naraku’s other hand gripped him around the midriff. He grunted in pain but focused long enough to move his sword in a small arc and send a small blast of Ki through the sword towards Naraku’s shoulder, before he was flung across the clearing towards Kagome and Shippo. Luckily, the shield held and his body slid down it as if it had real form and weight, and not just a manifestation of his mate’s will.

Kagome watched as a moon-shaped circle devoured the joint between Naraku’s body and arm. Their nemesis roared in pain. Stunned, she watched her mate pick himself up and rush to free Inuyasha from the fallen limb. Why didn’t he just send the rest of him straight to hell? Then it came to her. The jewel. We still have to destroy it. It would not be enough to send it to hell with Naraku. Somebody could still retrieve it and use it for evil…

Soon Inuyasha was on his feet again, rushing the enemy with his brother, with little thought of the streaming wounds on his weakened body. It was if they were of no consequence. Naraku bombarded them with deadly attack after attack, sometimes driving them back to regroup. Each time they attacked with renewed vigour. Sesshomaru concentrated the upper part of the body and the arm, while Inuyasha concentrated on the lower part and the limbs.

Finally the giant was beginning to weaken. Inuyasha’s repeated efforts caused him to collapse on one knee. Sesshomaru had made a sizable hole in his chest armour. The purified light of the shards that had refused to be blackened by Naraku’s foul body shone through it like the light of a thousand captive fireflies. The demon lord raised a hand to shield his eyes lest he be blinded by the light. He landed awkwardly on the uneven ground, almost twisting his ankle, a testament to how tired he actually was.

“Now, Kagome.”

He did not raise his voice but the sound still carried. She readied her bow and shot the arrow over his heads, with a surety that this time it would not miss.

“Get clear Inuyasha!”, she cried.

He ignored her and remained at his post, hoping to inflict maximum damage. The arrow hit its mark. If the light had been blinding before, now it burned with the ferocity of the sun. Naraku roared in pain as his armour cracked and his body began to liquefy. Foul miasma spilled out in all directions, falling on Inuyasha as he ran towards his friends.

Kagome’s eyes widened in horror. His wounds! Why didn’t he get clear? Why did he keep hacking at him? Once more Sesshomaru rushed to his younger brother’s rescue. The accompanying demons made a hasty retreat. They let them go. It was of no consequence now. They could track them down and kill then another day if they decided to make themselves a nuisance to the general populace.

The demon lord set his younger brother almost tenderly on the ground in front of Kagome and Shippo. Then he drew himself up and walked towards the shell of a demon in front of him. Miraculously the body was not falling. There was still life in his eyes. With one tremendous leap Sesshomaru launched himself into the air and towards the demon’s chest. Grimacing in disgust, he plunged his arm into the spongy mass of the demon’s chest and retrieved the jewel.

He stared at the globe in the palm of his hand, already starting to blacken from the power of his demonic energy. His pup had bigger marbles that this thing. This is what all the hardship we have endured has been for? It does not seem right. He tossed the jewel in the general direction of the group, hearing it land and roll across the ground. Staring into the eyes of his fallen enemy he had nothing to say.

“Finish it”, Naraku said, “Do not look at me with those compassion-filled eyes, dog demon. I cannot stand it. I neither care for nor need your pity.”

It was a miracle the demon could still talk. The sounds that came from between his lips were harsh, like a nail on glass. Sesshomaru nodded. He enough distance between them so that he would not be sucked into the vortex too and swung his sword. Then Naraku was no more.

Kagome walked over to where the Shikon no Tama had fallen. She squatted down and reached out to pick up the jewel. She stood up with a soft grunt. Then, holding it in both hands, she closed her eyes and concentrated. Bright light spilled from the gaps between her fingers.

When she opened her hands again the jewel was gone. She gave a small sigh. Then she began to fall backwards. Sesshomaru caught her before she hit the ground. She reached up a hand to touch his face and saw him flinch. The cuts on his face were horrible. A steady stream of blood ran down his face from the scalp wound but he seemed not to notice.

“Where did you send it?”, he said.

“Into the sun…”

Kaede’s hut was closest, so that’s where they went. Out of the group, Kagome and Shippo were the only ones who were not injured. Sango had some minor cuts and scrapes but Miroku had a terrible wound to his leg. If infection did not set in, in the next few hours there was a slim chance they would not have to amputate.

With the passing of every hour, Inuyasha was sinking. In his room in Kaede’s house, Kagome sat with him. For what had remained of the day before and all night she had stayed with him. It was now early morning. She left the room for brief intervals to use the bathroom or to get fresh water. At these either Sango, Shippo or Sesshomaru sat with him. Now, she returned with fresh water to wash his face, Sango gave her worried smile as she passed her on the way out.

“Come and talk to me, Kagome”, he said, “I only have a little time left…”

His voice was quiet and sounded strained, as if every word hurt.

“Inuyasha, don’t talk like that”, she said, “You’re going to get better…”

The half-demon shook his head slowly from side to side. Even that small act caused him horrendous pain. He swallowed a scream for her sake.

“No”, he said, “I know I’m going to die. Don’t try to keep it from me…”

Hot, fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.

“Oh, Inuyasha…”

Her legs refused to hold her any longer. She sank to her knees by his side. She crawled towards him and pulled his head onto her lap. He made small sounds of discomfort, trying to mask the bigger sounds that threatened to spill from his lips.

“I’m going to see her soon…”, he said.

“Kikyo.”

Her voice was a whisper.

“She’s waiting for me…”, he said, “I bet Kohaku and Kagura are there too… Should I say hi from Sango and Sessh?”

She swallowed the lump in her throat.

“Yeah…”

“Do you think she’ll forgive me?”

She frowned slightly.

“For what?”, she said.

“For not holding on for her… When she died all that was left for me to do was to die too, but at some point I decided I wanted to live, because I wanted to be with you… I was so lucky that you gave me a second chance. Not many people get a second chance… I love you Kagome, as much as I am able, but she was my first love… It’s something you never recover from.”

“I know…”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, there’s no need…”

“Still… I feel like I have to…”

“Ssshhh…. Let’s not waste time on unnecessary pleasantries…”

Inuyasha smiled weakly.

“That sounds just like something Sessh would say.”

“Yes, I believe it does…”

“Live well, Kagome… Raise our child… Tell her all about us and what happened between us and never, ever be ashamed…”

Her eyes widened slightly.

“I will…”

He smiled at her one last time. Then his head rolled to the side. He had slipped into a deep sleep, one he would possibly never wake up from. She stared down at him in shock. She smoothed damp pieces of hair away from his sweaty face as hot tears coursed down her cheeks and fell on his face.


“His words… So final.”

Kagome looked towards the doorway where Sesshomaru stood. He slid the screen shut behind him. She watched him walk across the room and kneel by Inuyasha’s side. He leaned over his younger brother and brushed away the last damp tendrils of hair away from his forehead and cheeks. He trailed the backs of his fingers across his cheek.

The tenderness of the gesture and the worry evident in his eyes as he stared down at his unconscious sibling almost brought her to tears again. Little over a year ago such a thing would not have been possible. Back then they were still trying to kill each other. She swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat.

“There’s nothing more I can do except to try to make his last hours as comfortable as possible…”, she said, “He is beyond my healing powers.”

Sesshomaru nodded. He made a slight sound in his throat. His eyes remained on his younger brother’s face. His cheekbones seemed more prominent and the hollows under them deeper, as if lack of sleep had stretched his skin taut. The skin under his eyes was tinged grey. Thankfully, the slashes across his nose and cheeks had closed and were now covered by a layer of new, pink skin.

She looked up at his bowed head to examine the scalp wound. She was pleased to note that it had scabbed over. It was even tinged pink with new skin on the shallower end. He had been strangely unperturbed by the blood streaming down his face and had vehemently refused treatment until everybody else had been attended to. Personally, she would have been a little upset if his injuries were permanent.

She watched him in silence for a few moments, wondering how he would respond to the request she would utter.


“But there is something you can do…”, she said.

He met her eyes. The hopeless expression on his face made her chest tight.

“What can I do, Kagome?”, he said, “I am no healer.”

His voice was flat and expressionless. His face fell into its usual stoic lines. He made a small sigh.

“No, but you are immune to Naraku’s poison and your saliva has antiseptic properties”, she said, “Remember when you scratched me with your claws and you licked the wound clean?”

A small furrow appeared between his eyebrows.

“There is an antidote in my blood and saliva to counter my own venom”, he said, “It exists so that I do not accidentally poison myself if I were to tear my skin with my own claws… It was short of miraculous that you did not die, that I was able to lick the remaining poison out of your wound before it could spread any further. The wound itself had been well cleaned and dressed beforehand… Perhaps it was your own knowledge of healing that saved you? Not I…”

Kagome’s eyebrows threatened to shoot into her hairline.

“So there was a slight chance I still could have died from your poison?”, she said.

“Yes…”

She made a small sound. Then she frowned.

“So you won’t even try?”, she said.

He was silent, staring at her.

“Sessh, please. For me…”

He sighed.

“You do realise this is emotional blackmail?”, he said.

She gave him a small smile.

“Yes…”

A frown line appeared across his forehead.

“I do not know that I should proceed without Inuyasha’s consent…”

She matched his frown with one of her own.

“Why not?”, she said.

“Because it may be tantamount to committing sexual assault on him!”

“Hardly… I know that some of the wounds are in sensitive places, but I don’t think he’ll mind so much if you’re saving his life…”

He shook his head.

“I know that the touch of my tongue can be pleasurable, even orgasmic when applied properly…”

Kagome’s face flushed, despite the fact that they were the only two beings privy to the conversation.

“With multiple wounds on his body, Inuyasha may become aroused... I know he would view this as a violation.”

“If you can handle it, Sessh, I think he’ll be able to, too…”

He shook his head.

“You still do not understand. When I kissed him and touched his body, I was not merely teasing...”

Her eyes widened.

“You weren’t?”, she said.

“No, I was also testing his inclinations… His body responded to my touch but his mind recoiled in horror. I would not do that to him again.”

She stared at him.

“You mean you really wanted to have sex with him?”, she said.

Her voice was soft with wonder. That explains sooohhh much! Why did I not pick up on it at the time? I’m such a Baka! He did not answer her immediately. He seemed to be considering his words carefully. He finally spoke.

“I prefer the press and the scent of softer female flesh. I find the naked feminine form far more pleasing to the eye, but in the right circumstances a sexual encounter with a beautiful, schooled male can be just as pleasurable… If he were willing to shed all of his inhibitions when he joins us in bed, then yes, I would take Inuyasha as my lover too…”

He sighed.

“But I know it can never be... He is not interested in having a sexual relationship with me so I must respect his wishes.”

Her eyes were wide.

“But you’re half-brothers?!”, she said.

He snorted.

“There are many ways to love, Kagome”, he said, “Do not rush to pass judgement on me, when you become so aroused by the sight of your mate kissing and caressing his younger brother.”

Her face flushed.

“Yes, but…”

“Ah! Incest is the last taboo in your human society…”

He grunted softly. A small furrow appeared between his perfect brows.

“Yet your ruling houses have trampled this social nicety in their quest to keep power within the pack for eons. In common human settlements, as the generations pass the divides of family name and blood become blurred… How often have I heard one human bad-mouthed another, only to be told in the next breath by the listener that he is related to that being by blood or marriage? Among my own kind, males have been forced to mate with sisters and daughters when pack numbers have been dangerously depleted by conflict and disease…”

“I get what you’re trying to say but…”

“You still do not understand the why?”

“Yes…”

He sighed.

“Among my own kind he is an abomination. It is miraculous that he survived into adulthood without being killed by an enraged, pure blooded, Inuyoukai. As a Taiyoukai, in saying I would be the one to kill him, I claimed him as my own. That made him mine to do with as I saw fit...”

“Oh…”

“If I had chosen to coerce him into a sexual relationship, there would have been no raised eyebrows in Inuyoukai circles. It was almost expected of me... There is a saying: a female for breeding and a youth for pleasure…”

“But a fresh kill is ultimate gratification*?”

She finished the sentence for him. He raised an eyebrow.

“You are familiar with the phrase?”, he said.

He was looking at her in that way he did when she had said or done something unexpected to pique his interest. It was not often she surprised him, but she was too filled with conflicting emotions to enjoy the moment. She nodded to him, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of pink. There was a silence.

“While we are on the subject of sexual relations…”, he said, “Perhaps later on, when one brother copulates with you, the other would not have to watch? He could join you…”

She had been staring at him steadily for sometime with wide eyes. The corners of them twitched but they could go no wider.

“Have sex with both of you at the same time?”, she said.

Why am I so surprised he said that? Is there anything else we haven’t touched on in this weird conversation? Now that I think about it, this is probably the most frank discussion we’ve ever had about anything!

“Yes.”

A slight frown line appeared on her forehead as she thought about the mechanics of the proposed situation.

“One of you would be inside me and I would give the other oral?”, she said, “I don’t know how well I’d manage in that situation. You know what I’m like when…

He shook his head.

“That scenario has possibilities but that is not what I was implying…”, he said.

“No?”

“No.”

She stared at him, her eyebrows drawing together as she frowned at him. Then her eyes widened as the realisation hit her. They threatened to pop from her sockets and fall on to her cheeks.

“Oh!”, she said, “You mean the other would… Up the… Oh! Oh wow!”

Her voice was soft. Her throat was suddenly dry. She swallowed her own saliva to moisten it. She licked her dry lips.

“Uh… I admit I’m more than a little curious to know what it feels like but…”

“But?”

“I don’t think I’m ready for that kind of experience just yet!”

A faint smile crossed his lips. He cupped her face in his hand.

“Then you shall have both of us, but separately…”

He kissed her forehead. Her eyes were still a little wide. I wonder if I should try to track Akane down and ask her just what they used to get up to! Maybe not… She’d probably kill me on sight!

She looked down at Inuyasha’s face again. His head was still on her lap. Though he had suffered terrible injuries all over his body, his face was strangely untouched. In sleep he looked so peaceful, innocent as a child, angelic facial expression giving no hint to the physical suffering he was enduring.

She took the tip of one soft, white ear and rubbed it gently between her fingers. He made a small sound in his throat. She swallowed the lump that inadvertently formed in her throat as she fought the onset of tears. I can’t do this! I can’t watch him fade away if there is something we can do to stop it. He can be angry with us later... She looked up and met Sesshomaru’s eyes.

“Please, Sessh…”

He watched her face. He really did look tired.

“Very well… I shall try…”

He pushed the blanket down to Inuyasha’s hips. She was reminded that he was naked under the bedclothes. His warm skin had a dull, grey tinge. Could I always count his ribs? It’s only been a day. I know he can eat for China but he could not have lost so much weight… His older brother cut the bandages around his chest and arms with a swipe of his claws. Then he put his arm under his back and pulled him on to his lap.

He glanced at Kagome who sat as still as a statue, transfixed by the sight of him cradling his younger brother’s limp body. Then the warmth and life came back into her face and body when she noticed his eyes on her. She knelt up and carefully peeled the sodden bandages away from the weeping wounds. A furrow appeared between the demon lord’s eyebrows.

“Some water to clean the wounds and to cleanse my palate as I work and a basin to spit poison into…”, he said, “Then I shall begin.”

“Okay…”

She fetched the supplies and cleaned the wounds on his chest and arms. Then she sat back and looked at Sesshomaru. He nodded. Then he leaned his face towards his younger brother’s chest. She saw his long, pink tongue slip out of his mouth. Then it was hidden from view as he began to lick the first wound clean.

He licked the wounds on his younger brother’s torso and arms clean, stopping only to spit out foul-looking venom and rinse his mouth. He let the half-demon’s body rest against the mattress again. Then he pushed the blankets down to examine his legs. He slashed the bandages around his thighs. Kagome stared.

As he had predicted his younger brother was hard and almost fully erect, organ rising from a nest of unruly, white curls. Even in his unconscious state he had made small sounds in his throat as his brother had born down on the wounds with his a firm, wet tongue. She was already breathing hard. The sight of Inuyasha’s erection made her catch her breath. Then it returned with a gasp.

She watched as Sesshomaru peeled back the spent bandages carefully. He discarded them with the others and sat back on his heels. He looked at her, a faint smile on his lips. She made a small sound in her throat. Then she bowed her head, trying to conceal her blush.

Hurriedly, she dipped the sponge in a fresh basin of water, readying it for use. She did not protest he took the wringing sponge from her fingers. He squeezed the excess water out of it and began to cleanse the wounds on his younger brother’s thighs.

He let the sponge drop back into the basin again. Then he leaned over the half-demon and began to lick the wounds clean. His hair fell over Inuyasha’s lower body and groin, concealing his erection from view. The unconscious male made a soft whimpering noise in his throat. From a different angle it might look to an observer like his older brother was carefully licking and sucking his erect penis.

Kagome’s blush extended to the tips of her ears. It threatened to move down her neck towards her breasts. Between her legs she could feel muscles contracting, her vagina moistening. She made a small sound in her throat, echoing Inuyasha. This is all wrong. Why am I getting wet and breathing hard? He’s just cleaning his wounds… But it’s so hot!

“Maybe I should go get Sango and get her to help?”, she said.

Her voice sounded strange to her own ears. It was too high pitched. The furrow between her mate’s eyes as he lifted his head to look at her confirmed this. Inuyasha’s erection came into view again. He was hard, ready to act, if he had not been unconscious. She swallowed.

“I should definitely go!”, she said.

She began to scramble to her feet. It was an awkward process though she was only five months pregnant. Sesshomaru raised his eyebrows.

“Where are you going?”, he said.

“I’m going to get Sango to assist you…”

The demon lord shook his head.

“No”, he said, “I would prefer if you remained…”

“But?”

“Sit. Please.”

She stared at him, eyes a little wide. Then she sank to her knees on the ground again.

“I shall roll him onto his side to access the wounds on the back of his body”, he said, “Help me hold him upright when necessary.”

“Okay…”

He spat the remains of the poison into the basin and rinsed out his mouth with water. Then he rolled Inuyasha on to his side. Kagome held him in place while Sesshomaru peeled away the bandages and wiped the wounds. Then he began to lick the wounds clean once more.

She watched him inch closer and closer to Inuyasha’s buttocks. She tried not to make a sound as he finally reached them and began to lick the wounds. Her harsh breathing and the smell of her arousal betrayed her. Then he moved lower, to lick the wounds on the backs of his legs.

* Women for breeding, boys for pleasure, but melons for sheer delight – Pathan/Pakistani proverb

She was relieved when the time finally came to bandage Inuyasha’s body and limbs. Sesshomaru lowered him gently back down on to the mattress. Kagome pulled the covers up to his chin. She wiped the back of her hand against her forehead feeling as spent as if she had really had sex. Maybe now he’ll let me go outside and catch my breath… She got to her feet, leaving her mate sat by his younger brother’s side.

She was reaching out her hand to the door; ready to slide it back, when she heard a growl. Then Sesshomaru’s arm was around her waist holding the back of her body tightly against the front of his body. She could feel the press of his erection against her lower back. The vibrations produced by his growling ran along the back of her body making her shiver. Her eyes went wide.

“Sessh…”

Her voice was a gasp.

“Forgive me if I do not kiss you or lick you, Kagome”, he said, “I would but I fear there is still poison on my lips and tongue… My hand and penis shall have to be sufficient.”

He loosened his grip and she turned in his arms. His eyes were red. He ran his fingers across her lips, tracing the shape of them. Then he tore the sash holding her kimono together. Then he pushed the material aside. Underneath the kimono she was naked, the smell of skin musky, because she had not washed yet that day.

He trailed his hand across her round belly and under the cloth of the kimono. He slipped his arm around her and pulled her against him. He nuzzled her neck causing her to make a soft sound. Her small hands stroked and smoothed his hair. Then he nuzzled her breasts. She laughed softly.

He raised his head to meet her eyes. She took his face in her hands.

“Thank you for what you did”, she said, “I know…”

He put a long, elegant finger to her lips, causing her to lapse into silence.

“Thank me later, Kagome, when Inuyasha makes a full recovery…”

She nodded. He took his finger away from her lips and eased her down to the floor. He let her loosen the tie that held his hakama together and ease his outer and inner kimonos out of the waistband. She undid the ties and pushed the cloth towards his shoulders, baring his muscular chest. Her small hands caressed him, moving down his chest and over his abdominal muscles.

She leaned forward and trailed light kisses down the centre of his chest. She licked the nipple. Gently she worked the sensitive flesh into a small, hard nub. He made a small sound. She met his eyes and smiled. Then she repeated the process on the other nipple. Her hand trailed down his torso until it touched the waistline of the hakama. She kissed a line along the centre of his abdominals.

Trailing her fingers delicately along the cloth she reached for the tie holding the waist of the hakama shut. She loosened it and pushed the hakama past his hips. It dropped the rest of the way down to his knees. Her hand caressed the markings curling around a bony hip. Then it moved across the flat of his belly to touch the other hip.

Her fingers trailed downwards towards the patch of silver curls between his legs. She grasped his testicles in her hand and squeezed gently. He growled low in his throat. She released his testicles. Then she touched the shaft of his erect penis. He caught his breath. Then it returned with a whimper. She stroked the length of the shaft. Liquid seeped from the tip. She leaned down and licked it up, running her soft, pink tongue around the contours of the tip. Sesshomaru groaned.

“No more…”, he said.

His voice was little more than a whisper. It had a husky edge. His hand touched her shoulder. She raised her head and met his gaze.

“Come, let me touch you. Then relieve me of my misery…”

She smiled at him. He sat back on his haunches. He pulled her onto his lap. She put her hands on his shoulders. She licked the stripes on his cheek. He made a small sound against her neck. He trailed his fingers across her collarbone and down her upper chest. His hand cupped her breast. He caressed her, drawing soft moans from her lips. He concentrated his attention on the nipple, causing it to harden into a small, tight bud. The sensation seemed to travel down her body to her groin, making her wetter.

“Oh, Sessh…”

He nuzzled her neck. He repeated the same torturous process on the other breast. Her breaths came harder and faster. He trailed his hand downwards, over her belly and the soft mound between her legs. He caressed her thighs. Then his hand moved inwards, stroking the softer, silkier flesh between them. She made soft sounds in her throat.

His fingers slipped inside her. Then he drew them out slowly. She gasped. He pushed them into her again and drew them out just as slowly. She shuddered and gasped again. Her hips bucked, trying to grind down on his fingers. She had to fight to keep her body still.

“Now, please…”, she whispered.

The corners of his lips turned up.

“I thought you’d never ask!”

She lowered her body onto him and felt him fill her. He began to move and she moved with him. He growled. The sensation vibrated across her chest and throat making her shiver. It was hard to keep her cries soft when he filled her with each divine thrust. The friction of their bodies rubbing together made her body warmer and her vagina wetter.

Her mouth trailed soft kisses along the side of his face from eyebrow to jaw line. Then she licked along the edge of his jaw. Her mouth moved lower licking, kissing and sucking the sensitive skin of his long, white throat. In the area where the throat and shoulder met, she bit down, drawing a soft whine from his throat. She felt a strange sense of satisfaction when she pulled away and saw impressions of her teeth in his smooth skin, though she knew they would be gone within the hour.

She could feel the sensation building inside her. Like pressure against the tight lid it demanded release. He began to move faster. She felt him ram into and pull out of the sucking mouth vagina over again and again. She struggled to keep her cries low. Behind his back, her hands grasped fistfuls of his hair and kimono.

He buried his face in her hair, pulling on his hair in her grasp. His nose pressed against her skin inhaling her scent. A low growl trickled from his throat. It vibrated along her shoulder, across her throat and down to her breastbone. She trembled.

She could tell by the speed he was moving at that it would not be long now before he climaxed. She just hoped he would stay hard long enough to take her with him. The pressure inside her body was almost too much to bear.

“Please, please…”

As if he transmuted her need into reality, her neck arched. Her whole body stiffened as the pleasure peaked and spilled outwards in waves. The pressure inside her body dissipated, leaving her trembling and weak. He said her name with a sigh and she felt him go limp inside her. He struggled not to collapse completely against her.

He wiped his hand on his hip before he touched her face. He leaned backwards onto the floor, before he fell forward. She lay down with him, body half-on, half-off his. He wrapped his arm around her savouring the sensation of skin to skin. Her breasts, thighs and pregnant belly pressed against him were starting to feel good all over again.

Her stroked her hair. His hand trailed down her upper arm, then across her ribs to cup one full, naked breast. She made a soft sound of surprise. He began to massage the breast in gentle, circular motions. The soft sound his mate made was more appreciative this time.

Inuyasha sniffed the air. His eyes moved beneath his lids chasing the tail end of a dream. I smell sex… It was his first coherent thought upon waking. His eyes flashed opened. He immediately noticed how much better he felt. I wonder if there was something in the water… But why the hell do I smell sex in a sick room?! Are Sango and Miroku going at it down the hall? Ugh! I didn’t think my nose was that good!

On the other side of the room he heard a soft moan of female appreciation. Again he sniffed the air. The scent of Sesshomaru and Kagome seemed to linger by the bedside. Their scents mingled on his skin. Huh?! However the smell of them was particularly strong on the other side of the room. It wafted towards him in waves and brought with it the delicious scent of sex. His eyes went a little wide.

They had sex and are possibly still having sex on the other side of the room while I lay here sick, and possibly dying?! The heartless bastards!

Maybe they just needed some comfort and they took refuge in each other’s bodies?

Stupid conscience!

He scowled. I’d rather be the injured party... I am sick! He tried to sit up but his body would not co-operate. He fell back against the pillow again with a soft whimper. Stupid body! Do as I tell you… The couple on the other side of the room went still. Kagome gasped. She met Sesshomaru’s eyes. They were slightly wider than usual.

“Is he awake?”, she said breathlessly.

Sesshomaru sniffed the air.

“Yes, and his scent has changed. He smells less like death…”

She smiled. Then she put her hand to her face to stifle the laugh of sheer joy that spilled from her lips.

“Come on!”, she said, “I have to see!”

She scrambled to her feet. As she padded across the room she arranged her kimono around her body. Without a belt it was not going to stay closed but she hurried onwards regardless. Sesshomaru took a moment to pull up his hakama and tighten the sash. Then he followed. He was kneeling at his younger brother’s side before Kagome could cross the room.

Inuyasha stared at up at him with sleepy golden eyes, eyes that were so like his own, but the intelligence that burned in them could not be more at odds with his own personality.

“Bastard”, Inuyasha said, “You had sex with her while I was dying…”

His voice was raspy but it contained not a trace of bitterness. It sounded more like good, old-fashioned jealousy. Sesshomaru grinned wide enough to show his fangs.

“I am so glad you have not lost your sense of proprietary at least, Inuyasha!”, he exclaimed.

His younger brother stared at him in something resembling shock. The expression remained fixed on his face as his older brother effectively picked him up and kissed him full on the mouth. He yelped in protest. The demon lord smirked at him. Not on the lips, you bastard! I don’t care if your mouth is almost as soft as Kagome’s, if you ever do that ever again I’ll kill you!

Before he could voice his thoughts, he found himself pressed fiercely to the warmth of his brother’s bare chest. His warm skin was smooth against his cheek. His head came to rest on the top of his head. The demon lord closed his eyes. His warm breath tickled one furry, white dog ear. It twitched involuntarily.

He could hear his older brother’s heart thudding in his chest and felt the rise and fall with each breath. The mix of sound and motion was strangely comforting. He felt the sensuous brush of his silk-covered thigh and he was suddenly very aware that he was naked. The blanket seemed to have retreated somewhere around his lower legs. His face flushed.

I know I’ve been naked around you before but the fact that I’m naked now just adds to the weirdness. You’ve never hugged me before Sessh, not even when I was a whelp... Sometimes, I saw you in the distance but you never came near, not even to speak to me. I only became interesting when I was bigger, and strong enough to fight with….

He had no idea what to do with his hands. Do I hug him back? He compromised by gripping the cloth of his kimono with trembling fingers. The strength in his brother’s grasp was crushing, reminding him that he was still weak and in a lot of pain, despite his healing injuries. He whimpered. Please let go, Sessh. I know that in your own way, you were worried about me, but now you’re hurting me...

Thankfully, the demon lord took the sound as his cue to release him and let his body rest against the mattress again. He even pulled the blankets up to cover his modesty. When he met his younger brother’s eyes again, his usual passive expression had returned. He stared down at him coolly, as if the incident the moment before had never happened. If we both pretend hard enough, then it never did…

A soft hand touched his hair. Kagome was kneeling on the other side of him, holding her kimono closed with one hand. He wondered idly where her obi belt was. He felt the warmth radiating from her body as she leaned over him to kiss his cheek. Something wet fell on his face. He looked up at her pretty face and realised that she was crying. Don’t cry Kagome, I couldn’t bear it…

“I was so worried…”, she said.

Her voice was barely a whisper. He reached out a hand to touch her face but it fell weakly by his side again. Stupid arm! He scowled. She picked up his hand and held it against her cheek. He smiled at her.

“Don’t cry, Kagome”, he said, “I feel so much better now. I really thought I was a goner but then you gave me that medicine… What the hell was in it?”

Kagome and Sesshomaru exchanged a look. Inuyasha scowled. Those damned secret looks drive me nuts!

“Kagome”, he said carefully, “What’s going on?”

She looked at him in alarm. Then her expression softened to a placatory look, like one a parent gives a child when hoping to pre-empt a tantrum.

“What makes you think there’s anything going on?”, she said.

“Because you gave him one of those looks and he gave you one back. There’s always something going on when you do that! I’m not an idiot. Please don’t treat me like one.”

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow.

“Tell him Kagome”, he said.

“Tell me what?”, Inuyasha said.

“Eh, okay…”, Kagome said.

She took a breath. Inuyasha tried not to stare at her cleavage as it expanded and contracted.

“You know how Sessh is immune to poison?”, she said.

A small frown line appeared between the half-demon’s eyebrows.

“Yeah”, he said.

“Well… That means his saliva and blood must have properties that will overcome a poison…”

“Okay… What’s your point?”

Kagome fell silent. She looked at Sesshomaru. His brow furrowed. He was conscious of his half-brother’s gaze on him. He looked at his impassive face. Even the look in his eyes was guarded.

“Okay!”, Inuyasha said, “One of you had better tell me what’s going on and soon!”

“Or you shall do what exactly?”, Sesshomaru said.

There was mild amusement in his eyes.

“Fine! Don’t tell me. I’ll just wheedle it out of one of the others…”

“Em, Inuyasha”, Kagome said, “The others don’t know what we did yet…”

The half-demon stared at her.

“Now you’re really starting to freak me out!”, he said, “What did you do, sacrifice some villagers to the gods for a miracle cure?!”

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

“Not exactly”, he said, “As fruitless at that exercise would be… We resorted to far simpler, more direct measures; I simply licked your wounds clean.”

He cleared his throat.

“You may have become aroused during the process…”

His younger brother stared at him.

“You’re kidding, right?”, he said.

His voice sounded a little loud and high pitched to his own ears. His older brother shook his head. He looked at Kagome. She also shook her head. Then he stared at Sesshomaru again.

“What did you do, take the opportunity grab my penis again while I was out cold and couldn’t do anything about it?”, he said, “Did she just sit there and watch?”

He looked at Kagome accusingly and watched her retreat into herself, not knowing how to respond.

“No!”, the demon lord cried.

His nostrils flared. Anger burned in the depths of his narrow golden eyes.

“When I licked your wounds there was a point where my tongue bearing down on your wounds would become pleasurable rather than painful... Ask Kagome. I have treated her wounds before…”

Inuyasha looked at Kagome.

“Is this true?”, he said.

She nodded.

“Yes”, she said quietly.

He stared at her.

“Seriously?”, he said.

“Yes, seriously…”

His eyebrows shot up.

“Wow! I’m sorry for what I said to you, Kagome...”

“That’s okay. I’ll forgive you just this once…”

She gave him a small smile. He returned her smile. Then he looked back to his older brother with a scowl. He pouted.

“So while I was unconscious, you even licked the poison out of the wounds on my butt and thighs?”, he said.

“Yes. I managed to remove as much of the poison as possible…”

The half-demon’s face contorted in disgust.

“If I wasn’t so bloody weak, tired and uncomfortable I’d pound your freaky, perverted ass into the ground!”, he declared.

A ghost of a smile appeared on the demon lord’s lips.

“Then you are not unduly traumatised by the turn of events, I take it?”, he said.

Inuyasha glared up at him.

“I’ll be traumatised later when I’m kicking your ass!”, he cried, “Now get out of here and let me get some sleep!”

As he said the words, his eyes were closing. His half-brother grinned. He looked at Kagome. She was smiling too. He leaned down, closed his eyes and pressed his forehead to his younger brother’s. He batted weakly at him with uncooperative hands.

“Go ‘way. Your breath stinks!”

His older brother laughed softly. Then he sat back again. He looked at Kagome. What do you want to do now? She put her hand to her mouth to cover a soft yawn.

“I’m so tired”, she said, “It feels like I haven’t slept for days…”

He raised an eyebrow.

“That may be because you have not slept properly for days…”, he said.

She gave him a small smile.

“That’s right”, she said, “Maybe I’ll just lay down for a little while next to Inuyasha…”

She yawned again. Then she eased her body down on to the mattress next to the half-demon and stole a share of the blanket. Sesshomaru sighed. He rolled his eyes. That scuppers my finely laid plans… He leaned over his half-brother’s body to kiss her forehead. She gave him a sleepy smile. Then she closed her eyes. There was a spare blanket by the foot of the bed. He shook it out and laid it over them.

He examined the semi-comatose faces of his mate and younger brother. They will sleep for sometime. Perhaps I should sleep too? He yawned and rubbed his eyes. He tested his breath. It really was foul to his sensitive nose. Did Kagome not notice? Or was she too embarrassed to say? I should do something about it… First I shall tell her companions our happy news.

He stood in one smooth motion. He turned and walked towards the door. He began to draw it back. Then he heard Kagome make a small sound in her sleep. He looked back towards the tired bodies on the mattress on the floor, both sleeping soundly, looking a little like children holding hands.

When Inuyasha awoke later Sesshomaru decided he was strong enough to travel, so he coerced him on to Ah-huns back. The journey to the mansion took less than a day without the burden of hungry, tired children. Miroku and Sango followed at a slower pace on the fire cat’s back. They would not arrive until later the next day. Sesshomaru had sent notice that they would be arriving, to give his servants and retainers time to prepare.

By the time the forest around the grounds was in sight it was the early hours of the morning. Inuyasha and Shippo were asleep. Kagome had struggled to stay awake but now her eyes were growing heavy. She jolted awake when Ah-huns feet touched the ground. Blinking in the torchlight, she took in their surroundings. They were in the yard behind the mansion, in front of the dwellings belonging to their small staff.

Sesshomaru came towards her. He lifted her and the sleeping Kitsune off the Ah-huns back. He set her down on her feet. Inuyasha was still half-asleep so he made no protest but for a faint whimper, when his older brother put his sleep heavy arm around his neck and lifted him off the two-headed demons back. She stared, transfixed by the sight of her mate holding his unconscious younger brother against him. He gave her faint smile.

She tore her gaze away from him when she was distracted by shouts as miscellaneous servants, retainers and loved ones rushed out to greet them. Shippo woke and rubbed his eyes with tiny fists.

“What’s going on? Are we there yet?”, he said sleepily.

“Yes, we’re here…”, she said.

He wriggled in her arms and she set him down on his feet as Rin rushed towards him and enveloped him in a hug.

“I missed you, Shippo!”, she cried.

The Kitsune fox cub’s eyes went wide. His cheeks flushed.

“I missed you too, Rin”, he said.

Kagome smiled and met Kaede’s eyes. She was holding a sleepy Makoto in her arms. It had only been a week or ten days since she had seen him but it felt like years.

“Oh…”

Hot tears ran down her cheeks. She kissed her fingers and dropped the kiss on the top of Rin’s head as she passed her. She ran to Kaede, pausing only to kiss the older woman on the cheek before took her little boy in her arms. She hugged him to her, covering his little face with kisses and the rest of the world fell way.

He whimpered, glad that his Mama was home and holding him in her soft embrace. He missed her warmth, her smell and the sound of her voice when she was away. He did not feel safe unless she was there to sing to him before he went to sleep at night.

He missed his Dada too. He knew he had returned too because the sound of his voice and his scent carried on the wind. He did show him much affection or play with him as much as Mama, but he was reassured by his presence. Sometimes when he woke from his sleep and cried out because he was frightened or hungry, it was he who appeared by his cot and picked him up.

Kaede touched Kagome’s shoulder and she started. She met the Miko’s eyes.

“Come inside”, she said, “It’s cold out here…”

She looked around her and saw Jaken leading Ah-hun away. Sesshomaru was already walking ahead of her with Inuyasha still held to his chest and Rin and Shippo following in their wake. A smile formed on her lips. Little girl and fox cub had become fast friends. She met Kaede’s gaze.

“You’re right of course”, she said.

They walked towards the back door that was standing open guarded by stoic demonic retainers. They bowed to Sesshomaru as he passed them. He acknowledged them with a slight bow of his head. She saw the curious looks on their faces and the look that passed between them once their lord and master’s back was turned. She frowned.

One of them had the grace to look embarrassed as he met her eyes. He bowed to her as she passed. The other did so grudgingly. He did not care for his master’s human mate, though she did not treat him unkindly. She acknowledged their bows as her mate had done, with a slight bow of her head. She gave the red-faced one a slight smile, which made him even redder.

Thanks for the reviews as always, even if they are not positive, a little feedback is alway good... If any character is not behaving as they should it is becasue that is how far I have deviated. It is my vision and I cannot apologise for it. Writing is one of the ways I explore certain issues... Kagome may leave her baby book lying around for gorgeous boys to read...