Like Father, Like Son

Sesshomaru stood on the cliff, overlooking the beach to the west and a forest to the east. In the middle of the forest was a clearing, and smoke rose from there. It was a human castle, constructed out of wood, with stone fortifications. His senses told him that there were hundred of humans in this place, and one half demon was there also. He cared not for this place, except that the half demon there was his mate, just like the one standing behind him. But whereas the one in the castle was female, the one standing behind him was male.

"Please Sesshomaru, you don't have to do this." said Inuyasha, brushing his raven hair out of his face as the night breeze came in off the Sea of Japan and blew by them. There was no moon in the night sky, and this was his time to be a human, therefore he had no powers of his own.

"And who else would be able to protect Kagome? Would you be able to, in your human form?" asked Sesshomaru, turning around to look at his half-brother. Internally, he winced as he did so, blood seeping from the wounds on his chest.

"We'll wait until morning. My demon powers will be restored by then, and you could rest and heal." said the hanyou. His concern for his elder brother and mate was showing on his face.

Sesshomaru turned back to look out into the forest. With Inuyasha's powers gone, his abilities to sense things through the mating marks that he had made on Kagome and Sesshomaru had also gone. If it hadn't, he would have known that Kagome was in the process of delivery right now, and he needed to be there, for her, now.

"I can't wait. Kagome needs my help now." stated Sesshomaru firmly, his voice firm and with no hint of any doubt present. Inuyasha sighed and approached his brother, taking the Tetsuiga out of his sheath. He offered it to Sesshomaru.

"Here, at least take this along. It should help." said Inuyasha, offering the sword to his brother. Sesshomaru's eyes turned to look at them, and they softened.

"No little brother. You keep it. You'll need it to help protect Kagome with after I am gone." said Sesshomaru.

"Gone? You won't die from this. You'd better not die from this. You'll make it back from this in one piece, and so will Kagome." Inuyasha blinked back sudden tears as he thought of the possibility of his brother not surviving.

"The wounds I sustained in battle with Naraku are too serious." Sesshomaru looked down at the ground briefly, not wanting to accept the fact himself that the evil hanyou had been able to inflict such wounds upon him. He looked up again, and his eyes became hard, and determined.

"Please, don't go..." begged Inuyasha, a single tear falling from his eyes to hit the sand below.

"I am sorry." said Sesshomaru, as his eyes bled red. A swirling pink mist surrounded him as he transformed into his full demon nature. As Inuyasha watched, Fluffy let loose a long howl into the night air, then departed, heading deep into the forest.

"Sesshomaru..." whispered Inuyasha, before casting his eyes down. The hanyou collapsed to the ground, and started weeping in earnest.

* * *

Kagome grimaced, then yelled as another contraction wracked her body, sobbing as the pains of delivery continued. She was but nineteen years old, and yet had mated to two men, both of which she loved dearly. One of them had become a human on this night, and she could not feel him, and was worried for him. The other she could feel, he was hurt, and hurt badly, but coming closer. She could sense the determination in him, and feared for the one that had abducted her. She had feelings for him still, and did not wanted him to be slaughtered by her mate, Sesshomaru.

"I see the delivery is progressing." came the voice of the human male that had stolen her. She saw his shadow through the curtain, as he came and sat next to her delivery bed.

"Please, Hojo, listen to me..." Kagome began, then yelled out again as yet another contraction hit her, before continuing, "I want you to gather your followers, and leave this place at once."

"I am sorry Lady Kagome, but I can't do that. You see, you held my heart, my dearest, and even now, mated to those two filthy demons as you are, and the half demon that you yourself have become, I want you to know, that I still, and will always love you." said Hojo, closing his eyes as he raised a pike into the air with his left hand.

With a single thrust, he pierced the curtain and stabbed Kagome into her stomach. She cried out, a long and horrible cry of pain and agony, both for her pain, and the pain of worry for her pups. With a sigh, Kagome lay still, and stopped breathing.

With tears trying to leak loose from his eyes, Hojo stood up, and left her bedchamber.

'I am sorry, Kagome'

* * *

Sesshomaru felt his mate's death through the bond they shared, and he let loose a ferocious howl into the night air. He was now fast approaching the encampment, and could see enemy soldiers preparing to repel him, archers and swordsmen alike, sporting swords and spears. With a flash of light, he reverted into his normal self, and would make the assault on foot. He held up his right hand, and it started glowing green.

The archers fired their volley, and Sesshomaru merely sent out his poison whip, melting the arrows before they had a chance to reach him. Launching himself into the air, the demon used his whip to cut through the ranks of the enemy, cutting down archers and swordsmen alike. When no more stood before him, save one whimpering little shrimp of a man, Sesshomaru stopped in his assault and bared his fangs.

"Where is she? Where is my mate Kagome?" demanded Sesshomaru, a little red returning into his eyes.

"You are too late, demon. I have already dispatched with the dear Lady. She is in a better place now." came Hojo's voice as he walked out into the courtyard from the castle keep. Hojo withdrew his sword from his sheath, and prepared to attack.

"Damn you to hell, vermin." said Sesshomaru, and charged Hojo with his claws. Hojo let out a yell of his own, and charged. But, his foot hit and rock and he stumbled. Sesshomaru, taking advantage, swiped his claws at Hojo in passing, severing his sword arm. But he did not finish him off, instead choosing to run into the castle. Hojo howled in pain, tears running from his eyes as he stared at the stump that used to be his arm, now leaking blood.

"Please, burn the castle. Destroy that filthy demon and raze it to the ground." said Hojo. Arrows of fire began to rain down on the wooden structure, setting it ablaze. Deciding he didn't want to live with just one arm, Hojo picked up the sword with his left hand and entered into the castle. At least he would die, and have a chance to start a new life with Kagome in heaven, while those damned demons descended into hell.

Sesshomaru found Kagome's body. He saw her lying there on the bed, then the sound of a soft whimpering reached his ears. He looked, and saw that all five of the young pups had been birthed successfully, despite the fact that Kagome had been murdered. He could smell smoke now, and his eyes glazed over as he knew that they had set the keep on fire. His time was short, and he had to move quickly now.

He withdrew the sword Tensiega from its sheath, and held it over her body. The sword pulsed, and as his eyes narrowed, he could make out the messengers from the nether world, coming to claim what they thought was theirs. He quickly sliced through them, and in doing so healed Kagome of her wounds. Her eyes fluttered open as she came to, and she looked up to see Sesshomaru above her.

"Mate." he said, using a sheet to gather up the pups. She looked at him, and gasped when she saw the wounds that he had sustained.

"Sesshomaru, your wounds..." she began, before he shook his head.

"It is no matter of consequence for you. I need you to gather up our pups and go." said Sesshomaru, sheathing the Tensiega. Thinking for a second, he handed her the sword. Kagome took it in one hand, using her other hand to hold the newborn pups to her chest.

"Take it. It has barrier that will protect you." said Sesshomaru. Kagome looked around in confusion, before noticing the flames and smelling the smoke. Her eyes grew wide again, and she looked to him with concern.

"So you revived her. Even in death, you seek to steal her from me still." croaked out Hojo, padding his way into the room. Kagome shrank away from his presence, but Sesshomaru stood firm.

"Sesshomaru..." pleaded Kagome. She wanted for him to come with her, to not kill Hojo, for him to survive. He turned his head to look at her, and his eyes softened. He leaned down and kissed her on the lips, cupping her cheek into his hand.

"I am sorry, there is no time. Now go." he commanded of her. The mating mark on her neck glowed, and she had no choice but to obey his command. Nodding her head in affirmation, tears flowing from her eyes, Kagome turned around and headed out of the burning keep.

Sesshomaru watched her leave, then turned around to face Hojo. Other soldiers came into the keep behind Hojo, their weapons drawn. He looked at his men, then nodded.

"When you have killed him, pursue the girl. Kill her and her abominations." ordered Hojo, as he started to charge Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru's eyes became lifeless, and his voice cold, as he spoke.

"You will not lay a hand on Kagome again...vermin." he said, pulling Tokijin from his sash. He held the sword up to his chest, horizontal to the ground. As he did so, blue sparks began to dance along the sword's length. As this happened, a white dragon appeared from the sword. This was the sign of the Dragon Strike, Sesshomaru's most powerful sword attack.

Kagome ran out of the castle, and saw Inuyasha standing there at the gate. Spotting her, he ran over to her and wrapped her in the robe of the fire rat. Together, the two of them, and their pups, turned to look at the keep. When they did so, it exploded, flames rushing out of it in all directions. The structure collapsed, killing everyone inside. As it did so, a white dragon ascended into the night sky, letting loose one bellow, before turning into a streak of light that ascended into heaven.

Tears were running down both of their faces, and Kagome buried her head into Inuyasha's chest.

"Come mate. Let's go." said Inuyasha. He took once final look at his brother and mate's resting place, before turning about and heading back into the forest, Kagome, his only remaining mate, at his side.

Fini.

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A/N: I hope you enjoyed this little story, and for those of you who were wondering, yes I did base this story off of the beginning scene of the third Inuyasha movie.