Chapter Nine
To Feed This Hunger

His mind sounded doubtful – he was doubtful. But he did promise, he thought, he wouldn't try and…and rape me again…would he? Inuyasha frowned, allowing Sesshomaru to show him (once again) to the hot springs, a nervous lump rising in his throat.

"I will not be accused of rape a second time, Inuyasha…"

He recalled those words. Hadn't he just done it again? As much as it pained him to admit it, Sesshomaru hadn't raped him, not really…his heart clenched at the notion of allowing himself to be dominated, to be gloated over like that by that…that bastard! But Sesshomaru hadn't gloated, and more recently, hadn't been much of a bastard either. He was trying – actually trying, and that was probably what scared Inuyasha the most, because he knew the Demon Lord must be up to something to be so…so nice. He knew Sesshomaru was just pulling on some façade, a mask to try and lure him into bed, and yet just then, back in the bedroom, that seemed real…sincere… Or was it?

He ground his teeth together in annoyance, he changed his mind – the worst part about all this was not knowing which words and actions were actually Sesshomaru's, and which were all part of his older brother's intricate plot…

"Something troubling you, Inuyasha?" the smooth concerned tone sent shivers down his spine. He was just…so confused. Why can't anything just be simple for once? Inuyasha growled mentally.
"I…I don't understand you…" His voice was small, almost inaudible, not his own. It caused Sesshomaru to stop mid-step.

"What is there to understand?" the Demon Lord asked simply, "I have nothing to hide; I have told you what I want, and what I want for you. I am waiting for your answer."

Inuyasha growled in response. "Then why are you sneaking around my back? You're trying to win me over!"
"Call it what you will, however, it is a traditional period, particularly when one of the partners is…reluctant - Demon society call it courtship – wooing if you want it put simply," he answered, honesty reigning through his impassive tone. He didn't want to argue with Inuyasha anymore, it was becoming tiresome. The Half-demon flushed furiously at his words.
"C-Courtship?" he almost squeaked, "Wooing? Me? I'm your brother!" Sesshomaru would have rolled his eyes then, but he didn't.

"We've discussed this, you keep mulling this over and over, but the fact remains, demons do not find incest nor male relationships taboo as humans do. There is part demon within you as well as that reckless human half of yours – You gave way willingly to the pleasure I – your own brother offered you – twice. And do not spit back that exhausted retort of 'I've been raised by humans and with their morals', you had no query with our blood-relationship when you kissed me mere moments ago." Sesshomaru paused, allowing the full force of his calmly spoken words to sink in, watching the unreadable emotions flicker swiftly across his little brother's face.

"I have offered you everything you could ever want, and do not attempt to deny you wanted it because I know you crave it – all of it. I watched you as you considered, and if even for a moment I saw you contemplate the notion – I saw your yearning for it."

Inuyasha would not meet his eyes; silver hair hanging limply into them, shielding what the Demon Lord suspected would be a storm of emotions reflected within them, from his gaze. Had he gone too far? No, his mind answered, Inuyasha needs to hear this; we have beaten around the bush long enough. It is understandable if he needs more time before the initial mating, but this foolish 'rape' and 'deceiving' accusations will be quashed now.

"Do not think I am not aware of the real reason either, Inuyasha."

The Half-demon's head snapped up. "What're you-"
"-Indeed, these excuses, your uncertainty of me, these mortal morals, they are all part of it too, but I know that you would all too willingly toss them aside if you were not deep down troubled by something else…"
"Stop it," Inuyasha spat, "Don't you dare-"
"-Believe it or not, it is understandable-"
"-Understand? You don't understand anything! Don't stand there preaching to me about this so-called 'relationship' you seem to think we have – There is nothing – NOTHING between us because I don't damn well love you! And there is no way you can love me because you're too damn proud, arrogant and selfish!"

Sesshomaru raised a brow at him, attempting to span the small space between them slowly. "Ah, and suddenly everything is revealed," He muttered, "you say 'love' is necessary for us to continue, after trying to convince me you thought it pointless. Or maybe it was just the throes of passion that had tilted your mind. You want me to love you, do you not, Little Brother?"

Inuyasha screamed, shoving his brother roughly away from him as he tried to embrace him. Fury burned through him at his brother's words, the anger within only continuing to rise as Sesshomaru's mouth just kept on moving…

"All your life you have been scrambling for my attention, one way or another, desperate for some snippet of affection or acceptance, have you not? Do not attempt to deny it; you as good as said it yourself."

Inuyasha's mouth snapped shut as he was about to retort, backing away from his advancing brother.

"But despite that, this 'love' foolishness, it runs deeper, does it not?"
"Stop it…" The Half-demon practically whimpered this time, clasping his hands over his ears, trying to shut out the words he knew were coming.
"You are still in love with that priestess – Kagome. I can see that."

That dismal taint of salt on the air caused Sesshomaru nose to twitch, immediately rousing regret of being so tactless with his words. Yes, Inuyasha needed to hear it, but he hadn't needed to be so…so terse with him about it. He mentally berated himself for his slip-up; he was supposed to be being nice to Inuyasha, not bringing those infuriating to tears to his eyes.

The Demon Lord stared down at his little brother blankly, at a loss for what to do, how to fix this mess he'd made. Sesshomaru touched Inuyasha's forearm gently, provoking the Half-demon to raise his head slowly, hurt eyes regarding him carefully. "I am offering you a comfortable life, your priestess is gone, you can never get her back, but you are still here."

Inuyasha's brow creased with a frown.

"Your future can go either way, Inuyasha. You can continue to wallow in this misery – in squalor, or you can come home."

The Half-demon's ears perked at the last word despite himself, it's as if they had a mind of their own! Nevertheless, whether Sesshomaru meant it intentionally or not, hearing his older brother call this place his home so casually, it sounded…nice. Like a dream he'd been having for the last two-hundred years had only just come true, the words resounded in his head, blurred and distorted… Home

Too long he had desired that, and too deep ran that passionate yearning for his liking… He felt like a lost pup again, he could almost see himself throwing himself into Sesshomaru's chest and falling into that intricate trap he knew the Demon Lord was laying down for him. Sesshomaru wanted him to stay, and the Half-demon had to admit, at least half of him was more than willing to comply. So why was it so hard?

That oddly warm hand on his shoulder stirred him from his bewildering thoughts, and he gazed up at those unusually soft eyes.

He is frightened, Sesshomaru thought, not wanting to test Inuyasha's temper and launch into another argument by voicing it aloud, not when he'd only just managed to get him to calm down. But then that look struck his face, the look that told him if Inuyasha hadn't been such a proud, stubborn brat he would have cried. He hated that look, he'd come to that conclusion rather quickly over the last few days. Gritting his teeth together, Sesshomaru rummaged through his mind for something to say – then he realised something…

Inuyasha, he thought, he seems different today. After what happened in Father's chambers…and now… He seems so openly susceptible to emotions today, is it this some mysterious sickness he seems to have contracted?

"Y-You…" Inuyasha began, not meeting his eyes, but dragging him back from his pensiveness. "You think it's so easy…to make the decision, but you don't see how…how not simple everything is – how confusing and…and hard everything is…"

Sesshomaru's face remained inexpressive as ever, as was his voice when he finally replied. "I do not expect an immediate answer," was all he said, before he turned, gesturing for Inuyasha to follow. It took a minute for those words to register in Inuyasha's head. Sesshomaru portraying even slight kindness was still something he'd have to get used to, that is, if Sesshomaru stayed just as…pleasant after he'd finally got what he wanted…

Travelling the rest of the way to the hot-springs in silence, Inuyasha seemed to be lost within a reverie of some sort. When Sesshomaru closed the shoji screen behind them and they stepped out into the springs, the Half-demon practically leapt out of his skin from the small noise. It seemed to be one shock after another. As he recovered from the initial jolt back to reality, Inuyasha nearly choked on his own saliva as he noted Sesshomaru undressing leisurely.

"Wh-What're you-"
"-If you are still concerned for your modesty," Sesshomaru interrupted him complacently, "undress and then wrap one of the towels around you – if you wish," he added the last part rather quickly, realising it sounded like an order. With that, the Demon lord waded slowly into the water. Inuyasha determinedly averted his eyes to his suddenly all-too-shaky hands that were busying themselves with shedding his kimono from his body. Swiftly, while his brother seemed pacified by adjusting to the warm waters, Inuyasha snatched up a towel from the side, covering himself with it.

Sesshomaru could have laughed if it were within his nature – which it wasn't, as the Half-demon finally (and rather reluctantly) stepped into the springs after him; towel wrapped round his lower half. It was quite amusing, to see the brash Half-demon still so bashful of his nudity, and he was sure that blush wasn't only down to the warm water…

Seeming to be determinedly keeping his distance from him in the water, Inuyasha didn't move, nor manoeuvre to wash. He sat rigidly by the edge of the pool, back hunched and knees drawn up to his chest. He looks ridiculous, Sesshomaru thought, like some petulant brat; though he didn't say this aloud either, not when Inuyasha was being quiet (thankfully).

Deciding not to rouse him to violence, Sesshomaru turned his back, (not looking at the Half-demon would definitely reduce the chance of his animal urges overcoming him) washing himself slowly. Purposefully running his slender fingers over himself deathly slow, Sesshomaru smirked when he noticed Inuyasha twitch out of the corner of his eye. What an interesting creature you are, Inuyasha, the Demon lord thought absently. Then, a wince reached Inuyasha's face, and he shifted in pain, causing Sesshomaru to turn to him in mild concern.

"Something ails you?"

Inuyasha winced again, crawling sideways in the water slightly, still not regaining his posture. "My back hurts like hell."
"A result of slouching your body like that," Sesshomaru answered simply. Inuyasha growled.
"It's not because of that dumbass! It's 'cause the 'So Fabulous The Gods Wanna Kiss His Ass Sesshomaru' tied me up for so long my whole body went dead!"

The Demon lord merely smirked. Inuyasha was so petulantly adorable at times. "Ah, so you were not objecting to the bondage, you were objecting to the length of time you were restrained for?"

Again, Inuyasha snarled angrily, twisting his shoulder slightly, as if trying to coax life back into it. "Everyone's a comedian – Geez, this hurts…" A smirk still playing at his lips, the Older brother moved over to him slowly, the smaller male not really noticing Sesshomaru's close proximity until he'd taken his arm gently into his grip, pressing gently, signalling he turn around. "Oh, yeah, right," Inuyasha snapped, trying to wrench his arm free of Sesshomaru's grip, "present my ass to some ass-hound, I think not-"
"-Silence," muttered Sesshomaru, turning Inuyasha forcefully, so the Half-demon was trapped between him and the smooth rock.

Inuyasha winced, feeling Sesshomaru's erection through the towel on his backside, and preparing for the worst. Clawed fingers gripped the rock before him uselessly, flinching as the Demon lord's hands descended on his flesh once more.

"Did I not give you my word I would not take you until you asked? Are you insinuating I am a liar?" Sesshomaru asked. Inuyasha flinched, though needlessly, as Sesshomaru's fingers smoothed over his shoulders, kneading his tense muscles gently – mindful of his claws.
"Why? Have you given me any reason to think otherwise?" Inuyasha spat, though the rebelling fire within drowning swiftly with those all-too-appealing touches. Sesshomaru's actions did not cease, delicate fingers massaging unusually sensitive skin, sending quivering little tremors through the smaller frame. The Demon lord felt his nether-regions tighten as Inuyasha trembled against him. Amazing what you can achieve simply by touching the right nerves, Sesshomaru thought smugly.

Tracing the delectable contours of Inuyasha's flesh, Sesshomaru stroked his spine gently, willing the tense muscles to relax. Pressing tenderly at the small of Inuyasha's back, he felt the Half-demon's limbs turn to jelly, that delicious flush adorning that face that had never looked so peaceable whilst awake. Sesshomaru's limbs, meanwhile, did the exact opposite, they tensed, especially one certain area. His fingers were tempted to skim beneath that towel and grope somewhere much more forbidden than the Half-demon's now soothed back and shoulders. But he couldn't. He had promised, after all… Cursed promises, the Demon lord mentally growled.

Reaching up, Sesshomaru's fingers flickered over one of the downy ears that had pressed back into his skull, massaging it softly and coercing that body to back against him slightly. Inuyasha's body arched trying to get more of the touch and trying to pull away all at once. "Wh-Why're you…doing this?" Inuyasha managed out, his voice practically a gasp. Again that smirk played at the Demon Lord's lips as he stroked both ears with gentle brushes of his fingers.
"Perhaps because I adore that flushed look of confused passion on that face of yours," Sesshomaru almost purred in his flickering ear, not sounding at all like himself.
"Se-Sesshomaru?"
"Hn?"
"I-"
"Lord Sesshomaru?" The voice brought the brothers down to reality once more, and Inuyasha swore he could feel Sesshomaru scowling at the silhouette of the toad demon standing beyond the shoji screen. Confounded little toad, Sesshomaru mentally growled, he will be dealt with at a later time…

"Enter, Jaken." His servant entered bulbous eyes widening insanely with shock at the sight of the flushed little Half-demon sprawled out underneath his Lord. Inuyasha, meanwhile, looked almost as horrified as Jaken, scrambling out from under Sesshomaru, hurriedly readjusting his towel.
"M-Milord-"
"-Speak, Jaken."
"Y-Yes M-Milord," the Demon replied swiftly, "T-Takara says he wishes to speak to you r-r-regarding something important."

Large eyes strayed to Inuyasha during the brief pause, immediately snapping back to Sesshomaru when he felt the foreboding calm in the air emanating from him, threatening violence. "A-Also, Dinner is ready."

The Demon lord could barely repress a smirk at watching Inuyasha's ears twitch in reference to food out of the corner of his eye. Indeed, food seems to be something Inuyasha does have a passion for…

* * *

It would never cease to amaze him how much food could please someone; even Rin wasn't as amused or contented with it as Inuyasha was. Again, the little human girl opposite Inuyasha beat her feet against the legs of the chair as she ate her meal cheerily. Unlike everyone else at the table, (who feared the wrath of their Lord if they were to do so) Rin's eyes returned regularly to Inuyasha, who in all honesty, wasn't paying her any attention, focused solely on his food, as opposed to the embarrassing reality that Jaken had walked in on him and Sesshomaru.

"Lord Inuyasha loves his tummy!" Rin chirped happily, drawing the Half-demon's gaze towards her, his mouthful of ramen suspended between his mouth and the plate.
"Shut up ya little twerp," Inuyasha responded, his words slightly muffled by his mouthful of food, though his words containing no sincere malice or hatred. Sesshomaru smirked, his little brother was coming to like Rin rather faster than he'd expected, and he was already offering her the terse, rough affection he'd noticed him showing the kitsune that used to cling to him. Rin, as expected simply smiled at the affectionate insult, returning her attention to her meal.

"Lord Sesshomaru?"

Inuyasha glanced out the corner of his eye, Takara standing at Sesshomaru's side, leaning down and whispering almost inaudibly in his slightly pointed ear, though the Half-demon could still hear the servant's words to his lord.

"I have something I think we should discuss," Takara whispered. Sesshomaru looked at him.
"And it must be now?" he asked. Takara flickered a glance Inuyasha's way, the Half-demon's eyes immediately tracked on his food once more, shovelling more into his mouth to not look suspicious (his stomach-ache and sickness thankfully nowhere in sight any longer). "Yes, My Lord, I would advise it to be as soon as possible."
"Very well," answered Sesshomaru gathering himself to his feet gracefully, bowing his head in apology to those at the table, before disappearing beyond the door with Takara. Inuyasha frowned. I wonder what they're up to, pondered Inuyasha absently, finishing his dinner at last.

"Ya know there may be something to eating food slowly," he said, more to himself and Rin than anybody else, 'Lord High and Mighty' was right about something, I guess."

Rin smiled at him, still not finished her meal.

"How dare you disrespect Lord Sesshomaru in such a manner you insolent Half-breed?" The little toad shouted, Inuyasha raised a brow at him
"Nah, go choke on yourself you scummy little toad," Inuyasha shot at him.
"Why you-"
"-Don't talk like that to Lord Inuyasha, Master Jaken or I'll tell Lord Sesshomaru when he comes back!" Rin cut across the little green-demon, and if possible, Jaken went pale, and silent. The Half-demon snorted into his glass as he drank some more water, having a little grass-up on his side as opposed to against him for once definitely was different, though when it came down to it, he supposed Rin and Shippo weren't all that different at heart. Shippo, he thought distantly, I wonder how that little runt is doing…

"There is a beautiful garden of night blooming jasmines in one of the castle courtyards, Lord Inuyasha," chimed Rin, rousing Inuyasha from his thoughts, still a little surprised at being address with such cheer all the time. "If Lord Sesshomaru lets me stay out until the sun goes down I could show them to you."
"Keh, like I'd wanna see some girly crap like that," he muttered, though Rin kept smiling, obviously seeing through his rough exterior. Why not, Inuyasha thought, she sees straight through that cold-hearted bastard, Sesshomaru…

"But they're so special, My Lord," she continued. A smile twitched at the corners of Inuyasha's mouth. Home just wasn't a home without an annoying yet endearing little brat. "They only bloom twice a month, when the moon is full and when the moon is in shadow."

Inuyasha swallowed hard, hurting his throat dully. 'When the moon is in shadow…'

It had only just struck him, it all made sense. Demon foods weren't bad for him, they was good for him, nutritious, but he'd been under Sesshomaru's charge, and falling in and out of consciousness so regularly he hadn't been able to keep track, he hadn't realised until then… The demon food disagreed with his stomach, and made him sick because he was on the verge of his human transformation – the night of the new moon was mere moments away, and he was still in Sesshomaru's castle.

* * *

"Hasten your words, Takara, I dare not leave Inuyasha alone in there with Jaken and Rin, he may just kill them both, and that irritating little toad will most certainly put his foot in it."
"Forgive me, My Lord," Takara said quickly, bowing low. Sesshomaru gestured for the Dark-haired-demon to rise to his feet, which he did, again hastily. "There is not much time, My Lord. I regret it took me longer than I would like to discover, but I have realised the reason for Inuyasha's odd reaction to the demon foods."

The Demon lord arched a brow. "Continue."
"It appears that every Half-demon experiences some time where they are rendered completely powerless – completely human."

Sesshomaru remained unfazed. "Indeed, that much we already knew, both Inuyasha and I used this fact against Naraku when we, along with his mortal companions defeated him. Please, do continue."

Takara nodded, slightly out of breath still, suggesting that he'd run all the way down to the dinner hall. Explaining why he was absent from the table, Sesshomaru thought absently, before the demon spoke once more.

"I have reason to believe, that this, combined with his odd behaviour and my calculations that Inuyasha's cycle, heat and transformations revolve somehow around each other, are all proof that tonight, the night of the new moon, is Lord Inuyasha's time of weakness. I am not sure how long this time lasts however, or how often it occurs. Only Inuyasha himself would know…"

It took a moment for Sesshomaru to take all of those words in, his servant having divulged it all very quickly, almost too quickly to understand properly. And yet, somehow, he comprehended it perfectly, it was just a little…shocking. Indeed, he had not expected Inuyasha entrust him with this information, but surely, if his time was upon him, he would have told him, or perhaps…he was too afraid to…?

A thousand or more questions erupted in his suddenly very crowded mind. Did he fear his reaction? Would he look different as a human? Would he smell as offensive as some mortals did? How long would it last? Hours? Weeks? Months? And if it was a secret (which was undoubtedly true) then how would he conceal the smell of a human from the demons populating the castle? How would Inuyasha behave during this time? How would he react to the transformation? Would it hurt him? How would he feel about his secret being discovered by someone, who, up until recently, was trying to kill him? Then it struck him. If Inuyasha's transformation was tonight, then it was little more than moments away.

Immediately Sesshomaru darted from Takara's side without a word, (save for a polite, appreciative nod in his direction) returning swiftly to the dinner hall. Golden eyes scanned the table, and his heart stopped for one, brief moment. "Lord Sesshomaru," chirped Rin, "Lord Inuyasha, he just ran out of here all of a sudden, is he alright? Lord Sesshomaru?"

Inuyasha was gone? The Demon lord's chest tightened with that dreaded emotion almost as irritating as guilt – anxiety – worry, for Inuyasha. Inuyasha was gone. But where? Why?

TBC

A/N: Sorry AGAIN for the cliffie, I'm going to hit myself now for it *hits self* crap that hurt XD Anywas, Ni, not quite as long as my other chapters but not neccessarily short. The updates for this fic are actually quite long for me, my average update length is like 15 to 18 Microsoft Word Pages ^_^ Anyway LEMON NEXT CHAPTER! Don't ask How I did it but there will be smut next chapter, so be anticipating it, muahahaha, review to get the smut! *chu*

Shigure-san
x chuu x