Responsibility

Author’s Note: Written for iycaptions Week 5 oneshot contest. No graphic depictions but the implications are crystal clear. If you don’t like Inucest & shota, don’t read, k? But if you do...you might also want to read the AU shouta CLAIMING KIN that I'm co-writing with talonsage (posted under my name on this site).

© Salome Wilde, 2008

Responsibility

He had been more than generous all along, but tonight he would take a truly decisive step.

Of course, allowing the worthless pup to live at all was benevolence itself. And he had not stopped there. He had come upon the orphaned hanyo, injured and alone, and not walked away. More: he had allowed the bastard to follow him, to serve him, for a full year. Without grace or speed, without intelligence or power, Inuyasha could scarcely offer a contribution of real value to the relationship. However, he had his points.

The mutt took well to manual labor, for example, lifting, carrying, and digging as commanded. More importantly, he effectively reflected back to Sesshomaru his own impressive power by contrast. And he did not complain of his status or treatment. After the ridicule and abuse he had suffered at the hands of those who loathed the hanyo even more than his brother did, Sesshomaru’s silent tolerance of his existence no doubt seemed like genuine affection. Abuse was not Sesshomaru’s method. Such behavior came from fear, and Sesshomaru did not fear. He either controlled or fought to control. That was all.

But a year with the obedient, grateful pup at his heels had softened him—inasmuch as the concept of “softness” could apply to the inuyokai beyond the fur at his shoulder. Yes, he could not deny it: he had come to look upon Inuyasha as more than just an inescapable fact of life over the last few moons. He even attested to this change with a lazy stroking of his hair and ears when he lay at Sesshomaru’s feet as he sat, contemplating the details of a forthcoming journey or an impending battle. Touching the hanyo was comforting, somehow, almost soothing. Until it was more.

Over the past several weeks, as the anniversary of the adoption of his sibling crept silently yet surely upon him, Sesshomaru had noticed a change in Inuyasha’s demeanor. He was more active in his pursuit of his brother’s attention, particularly in the darkness. He pressed up into the hand that fondled him now, and subtly wriggled over to encourage rubbing of his neck and shoulders. And two nights ago he had quietly bared his chest, turned onto his back, and presented his belly. Before he had fully considered a response, Sesshomaru had found himself reaching a hand forward and raking a slender, five-clawed trail down the pale flesh.

Tonight, though, he would act with full awareness and intent. Though far too young to be truly coming of age, Inuyasha was giving evidence of need, of desire for further substantiation of his brother’s protection. No, he most likely did not know precisely what he sought. But his method of seeking its fulfillment was rousing his brother’s instincts, and Sesshomaru was not one to shy from responsibilities he had accepted, nor from the resulting gratification.

That entire day, both sons of the Great Dog Demon displayed signs of tension, excitement, each in his own fashion. Inuyasha was jumpy, eager to please, desperate for attention; he cowered, whimpered, tagged at his brother’s heels. Sesshomaru was aloof, quick tempered, difficult to please; he snapped, growled, kicked out at his brother’s nearness. As darkness fell, both felt the electricity in the air. Sesshomaru indicated the outcropping on which he wished them to rest that night. Inuyasha paused, looking up at his grim protector, his distant yet ever-present savior. He reached out a tentative hand and gently grasped his half-brother’s silken hair. “Ani-sama,” he whimpered, rubbing his face into the ice-silver tresses.

Sesshomaru looked down on the hanyo he could no longer loathe. His implacable golden eyes shone with need. “Disrobe, Inuyasha. It is time that We claim you, now and forever, as Ours.”