The Power in Me
By Ammie Hawk
Disclaimer: Not Mine.
AN: So here's the chapter of the week. Still going pretty strong so it looks like this will continue for awhile. Also this fic does deal with incest and mentions MPreg, if that bugs anyone, please stop reading now.
Chapter 1
Inuyasha sat under the sacred tree, absently rubbing his neck. The spot where Sesshomaru bit him itched something fierce and burned slightly. He wasn't sure why though. Why had his brother bit him in the first place? And why the hell wasn't it healing already?
His thoughts were interrupted as he caught a strange, yet familiar scent in the air. He was on his feet and moving before consciously realizing what he was doing. He sprinted through the woods, instinctively dodging roots and other obstructions, as he made his way toward the Bone Eater's Well and the source of the scent.
He knew this scent, it wasn't Kagome's, but he had always associated it with her as it had accompanied her every time she used the well. Maybe she was coming back? Or maybe he could go to her? But wait… Did he really want to see her again?
His frantic footsteps came to a stop as he reached the edge of the clearing. Did he really want to see the girl from the future again? Hadn't he just been thinking about that? While yes, he did miss her, and he always would, but it was the same way he felt about Miroku and Sango. He took a deep breath. Yes, he decided, if given the chance, he did want to see her again, at least one more time.
He had just reached his decision when a scream rent the stillness of the clearing. He knew immediately that it didn't come from Kagome. This came from someone much younger. And it was full of pure, unadulterated terror. He felt more than saw the burst of magic that came from the well and had him moving once again.
He jumped down the well and landed at the bottom just as the blue light of magic faded. As it darkened, he felt a weight settle in his arms. He blinked a few times, trying to get his eyes to adjust faster, as he looked down. As his eyes adjusted, he was shocked to find a dark haired, pale skinned chibi.
Well, it was obvious the well wasn't going to continue working, so all he could do now was get out. Making sure the chibi was secure in his arms, he bent his knees and cleared the edge of the well in one fluid movement. He landed softly on the grass and placed the chibi on his folded legs.
Now that he was in full sunlight, the first thing he noticed was that the kid was male, and that he couldn't be older than five. His hair was as black as Inuyasha's own on the night of the new moon, but looked like something had decided to nest in it. He couldn't see the boy's eyes as he was sleeping, or unconscious, he wasn't sure which, but he was breathing and that was something. His clothes reminded him of the things Kagome's younger brother, Sota, wore, except these were at least three times too big for the chibi.
He had just decided to settle in to wait for the chibi to wake, when he caught a familiar scent. His head snapped up as Koga skidded to a halt in front of the half demon.
"Hey, Mutt Face," the wolf demon said, not sparing the other a glance as he looked around the clearing, "where's Kagome?"
"She ain't here," Inuyasha looked at him like he'd lost his mind. "She went home over a year ago."
"Yeah, I know that," the raven haired demon finally looked at the other. "I just smelled the well activate, so where is she?"
"She ain't here," the half demon shook his head. "She's not the one that came through."
"What are you talking…?" blue eyes landed on the chibi. "When did you get a…?" his eyes traveled up as he spoke, and he stopped as his eyes landed on his neck. "When did you get a mate?"
"What are you talking about?" Inuyasha reached up to scratch at the bite mark.
"Look," Koga flopped to the ground, arms and legs folded stubbornly, "I know I've been gone a lot recently, what with the Tribe shit going on, but it hasn't been that long since I've seen you. Definitely not long enough for you to get knocked up and have a kid."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Koga," the silver haired inu waved his hands in front of him, managing to not jostle the chibi in the process. "Look, first, I don't have a mate, probably never will; second, I'm a guy, I can't get 'knocked up'; and third, the kid came through the well."
"O-kay," the wolf demon scratched his nose. "Apparently, you need an education. First of all, Inuyasha, you're a demon. Half or not doesn't matter, you still have access to that power, which means you can carry. It's not a common practice for two males to mate, cause it's harder for males to conceive, but it's been known to happen. Now, whether you want to believe it or not, that mark on your neck says you have a mate. So, when did you get it and who gave it to you?"
"I don't have a mark on my neck," the half demon shook his head animatedly, still rubbing his neck. "It just itches like crazy. Sesshomaru came by earlier and bit me. I think he might have poisoned me, cause it's not healing."
"Sesshomaru? Your brother?" blue eyes narrowed in thought. "I guess it does make sense."
"Now what are you muttering about?" Inuyasha sighed, not liking this turn in the conversation. "What makes sense? Cause none of it is making sense to me."
"Why am I the one who has to explain everything to you?" Koga rubbed his neck with a sigh. "Look, it's not unheard of, especially in dying clans, for siblings to mate and procreate to continue the line."
"Listen, ya mangy wolf," clawed fingers ran through silver hair, "Sesshomaru did not mate with me, I think I would remember that. He fuckin' bit me, cause he's a sadistic ass."
"Okay, you may not have mated, yet, but obviously he claimed you. And nobody is gonna come near you, or touch you, or want to be with you, unless they want to face Sesshomaru's wrath. As for you, Inuyasha, you really need to go find your brother. If you don't go to him in the next month or so, you're gonna go crazy. I've seen it happen before, claimed mates who don't actually be with their mates go off the deep end, and it's not pretty. Most of the time it ends in the slaughter of those around them."
"That's not gonna happen," Inuyasha frowned darkly. "I won't let it. And I'll do it without Sesshomaru."
"Whatever you say," Koga held up his hands. "But what about him?" he indicated the still sleeping boy. "What are you gonna do with him?"
"I don't know," the half demon sighed. "He's just a baby, I can't leave him on his own. Maybe Sango and Miroku would take him in."
"Oh, this I gotta see," the wolf laughed.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You'll see," Koga pushed to his feet. "Well, let's go find the monk and the slayer. Want me to carry the kid?"
"I can manage," white ears twitched in annoyance. "Besides, he hardly weighs anything."
The wolf demon just shook his head, as Inuyasha gathered the chibi into his arms and got to his feet. As he situated the boy in his fire rat kimono for more comfortable travel, Koga couldn't help but think that Inuyasha would make someone a fine mate one day. And clearly Sesshomaru felt he deserved first dibs.
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It took three days for them to reach the slayer's village. Normally, it wouldn't have taken the pair of demons so long, but Inuyasha had insisted they stop frequently so he could check on the chibi, who had yet to regain consciousness. After the first night, the half demon had taken to mashing up berries and carefully feeding the pasty mixture to the boy, ensuring he received some form of nourishment. His actions just confirmed his companion's earlier suspicions, but that was something he kept decidedly to himself.
As they approached the gates, a small streak of red and blue sped out to meet them. Inuyasha stopped walking and braced himself for the eminent impact. A moment later, a slight weight settled on his shoulder. He glanced over, barely managing to suppress a smile at the sight of the little fox demon.
"Hey, Shippo, you being have?"
"It's behaving, Inuyasha," Shippo rolled his eyes. "And I always behave."
"Right," Inuyasha scoffed, "I'll believe that when I see it. Anyway, where's Miroku and Sango?"
"In the village," the fox demon pointed at the gate. "Sango's gonna have her baby soon. What's that?" green eyes latched onto the bundle in his arms.
"It's a kid," the half demon looked down as well. "I found him in the Bone Eater's Well. He hasn't woke up yet, though?"
"Is he gonna be my little brother?" Shippo asked innocently, causing Koga to snort into his hand.
"Let's go, runt," the wolf demon reached over and snatched up the little demon by the tail, then held him up to whisper in his little pointed ear. "Inuyasha's in denial. We both know he's gonna keep him, he just thinks otherwise."
"Right," the fox giggled conspiratorially. "Come on, Inuyasha, let's go."
Shippo scampered up to Koga's shoulder and began directing them into the village. Eyes tracked their progress through town, but none of the gazes were hostile, most were curious while some were borderline reverent. By the time they reached the large house in the center of the village, they actually had a small following.
"Miroku, Sango, look who's here," the little fox called when they finally came to a stop.
"Shippo, what are you…?" a young black haired monk walked out of the house, but stopped when he spotted their guests. "Koga! Inuyasha! When did you get here? Never mind, come inside. Sango's on bed rest, but I'm sure she'll want to see you. Come in. Come in."
The three demons did as they were bade, while Miroku dispersed the crowd. They then made their way to the sleeping chamber, where they found the lady of the house was sitting on a futon talking with her younger brother, Kohaku. Her face lit up in a radiant smile as she spotted their guests.
"Inuyasha! Koga!" she held out her hands for them and they each took one. "We were just about to send for you. They're saying the baby could be here any time now. But how did you know to come?"
"Eh, we didn't," Koga answered for his friend. "We're here for a different reason, aren't we, Inuyasha?"
"Uh, yeah," the half demon sank to the floor beside the pregnant demon slayer, finally giving her a good view of the bundle in his arms.
"Inuyasha!" Sango's hands flew to her mouth. "When did you have a baby? You two aren't together, are you?"
"Don't even imply that, lady," Koga waved his hands in front of him. "I don't have the stomach for the consequences that'd come from that. I value my life too much for that, thank you very much."
"He's not mine, Sango," gold eyes rolled in annoyance. "I found him. He came through the well."
"I thought the well stopped working after Kagome went home," Miroku frowned, taking a seat across from his friend. "She didn't come back as well, did she?"
"No," the silver head shook in the negative. "Just the kid. We came here immediately after, to see if you would be willing to help."
"Of course we will," Sango shook her head. "All you need do is ask. May I?"
She held out her arms for the boy. Inuyasha's grip on the bundle tightened and he pulled away slightly. Soft smiles crept onto the humans' faces, while knowing smirks crossed the demons', as they all recognized the protective gesture.
"I won't hurt him, Inuyasha," the demon slayer coaxed gently. "I just want to see him."
Very reluctantly, the half demon transferred the still sleeping child into his friend's arms. She shifted the fire rat cloak away from the boy's face so she could see him better. His cheeks, which should be full and rosy, were thin and drawn, like he hadn't gotten enough to eat for quite awhile. And aside from being a bit dirty, he looked healthy enough, except for an angry red scar on his forehead, shaped like a bolt of lightning, which didn't look like it had healed properly.
"May I see him for a moment?" Miroku frowned as he looked over his wife's shoulder at the child.
The couple looked to Inuyasha for permission, who nodded resignedly. He wasn't sure why he was so hesitant to let them hold him. Hell, he was planning to leave the kid with them, though even the thought of doing that caused a pain to shoot through his heart and he felt like throwing up.
"Inuyasha," the monk's voice cut into his thoughts, "this child is human, but he has strong power within him. It's almost as strong as yours and Sesshomaru's demonic power."
"That's ironic," the wolf demon burst out laughing, earning him a hard glare from Inuyasha.
Before another word could be spoken, or a fight ensue, a small groan emanated from the small bundle. Inuyasha practically threw himself over Sango to take the boy back.
"Come on, little one," the half demon practically cooed at the chibi, much to the surprise of all in attendance, "time to wake up now."
They all held their breath as the eyelids fluttered. Finally they blinked open, revealing startling emerald green. It took a moment, but they finally focused on Inuyasha. After a moment, the boy gasped and tried to pull away.
"Shh, shh, shh," the half demon soothed. "It's okay, no one's gonna hurt you."
"Where am I?" he asked, clearly terrified. "I don' know you. Want Aunt P'tunia. Don' wanna be trouble."
"Inuyasha, I think we have a problem," Sango caught his gaze.
Ammie: Alrighty, there it is. Hope ya'll like it. And hopefully the next chapter will come along soon enough. Anyway, keep an eye out for my one of my others to be updated next week, and please let me know what you think.
