Memories

Title: Memories
Author: El (duathunsidhe@yahoo.com, silverelf35@gmail.com)
AN: I love Inuyasha. Oddly enough, in the actual Manga, Sesshomaru is more of an antihero. In the beginning, he continually tries to kill Inuyasha, his little brother. However, the Lord of the Western Lands does some unexpected and inexplicable things. I’ll find out when I finally get to read the whole thing, but it’s a series and I absolutely CANNOT read series out of order. It drives me nuts LOL.

Kwan Yin looked down upon the demon and frowned. Her heart ached for the pain he had experienced. It had not been her idea to split the soul between them. She knew it would only cause them more suffering. However, they had not listened to her. Now, she stood before the Jade Emperor, attempting to remain calm and serene. She knew his Imperial Majesty knew of her inner turmoil. These two were somehow special to her. When he gave a small regal nod of his head, the Goddess gave a small smile. He had granted her request.

Sesshomaru, Inuyoukai, White Dog Demon and Lord of the Western Lands tried to ignore his two quibbling companions. However, it had become more difficult of late. Jaken was still irritating and Rin seemed to hold his attention more and more of late. Perhaps it was her tenuous link to his brother, their common human blood. In truth, the hanyou was not technically a commoner with his princess mother.

As the lord let himself dwell on these thought, he failed to notice the energy surrounding him. It remained hidden from his powerful youkai senses. The next thing he knew, Sesshomaru was engulfed by darkness. With a snarl, he struggled against the power that held him. He had never felt it’s like and a sense of helplessness overcame him. It was not a sensation he relished. As his fear, truly a foreign emotion to him, increased, so too did his efforts to escape. Then a gentle hand was hard laid upon his forehead, covering his crescent moon and he knew no more.

Inuyasha jumped high in the air, his white hair flowing like a silver stream behind him. The tensaiga came down and split the youkai in two. Landing lightly on his feet, the hanyou shouldered his weapon and chuckled in grim satisfaction at his handiwork. Shippo bounced over and picked up the shard and handed it to Kagome. With a touch, the reincarnated miko purified the crystal and added it to the jewel around her neck. With a soft glow, it mended with its companions.

Just as the white haired half demon was about to make a comment, he whirled, bringing the tetsaiga to a guard position. Had he been less tense, he might not have leapt before he looked, blaming it on the scent filling his nose. As it was, he landed on his face when the words ‘sit boy’ echoed through the clearing.

Jaken, kappa servant, appeared first. His odd little face filled with shock, fear, and concern. Then the human girl-child, Rin, came from the woods. More surprising than the sigh of her leading Sesshomaru by the hand was the clearly confused expression on the lord’s normally impassive face. Then golden eyes turned and locked with a matching gaze.

“Who are you?” the Inuyoukai asked curiously.

“What?” Inuyasha yelled as he scrambled to his feet and stomped over to his brother. “What game are you playing your bastard?”

“Do not speak to my lord that way. Lady Izumi and Lord Taisho were bonded. It is you who is the lowly hanyou.” Jaken shrieked before cowering from the angry half-demon.

“Sesshomaru-sama does not remember us,” Rin sobbed as she grabbed Inuyasha’s hakama. Eyes, glittering with tears, stared up at him. “Please fix him. Inuyasha-sama, I want my chichuie back!”

Nothing could have shocked the group more than to hear the deadly Lord Sesshomaru referred to as father. How many times had the Inuyoukai tried to kill Inuyasha? Yet, this human child thought of him as a father figure. Inuyasha looked from tear-filled eyes to the confused and curious golden gaze of Sesshomaru.

***

The Lord studied the other white haired male. Inuyasha was very handsome and, it seemed, very angry. The older youkai sat leaning against a tree, the little human girl in his lap. He knew, deep in his gut, that he should know these strange people. For the life of him, he could not bring forth a single memory of them.

As the days passed, he began to notice emptiness inside him, the feeling that something important was missing. It bothered him even more so than the way everyone tiptoed around him. It bothered him that they always seemed to expect the worse of him. When Shippo had accidently bumped into him, or when Miroku had knocked him unceremoniously into a muddy pond, each of them had stared at him with terror in their eyes. Exactly what kind of person had he been? He wasn’t sure he wanted to know anymore.

It had been weeks since he’d joined their part. Weeks of straining for some sort of recall, despite the pain and nosebleeds he hid from the others. Slowly, as he fought alongside them, the others had begun to relax in his presence. Well, most of them at any rate, Inuyasha still watched him with suspicious. Kagome, the reincarnated miko, grated against his nerves. He could not bring himself to be anything more than coolly polite to her. He hated the way she shrieked and berated the red-clad hanyou almost constantly. He disliked the way she treated him like a dog. Inuyasha d was a White Dog youkai, not some domesticated mongrel panting for a scrap of affection.

The thing that bothered this Sesshomaru the most was the way the harpy clung to Inuyasha simpering and overly affectionate in a patently false manner. The whole scenario irritated him. It sent his youkai into a growling and surprisingly possessive state of angry jealousy.

Now they rested and Sesshomaru thought it was nice. The miko was gone. It was not a new thing and he savored the moments of her absence. Inuyasha seemed to relax as well. The hanyou was better off without the annoying female.

Inuyasha was an enigma to him. A puzzle the youkai wanted to solve. In turn, it seemed as if he presented a mystery to the dog=eared male, as well. Sometimes he would catch the hanyou looking at him with a curious expression on his face. Those golden eyes were often dark with what looked like desire. It conjured an answering spark within Sesshomaru’s body. He would love to investigate the idea further.

Rin shifted in his lap, bringing the youkai’s attention back to her. He smiled gently and placed a light kiss upon her brow. She stared up at him in surprise before her face broke out into a huge smile. What kind of person must he have been where such a simple gesture generated such shock?

“Rin?” he asked softly.

“Yes Sesshomaru-sama?” she answered as she scrambled off his lap.

“Did… did I treat you poorly before?” He questioned, watching her face intently.

“You… took care of me.” She said.

“That doesn’t answer my question,” Sesshomaru answered sadly. “It is alright. You do not have to answer.”

“You treat everyone like garbage,” Inuyasha growled as he jumped down from the branches above them. “You’re a cold heartless
bastard. No one is good enough for this Sesshomaru.”

Inuyasha expected his brother to attach him, to lash out and fight him as he normally would. Instead, the Inuyoukai dropped his head, letting the silver curtain of his hair hide his expression. The younger make stomped away in frustration. This Sesshomaru he couldn’t understand. This youkai was not the brother knew, loved beyond reason, but not his brother. Sesshomaru had been kind to everyone except Kagome. Inuyasha kept waiting for the memories to return, for hope to be dashed and for the moment when Sesshomaru would try to kill him… again.

What did these feelings say about his relationship with Kikyo? He already knew he didn’t love Kagome. Her treatment of him and her bossy personality made that impossible. Sesshomaru may have treated him badly, but he never made any claims of softer feelings and Inuyasha always knew the reason.

Even if he thought his brother incapable of loving anyone anymore, Inuyasha knew that the youkai had loved their father, loved and respected him. Though he did not say so, the hanyou believed Sesshomaru blamed him for their father’s death. Sometimes, he blamed himself, usually when he was particularly depressed and generally on the full moon when he was feeling weak and helpless.

“You look confused.” Miroku said quietly.

“He looks like my brother. He smells like the bastard, but… he doesn’t act like him.” Inuyasha growled. “I don’t get it.”

“It is a mystery. I must admit I sense strong energy around him, but it does not seem to be his.” The monk answered.

“Someone did this to him?” the hanyou asked. “Naraku?”

“No. It is too powerful,” Miroku shook his head. “Naraku is not that strong.”

“It’s too weird.” Inuyasha grumbled.

“He watches you.” Came Miroku’s comment.

“Yes, waiting for me to let my guard down so he can rip my heart out.” The hanyou snorted.

***

It was night and his golden eyes snapped open. Inuyasha jumped down from the branch he’d been sleeping on. Looking around, he checked on his sleeping companies only to find his brother missing. Immediately he began sniffing, searching for that exotic scent. He growled angrily when he found it led away from the camp. He woke Miroku and, after a brief explanation, bounded off in the direction of his brother’s scent.

He finally found the elusive lord sitting on a rock overlooking the water. Golden eyes stared at the handsome face reflected in the surface. Glittering tear trails marred the pale luminescent skin.

“What do you want Inuyasha?” Sesshomaru asked, not raising his eyes from the water.

“You’re crying,” Inuyasha said. It was a statement and made with a note of shock in his voice.

“Am I not allowed? Was I forbidden to cry before?” The youkai snapped. “I suppose because I was so cold, my tears had frozen inside me.”

“I’ve never seen you cry, ever. Not even when we were little, or I was little. You’ve got a couple of centuries on me,” the hanyou said as he moved closer and sat down just out of arm’s reach. “You’re either calm, or furious, even when you fight. Unless they piss you off, you always seem serene. It’s freaky.”

“Is it true?” Sesshomaru whispered quietly. “If it is, I do not wish the memories to return. I will not let them. I do not wish…”

“Do not wish what?” his sibling prodded.

“I do not wish to be hated and feared anymore,” came the soft reply. ” Please leave me be Inuyasha.”

“That’s not you,” the hanyou growled. “It’s your right as Daiyoukai. People are supposed to respect you.”

“There is a difference between fear and respect.” The lord said. “I must have been the bastard you name me.”

“Well, you weren’t the nicest guy in the world.” Inuyasha agreed.

“I should say not. My own brother hates me.” Sesshomaru pointed out.

“Look Maru,” Inuyasha began, not realizing he used an old nickname for his brother.

"What did you call me?” the lord said softly.

The name sounded so familiar and he strained to recall. Pain wracked his head, but he continued to force the memory to the surface. Blood slowly flowed from his nose, soaking the front of his kimono. He did not care. Sesshomaru could feel the memory lying just beyond his reach, just beyond his conscious mind.

Inuyasha jerked his head up as the smell of his brother’s blood filled the air. For once, he could read the pain on the youkai’s face. A shiver of fear, not an emotion he enjoyed, raced up his spine.

“Maru what the hell?” he growled as he grassed his brother’s shoulders. “Stop it. You’re hurting yourself. You idiot, stop!”

“Why? Do you actually care what happens to me?” the lord panted, his eyes staring hard into Inuyasha’s matching gaze.

Neither one knew which one moved first. Perhaps it didn’t even matter. The only thing that held any significance was the feel of lips and tongue dancing in surprised pleasure. Sesshomaru grasped Inuyasha’s hips, pulling the hanyou down to straddle his lap. He held the younger male there, feasting on his mouth hungrily, almost greedily. Sensation ran through him and the youkai felt as if his body had been denied this pleasure for far too long.

Inuyasha was overwhelmed, by sensation, by desire, and by the feel of his brother pressed between his thighs. He whimpered softly and opened further, digging claws through the lord’s kimono and into his hard flesh. Hands moved over his hips and underneath his buttocks, gripping and kneading until his entire body quivered violently. Inuyasha didn’t want the feeling to end. He unconsciously rocked his hips, rubbing and pressing against Sesshomaru until he felt like howling. He earned a deep rumbling growl from the youkai and then felt grass beneath his back. His brother had teleported them to a more comfortable location. The weight pressing him down felt like heaven.

Sesshomaru knew he was close to losing control, close to taking his brother, claiming him, and marking the hanyou as his. He needed to slow down, but the feel of Inuyasha‘s legs around his waist, of his hard erection pressing against his stomach was making it very hard to think rationally. He didn’t want to think. The daiyoukai wanted to feel. He wanted to feel Inuyasha pressed, naked, beneath him. He wanted that delectable body wrapped tight around his aching shaft and he wanted it now.

Neither youkai nor hanyou noticed, or cared when clothing disappeared, tossed carelessly aside. All that mattered was the feel of flesh on flesh. The scent of lust and desire filled the air around them as Sesshomaru parted the hanyou’s thighs wider, fitting himself between them. Long elegant fingers danced as he prepared Inuyasha gently despite the urgency of their need for each other.

“Now,’ the half youkai growled as he thrust his hips onto the fingers buried inside him.”Fuck me now.”

His demand was answered in one hard thrust, making him howl with pleasure. He dug his claws once more into the lord above him, reveling in the strength of Sesshomaru’s possession. He wrapped strong legs around the youkai’s lean waist and held on as his body was penetrated over and over again. Never had Inuyasha felt such indescribable sensations.

Higher and higher Sesshomaru pushed Inuyasha before him, quickly learning everything that drove the younger male with desire. His inner demon was snarling and snapping at him, demanding he mark their lover. Tightly he held on to the reigns of that particular control. He was not ready to give in completely. Only when Inuyasha had received his pleasure would he allow himself to let go entirely.

Instinct is a powerful thing and many are unable to resist it. Lunging upward as a particularly hard thrust nailed his sweet spot with a direct hit; Inuyasha opened his mouth and sank his fangs into the curve of his brother’s neck and shoulder. The result was instant.

Sesshomaru howled his abject pleasure as he spilled deep inside the tight passage clenching at his cock. The extra burst of sensation was mind-numbing as Inuyasha marked him as his mate. In that moment of total bliss, Sesshomaru’s youkai grabbed the reins and did what instinct demanded. Sharp fans sank into the smooth flesh of Inuyasha’s neck. It was slow, deliberate and sensual, making the younger male buck his hips and release a low long moan. Neither Inuyasha nor Sesshomaru, even if he’d had his memories, expected what happened next.

Fire raced through the hanyou. Neither pleasure nor pain, it barely gave him pause as Sesshomaru kept moving at a languid pace, his cock still hard. In the moonlight, the two Inu made an erotic sight. So wrapped up in the pleasure they were experiencing, neither noticed the faint stripes that appeared on Inuyasha’s skin. Their audience, on the other hand, did notice.

An audience of one, Miroku was invariably shocked at how incredibly hard the sight of the two youkai had made him. A deliberate pervert and womanizer, the monk was surprised to discover he was more turned on than he had ever been with any woman, even Sango and he knew he loved her. Not that the demon huntress would ever believe him.

Turning his attention back to the pair, he pulled his robes aside and gripped his hard aching flesh. Stroking slowly, he moved his hand in time with the thrust of Sesshomaru’s hips. He noted the change in Inuyasha, the stripes beginning to appear on his flesh. He would talk with the hanyou later. Right now, he had other things on his mind, and in his hand. As he watched the lovers climax together a second time, he fell over the edge, biting his lip to keep from crying out.

Once he came down, he quietly slipped away. He wasn’t ashamed or embarrassed, just surprised. Unlike many humans, Miroku did not view this as wrong, or evil. It simply was. He had never thought about it before simply because it had never come up. Although, Miroku smiled lecherously, that would broaden his prospects considerably.

Arriving back in camp, the monk curled up on his bedroll, mulling things over in his mind. Obviously, the encounter between Sesshomaru and Inuyasha would never have happened had the western lord not lost his memories. The energy around the powerful youkai was not his own. Clearly there was a higher power at work. The next question that immediately came to Miroku’s mind was how could he help?

“An interesting question young monk,” came a serene voice. “It also brings to mind whether you are serious or not.”

Miroku sat up to see an exquisite being floating above him. To say the monk was struck dumb would be an understatement. He simply stared at the goddess before him. She gave him a gentle smile.

“What is your answer monk?” she repeated gently.

“I… I will help them if I may. I am serious about that,” he said after clearing his throat, twice.

“That is good.” Kwan Yin smiled. As she faded from view, Miroku fell into a deep peaceful sleep.

***

Sesshomaru stretched slowly, his body sated and reluctant to move. The sun warmed his skin and another being cuddled against him. Turning his head, he was not completely surprised to see Inuyasha curled next to him. Carefully moving so he didn’t wake the younger male, Sesshomaru rolled onto his side. He looked down at his lover, gently brushing a silver lock of hair from the hanyou’s face. He smiled gently. Absently a finger drifted down to stroke along the bite mark he had left on Inuyasha. It pleased him immensely to see it and know he bore a similar mark upon his own neck.

“Wake up Inuyasha,” he purred as he leaned down to nuzzle the sleeping hanyou’s warm neck.

“Feh.” Came the grumbled response.

“Would you prefer we not make love again?” the lord rumbled as he licked at the sensitive skin behind his brother’s jaw. “Or would you rather I gather you, naked, into my arms and carry you back to camp?”

“Meh.” Inuyasha opened one golden eye.

“If you wake now, we can pleasure each other before anyone else wakes.” The youkai smiled.

The hanyou was trying to return to sleep. His inner youkai was more interested in Sesshomaru’s suggestion. Stretching and practically purring, Inuyasha rolled into the lord’s body and pushed him onto his back. He climbed p and straddled the youkai’s lean hips. With glowing eyes, he sank easily onto his mate’s hard shaft. Pleasure engulfed them, making them moan and growl respectively. Clawed hands dug into the faintly striped flesh at Inuyasha’s hips as the hanyou began a slow rocking rhythm.

“Even now, you fit me perfectly. “The Western Lord smiled.

“Damn.” The hanyou moaned, the only worked he was capable of at the moment.

“Indeed.” Sesshomaru growled arching his back as tight heat continued to stroke and grip him.

A slow steady slide into exquisite oblivion, they moved as one. Something had clicked inside them though neither Sesshomaru nor Inuyasha realized it just yet. The younger male collapsed against his mate’s check, feeling loved for the first time in many years. The hate he had carried for so long melted from him. He actually snuggled closer to his brother, golden eyes closing once more in sated bliss. Strong hands stroked his back leisurely and a contented purr rumbled beneath his ear. It made him chuckle.

“What is so amusing Yasha?” Sesshomaru asked as he ran his fingers through the silken strands of his mate’s hair.

“I haven’t heard you purr since the first time you tasted a peach dumpling.” The hanyou said with a smile.

“Hm,” the Lord let his lips curl up in a similar gesture. “It was sweet, the crust, perfect.”

“Yes, and I remember how you shared it with me.” Inuyasha said.

“You got peach juice all over your… face.” The youkai stopped as he realized the significance of his words. He DID remember.

“It’s better when you don’t force it,” his brother said softly. “I don’t want to see you hurt.”

“Hai.” Sesshomaru answered, kissing the palm that cupped his cheek.

That simple kiss led to heavier petting. The older male had just joined their bodies once more when he heard a most unpleasant sound. That bitch was heading their way. Yet, as Inuyasha clenched around him, the youkai could not bring himself to care. Staring into the golden eyes of his mate, Sesshomaru continued to love him slowly, thoroughly, and well.

***

Miroku contemplated stopping Kagome from going near the hot springs in her search for Inuyasha, briefly. Then he realized it would probably be best if this unpleasant confrontation was over now, instead of later. The young girl would be hurt, but she would survive. After all, she would leave them eventually. She did not belong here. Neither was she the proper mate for Inuyasha, especially not now.

“What’s going on Miroku?” Sango demanded as she yanked him to a stop. “I smell mating youkai, not a good place for any of us to be near.”

After a few moments of inner debate, Miroku told her everything he had discovered the previous night. He watched her eyes grow large and then narrow with anger. She gripped her weapon tightly.

“How dare he do that to her!” she snarled. Miroku raised an eyebrow.

“How dare he do what?” the monk asked.

“He cheated on her,” the huntress said angrily. “With his brother.”

“Last time I checked,” Miroku began,” They were neither married nor courting each other.”

“That’s entirely beside the point,” Sango shot back with the irrational logic of the feminine mind. “Inuyasha is hers.”

“Hers?” Now Miroku’s eyes narrowed. “Is he now some kind of possession? Like a pet?”

“Of course not, but,”

“Really? She certainly treats him as one, sitting him whenever he even remotely irritates her. Can you imagine how humiliating that is for someone with Inuyasha’s sense of pride? He has every right to be proud. He survived a great deal to become the person he is,” Miroku said. “Kagome treats him as if Inuyasha is solely alive to please her.”

“Oh and Sesshomaru treats him any better?” Sango demanded. “Mr. High and Mighty Lord of the Western Lands was always trying to kill him.”

“The operative term there is ‘was’,” the monk said smugly. “They are mated Sango. Their souls two halves of the whole and if you had seen them together, you would not be so vehement to cry against it.”

“Apparently, you watched enough for both of us.” She pointed out coldly.

“Yes,” Miroku stood and stared directly into the woman’s eyes. “I did. I watched them together and it got me so hard, I had to stroke myself until I came. It was so very beautiful and erotic. Each touch they gave to one another was filled with so much love and passion. I envied them. I can only hope and pray to have someone feel those things for me one day. I wish the same for you.”

“He betrayed Kagome.” She stuttered at the intense look in the man’s eyes.

“Inuyasha betrayed no one,” Miroku said quietly. “He followed his heart. Would you deny him the change to be loved simply because it isn’t by Kagome? She will leave this time eventually. Shall Inuyasha be alone then?”

“He could go with her,” Sango suggested though her voice was much smaller and less hostile now.

“That is no longer possible, even if it ever was. Inuyasha is full youkai now. He could not live in her time. Inuyoukai must hunt. You know this. They must kill and eat fresh bleeding meat,” Miroku said. “That is not possible or understood in Kagome’s time.”

“She is going to get hurt.” Sango sighed.

“Yes she is,” the monk said, placing his hands on the huntress’ shoulders. “She will survive and she will find the one meant for her, but it is not Inuyasha.”

***

“INUYA,” Kagome’s words died on a shocked whispered. “Sha.”

She could not believe what was before her very eyes. The hanyou was sitting, naked, in Lord Sesshomaru’s lap. His claws dug into the expanse of the youkai’s back as he moaned. Inexperienced though she was, Kagome knew exactly what was happening. She just didn’t want to believe it. When her hanyou threw back his head, howling, she broke out of her shocked trance.

“Inuyasha what in the world are you doing?” she screamed.

The two youkai turned identical golden eyes in her direction. Leisurely they moved, standing up without bothering to hide their nakedness. The stripes on Inuyasha’s body were much darker now and Sesshomaru stroked his mate’s hip possessively. The Western Lord looked incredibly smug. Inuyasha, on the other hand, looked distinctly irritated.

“Damn it, Kagome,” he snarled. “Can’t you see I was busy? What the hell do you want?”

“I have been looking for you all morning.” She said angrily.

“So?” he said with a shrug. The other youkai tried not to chuckle.

“I was worried to death and that’s all you can say?” Kagome’s voice rose another octave as she spoke. “Inuyasha Si…”

The ground at her feet exploded as a green slash of light sliced through the air. Sesshomaru now stood in front of Inuyasha and his eyes blazed red. Immediately Kagome’s lips clamped together. She was smart enough to realize her fate if she continued.

Without a word, the Lord of the Western Lands hooked one long elegant finger beneath the string of prayer beads. Holding the ningen’s eyes, Sesshomaru slowly pulled. In a rush of magic that had silver hair whipping around the two males, the string snapped. Beads went flying, plinking into the water and bouncing off the rock. Both Inuyasha and Kagome gasped in surprise.

“How?”Kagome said with shock. “Kaede said it was too powerful to be broken.”

“Nothing is more powerful than a youkai protecting his mate, especially an Inuyoukai.” Sesshomaru said coldly.

“You broke them.” Inuyasha whispered.

You are not some domestic canine to be put in its place when you displease your master. You are Inuyoukai. You have no master, only a mate and equal partner,” the lord explained. “I will not have you treated with such disrespect.”

Gently Sesshomaru gathered his brother to his side. He turned golden eyes to his mate and cupped the smooth skin of his cheek. His thumb caressed the purple strikes and smiled as the magenta crescent appeared on Inuyasha’s forehead.

“What the hell are you staring at?” the younger male demanded.

“You are full youkai now,” Sesshomaru answered as he placed a sweet kiss on the new crescent. “Look in the water, Mate, and see the markings of our heritage.”

Inuyasha stepped away from his brother and hesitantly moved over to the water’s edge. He looked down into the reflective surface. Trembling fingers reached up and touched his cheeks, tracing the stripes. Inuyasha then looked at his body and noted the purple on his hips, thighs, and angles. He stared at his wrists.

As the younger youkai continued staring at the proof of his mate’s words Kagome rushed over to him. Fear gripped her. She grabbed his arm, trembling with emotion.

“We can fix this,” she cried. “The Shikon Jewel can fix this.”

“There’s nothing to fix.” Sesshomaru said as he drew Inuyasha away from her.

“Of course there is,” Kagome snapped. “He’s youkai, full demon. I don’t know how you did it Sesshomaru, but I’m going to turn him back. Somehow, I’ll fix him, make him better.”

“Wait a damn minute,” Inuyasha growled as he glared at her. “What makes you think I want this to change? What do you think I’ve been doing, looking for the shards? It sure as hell wasn’t to become human.”

“I thought that’s what you wanted.” Kagome said as tears ran down her face.” So we could be together in my time.”

Inuyasha snorted and the young girl flinched. She stared at him and then at Sesshomaru, who still had the former Hanyou in his arms, chest to back.

“That what you thought I should want,” Inuyasha said softly. “The same thing Kikyo thought. For all your talk, you didn’t want me as a hanyou either.”

“Oh and HE does?” Kagome demanded angrily, swiping at her tears.

“Didn’t stop him from making love and mating me, did it?” Inuyasha snapped. “Mates are for life, Kagome. He and I are completely bonded. I know his every thought and feeling, as he knows mine. I even know how to unlock his memories.”

“How could you do this to me?” She whispered.

“Honestly,” Inuyasha shrugged. “You never even entered into my thoughts… not once before, during, or after he fucked me so hard I couldn’t see, or thing straight.”

“Fucked you hard, did I?”Sesshomaru’s voice sounded in his head as he felt the older youkai’s shaft prodding his buttocks.

“Stop. I’m having a serious talk with Kagome.” Inuyasha said even as he shifted slightly, parting his legs the tiniest bit in unconscious invitation.

“No.” that mental voice purred as the lord’s hips pushed forward.

Before Inuyasha realized what was truly happening, Sesshomaru had trapped Kagome between their combined bodies and the ground. Immediately the former hanyou thrust backwards, only to impale himself on the hard cock behind him. He moaned loudly, drowning out Sesshomaru’s growl of pleasure and Kagome’s cries of surprised horror.

Clawed hands held her arms down and all she could do was stare upward. Sesshomaru covered Inuyasha, nuzzling silver hair out of his way as his hips worked steadily. Disgust filled her. This was wrong on so many levels.

Inuyasha’s cries rose as the pleasure built within him. His mate’s body warmed him, their souls complete when they were joined as one. His brother had unerring aim and an amazing skill in love play. The younger male felt the love swelling in his chest. He screamed and growled his pleasure, letting his mate hear how much he enjoyed their lovemaking and forgetting about the woman beneath him. He simply didn’t care that she was there.

Sesshomaru could sense it. He could feel his mate’s peak rushing up within him. The youkai turned to the bitch pinned beneath them. With one hard well-aimed thrust, he felt Inuyasha’s body spasm and his cock was gripped tightly. Long strings of pearly seed spattered on the ningen bitch.

“This is as close as you are going to get to having him,” Sesshomaru growled. “He is MINE.”

With those words, the Inuyoukai sank his fangs into his mate’s mark once more; coming deep and hard inside Inuyasha’s tight body. The lord wrapped his arms around his mate. Slowly he listed up, sitting back on his haunches and driving himself deeper into his beloved.

His mate shifted, climbing off him. The last thing Sesshomaru saw as his lover pushed him onto his back was Kagome fleeing the hot springs. His smile turned to a moaning hiss as Inuyasha took him inside once more. He gripped the purple-tinted hips and stared into golden eyes dark with passion. They weren’t leaving the clearing any time soon.

A stinking pile of non-regenerating ash lay before them. The remade Shikon Jewel was cupped in Kagome’s hands as she stared at Inuyasha. Sango stepped up behind her and laid gentle hands on the young woman’s shoulders.

“Don’t do it,” the huntress said softly. “Look at them Kagome. Really look at them.”

Kagome watched as Sesshomaru lifted gentle hands, noted how they trembled slightly as they swept over Inuyasha to make sure the younger youkai was uninjured. Blood stained the normally blinding white of the lord’s kimono. It was clear the Inuyoukai didn’t care. His focus was on his mate and only his mate.

“They really do love one another.” Kagome said.

“Yes,” Sango agreed. “They are Inuyoukai, nothing will separate them. They know everything about each other. You know you must leave here and that is how it must be. Inuyasha was destined for this.”

“It hurts.” Kagome cried softly.

“Yes, love hurts. But you will survive and you will find love… in your time.” Her friend assured her.

“I suppose you’re right. I shouldn’t deny Inuyasha his happiness just because I don’t agree with it. Sesshomaru IS different now,” the young woman sighed. “He will take care of him.”

“Yes he will.” Sango agreed.

The two women watched as the lord drew his brother into his arms. The younger male’s head lifted and their mouths met in a sweet, yet heated, kiss. They chuckled softly as the two males continued until they were nearly devouring one another. Then Sango and Kagome turned to check on the rest of their unusual group. They noted that a certain monk was nowhere to be seen.

Miroku wandered through the new empty castle. Those of Naraku’s followers who were not dead had fled with his demise. Of course, those that still lived hadn’t been willing to follow the demented hanyou anyway. The monk climbed to the highest tower, stared out the open casement, and contemplated the fact that the void was still in his palm. Did this mean that his enemy was not dead? Was he always going to be hunting Naraku? Or was he being punished for some transgression?

“It is neither.” Came the serene voice he had heard only once before.

Turning he bowed to the goddess.

“You honor me with your presence,” Miroku said earnestly. “How may I be of service?”

“Miroku, you took a dire curse and turned it into a powerful weapon. You and your companions have defeated Naraku, a great evil. Your names will be known throughout the land,” Kwan Yin said. “I prevented the wind tunnel from vanishing to bring you here along.”

“Then please, tell me what I may do for you?” the monk answered.

“It is a question of what I may do for you,” she smiled. “We have much to discuss, you and I.”

Kouga approached the pair, chuckling as the younger one growled. He held his hands up in an open gesture.

“Relax puppy. I don’t want your mate. He’d kick my ass,” the wolf demon smiled. “I’d rather have a go at that sweet little monk.”

“He might just let you.” Sesshomaru said with a small smile.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Kouga said. “Seriously, what are your plans now?”

“I must return to the Western Lands,” the lord said quietly. “I have been away too long.”

“Where my mate goes, I go.” Inuyasha said firmly, pressing against his brother’s side.

“What about Kagome?” the Ookami asked.

“We should see her safely home,” Sesshomaru pointed out. “She has done much for our time.”

“Feeling more amiable now that she’s not a rival?” his mate teased.

“Yes.” Came the simple honest answer.

Both Inuyasha and Kouga laughed at him. The lord merely shrugged. He saw no reason to prevaricate. As long as Kagome realized Inuyasha as his, then things would be fine. No one would come between him and his mate.

“Mind if I tag along? I want to say goodbye.” Kouga said as he watched Miroku approach them. He shifted uncomfortably as his body reacted to the human’s presence.

“Not at all… Dog Breath.” Inuyasha said smugly.

The four males returned to came, rejoining Sango, Kagome, and the children. Rin immediately climbed into Sesshomaru’s lap and curled up, her little fingers clutching his hoari. He wrapped his arms around her and laid a reassuring kiss on the top of her head.

“When we return to the Western Lands,” the lord promised his mate mentally. “You will not be able to walk upright for a very long time, my love.”

“Promises, promises.” Inuyasha smirked.

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow in response. Then he turned as Kagome cleared her throat. He studied the ningen, noted the air of resigned sadness about her. She lifted the Shikon Jewel and watched as it glowed in pure light. It was no longer tainted.

“It’s whole now,” she said softly. “Whole and purified. I… I just wanted to say thank you. Everyone worked really hard and risked a lot.”

“You gave up much as well,” the lord pointed out. “You risked as much as the rest of us.”

Kagome stared at Sesshomaru in surprise. She had not expected kind words from him. In truth, she had not expected the Inuyoukai to talk to her at all. She had been quite rude to both of them. It was embarrassing. Yet, the more she thought on what Inuyasha said, the more she realized he was right. She had assumed he wanted to be human and to go with her.

“What are you going to wish for Kagome?” Miroku asked, watching her carefully.

“I don’t know,” the girl answered. “I thought about wishing to change the past. I thought about wishing for selfish things. Then I realized that something this powerful will always demand an equally powerful price, no matter who holds it.”

“That is very wise of you. Power always comes at a price.” Sesshomaru said quietly.

“That is a very poignant speech, but it didn’t answer the question.” The monk pushed.

“Then I can’t answer it,” she said. “I don’t know what to wish for, or even if I should wish.”

“Then don’t,” Kouga shrugged. “You’re supposed to take the Shikon back to Kaede’s village anyway. Yes that time to think about it a little more.”

Kagome smiled at the Ookami. She caught him looking intently at Miroku, and then Sango. Kouga was thinking hard about something and it involved them. She’d have to ask him later. She didn’t want to embarrass him.

“Kagome? Are you going to leave us?” Shippo asked hesitantly.

“I have to,” the girl answered, “I don’t belong here. I belong in modern times with my family. I love you guys and I’ll miss you so much. Part of me doesn’t want to go.”

“What happens to the rest of us?” the little Kitsune asked, his eyes glistened and his lower lip trembled.

“Sesshomaru and I will return to the Western Lands after we see Kagome home. You can come with us and stay with Rin.” Inuyasha offered, knowing his mate was about to say the same thing.

“Really?” the young youkai asked.

“You are all welcome in our castle.” The lord explained.

Smiles blossomed around the fire. The knowledge that they had a place to go relieved their fear. Each person settled back and silence blanketed the camp, broken only by the natural sounds of the night. Sesshomaru was the first to break the peace. He lifted his adopted daughter in his arms. She was fighting sleep and losing. It was time for her to go to bed. Shippo followed soon after in Inuyasha’s arms. Then the mates curled up a short distance away, wrapping around each other with contented purrs.

Kagome sat and watched them sleep for a few moments. They looked so peaceful. The furry stole that the lord always wore wrapped around them. His arms curled tightly about Inuyasha’s body and the former Hanyou looked incredibly content.

“They were meant to be.” Miroku said quietly.

“It’s hard to see them together. I wanted to make his dreams come true,” Kagome sighed. “The problem was I didn’t ask Inuyasha what he wanted. I was so clueless, so blind. I was so sure I knew what he wanted.”

“Yes, you were, but you’ve grown.” The monk said. “Accepting Sesshomaru and Inuyasha as mates was a big step.”

“It’s still awkward. What happens when Sesshomaru regains his memories?” Kagome asked. “Will he turn on Inuyasha?”

“No,” Miroku explained. “Now that they are bonded, they have no secrets from each other. No barriers prevent them from communicating with each other. Inuyasha will always know and feel the true depths of Sesshomaru’s feelings for him.”

“Must be nice to have that kind of bond,” the young woman murmured. “You wouldn’t have to stumble through it.”

“Inuyoukai have VERY long lifespans. If something were to make them resent each other, such as a misunderstanding, then that’s a long time to be miserable. They are mates for life, Kagome.”

“I suppose it is. I just want him to be happy.” She answered.

“He will be,” the monk smiled. “Sesshomaru will have it no other way.”

“And we all know how persistent and stubborn he is.” Kagome smiled.

“Exactly.”

***

Inuyasha stared at the Bone Eater’s well as strong arms wrapped around him. He could feel his mate’s concern. He had been awfully quiet since Kagome had gone over the side. Inuyasha knew that his brother was concerned the former hanyou might be having regrets. Instinctively he moved to soothe his mate by stroking the older make’s fair skin.

“Shall we return home?” Sesshomaru asked.

“Can’t you tell the answer to that?” Inuyasha purred.

“Sometimes I just want to hear the words said out loud.” The youkai admitted.

“Then yes, it is time for us to go home.” The younger youkai answered.

The lord smiled and kissed his mate gently. Then the two Inuyoukai turned and headed west; Rin, Shippo, Ah-Un, and Jaken in tow. Miroku, Sango, and Kouga had their own issues to resolve before they arrived at the castle.

It would take their party some time to reach their home. Sesshomaru wanted nothing more than to sweep Inuyasha up in his arms and carry him away. The lord wanted his mate, wanted to feel Inuyasha wrapped around him, writhing and panting to completion. They would, however, have few opportunities for privacy until they reached home. Then he would barricade the door to his chambers and not let his little brother leave until they were both utterly exhausted and sated. It could take quite a long time.

“You’re thinking too hard.” Inuyasha purred in one delicately pointed ear.

“Am I?” Sesshomaru questioned with a smile.

“Yeah,” the former hanyou growled. “You’re giving me a hard-on.”

“Then it is a good thing night has fallen,” The lord said as he signaled for a stop. Jaken immediately began to set up came. “Ring and Shippo will soon be asleep. Then you shall take care of your problem while I watch.”

“What about Jaken and Ah-Un?” Inuyasha said, the very idea making him pant.

“Ah-Un could care less if we rutted right on his back and Jaken is too rigid to say anything. He’s much too happy that you are no longer hanyou and so, worthy of his master.”

“I’m not sure I like that little toad.” Inuyasha growled sending shivers over his lover’s skin.

“For all his faults and annoying habits, Jaken is extremely loyal and trustworthy.” Sesshomaru said.

“He’s just scared shitless of you.” Inuyasha snorted.

“That is just an added bonus.” The lord said with a smile.

The two Inuyoukai laughed as they continued walking, fingers entwined and bodies pressed together. They were rarely more than a short distance apart. Jaken and Ah-Un would watch over the children. They headed to the hot springs nearby. They needed the time together, needed to touch each other.

Standing at the water’s edge, they slowly undressed. Golden eyes never broke the gaze. Moonlight broke through and gilded them both in silver light. Inuyasha froze, the sight of Sesshomaru practically glowing an awesome sight. His body burned with passion, nearly doubling with it.

“Is something wrong Otouto?” the lord questioned softly through his concern was belied by his smirk. He continued to watch Inuyasha out of the corner of his eye as he slowly entered the water. He could not help but be incredibly aroused beneath his mate’s heated gaze. Yet, he would not allow Inuyasha to change their course of action. He wanted to watch the younger Inuyoukai pleasure himself.

“You are… beautiful,” Inuyasha whispered. “Almost painfully so.”

“This is a problem?” Sesshomaru chuckled. “You would rather have an ugly mate?”

“I would have no one but you Aniki,” the former hanyou answered seriously. “You know this.”

“I do.” the Western Lord agreed. Then he simply stretched out his arm and offered his hand to his brother.

Without a second’s hesitation, Inuyasha moved forward and took that hand, gripping it tightly. H e would never let go of his mate.

‘Show me Inuyasha,” Sesshomaru purred as he pulled his brother closer. “Show me how you would please yourself if I were not here.”

“But you are here, why can’t you touch me?” the new youkai demanded with a small whimper.

“It is not an issue of can’t,” Sesshomaru growled into one silky white ear. “It is a case of want because I want to watch you.”

“Bastard.” Inuyasha growled.

“You love me anyway,” the lord chuckled. “And you like the idea. Your body is achingly hard with just the thought.”

“I’d rather you did it.” His brother smiled.

“I know.” Sesshomaru smirked as he turned the younger youkai around, pressing his chest to Inuyasha’s back. He reveled in his lover’s moan at the contact. The lord leaned back, expending very little energy to keep them above water just enough to leave Inuyasha’s body visible.

Slowly his mate complied with his request. Strong fingers danced down his brother’s smooth chest, teasing his nipples into tight hard buds. Then they moved downward, continuing their journey over the rippled planes of Inuyasha’s abdomen. Always in a hurry, it wasn’t long before his brother grasped his aching cock in hand.

Inuyasha had never thought jerking off could be better with another person around. He knew this to be the case only because it was his mate watching him. He could feel Sesshomaru’s shaft pushing eagerly between his cheeks, knew his brother was just as hot as he was. He tried going slow, tried to draw it out and give them both the most pleasure, but it was too much. Hot seed spattered over his chest and stomach. His body spasmed against his mate’s chest. Strong arms wrapped around him as Inuyasha rode the waves of his orgasm.

“It is you who are beautiful Otouto. It is you who enchants me and holds my heart.” Sesshomaru whispered.

The lord was not prepared when Inuyasha flipped over and straddled his hips. Nor was he ready for the sudden possession his mate initiated. He complained not a bit as his shaft was enveloped in tight heat. He closed his eyes only briefly to savor the sensation. Warm water cradled his body and Inuyasha, the other half of his soul, held him deep inside. There was no other place he would rather be as long as his mate was joined with him.

***

Several days later they walked into the castle side by side, hand in hand, and no one said anything. They didn’t dare to. They could sense there was something more than the obvious, different about their lord. These people, demon and mortal alike, simply watched the party enter the castle. The couple held their attention as the two youkai paused at the top step.

Gracefully, Sesshomaru turned to face the gathered people. His face was the expressionless mask they knew so well. His cool gaze scanned them and then he spoke.

“Lord Inuyasha is my mate,” he said quietly, yet everyone heard. “To treat him with anything less than the utmost respect that is his due is to insult me and will be dealt with accordingly.”

After a few moments, he turned and entered the house with his brother. They maneuvered through the hallways to the Lord’s chamber. Once there, they locked the doors and were not seen for several days, although the household was assured their lords still lived by the multitude of sounds coming from the room.

The weeks passed and still Sesshomaru’s memories did not return on their own. Lying in bed with his mate curled at his side, the lord mulled the situation over in his mind. Inuyasha had said he knew how to unlock the memories, yet he had not offered to do so. The older youkai knew his brother feared a return to their old relationship. However, that could never happen now. That was all in the past and would remain there. He nuzzled his mate until Inuyasha awoke and then he simply nodded his head.

“Are you sure about this Aniki?” Inuyasha questioned as he knelt behind his brother.

“Positive Otouto,” Sesshomaru answered. “I need to remember everything.”

“I am afraid,” Inuyasha said quietly. “I don’t want you to hate me again.”

“I know, Yasha,” the older youkai said as he reached up to cup the younger’s cheek. He nuzzled Inuyasha’s face reassuringly. “That will not happen. However, this needs to be done.”

“Very well.” Inuyasha sighed.

Kneeling behind his brother on the futon, he gently placed his fingers at the lord’s temples. His thumbs, he gently placed at the base of Sesshomaru’s skill. For a moment, he was distracted by the silky softness of his brother’s hair. A low, pleased chuckle brought him back to the task at hand.

“Once we are finished, Otouto,” Sesshomaru purred. “You may indulge your fascination with my hair to your heart’s content.”

Inuyasha lightly slapped his brother’s bare shoulder and then returned to his task with a petulant growl. Closing his golden eyes, he pressed forward into his brother’s mind, using his fingers to massage and relax the older youkai. Slowly, he opened one mental door after another, giving his mate time to adjust, to acclimate and deal with the memories.

Sesshomaru examined each memory. He examined it, accepted it as something he could not change, and then moved on. He acknowledged the pain he had caused and the pain he had experienced, all these things made him who he was. It had surprised him how difficult it had been to let go of his anger at his father for leaving him. It had been hard to hate Inuyasha in the beginning, and that startled him as well. Yet, in typical Sesshomaru fashion, he calmly moved through all of it.

Opening golden yes, he was upset to see Inuyasha sitting across him just out of arm’s reach. The look on his mate’s face was hesitant and fearful. It hurt the lord to see it. Slowly, he opened his arms. No words passed his lips, but the message was clear. Instantly, his arms were filled with young Inuyoukai and kisses were being rained all over his face. He laughed before capturing Inuyasha’s mouth, and then pinning his brother to the bed.

“You will not be leaving this room for many more hours, Otouto.” The lord rumbled.

“Neither will you, Aniki, even if I have to tie you to the bed.” Inuyasha promised.

“That will come later,” Sesshomaru smiled as his mate’s eyes widened. “When I am done ravishing this delectably hard body of yours.”

“Promises, promises.” His lover gasped.

Neither Lord Sesshomaru nor Lord Inuyasha were seen for many hours.


Kwan Yin walked serenely through the Jade Palace. A small smile graced her beautiful features. They were one and peace lay upon their souls. It gave her great joy,

The End.