To find a mate
Standard disclaimer I own nothing but my own perverted ideas.
Chapter one
He was always told he needed to find a mate, his other half. He would but he felt it was a weakness especially after all that happened when his father found his mate, obviously she was not his mother. Although his mother Inukimi had no qualms about his father Inu no taisho leaving to be with his mate as she knew she needed to search for her own, their marriage had been arranged to strengthen their kingdoms. Sesshomaru knew he was only born to be an heir, to take the reigns and rule when his parents could no longer.
When his father died he would never admit to anyone that he felt hollow and he spent many years wandering aimlessly, Inukimi took over running the kingdom knowing that he could not. He hated his father for so long, why did he die for the human and half-breed? But he could only hold the anger for a few years, his father's parting words coming to him.
"do you have someone to protect?" the words had not settled in his mind for he knew he had no one to protect and if he did they would only be the weakness that lead to his unimaginable defeat, he could not let that happen he would not be like his father. Killed for his weakness, although pride drove him to check in on his father's mate and off spring he did not expect the anger that washed over him when he arrived at their village. Looking at the town from a hill behind the local shrine he saw as they celebrated the death of the woman and the fact they had driven the "devil spawn" from within their midst, a snarl erupted from him at that moment and he was no longer in control of his movements as he descended upon the unsuspecting villagers. When he gained control again he was surrounded by many a dead body, all males that had tried to fight him. The females and children hid further away crying and begging for their lives, with a sigh of disgust he turned from them and tried to pick up the pups scent through the decaying scent of blood.
After following it for some time he happened upon a small group of lesser demons chuckling and searching the under brush, the acrid smell of fear and tears hit Sesshomaru like a wave. He managed to contain himself so close to the trembling pup, not wanting to scare him more then he already was. A low growl alerted the other demons to his presence and had many stumbling away in fear, a few brave or dumb demons stepped up claiming the hanyou as their prize. A snap of his poison whip silenced them quickly and had the smarter ones fleeing for their lives, he would track them later. After a beat of silence passed he stepped into the light and waited, a small sniffing sound told him the pup was trying to gauge who he was. A gasp of surprise and another tentative sniff proceeded the small thing crawling free of the cave it had crawled into for safety, Sesshomaru regarded the pup with cool detachment seeing if the pup would be strong enough to survive the world it had just been thrust into.
The pup would be strong if given the right circumstances, a small whine from the pup told him he was hungry and looking to the obvious alpha male for guidance. A deep rumble answered the small pup and it stopped the whine straightening up awaiting whatever Sesshomaru would do, when coming upon the clearing they stood in Sesshomaru had noticed a small herd of elk nearby perfect for a first hunt.
"what is your name pup?" his voice was cold and uncaring for those who did not know him, the pup flinched but didn't cower when answering him.
"I am Inuyasha" another whine and a tip of his head exposing his neck in submission told Sesshomaru that he acknowledged him as a better and the alpha in the area, a nod was all the pup received before Sesshomaru began walking towards the elk. A scared yip had him stop a moment before he glanced at the pup and gave a small commanding bark.
"come" a small smile and the pup ran to his side standing a foot behind him as a sign of respect, Sesshomaru continued walking slowly trying to show the noisy pup how to move more quietly. He was not a wasted effort as they neared the small clearing by the river Inuyasha was walking nearly as silently as he was, a long exaggerated sniff and the pup followed suit sniffing frantically picking up the many scents nearby. The elk were up wind by about two hundred yards but even the pup should have been able the smell them as if he were right on top of them, Sesshomaru stood back and growled to the pup.
"you must hunt to survive if you can not catch food you will not survive and I can not help you" Sesshomaru was never one for long speeches but in the Inu language it was all instinctual and the pup would need to learn if he was to thrive, a small yip of understanding and the pup slipped into the bushes and stalked towards his prey. The first hunt was always clumsy and unclean, the pup however seemed rather hesitant and therefore nearly missed the elk he hunted. Instincts kept him from remaining in the bushes, Sesshomaru watched patiently from a tree nearby as the pup stopped breathing and launched. A small proud smile crept to his lips as he watched the young pup take the stag down in a few messy swipes of his claws, a branch snapping to his left brought his attention away as a large bear demon stepped out of the trees. It had masked it's presence by hiding it's youki, assuming it was a normal bear Sesshomaru had paid it no mind but now it swaggered it's way towards the small pup growling and protecting it's kill from the obvious threat. A sharp yip for help came from the pup as he refused to back down, in seconds Sesshomaru stood between the pup and the bear. A feral snarl and a baring of teeth had the bears attention, another stupid youkai unaware of whom it stood before. A swipe of its big paw and it launched forward, the pup was lucky to have seen the killing blow but as the headless body of the bear came to rest at the pups feet Sesshomaru was shocked to see a smile cracked across the pups face as he stood a few feet away with the bears head in his hands.
"alpha is strong! Saved pup! Thanks alpha!" the pup was bouncing about kill momentarily forgotten as admiration took all his attention, Sesshomaru walked towards the pup then and looked down at him and the fairly cleanly killed stag behind him.
"pup doubted this alpha?" it was not said in an angry way but the pup needed to learn that while he was safe with Sesshomaru he should not doubt the alpha so readily, when the pups ears lowered to his head and he showed his neck Sesshomaru knew he understood. Turning to the dead bear and elk he spoke again perking the pup up instantly.
"Let us take our kills and feast in the den" the pups eyes sparkled as he hoisted part of the elks body up and waited patiently for him to do the same, although he didn't not change his expression he knew the pup smelled the scent of pride coming from him.
The trek to the den he had been using in his absence from the throne was a relatively short one but with two large beasts as burden it took some time, the fire in the centre of the cave sparked to life as Sesshomaru entered and the pup waited outside the cave. Still unsure of his standing in the pack he stood outside with his ears lowered and a small whine escaping him, a den was sacred after all and Sesshomaru may have helped him hunt but would he share his den? With a half-breed at that? His demon demanded he protect the pup as it was pack and that was more then enough for him at the moment, a bark of approval had the pup scampering inside and not a moment to soon as the heavens opened up. The two remaind silent for a time the only noise that could be heard came from them eating their kills, the pup ate most of his kill in a way that led Sesshomaru to believe he had not been fed in some time. A closer inspection of the pup showed his ears had slow healing burn marks and some bruising in his face made it clear the pup had been beaten as well as starved, a growl of anger slipped out before it could be stopped. The pup froze and stared at him, a purr like noise came after trying to sooth the pup and let him know he was not the one he was angry at. The pup continued to eat then, Sesshomaru turned to the body and took it removing and cleaning the furs from both the elk and the bear before making a small nest near the fire. Inuyasha watched on with small golden eyes glowing with curiosity in the fire light, Sesshomaru thought of how he should explain things to the pup without confusing him and making this hard the simplest way was a few words in Inu but he knew the pups human nature would want to know more he supposed it was to be expected.
"pup this is your bed" the look of confusion was something Sesshomaru would never forget but the words that left the pups mouth would haunt him to his final days.
"why would you help a worthless half-breed like me? My own family threw me out when okaasan died!" the smell of salt filled the cave and Sesshomaru watched the pup struggle not to cry, a small sigh escaped him and he knew it was going to be a long night.
"listen carefully pup this Sesshomaru will not repeat himself" Inuyasha scrambled over to the furs beside Sesshomaru and looked up at him expectantly, he wondered where he should start.
"do you know who I am?" the pup whined low.
"pack, family?" the pup was smart to smell the family marker in his scent, a growl of approval something that was very close to a purr had the pup smile and snuggle closer to Sesshomaru. Not reacting to the scent of contentment coming from the pup he spoke low and calmly in a manner befitting royalty as he was.
"that's right this Sesshomaru is your brother, our father's name was Toga. But many knew and feared him as Inu no taisho, he was a strong and fearsome demon he died protecting those he loved. Your mother was his mate and one true love of that I am sure but she was not my mother and I could not be there to help I am sorry, I am here now though and shall always be here to protect you as a brother" "and as Alpha" the pup whined low in a manner showing he understood, "good pup" he placed a hand on the pups head and the tension left them both as Sesshomaru gently rubbed the pups head between his ears, the pup needed it he had lost everything that day.