Ch 21 The Truth
The rhythmic pulsing that beat throughout Inuyasha's body in tune with his heartbeat; signaled the end of his humanity for that month and for once the hanyou had slept away his hated night, only awaking to the last pulse. He felt safe and somewhat happy which surprised him, until the dream he'd had came back; clearer in detail than any other dream he could remember. In fact it seemed to be nearer a memory; but that was impossible. These thoughts took fleeting seconds to rush across Inuyasha's brain as he came round; more sluggishly than he usually did.
He soon identified that he was lying a bit stiffly on a comfortable futon propped up in a pair of strong arms that belonged to Sesshoumaru; but he didn't remember how he got to be like this. Even more surprising was that his brother was still asleep and the pulsing that had not long rumbled through Inuyasha's body had not disturbed Sesshoumaru in the least. That could only mean that his brother's youkai knew what was happening and didn't perceive it as a threat; allowing him to carry on sleeping.
Although he was now awake and alert, Inuyasha still felt that his body needed more rest and he was in no hurry to move and disturb his brother. Then considering that he had slept all his human night in such close proximity to Sesshoumaru, he decided that he was still probably safe and if he admitted it to himself; it was nice to be so obviously protected. He gave his mind over to thinking about his dream and his mixed up memories, the bandages were a surprise and so was the scent of Sesshoumaru and Kagura on his sleepwear and skin. He sniffed at the bindings and made out the familiar scent of herbs and grimaced at the fact that whatever had happened to his arms, hadn't yet fully healed.
It must have had something to do with that awful smell, that was so appalling he could hardly breathe; it was about the last thing he could remember with any clarity while he was sitting in Goshinboku and mourning the loss of his Kagome. His breathing hitched as he thought of her again and all of their lost chances. What future would there be for a lonely halfbreed? What would his long life be when everyone else moved on and eventually forgot about him; once their kindly concerns were swallowed up in their own everyday lives?
He knew that Sesshoumaru had offered him a home here back in the West; where he could rightfully stay in any case, as he too should have had some inheritence. But he didn't want charity and anyway, he didn't think he could always knuckle down under his brother's thumb. He had been a creature of the wilds for too long to change now, he thought and yet his previous life style did not hold any overly good memories either; mainly from being moved on from one place to another. He didn't like being hunted obviously, even though he could now defend himself ably; it was something that got old, quickly.
But there would be no choice for him, just being allowed to live was not an option for a hanyou. He'd worried about that aspect of being mated to Kagome, not wanting to put her in the same position as his mother had been. But he could have lived in her time or asked Sesshoumaru for a safe haven, somewhere in the Western Land; or a combination of the two, as long as he was with her he would have been home and not on his own. As soon as he was out of these bindings he would ask Sesshoumaru some questions that his mind was confused about and then go back to the village, in case there was the slightest chance that Kagome had returned.
First he must discover what had happened to him, what was he doing back here with his brother and why he couldn't make sense of things in his mind. Although he probably had the answer to that one; he had obviously been poisoned with something and attacked...that would really have screwed his mind up. He hoped Sesshoumaru had killed whatever had attacked him; for by doing that, it had kept him from the precious well. Inuyasha couldn't move his arms very well and was getting a crick in his back now that he was awake and more tense.
He was also surprised that his own youkai appeared to feel safe, because he was not alerted to the fact that Sesshoumaru was by now awake as well and had started to stroke his hair and scratch the base of his ears. He'd not allowed anyone to do that since his mother; not even Kagome, especially not Kagome. It had an odd effect on the rest of his body when Kagome touched his ears, let alone scratched them; but with his mother the effect was different, the exact opposite in fact, calming and safe. With Sesshoumaru it was the same.
Safe, with Sesshoumaru? When did that happen and what on earth had made his youkai come to a decision like that? Certainly the ear rub was soothing and very welcome, but what about the potential danger of the poison claws? What was making him lean back against his brother and almost growling in contentment? While he was trying to make sense of all this, Sesshoumaru spoke quietly:
"You are tense and distressed Inuyasha; come, it is time to remove the bandages again and see how your wounds are progressing." Before Inuyasha could reply and with uncanny timing, Kagura entered the room with more herbs and painkilling medicine. Inuyasha's eyebrows raised in astonishment at the warm honeyed milk laced with the soporifc; but he made no comment, just put it alongside all his other questions needing answers. Next on his list of amazing things was when Sesshoumaru took him into the bath and once again removed the top part of his sleeping kimono to reach his arms.
Ignoring Inuyasha's splutters at the invasion of his privacy; Sesshoumaru told him sharply to stop being a little fool and allow the removal of the bandages. Inuyasha suddenly felt that the situation he was in was familiar and while trying to remember, he allowed his brother to sit him down in the water up to his neck. Once again, although he didn't remember the first time; Inuyasha was astounded at Sesshoumaru's gentleness as he unwound the soaking bandages. They stuck only in a couple of places and were eased off with great care; then the herbal residue was cleaned away and Sesshoumaru examined Inuyasha's arms in detail.
As he checked Inuyasha over, Sesshoumaru was alerted to the slight damp salty scent coming from his younger sibling. He looked with concern once again at the wounds that had nearly healed and called to Kagura for the pain relief. She though knelt down by the edge of the bath next to Inuyasha and brushed the fringe away from his eyes.
"What's the matter kid? Your arms have healed well and Sesshou did a great job on your ears; I know you are not in enough pain to cause these tears, so what gives?" Kagura was kind and made sure that she had his attention; she also wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. Inuyasha wasn't sure what had caused his slight upset, it had just happened. He wasn't used to such caring attention from Sesshoumaru, but had always craved it and now it was unmanning him to his shame. He could not put it all into words however; but Kagura had observed him for the last couple of months with his brother and she didn't miss the quick sideways glance at Sesshoumaru from his eyes.
"It's alright Inuyasha I understand; we all care very much for you and just want you to be well and happy."
"I don't understand, things are so different; I feel a bit lost." This was a lot for him to admit to but he was going to have to ask questions sooner or later and it seemed a good place to start. Sesshoumaru had been regarding him all the time and he was sure that something, was altered about Inuyasha. Time to get him out of the bath, dried off and into clean clothes. Sesshoumaru helped him, but this time allowed him to dry himself; Inuyasha's arms were moving much easier now and Kagura went to get both of them dry clothing. When they were dressed and had breakfast brought to the room, Sesshoumaru had a question for Inuyasha;
"Inuyasha, what is the last thing you remember?"
"Huh, I dunno; I think I was sitting in Goshinboku when I smelt this horrid stench. I think that's all I remember, but I've had some very strange dreams; although they are as vivid and detailed as memories. All I know is it's confusing and I hope whoever did it is dead right now; because if I've been here, no one is watching the well for Kagome. I was always there when she came back even if she didn't see me."
"I saw to their demise personally Inuyasha and you need have no fear on Kagome, your other friends said they would look out for her."
"Keh." Inuyasha once again concentrated on his breakfast whilst the other two looked at one another over his head. Later Kagura excused herself and went to fetch Setsuzentaru; filling him in on all that had happened. He was pleased to think that this time Sesshoumaru was going to ask for advice before spilling the beans to his little brother. Kagura laughed and said she thought that her mate was still concerned that he might be subjected to a childish punishment if he did anything else wrong; that made the eagle chuckle.
On being granted admission to Inuyasha's rooms, Setsuzentaru came over to talk to both brothers and as he did before, he was assessing Inuyasha the whole time. Did Inuyasha recognise him? Yes, he'd seen him several times in the past he thought, but couldn't remember or work out the circumstances. He was getting frustrated with not knowing what was going on. It was decided to ask Inuyasha what he remembered of his dreams and why he felt confused; at first the boy was nervous but then he sighed and said that he'd been sure that Kagura carried Sesshoumaru's pup when he himself was still living rough. But that couldn't be true and neither could his dreams about Rin being around when he was a tiny pup.
Then he confessed that there were other,s but they were special to him and he didn't want them to be explained away; he would rather keep them as they were. Inuyasha then said that he wished to go back to his village and the well; asking how long had he been in the Palace and away. This was the moment of truth; Kagura and Sesshoumaru looked to the Eagle to take the lead.
"Inuyasha, that last thing you remember was an attack on you by some exterminators; it was a cowardly and uncalled for attack and you were badly injured. You were overcome by the incense and then you sustained a head injury that took some time to heal."
"How long have I been out then and what did they do to my arms and my ears?" Inuyasha looked between Setsuzentaru and Sesshoumaru for his answer and it was his brother who replied after the eagle had nodded his head slightly.
"You were only 'out' as you put it for about a day, but the inside of your head was bruised and you forgot where you were and you were not your normal self for a time."
"Feh! I don't understand, stop all this hiding stuff and tell me. I can take it; I want to know exactly what has happened to me and I want to know now. Please Sessh...tell me." Inuyasha didn't realise it but he sounded as if he was not far from panic and Setsuzentaru spoke quietly to Kagura asking her to get some sedative from the healer, in the warm honeyed milk. Sessshoumaru could also hear the rising heart rate and tried to calm his brother by agreeing to tell him everything that had happened as long as Inuyasha came to sit by him again.
Setsuzentaru debated in himself; the chick was fairly highly strung at the moment and had been through much emotional turmoil; which although he did not consciously remember, did not stop his body from reacting to it. But the boy was a strong realist too; the truth might be shocking to him but he would come to terms quicker with it, than if they went pussy footing around; especially as everyone else already knew what had happened to him. The Eagle came and knelt down next to Inuyasha like Kagura did when he was in the bath, but Setsuzentaru came much closer and stared into his eyes.
Bright round and yellow eyes full of wisdom; looking into confused and apprehensive, wide eyes of gold. Inuyasha unconsciously scooted back nearer to his brother but felt rather penned in and his heart rate started to rise. This did not deter the physician though and Sesshoumaru started to stroke Inuyasha's hair and growl comfortingly in his chest, hoping to ease the pup's tension. He could see those intense yellow eyes as well as his brother and they were unnerving him and he wasn't the one being stared at. But Inuyasha could not look away; he was caught, the eagle's eyes held him fast.
Then suddenly Setsuzentaru blinked and smiled, freeing Inuyasha instantly from his hypnotic gaze; in time for Kagura to come in with the sedative. She came to Inuyasha and made him take the cup.
"What's this, I'm not thirsty; thanks all the same."
"Drink it Inuyasha." Said Setsuzentaru, his voice firm and authoritative.
"What's with all the pup drink anyhow? Have you spiked it or something?" Inuyasha's suspicians were well founded; rarely did someone do something special for him that did not involve deceit.
"It does contain medicine, yes; but you will drink it."
"Why the pup drink?"
"Do you not like it?"
"That's not the point." Inuyasha raised his voice in a huff and Sesshoumaru looked slightly amazed, his brother actually still liked the revolting mix? But the Eagle explained;
"It reminds you doesn't it? Of times when you were cared for long ago and now it is the same; it is given to show you, you are still cared for and was the only way you would take medicine recently. So be good and drink it down and be grateful that Kagura has been preparing it for you; she has insisted that she and not the servants have looked after you."
"Feh! Thanks Kagura." And drink it he did, relishing the taste. For years he had only had water to drink or sometimes but rarely, milk that had been put out for a cat. Then he'd had some of the strange things that Kagome brought or even tea, if the monk gained them all entrance to a village's hospitality. But none of these reminded him of the special love his mother gave him; that the flavour of the honeyed milk recalled. Watching him Sesshoumaru realised that even now, back in his own mind again; Inuyasha was not much more than a child and certainly not yet mature. Even Setsuzentaru was still treating and talking to him as if he were a pup.
When the drink was finished, Inuyasha glared at them all; slightly embarrassed that they all knew he still favoured the child's drink and he almost dared them with his eyes to say anything. But no one did and that confused him even more; he could tell the flavour of the drink was tainted with herbs and he suddenly wondered what they were for, Kagura had told him he needed no more pain killer and she was right, so what was it this time?
"Someone tell me what's going on." Inuyasha naturally looked to his brother for his answers:
"Very well, Inuyasha...You were injured by the slayers somewhat over three months ago." Never taking his eyes of his brother, Sesshoumaru saw the horror change to disbelief and anger.
TBC