"Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!"
He heard his brother's battle cry. He even saw the hanyou lunging towards him, rage flashing within those golden depths that were his brother's eyes. What he hadn't seen was NatsuMaru moving to counter Inuyasha's attack. In the time it took him to blink, the youkai guard had Inuyasha by the wrist. For a single moment, they just stood there, NatsuMaru grasping Inuyasha's arm and the hanyou wearing a look of absolute surprise. Before Inuyasha could react, NatsuMaru threw him, his body slamming against the wall. NatsuMaru folded his arms, his gaze solely on Inuyasha. Sesshomaru also kept his gaze on his half-brother, trying to hide his shock at what had just transpired. He had always known that it was possible to dodge that particular attack of Inuyasha's, having done so on numerous occasions. But to stop it practically in mid-stride . . . it was simply unheard of!
"You're too slow," came the cool statement. "Especially for that particular attack. You need to pick up your pace.
A low growl could be heard throughout the otherwise silent room. Inuyasha slowly rose to his feet, his fangs bared.
"Damn you . . ."
To that, NatsuMaru snorted lightly, as if amused.
"Oh yes. I can see it now . . . you are definitely Rei Inu's grandson."
Sesshomaru glanced sharply at NatsuMaru as Inuyasha's jaw dropped. Apparently, Inuyasha had not been expecting those words and, if it weren't for his own shock, Sesshomaru would have been amused by it. However, he himself had not been expecting NatsuMaru's words or the tone that he had used. There was no doubt about it. NatsuMaru was amused by all of this.
"What?" Inuyasha murmured. "Who . . . is Rei Inu?"
"Your grandfather," NatsuMaru stated evenly. "Have your tutors not told you this? I find that very hard to believe, giving you're in your father's home. They're very thorough in their teachings so I ask again . . . Have they not told you this? Or have you been so arrogant that you haven't been listening to them?"
"Feh . . . why the hell should I care about some feeble old man and everything he's ever done?" spat Inuyasha. "It isn't like he'd give a damn about a hanyou like me."
Sesshomaru felt his hand ball up. He, of course, had met his grandfather several centuries ago, before the ancient inuyoukai had become rather reclusive, preferring to stay in the southern region, and the youkai had been rather intimidating. Rei Inu, from that encounter alone, was enough to deter Sesshomaru from ever attacking the former daiyoukai and Rei Inu had never even rebuffed him! NatsuMaru, however, just stared at Inuyasha for a few moments before turning his back to the hanyou. He gave Sesshomaru a wink and smiled slyly as he spoke.
"I see . . . I know what your brother's problem is, Lord Sesshomaru. I know why no one has been able to get through to him."
"I don't have a problem! You do!"
Something in NatsuMaru's eyes and in the back of his mind told him to not reply to Inuyasha's outburst. Rather, he felt urged to play along with whatever game the guard had in mind. After all, NatsuMaru had trained his father and uncles then him. He knew what would get Inuyasha to behave and cooperate.
"Oh?" he raised an eyebrow at the warrior. "And what is that?"
"He's afraid."
It was a rather simple statement but it's effect was still profound nonetheless. From the corner of his eye, Sesshomaru watched as Inuyasha's back went rigid and his usual scowl returned. He allowed himself a small, mental smile. NatsuMaru had hit something in his brother, a chord as it were. Inuyasha hated to be called a coward and be told that he was afraid. He never backed down from a challenge because of such words. Sesshomaru knew this and wanted to kick himself for not utilizing it to his advantage, like he had done so many times before. He decided to "act" in Inuyasha's defense . . . to throw him off and, hopefully, get him riled up even more.
"I am not . . ."
"Surely you must be mistaken, NatsuMaru," he purred, smoothly cutting of his brother. "Inuyasha isn't afraid of anything."
Inuyasha's eyes widened and his jaw dropped once more. Sesshomaru fought back the urge to smirk. So far, so good.
"Oh really? If he isn't afraid t hen how come he isn't learning about his family's long and proud history?" the warrior shot back, his eyes gleaming impishly. "Only those who are afraid wouldn't look at such a history. Only those who are afraid would call Lord Rei Inu a feeble old man."
"I am not afraid!" Inuyasha shouted. By now, he had recovered from his initial shock and his hands had balled up, his claws drawing blood from the palms of his hands. His eyes glinted dangerously with anger and malice, his cheeks were flushed, and he was breathing heavily, an obvious effort to maintain control over himself and not attack them. Sesshomaru felt a tiny surge of pride at Inuyasha's restraint. The hanyou had learned something after all. NatsuMaru instantly reigned his amusement in, his expression at once cool and collected then turned to face the enraged hanyou.
"Then prove it. Prove to me that you're not afraid, Inuyasha. Listen to your instructors. Hear what it is that they have to say. Learn from them. Then meet me in the gardens after the noon meal. Show me that you're not a coward."
A curt nod was the only from his brother. The expression on Inuyasha's face – thin lips, eyes still flashing and cheeks still flushed – was just what Sesshomaru wanted to see.
'Finally. Some progress. I somehow knew NatsuMaru would be the one to get through to him. I somehow knew it.'
The fact that both were warriors was not lost on Sesshomaru. However, he also knew that NatsuMaru had traveled a great distance to get there and it was almost time for the evening meal.
"That will be enough for today, NatsuMaru," he declared quietly. "I'd like to have a word with you in private." To Inuyasha, he said, "I expect you to be at the evening meal, cleaned, in appropriate attire, and on your best behaviour. We have a guest. Do not disappoint me."
Without waiting for his reply, Sesshomaru turned and walked out, NatsuMaru right behind him. When he felt they were out of Inuyasha's hearing range, Sesshomaru spun around to face the guard, intent on finding out how the guard had deflected Inuyasha's attack . . . only to be met with a very troubled expression. Another something Sesshomaru was not expecting. The daiyoukai tilted his head.
"NatsuMaru?"
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Something troubles you . . . something about my brother, ne?"
The guard hesitated, as if he hadn't expected something like that from him. Sesshomaru waited patiently for him to formulate whatever it was the guard felt he needed to say. While the warrior inuyoukai were the fiercest among inuyoukai and the most deadly and skilled of fighters, they knew enough to answer their lords when asked a question. They simply had a hard time putting into words whatever troubled them, though there were times they risked their lives if they answered honestly. Finally, NatsuMaru nodded, the trouble rising in his golden eyes.
"Hai . . . his attack . . . I wasn't expecting it . . ."
"You were able to counter it," Sesshomaru frowned. "Were you not expecting him to attack?"
"I was expecting an attack, my Lord. But not that attack. And I know that I countered his attack, my Lord . . ."
"How do you . . ."
"Know how to counter it?" NatsuMaru finished. Sesshomaru nodded, his ire not even rising at the guard for interjecting. It should have, but it didn't. He had nothing but respect for the guard. NatsuMaru put him in his place many times when he'd been younger and he needed the guard to do the same with Inuyasha. "I know how to counter it because I've had to defend myself against your grandfather in many sparring matches. He isn't someone who takes kindly to dodging all the time. I had to learn how to deflect him when he came after me. What surprises me is that your brother knows it."
"It is an instinctive attack," Sesshomaru began. The rest of what he wanted to say died on his lips when NatsuMaru shook his head.
"Your grandfather is the only inuyoukai I know who knows that attack. I have never met any other inuyoukai or an inu hanyou, for that matter, that knows that attack. The fact that your brother does . . ." NatsuMaru shook his head. "What other attacks does he know?"
Sesshomaru paused for a moment. While it was highly unusual for a guard to question a superior, NatsuMaru's inquiries were certainly understandable. He'd be the one to train Inuyasha and he needed to know everything he could before he started.
'And it won't do to have him go through any more surprises,' Sesshomaru reasoned. 'He is my grandfather's servant. Not mine. And he's done so much for Father and myself . . .'
"He can use his own blood as a weapon," Sesshomaru answered. "Plus he knows how to utilize the Wind Scar from the Tetsusaiga. Beyond that, I'm not sure what he knows."
NatsuMaru's eyes widened briefly, surprise evident in them. Then he quickly masked his shock and nodded.
"Very well then. I thank you for answering my question, Lord Sesshomaru. You did not have to." The guard bowed slightly, his respect evident.
"I know."
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Sesshomaru couldn't help but gaze at his brother, astounded by what he was seeing. The time for the evening meal had come and Inuyasha . . . was simply breathtaking.
Of course, he hadn't expected Inuyasha to really follow his instructions, especially after two weeks of flat out rebellion and tossing around insults. This night . . . Inuyasha had and Sesshomaru was quite pleased with the results.
Instead of its usual tangled mess, Inuyasha's silvery-white mane had been washed, and brushed and combed until it shimmered like fine silk. His hair had been pulled up into a simple yet elegant topknot, and he no longer wore the simple red haori and hakama of the fire-rat. Instead, he'd been clad in a silken kimono of a deep and vibrant shade of violet, golden leaves adorning the right sleeve, and matching hakama. The gold matched the colour of his eyes perfectly and drew attention to the light honey shade of his flesh as well. He'd had an inkling that Inuyasha could clean up well but he'd never figured on just how much he could.
And he wasn't the only one who had noticed his brother's appearance. The serving girls' eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets when they'd seen him and started to offer him small, charming smiles. NatsuMaru couldn't keep his own gaze from constantly landing on the hanyou, either. Not that he'd blame the guard for it. If he recalled NatsuMaru's actions from when the guard had trained him, the inuyoukai warrior had a taste for other males. He'd heard the talk of the palace servants and how frustrated the females had gotten after NatsuMaru had rejected their own advances. He smirked slightly to himself.
'This could prove to be very interesting,' he mused, as he watched his brother sit down in front of his setting and kept his gaze on NatsuMaru and himself. Though the hanyou had not been properly groomed on how to eat – he'd seen Inuyasha wolf down food as if he hadn't eaten for works with lack of grace or dignity – Inuyasha moved slowly and deliberately throughout the entire meal, taking his time to eat and being careful to not make a mess. He apparently was taking Sesshomaru's words to heart . . . either that or NatsuMaru's words and challenge still had him rattled. Either way, Sesshomaru was pleased with what he was seeing.
Once the meal was over, NatsuMaru quietly excused him and retired to the guest room Sesshomaru had made available to him. Inuyasha also excused himself and dashed out of the room as quickly as he could.
Curious as to why his brother had run off as quickly as he had, Sesshomaru rose to his feet and followed Inuyasha all the way back to his room. He made no effort to hide the fact that he was. It was his home. He had the right to go where he wanted, when he wanted. He was the lord of the palace, after all. As soon as Inuyasha reached the door, he whirled around to face him, his golden eyes narrowed and flashing. His lithe form trembled but, from what, Sesshomaru couldn't say.
"What the hell do you want?"
Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at him, taking a step closer.
"You left in quite a hurry, little brother. I was merely curious as to why that was."
"Wasn't it obvious?" Inuyasha snarled. "I can't stand being around you or that . . . that . . . that pompous ass of a guard!"
There it was. A slight hesitation. To anyone else, it may have sounded like Inuyasha was at a loss of words for NatsuMaru but not to Sesshomaru. It was a hesitation, and it only served to confirm the belief that NatsuMaru had Inuyasha rattled. And there was something else. Something Sesshomaru couldn't quite identify. Yet. Sesshomaru smirked a little at Inuyasha's outburst then took a step closer to his sibling.
"You think NatsuMaru is a pompous ass?"
"You better fucking believe I do," the hanyou snapped.
"And why is that, Inuyasha?" he purred, continuing to advance upon his half-brother. For some reason, he had to get closer to the boy. He had to . . . touch him, to feel him . . . to taste him. "Is it because he challenged your bravery?"
To that, Inuyasha said nothing. He just glared at the daiyoukai, his cheeks becoming flushed with anger . . . all the answer Sesshomaru needed. Within moments, his advance halted, his brother's back against a wall. His hand reached out and glided along his brother's cheek.
"I see . . . so because NatsuMaru challenged you, he's a pompous ass. Because he has nothing but the utmost respect for our father and grandfather . . . because he wishes to carry out Father's desire . . . because he is a warrior and knew exactly how to challenge you . . . he's a pompous ass. Interesting, Inuyasha. Very interesting indeed."
Warm flesh greeted his fingers and Sesshomaru leaned closer, inhaling deeply. The scent that greeted him . . . the scent of the earth and the wind mingling in with honey and something else, something spicy . . . intoxicated him.
"Se . . . Sesshomaru?"
The voice that greeted his ears sounded nothing like the brash and arrogant hanyou he'd grown accustomed to. His name came out as a squeak and the voice that had said it sounded tiny, insecure almost. He had his brother nervous, being this close. He knew it.
Without warning, Sesshomaru reached around to the back of Inuyasha's head and grasped his hair firmly. Tilting the hanyou's head back, he smashed his lips against his brother's in a hard and bruising manner, his tongue demanding entrance. Surprised, Inuyasha's mouth opened. Possibly to protest but it wouldn't have mattered. It had been silenced before it could even take form. His tongue slid in with the greatest of ease, tasting and exploring every inch of his brother's moist orifice.
As he continued his assault on his brother's mouth, Inuyasha's hands went to his shoulders in an attempt to push him away but Sesshomaru wasn't about to allow it. He pressed himself closer, pinning his brother against the wall. A faint whimper escaped Inuyasha as a fang grazed against his lower lip, drawing blood, and a slight tremor coursed through his brother's lithe form. Sesshomaru drank it all in, delighting in the strange sensation that he had finally found a way to dominate over his brother. His hand let go of Inuyasha's hair, allowing the hanyou to move his head freely once more . . . only to wrap his arm around his brother's waist. One knee wedged itself between his brother's legs and nudged them. When Inuyasha didn't spread his legs right away, Sesshomaru gave his legs another nudge, this time a little more demanding and a little more impatient. A fire had awakened within him, a fire that needed quenching. It had started in the pit of his belly and had spread to his blood and loins. He wanted his brother, needed him in a way he couldn't describe. His grip around his brother's waist tightened as Inuyasha reluctantly allowed his legs to be parted. Claws dug into Sesshomaru's shoulders as he rubbed his heated groin against his half-brother's and Sesshomaru smiled as he tore himself away from his brother's now bruised lips. He then licked along his brother's jawline, nipping occasionally and noting his brother's flushed cheeks and heavy breathing.
"Something the matter, Inuyasha?" he breathed, inhaling deeply of the boy's scent once more and feeling quite pleased with himself that the hanyou was now just as aroused as he was. He wouldn't allow Inuyasha to catch his breath. Not for a moment.
"Sessh . . . I . . ."
"You what?"
Sesshomaru met his brother's gaze as he spoke, continuing to grind himself against the warm and inviting body next to his. Inuyasha let out a strange noise as he did so, an unusual combination of a moan and a mewl. Given the boy's reactions to his ministrations, no one had ever touched him like this. Either he'd been rejected . . . or he hadn't allowed it. Whatever the reason might have been, it mattered not to Sesshomaru. He had Inuyasha right in front of him. Not the miko, not the taijiya, or any other female. He, Sesshomaru, would be the one to conquer his brother in such a manner. He would be the one to show his brother just how desirable he'd become. Sesshomaru never wavered in either his actions or his gaze as he spoke once more.
"Do you wish for more, Inuyasha?"
His brother's eyes rolled back as another moan escaped him and his head sagged forward. Heavy and ragged breathing greeted Sesshomaru's ears, becoming the most exquisite sound he'd heard in quite some time. In fact, it had been a while since he had bedded someone and his need was making itself known, loud and clear. He brought his lips close to one soft, furry ear.
"If you wish for more, just say so . . . there is no shame in it, Inuyasha . . ."
Slowly, the claws in his shoulders eased up and slender arms wrapped around his neck. The lithe form in his arm continued to tremble as Sesshomaru took everything as a sign that his brother wanted to continue. He lifted up Inuyasha's light frame and carried him back to the futon, lowering so that he remained between his brother's thighs the entire time. His lips met Inuyasha's once more while his hand crept into the silken folds of the hakama. The flesh that met his fingers quivered as they caressed whatever they could find, not even stopping as they reached the hanyou's quivering and taut entrance.
As his fingers reached and began to explore that particularly sensitive area on his brother's body, Inuyasha's hands had begun to do some exploring of their own. They had slipped into the folds of Sesshomaru's kimono and pushed the fabric to the side, exposing the muscled flesh underneath. Slender fingers danced across his chest, causing his skin to tighten. Sesshomaru moaned into his kiss, resting his weight on top of Inuyasha. Fabric slid the rest of way off his shoulders. Before he knew it, his brother's heated flesh was pressing against his, spurring him on. How Inuyasha had moved that fast, Sesshomaru wasn't quite sure nor did he care. He just wanted more. More touching, more feeling . . . more of his brother.
His hand reached between his brother's thighs and lifted one leg up, caressing the trembling flesh there and allowing him closer contact. Reluctantly, Sesshomaru pulled himself away from the sweetness of his brother's lips. He wanted to taste more of the hanyou . . . but he wasn't content with kissing. Sesshomaru wanted more. He wanted to feel his brother, inside and out. Once he had Inuyasha's leg where he wanted it, he brought his hand to his brother's lips, brushing three fingers against them. Lust-filled golden eyes opened, confusion lighting them. Sesshomaru kissed his nose lightly then nuzzled him.
"It will help, little brother . . . make it more pleasurable . . . for the both of us."
Inuyasha hesitated for a moment before he nodded, his tongue hesitantly creeping out to wrap around a finger and take it into his mouth. Seconds later, it was nice and slick, and the other two were being sucked upon. When Sesshomaru felt they were ready, he pulled them away and caught his brother's lips once more. His hand reached between his brother's legs and traveled to that taut entrance once more. Inuyasha arched against him, his body tensing as Sesshomaru inserted a single finger into his opening. The daiyoukai broke their kiss and nuzzled him, murmuring whatever he could think of to keep his brother calm and relaxed. It worked . . . to an extent. Satisfied, he then latched his mouth onto his brother's throat, nibbling and sucking as he inserted a second finger and began to stretch it by using a scissoring motion. Inuyasha gasped and arched his back once more, his heated skin rubbing against Sesshomaru's and arousing the youkai further. Sesshomaru continued to suck and nibble on his brother's skin, slowly working his way down Inuyasha's chest. He paused at one of his brother's nubs, sniffing lightly at the feverish and moist flesh. Without even thinking about it, he ran his tongue across it, eliciting a rather wanton moan from his half-sibling. He smiled against the quivering flesh then ran his tongue across the nub once more. His brother's skin tasted absolutely . . . delicious. Like honey cakes. He had to have more.
Clawed fingers brushed against the stripes on his cheeks, sending a shudder of delight coursing through Sesshomaru, and he latched onto the nub that he'd licked . . . just as he inserted the third digit in. A tiny cry escaped Inuyasha and Sesshomaru could only imagine the sensations that had to be surging through him. His smile grew wider as he worked his brother, both on the inside and the out. The nub hardened under his tongue and his fingers drove deeper, aiming for a sweet spot that he knew existed within every male. He knew he had it when Inuyasha let out a moan unlike any other moan he'd ever heard before.
'So we like that, do we?' Sesshomaru smirked to himself. 'Good. Tonight, little brother, you are mine. Completely and wholly.'
Sesshomaru released the nub then made his way towards the other one, his tongue gliding along his brother's heated flesh. All the while, his fingers continued to stretch and prepare Inuyasha's entrance. Inuyasha began to squirm and his breathing became laboured. His groin rubbed against Sesshomaru's, as if he needed to relieve some kind of pressure that had developed there. The boy's actions created an ache within Sesshomaru, an ache he knew that he'd have to get rid of sooner or later . . .
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Sorry for leaving you guys hanging like that. :) Some things are just not allowed on this website (go to if you're of legal age for reading adult material for the full story)
