Sesshomaru's eyes glowed with power upon the faint call of his name, though his body felt weak. The one who was his mate needed him. He could feel it in in his boiling blood. The inuyoukai's dangerous growl broke into a wince as he tried to push himself up. The weight atop him was immense but something very important to him was slipping away. There wasn't time.
With a primal roar, Sesshomaru ignored his pain and struck outward with his legs and claws until whatever lied in his immediate path was obliterated or pushed aside. After the large boulder atop his head was split apart, Sesshomaru raised his head and immediately pinpointed the one who was calling to him. He then dug each claw into the ground and pulled forward, trying to free himself from the pile of rock at his back. The rough surfaces tore at his fur and skin, leaving some places raw before he pulled himself free.
Sesshomaru limped forward, staggering dizzily. Mate... The one who bore his mark was in that tree. Lightning struck again and Sesshomaru barreled forward. His vision refusing to clear, the youkai slammed his side into the cliff, panting. Blood dripped from the tree, capturing his attention. Following his nose, he located the source.
A branch was skewered through flesh. Carefully, the youkai snapped the branch, flinching at the pained cry the action brought. Slowly and with as much concentration as he could muster through the splitting pain in his head, Sesshomaru lowered the human to the ground.
Inuyasha...
It was then Sesshomaru allowed himself to return to his smaller form. Though he did not do it with his normal dignity. The lord sagged to his knees beside his brother; one leg and a few ribs broken, and his face and various other areas bloodied. His eyes narrowed as he assessed his brother's most prominent wound. The branch was still embedded—it needed to be removed. But the bleeding...how would he stop it?
The youkai clenched his aching jaw and grasped his brother's hand. "Inuyasha...you will be alright," promised the youkai between labored breaths.
Inuyasha shifted restlessly and uncomfortably, trying desperately to alleviate the pain as he squeezed his brother's hand and clenched his jaw against a pained groan. Tears traced icy tracks down his cheeks as he shuddered, breathing raggedly. All he could feel was the searing throb radiating from his leg and the cold which seemed to seep into his muscles and bones. He'd lost Sesshomaru's mokomoko somewhere, but the pelt was far from his mind as his teeth chattered together and he was swept up in a violent convulsion of his muscles. The hanyou inhaled sharply when the branch in his leg moved, crying out shortly. Cold and pain. Those were his only two sensations.
"Please," the word was hardly more than a whimper, but all Inuyasha wanted was for the pain to stop. Blinking rapidly to try and clear his tear-blurred vision, the hanyou looked toward his brother, breath quickening. "Sesshomaru—"
The youkai's stomach clenched at the sight of Inuyasha's tear-streaked face which twisted in agony. "It must come out." The youkai's voice was rigid. Sesshomaru wished he did not need to let go of his brother's hand.
The hanyou shook his head weakly, repositioning his free hand so he could lean closer to his brother, though he struggled to remain sitting. But that was what he wanted—closeness, contact, warmth; his brother. Inuyasha could only murmur, voice quivering, a soft, "Please," not quite sure what he was asking for.
Eyes darkening, Sesshomaru maneuvered himself around to his brother's backside and sat, guiding Inuyasha to lean back against him. He embraced Inuyasha carefully and licked the hanyou's cut cheek. "I am not going anywhere." Apprehensively, Sesshomaru was forced to let go of his brother. He leaned forward, his chin holding Inuyasha in place by the shoulder, and grasped the base of the branch. "Brace yourself." In a single fluid motion, Sesshomaru wrenched the branch out, able to hear the swollen flesh of Inuyasha's thigh tear.
Inuyasha was grateful for the presence of his brother at his back, drawing comfort from the contact they had—but then, pain blossomed anew, seeming intent to torture the hanyou further. His body went rigid, face contorting with a new shade of agony as his back arched in an attempt to escape the pain. Inuyasha's mouth opened, but only one short cry left his lips before his vision went black and his body sagged limply back against Sesshomaru's.
Sesshomaru threw the extracted branch over the ledge. His heart spiked anew when he felt the hanyou lose consciousness against him. Wasting no time, Sesshomaru laid his brother back down and pulled himself over to the gushing wound. His mind was racing. His skills lied in inflicting wounds—not healing them. With his one hand, Sesshomaru pressed down firmly onto the wound, allowing blood from his own wounds to mix with his brother's blood. The presence of youkai blood would surely help to stop the bleeding. It had to.
Even though his human side had lost consciousness, Inuyasha's youkai struggled to gain control. But he had to—his other half was dying. Too much blood was being lost and it was cold, so cold. A human could not handle those conditions.
The youkai pushed at the barrier which blocked him. Youki swirled and thickened within the hanyou's human body until the barrier finally broke. The change was nearly instantaneous; black hair became a shock of grey, claws lengthened, fangs grew, dog ears were alert with his need to protect, and crimson eyes hazily landed on the creature looming over his wounded leg.
Protect. It was an instinct that pulsed through his mind with each beat of his heart, with each drop of blood that was lost.
Snarling, the hanyou jerked forward, blind to the pain as his leg was jostled and to the muscle-cramping cold. Propping himself up on one elbow, he swiped at whatever was trying to harm him.
Sesshomaru's blood-covered hand flew from his brother's wound and curled the wrist of the clawed, angry, desperate hand he knew would be directed towards him the moment he felt that familiar burst of youki. He knew what would come next too. His body was too battered for the relentless attack of a frightened beast—but he cared not. Relief flooded his eyes. With the return of the power to survive, Inuyasha would be alright.
Thank Kami. Sesshomaru then did the most senseless thing he'd done in all his years. He pulled the seething mass that was Inuyasha into a crushing embrace, his fingers fisting into the back of his haori.
Still growling and growing more enraged at being restrained, Inuyasha tried to thrash and free his arms. By the time one limb was free, claws poised to strike the back of the creature holding him, the hanyou had caught a familiar scent. It could not penetrate the shroud of anger and fear which clouded his mind though. Claws descended, ripping into skin as he gave another snarl, trying to warn the creature off of him.
The scent of blood thickened and he froze. He knew that scent. It was his mate's. With his face pressed against this other being and his body rigid against the hope he'd not just attacked his mate, he could take the time to recognize Sesshomaru's scent.
Eyes closing, he exhaled, "Mate." The word was weak on his lips and he slowly removed his claws, ears flattening. "I..."
The youkai gritted his teeth against digging his own claws into flesh as pain flared up his back. He held onto Inuyasha all the tighter.
Warmth tingled in his mark and he released his breath when Inuyasha finally spoke. He knew that tone of voice. And, connected as they were through the bond and through this contact, he could feel Inuyasha's internal pain at having just attacked him. He would have none of it.
"Hush." The youkai threaded his fingers through ashen hair and held his brother's head. "I am glad you came."
The hanyou made a soft noise in the back of his throat as he finally returned his mate's embrace, clutching Sesshomaru as though the youkai would leave him in an instant.
Sighing, Sesshomaru buried his face into his brother's hair. "How much pain are you in?"
"Healing," Inuyasha murmured as he began to rub his thumb across the back of his mate's neck. "You?" He could tell there was more blood on the youkai than what he had drawn.
Avoiding the question, I see. Sesshomaru shook his head. It was safe to assume that Inuyasha, even with youki now coursing through his veins, was in a fair amount of pain. "I will live."
"What happened?" The hanyou drew back some. Both hands moved to his brother's neck, lightly moving over skin as he leaned forward, stroking his tongue over Sesshomaru's cheek.
Sesshomaru welcomed his brother's touch, leaning forward. "Lightening struck the ground above us. You were impaled by a branch when I threw you into the trees."
Inuyasha nodded, opening his eyes as he continued to lap at his mate's face. "And you? How hurt?"
"The strike loosened and crumbled the cliffside. I was buried by rock." Just thinking about it reminded him of how much his body throbbed.
With a soft whine and a slight grimace, the hanyou nuzzled his cheek against Sesshomaru's. "You okay?" He had to be sure.
"I will be." Sesshomaru inhaled the hanyou's scent gratefully. It was amazing what the presence of a mate could do for one's stability. "Let us seek shelter. The storm still rages."
Inuyasha nodded and placed a chaste kiss on the youkai's cheek before releasing him. His gaze turned to his leg then, and he gingerly moved his torn hakama out of the way to look at the wound. He could probably manage to walk. The hanyou looked back to the youkai before struggling to his feet.
Gritting his teeth, Sesshomaru stood as well. Pain shot up his leg and pierced his ribs. Apparently the adrenaline of tending to his wounded mate had worn off. Underneath his clothing, he could feel blood running down his back and leg as well. Sesshomaru staggered dizzily and wiped away a hot, sticky stream that had run into his eye. Damn it...
Inuyasha clenched his teeth as he stepped toward his mate. His wound had healed some—very little, but he could manage. The bleeding had slowed at least. Kami, it hurt though. The hanyou had a feeling the damage Sesshomaru suffered was worse. Without thinking, Inuyasha bent and hooked an arm under the youkai's legs, lifting his mate into his arms. Biting his lip hard enough to make it bleed, he whimpered at the added weight and staggered a few steps until he could steady himself. Panting and limping, he began to walk.
"Inuyasha—" The lord's eyes widened. "You fool—put me down now," ordered Sesshomaru with a mental cringe as thunder crashed in their ears.
With a growl, Inuyasha shook his head. His mate wasn't fit to walk. And, so long as they could find shelter soon, he could handle carrying the lord. The thunder and lightning weren't helping though. Each flash was nearly blinding and the thunder was deafening. His ears lay flat against his head as he painstakingly continued to advance. "Help look," he said as his gaze roved over every possible place they could take shelter in.
Sesshomaru growled in turn. This position stuck daggers through his pride but he argued no further. He just wanted to find a place for them to rest. If he struggled, he would likely succeed in injuring them both further. "I found no shelter in this area before—only wood for a fire. Try around the bend."
Inuyasha nodded and continued on. The snow was deep and it concealed branches and rocks—many of which he ended up stepping on or jamming his chilled toes into. He had little doubt that between he and Sesshomaru, there was a trail of blood marking their path. His feet grew numb with cold though, and soon, even the sharpest of rocks was denied the ability to make him hurt even more.
It was a slow process. The hanyou wasn't even sure how long he stumbled through the canyon, desperate to make it around the bend as Sesshomaru had directed him. The further he went, the harder it got. The chill his human half had lingered, even with his newly hayou body. He tried not to let his shivering get too out of hand, but he was sure the youkai felt it. But he had to keep walking. Holding tight to his mate, he did.
His vision blurred occasionally and he stumbled even worse. But not once did he sink to knees as he so wanted and nor did he drop the youkai. As soon as he was around the bend, Inuyasha was searching for someplace to rest. It was a longer process than he would have liked with more than enough dead ends, but after he was nudged and pointed toward a particularly promising looking area, his hope was renewed.
The hanyou had to stoop in order to peer beneath the rocky overhang, but with the next strike of lightening, he was fairly confident they'd found a good enough place. Carefully, he set Sesshomaru down gestured for him to wait. Crouching further and cringing when his injured leg had to bend, Inuyasha edged forward and into the cave. He scented another creature but the smell was old—it must've been weeks since another living thing had been within the cave. It was hard to tell, but the hanyou believed the area was somewhat spacious—he hoped so at least. Moving back to the entrance, he offered the youkai his hand and nodded back into the cave. "It good."
He was perfectly able to move himself the few feet it took to be inside the cave without help but Sesshomaru took Inuyasha's hand anyway and stood up. Together, they moved into the dark space where Sesshomaru slumped against the wall. "Come sit by me," ordered Sesshomaru, still bitter about having been carried all the way here. "I will have a look at it.
Inuyasha obeyed with a short nod and immediately sat beside his mate, grateful for the reprieve. His head dropped back to rest against the cave wall as he closed his eyes, still breathing heavily. Oh Kami, it was nice to sit.
Carefully, Sesshomaru peeled back the torn leg of Inuyasha's hakama. It was easier now to examine the punctured thigh since the blood had darkened and slowed. The wood had been brittle and dry, leaving small fragments around the flayed edges of Inuyasha's wound. The skin throughout the area was enflamed. It could use some cleaning up, if anything. The rest, Inuyasha's blood would have to take care of.
Placing his hand on Inuyasha's hip, the lord lowered his face to Inuyasha's thigh and ran his tongue around the tender area, cleaning the leg of excess blood. Then he reached the actual wound, his sensitive tongue searching for small fragments of wood.
Inuyasha whined low in his throat, tipping his head down to watch as the youkai cleaned his wound. His ears remained flat against his hair as he tried not to tense his wounded muscle against Sesshomaru's gentle probing. "Sesshomaru," he said softly, frowning down at the youkai in an expression of pain.
Brilliant golden gaze meeting Inuyasha's strained eyes of demonic red, Sesshomaru lifted his hand and cupped the side of Inuyasha's face. "I know it hurts." His thumb stroked comfortingly. "I will finish quickly."
Without removing his hand, Sesshomaru met the wound with his mouth again. The process was intricate and required concentration as he sought out the fragments, picking them out one-by-one with his teeth. It went quickly as promised though he was occasionally forced to pull at the skin when a protruding fragment was too deep. Once the task was complete to the best of his abilities, he released some tension he'd not realized had formed in his muscles—tension that arose from treating the wound in a way that had inevitably caused Inuyasha pain.
The lord's eyes narrowed as he gave a somewhat defeated mental sigh. I have never once been this soft... The youkai closed his eyes, simply soothing the area a bit with his tongue.
The hanyou clenched his teeth and tried not to whine or whimper as his wound was thoroughly cleaned. Kami, he was glad his human half had passed out. Even for his pain threshold—it hurt. Not nearly as bad as it had when he first awoke, but he willingly suffered through it, knowing the youkai's saliva would help.
Threading his fingers into the youkai's hair, the hanyou panted down at his mate, trying to catch his breath. "Now you?" He knew Sesshomaru would need attention too.
Sesshomaru licked his lips and sat up with small a shake of his head. "My external wounds do not need tending—I was bruised more than cut. We should build a fire. The comfort of warmth would do us good."
Inuyasha nodded. That meant one of them would have to go back out. He'd rather be the one to go than allow Sesshomaru to. With a light sigh, the hanyou struggled to his feet, trying not to bend his left leg too much.
"Sit down before I relieve you of your entire leg," growled the youkai.
"But..." The hanyou paused, leaning back against the wall, but he remained standing. "Wood?"
"Yes." Sesshomaru stood as well, doing his damnedest to appear free of pain. He could hide it in his face but he could not help the limp as he made his way to the entrance. "I can carry all that we need in my mouth. If you leave, I will be extremely displeased. Remain here and sit. I will return shortly." Once outside, Sesshomaru took on his greater form and left Inuyasha alone.
Inuyasha frowned as he watched his mate leave. Did the youkai not care if he was displeased by being left alone? With a grimace, he slid down the rocky cave wall with a quiet groan and sat as he had been told to. What was there to do now? Nothing. Sighing, he gingerly lay down on his right side, stretching his left leg out so it would be more comfortable. Kami, he was tired. Neither the blood loss nor the cold was helping that. Surely, Sesshomaru would return soon and there would be a fire and he could warm his still chilled body .Using one arm to rest his head on, Inuyasha closed his eyes. The hanyou drifted asleep rather quickly, though his rest was disturbed by the endless thunder—he covered his face to block out the lightning.
Not long after he left, Sesshomaru returned to the cave and dropped a large pile of wood outside on the ledge. When he returned to his smaller form, his mokomoko was once again around his shoulders; he'd retrieved it from the tree Inuyasha had fallen into. With a tired breath, Sesshomaru brought an armful of wood into the cave, not without clenching his jaw at the pain in his leg and ribs, and stacked it carelessly in a way that would at least allow air to fuel the fire. He was a youkai but he still required sleep to heal shattered bones.
After lighting the fire, he sat against the wall and slung his arm over his uninjured knee.
Inuyasha watched sleepily as the fire was started, the clatter of wood outside having woken him. Once Sesshomaru sat down, the hanyou slowly sat up and moved closer. Gently, he rested his forehead against his mate's shoulder. "Sleep?"
"Yes." Appreciating the warmth of the fire on his face, Sesshomaru closed his eyes and wrapped his arm around the hanyou, kissing Inuyasha's forehead lightly. He was glad for the hanyou's company. It was strange, though, that he accepted Inuyasha's company at all in this moment. Whenever he was injured, Sesshomaru always retreated to a place of solitude to heal.
Inuyasha nodded, sighing in slight relief. The fire was wonderfully warm, but its heat was slow to seep into his muscles. He was sure that while he slept, he would warm and his human side would be able to recover—once the major wound had healed he could allow the other side to take control. The hanyou closed his eyes, nuzzling into his mate.
When Sesshomaru awoke, he realized it had taken him a matter of seconds to fall asleep once Inuyasha had leaned against him. Also, their fire had burnt out and Inuyasha's head was now resting in his lap. Inuyasha was worn out and dirty, though Sesshomaru couldn't have said much better about his own condition. His bones, at least, had mended while he slept, giving way for the far less movement-hindering bruising to heal.
Sesshomaru knew not how long he'd slept. It was light outside but the sky was still shrouded by clouds. At least the storm had ceased.
Inuyasha snored softly against him. There was blood on the hanyou's face where various cuts had healed. Sesshomaru took the liberty of licking his thumb and wiping the dried blood away.
Ears flicking, the hanyou slowly opened his eyes. First, his gaze fell to what was left of their fire. It had served it's purpose—his body had been able to warm and his toes were no longer stiff and frozen. His mouth opened wide as he yawned, eyes closing as he stretched some. When he opened his eyes once again, he blinked up at his mate. Humming quietly, he reached one claws hand up and traced the youkai's throat and jaw lightly.
"How are you feeling?"
Inuyasha continued lazily touching his mate, fingers roving over markings and skin, as he shrugged. "Better. You?"
Sesshomaru nodded and reciprocated Inuyasha's ministrations by rubbing a furred ear. "Better. Have you reconnected with your human side?"
Frowning, the hanyou shook his head. "It... Hard." He knew his human half was still there and he had access to memories, but it wasn't the same as before—they weren't.. Connected. Inuyasha knew that as soon as he gave up consciousness, his other half would be left utterly human again. The worst part was that he didn't even know why he was being kept separate from his human half—he hated it.
The youkai stroked Inuyasha's head pityingly. His mind wandered as crimson eyes gazed tiredly into his. In moments like this, he had begun to wonder a great deal about his brother. He thought about things that made no sense for him to think about. And yet, he did not put a stop to those thoughts. "When you were young...what did your human half think of youkai?"
"He... Liked them. They," he shook his head. "Didn't like back." Inuyasha sighed, ears drooping some at the memory of his human side's confusion and sometimes emotional anguish when he was scorned as a child. "He wanted... Want to be one—when got older. When little... He didn't know why they hated. He... He," the hanyou paused, trying to think of the right word. "He... Envied youkai."
Of course the hanyou envied youkai. Every being wanted to be something it was not or possess something it did not have. In Inuyasha's case, he was neither human nor youkai. The more powerful of the two would be the most ideal. Sesshomaru wondered if Inuyasha's youkai had been as understanding of his human side when he was a child—if it had always existed with this genuine connection to his human side.
"He appears resentful towards them now. Or perhaps he only resents me." Sesshomaru frowned. He hadn't exactly meant to say that.
"No..." The hanyou's brows creased and he shook his head again, more slowly. He wasn't sure how much he should say of his human side's view of Sesshomaru. Honestly, he wasn't quite sure how he would even explain it; his other half thoughts and feelings could be confusing sometimes. "He.. Mm.. He angry and.. Lonely—feels... Rejected. He sad."
"I have tried to be his brother," retorted Sesshomaru defensively. "How long must I wait for him to realize I will be there for him now?"
The hanyou sighed. His other half was not easily won over— especially not after years of being wronged. It saddened him that his mate seemed so impatient. The youkai had to understand it was a long process for Inuyasha to get to the point of believing him. "Needs time," he said gently as he brought his hands to rest on his abdomen, fingers toying with his haori. "He trust you... It just... New—hard."
"Yes—yes." Sesshomaru leaned his head back against the cave wall. "I know. I am unaccustomed to waiting. And I know not how to treat him." The relationship he was having with Inuyasha's youkai was beginning to meld with the one he had with Inuyasha's prominent side. Spending this much time with Inuyasha—it was doing things to his head. "I am unlike his normal company. If his humans were with us, he would loathe my presence. He will realize he does not need me after all. I am too inhuman for him." Sesshomaru ran his fingers through his hair. Why the hell was he saying all of this? None of this had even occurred to him before now. It had only just dawned. He had told Inuyasha's youkai what was on his mind far too easily. Curses.
Inuyasha looked toward the youkai, lifting his hand to rest on the lord's chest. "Need you—we need you, mate." He wanted Sesshomaru and, in time, he hoped his other half would want the youkai as well.
Sesshomaru glanced away, feeling somewhat exposed in terms of his thoughts. Perhaps this was a mate thing. It was only natural to tell one's mate of one's thoughts. When a mated pair's senses grew more keen in terms of each other, emotions grew easier to sense. And therefore it grew more difficult for a mate to hide things from the other. Of course, Inuyasha's senses would never be as inept as his own. Inuyasha was part human. Also, their bond would not last long enough for any of that. "Hn."
Sighing softly, the hanyou pushed himself upright, wincing as he did so. He wasn't completely healed yet, but he still moved to his brother's side. "I do..." Licking his lips, he leaned across the lord's lap and tilted his head as he moved forward. "I need you." Inuyasha's lips found his mate's and he lifted a hand to Sesshomaru's cheek, thumb rubbing over youkai markings.
Sesshomaru responded almost immediately, having grown used to kissing Inuyasha. He pulled the hanyou flush against him, still able to find comfort in contact with his brother despite his creeping mood and the slight ache in his body. If he had not possessed the knowledge and awareness of Inuyasha's injury, he might have grown aroused by this. And here he was again, letting a kiss from Inuyasha make him forget himself.
Ears lax, the hanyou kissed his mate a while longer. It was a slow, tender kiss and Inuyasha's eyes slipped closed as he pressed close to the youkai. With a quiet, pleased moan, he languidly drew back and rested his forehead against Sesshomaru's. It wouldn't do to go further than kissing and light touches. Not until they had both healed. He was content with this proximity and contact.
Sesshomaru hummed and rubbed his brother's back lightly. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw it had begun to snow again. "You cannot possibly be my brother's youkai."
With a slight frown and a twitch to his ears, Inuyasha pulled back enough to tilt his head in confusion. "What..?"
"You have grown to be so gentle." Sesshomaru cupped the back of Inuyasha's neck. "Youkai are not gentle."
"You are," Inuyasha murmured in return, slowly moving back to rest his forehead against the crescent moon decorating his mate's forehead.
After a slight pause, Sesshomaru's brow twitched. "What are you suggesting."
"You youkai," he said as he dipped his head to Sesshomaru's throat, brushing his fingers over the lord's cheek markings as emphasis. Nuzzling his nose to his mate's throat, Inuyasha briefly pressed his tongue to his brother's pulse. "You gentle."
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes and stiffened, stopping himself from leaning into Inuyasha's touches. "I am not gentle." He said the word like it was suddenly foreign to him.
Inuyasha leaned back and lifted a brow. If only he could show the youkai his memories. He didn't need to though—he was sure Sesshomaru remembered his own behavior. The hanyou nodded to affirm his point. "You are."
"No," the youkai dug his claws into Inuyasha's chest with a glare and shoved the hanyou onto his back. He quickly moved to a crouch and loomed over Inuyasha, his hand pressing down. "I am not."
Eye's widening in surprise, the hanyou had little time to register the pain sparked by the claws in his chest before he was wincing as his back collided with the cold, hard dirt floor of their cave with a short yelp. The pressure on his chest drew a whimper—the area being pressed upon felt bruised from his harsh impact with the tree branch he'd been impaled on, and the weight of the youkai combined with that flaring pain made it hard to breathe. Ears flattening, Inuyasha could only whine in response as his pained gaze shot to his mate's and he grasped the lord's wrist in a failed effort to alleviate the quickly escalating discomfort.
Sesshomaru's breath hitched, his pupils constricting. He had meant to be firm but still... He had not wanted to see that look on Inuyasha's face. His ma—the hanyou was obviously still hurt. Gaze falling, Sesshomaru stopped putting pressure on Inuyasha's chest and removed his hand. "You should have told me you were still hurt."
Inuyasha remained where he was, moving one hand to gently brush over the throbbing area on his chest as he panted lightly. After a moment of catching his breath, he turned his gaze to the youkai, using the grip he had retained on his mate's wrist to pull Sesshomaru's attention back to him. "It.. Okay."
With an averted gaze, Sesshomaru pulled his wrist out of Inuyasha's grip. He then slid his hand beneath Inuyasha's back and helped him to sit up. "I am not gentle. I simply do not dislike you."
The hanyou straightened up and sighed. Sesshomaru was gentle—he could be, at least. Inuyasha decided he wouldn't push the issue though. "Like you too," he said softly as he lifted a hand to stroke over the youkai's cheek.
Sesshomaru looked at the hanyou finally and remained where he was, allowing the clawed hand, calloused to his overly sensitive skin, that he would never have described as soothing before their quest to dispose of the mating bond, to continue to touch his face in a confident and guileless way that should have offended the daiyoukai but only served to put him at ease. With a quick though quiet exhale of internal surrender, Sesshomaru returned the gesture and laid his warm hand across Inuyasha's cheek, his thumb brushing the jagged, amethyst marking.
Inuyasha smiled and tilted his head into the youkai's hand. Long fingers lined his cheek and he sighed softly as his gaze slowly traveled up his mate's body. He could understand why his other half had claimed Sesshomaru looked feminine, but at the same time, he disagreed. His mate was strong—his status as daiyoukai proved that. Perhaps, the color of the youkai's markings weren't as masculine as his own, but that didn't mean Sesshomaru looked like a bitch, as his human half would say. The hanyou thoughtfully stroked his thumb over his mate's uniform stripes. "Not girly," he muttered, gaze steadfastly remaining on the youkai's markings.
Sesshomaru raised a brow, his brief daze broken. "What is?"
"You. These," Inuyasha rubbed over a stripe again. "Not girly."
Well. Inuyasha's youkai side certainly had an opinion regarding his markings which differed from the opinion of his brother's prominent side. Sesshomaru envisioned his own markings, trying to see them as another would. His markings were not something he often thought about. He'd paid them his fair share of consideration in the past. "I was not born with them."
Inuyasha frowned, tilting his head further. His human side had not been born with markings, but that was because he was hanyou. Sesshomaru though... He was a pure-blooded youkai. He didn't know much about them, but Inuyasha thought markings were a permanent aspect of a youkai—from birth onward.
"What?" He asked in confusion, gaze shifting from golden eyes to perfect, straight edged marks.
"The crescent moon has always been there. As has the coloring of my eyelids. But the markings on my face and the others that scatter my body once resembled yours." Sesshomaru traced one of Inuyasha's amethyst markings with a claw, his gaze following it. "They were darker, more blue like our father's but not quite the same color. Thinner as well, and in pairs. They were mine." Sesshomaru's eyes met crimson again. Inuyasha was studying him, likely trying to see Sesshomaru in a way he had not been seen since he was very young and very naïve. "I have never spoken this."
Inuyasha lifted his other hand, brushing two fingers over the moon on his mate's forehead before gently dragging his fingers down and lightly tracing the color on the youkai's eyelids. Next, his hand mimicked the other and rubbed the stripes which were not as Sesshomaru described. He wanted to know why. "Tell me?" The hanyou pleaded softly in his growing confusion. "Happened?"
Sesshomaru nodded though he took his time to actually begin. He got the fire going again, lied down on his back beside Inuyasha, and folded his arm beneath his head, all the while thinking back to that day. For it had been such a long time ago. And it was not something one would want to remember. But he still did. He could remember everything.
Sesshomaru stared out of the window, a frown marring his rounded face. Young, thin fingers with growing claws gripped the stone windowsill as he peered down at a couple of servant children. The children were immersed in a game of temari ball. Their smiling faces told Sesshomaru they were enjoying themselves. Sesshomaru was not permitted to join them for they were the children of servants and the sun had nearly set. But he did not care. Who wanted to waste time in the outdoors anyway? It was dirty. And he had already spent enough time out there since he'd begun practicing his poison claws.
"Sesshomaru-sama."
Sesshomaru started, his heart jumping into his throat. Taking a moment to compose himself, the young youkai clenched his fists and turned. "Make yourself known before you speak," snapped Sesshomaru. His cheeks heated lightly at the embarrassment of being snuck up on.
"My apologies. But it is time for your meal."
With clear disappointment and annoyance, Sesshomaru looked up at the male servant who was standing too close to him for his liking. "Father and I were supposed to eat together. He promised."
"Yes, Sesshomaru-sama. He is waiting for you. I will take you to him, come with me."
Eyes lighting up, Sesshomaru grinned and followed behind the servant. He was finally going to be able to show his father what he had been learning while the youkai lord and general had been away.
The servant opened a large door which Sesshomaru gladly went through without paying much heed. He was going to tell his father all about the most recent scroll he'd found in the library and then he was going to ask all the questions that had gathered in his mind as he read it. And then—
Sesshomaru gasped as he was suddenly lifted off his feet. It had taken him a split second to realize that whoever had grabbed him was not his father. The young youkai thrashed and bit and tried desperately to escape the grip but it was no use. He found himself naked and lying on his back on top of a raised, flat surface of stone. His hands were raised above his head and his feet were spread and held securely in place. Moving was futile. Something he could neither see nor feel kept him where he was.
The door opened again from across the room and an elegant, calm form appeared with a porcelain, instantly recognized face.
"Mother, help me!" Sesshomaru's muscles clenched as he tried once more to free himself from invisible bounds. "A servant grabbed me against my will and trapped me here!" He took in quickened breaths fuelled by his hammering heart.
She appeared unperturbed as she walked leisurely towards where he lied. "My son." Her voice was unfaltering, even cordial. Perhaps she had already taken care of the one who dared attack him. Relief seeped into Sesshomaru and he gave his mother a small smile as the back of her hand, mildly chilled, stroked his forehead and brushed his bangs to the side.
"Can you let me down?" Sesshomaru glanced down at himself then back at his mother. "I cannot see it but something is holding me here."
"Yes, I know." Her hand left Sesshomaru's face. "It is my magic."
"What—why?" Sesshomaru swallowed. "I do not understand, Mother." His eyes darted but there was nothing to see but that cold, porcelain face with the empty smile.
"You will." She raised two fingers and the tips began to glow a fluorescent pink.
Sesshomaru's eyes widened, the scent in the air stinging his nose. He could smell heat and power which far outweighed his own. His instincts reared although they could not tell him what he was supposed to be trying to escape from or brace himself for.
She made her way down his body, inspecting Sesshomaru with a look he was unable to read. "You are too thin. You must eat more," stated his mother casually. She lowered her glowing fingers to his leg.
"D-ahhh!" Sesshomaru screamed, his muscles tensing and his eyes squeezing shut, but he could not move even a hair's width. Two searing claws were dragging across his skin from the underside of his calf to almost the very top of his shin at a slanted angle. His muscles relaxed when the claws stopped and Sesshomaru opened his eyes, breathing hard. His eyes strayed to the new, bloodied lines on his leg. The sight made him feel sick. He could see his mother reaching forward again, her claws glowing anew. "Mother!" Sesshomaru's voice cracked and his eyes stung. "Mother, please—!" his head snapped back, hitting the stone as his mother's ruthless claws did precisely the same to his other calf.
Sesshomaru knew there would be no stopping her but still, he could not help but beg and plead each time as she went on to claw his thighs, sides, wrists, and forearms with the potent youki that boiled and churned his blood.
Lastly, she returned to his side and stared pitilessly into his pained, tear-streaked face. "Each and every one of them will know exactly who you belong to, Sesshomaru. They will remember whose face you wear." Sesshomaru flinched when her hand touched his cheek just below his eye. "And he will realize his efforts will be to no acceptable end. He will never take you away from me. You and I have far too much work to do."
Sesshomaru feared his teeth would break as he clenched them against allowing another cry to leave his mouth while his mother's claws raked across each side of his face. When it was over, everything spun. His mother wiped her fingers on a cloth with a bored look on her face, as though the sight of him no longer mattered to her now that the deed was done. As long as he was exactly where she wanted him.
When the invisible bounds disappeared, he sat up despite the burn in the trails of her claws. His tears, though silent, continued to flow and sting his raw face. Contrary to everything, his mother bent and pressed her painted lips to the crescent moon that resembled hers. Sesshomaru was too dazed and shocked to reject his mother's kiss. Not that he would ever reject a kiss from her. His mother only kissed him when she was happy. She was only happy when no one challenged her authority, or when someone was in pain.
Before Sesshomaru realized the sealing kiss had ended, his mother was nearly to the door. "Get dressed and go to your room," she said sweetly. "The evening meal will be brought to you there. Your father will see you tomorrow."
The fire crackled, drawing Sesshomaru's attention to it. "Using her magic, my mother branded me. They are the marks of her claws; the coloring is the same as her own natural markings. At the time, I was too young to possess any hope of defending myself against her. It was her most noticeable attempt to turn me into her property. I have bared these marks for so long it is as if they have always been there. There are nearly none still living who remember me as I was before."
Inuyasha had waited as patiently as he could while his mate remained silent. Once the youkai had lain down, he moved beside the lord, stretching his still wounded leg out behind Sesshomaru's head while he folded the other in front of himself. His claws threaded gently between the silvery tresses which laid just before him.
And then his mate began to speak. The hanyou's ears drooped, brows drawing together with each word that passed the youkai's lips. Sesshomaru's tone was not one of reverence or affection—no, there was his normal aloofness, but beneath that lied something the hanyou wasn't able to identify. He simply knew it wasn't something good though. His mate's mother was not like his other half's. No love or admiration could be harbored for that creature—the creature who marred his mate so selfishly. Inuyasha shifted and crawled to Sesshomaru's side before straddling the youkai, remaining cautious of both of their wounds. "Not hers," he growled quietly.
He pushed aside the lord's kimono. Eyes closing, the hanyou bent his body and his mouth found the mark he had left upon Sesshomaru. "Mine..." He murmured, kissing the scar his fangs had left behind. Inuyasha straightened up after a moment, his gaze moving from the mating mark to the marks left by Sesshomaru's mother. Laying his hand on the lord's cheek, covering those other marks, Inuyasha opened his mouth to say, again, that the youkai was his, and not that woman's. But then he froze. He had forcefully left his mark upon Sesshomaru's skin and thought that the lord was his—was he really so different from the youkai's mother?
His jaw went slack and he shook his head gently, eyes widening slightly. "I sorry—I not like her—" Inuyasha quickly withdrew both of his hands. "You.. You yours." After a few quick nods, the hanyou's gaze fell to his mate's exposed chest before darting to the side. "Not hers... Not... Not mine." Chest constricting, Inuyasha clenched his jaw. He would not act like he owned the youkai—not if that was the way Sesshomaru's mother had treated him. But.. He wanted the lord to be his even though he knew it was not possible—he wanted Sesshomaru to be his mate even after they returned to their own world. His ears flattened dejectedly. "Yours.."
With a short sigh, Sesshomaru slid his hand into Inuyasha's haori to feel hard, warm, far-from-heartless flesh beneath his fingers. "She marked me this way to give Father a taste of what she could do if ever he attempted to take me from her. In truth, though my father desired nothing more to rid our lives of her, she was needed. Father hadn't the time to intervene, let alone manage the palace and take over my care and training. These were dark times filled with relentless attacks and attempted raids on our lands. Father's time was spent protecting it. As the lady of the palace, it was my mother's duty to oversee matters within the palace while the lord was away, alongside raising the heir. She was immaculate in everything she did. But her selfishness drove her every action and served to make me what I am." The lord gave Inuyasha a shake of his head before he effortlessly found the mark of his own fangs on Inuyasha's shoulder. It seemed to be second nature to know exactly where on one's mate lied the binding mark. They both knew. And Inuyasha's youkai was so endearingly proud of both of their marks—it was impossible to find further fault in Inuyasha's actions and words. And it was impossible to make any connection between Inuyasha and his mother. What he had with Inuyasha was a bond—not an imprisonment. "You are of course nothing like her. You must never believe yourself to be." The mark was as soft as ever beneath his fingers, aside from the irksome scar running right through the middle of it. "If anyone is like her, it is I." I lead you on in hopes of a peaceful journey when, in the end, I will sever our bond and you will no longer have a mate. Was Inuyasha blind to that?
Inuyasha closed his eyes at the contact to the mark on his shoulder, relaxing almost instantly. His worries about being compared to his mate's mother lessened with Sesshomaru's words. "... No." Inuyasha said gently, slowly opening his eyes. "Not like her," the hanyou moved one hand to rub the lord's mark. Then he leaned down, his other hand moving to Sesshomaru's cheek. "You... Good."
"You think too highly of me."
The hanyou shook his head. "I don't."
"I have been taking your human side."
Inuyasha nodded. "I know."
Furrowing his brows, Sesshomaru frowned. "You are not upset?"
There was a slight hesitation before Inuyasha responded again. "...No. He wanted it. It okay."
With a nod, the youkai toyed with the fabric of Inuyasha's haori. "And you realize I will likely be expected to do it again? The cold shows no signs of subsiding."
"Only if he want it," the hanyou growled lightly, ears flicking.
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes slightly at Inuyasha's tone. "We have reached an understanding then."
With a sharp exhale through his nose, Inuyasha turned his gaze to the side. He doubted Sesshomaru would do anything unwelcome to his other half, but it was still a hard habit to let go of; protecting his human side. He could entrust himself to the youkai, but he still needed to be the one protecting his other half. That's just the way it was. Sesshomaru's aid was not unwelcome—the hanyou was simply unsettled by his human half being so far from his reach and in such a vulnerable position. But—his human side was still the lord's mate. He trusted the youkai. There was no other option now.
Sighing softly, Inuyasha looked back at his mate, stroking his hand over the lord's cheek. "Protect him." Then he leaned down and placed a chaste kiss to the youkai's lips. "Stay safe."
Closing his eyes, Sesshomaru nodded into the kiss and slid his hand down Inuyasha's back, letting his head rest back against the ground.
The hanyou closed his eyes and in the next instant, his youki seemed to be drained from his body, taking golden eyes, dog ears, markings, fangs, and claws with it—leaving him a dark-haired human. The last thing Inuyasha had been aware of was a searing pain and the throbbing cold. As he opened his eyes, his breath hitched and both hands quickly had an iron grip on whatever he was sitting on. "Sesshomaru—" The word left his mouth in a frightened and confused haste before his darting gaze landed on his brother. "Sesshomaru..?"
Sesshomaru watched his brother's transformation, able to see every small detail that changed since they had been kissing only moments before. At least this time he was expecting Inuyasha to be fully human. Though it seemed his brother did not yet have the luxury of remaining calm during a change. That much was not surprising. He could not imagine what it would feel like to lose every bit of his power in an instant, beyond his control. "Yes. I applaud you for not attacking me. Though any attempt would have been humorous."
Inuyasha ignored the youkai for the most part and after a moment of letting his relief wash over him, he straightened up, wincing at the ache of a select few of his muscles. "Shit... Where are we?" Looking around and noting the fire and still falling snow beyond what was likely the entrance to a cave, the hanyou turned back to his brother. "What happened?"
"The pain rendered you unconscious, provoking your youkai to burst forth and take over. Your youkai chose to stay until you were fully healed." Sesshomaru sat up, putting his face level with Inuyasha's who was still sitting in his lap. "It has been working diligently to remain connected to you. It was even aware of the sex between you and I."
Inuyasha leaned back some and quickly examined his brother's chest and torso, taking in the loose kimono and relatively unmarred skin, save for some very faint bruising. It didn't look like his youkai had freaked out.. But he wasn't sure. "Okay... So what'd it say about it? I mean, it ain't like us having sex now is any different than when my youkai was screwing you..." It was all about a purpose—whether that purpose was keeping warm or keeping his youkai satisfied. A purpose and nothing more.
Yes... It was no different. Especially from Inuyasha's point of view. But hearing it aloud still seemed odd to the youkai. Actually that notion was not odd at all. Just as it was made clear Inuyasha's youkai had all of the control when they first started having sex, it was clear that Inuyasha, under no circumstances, wanted to look at Sesshomaru or hear his voice during sex. "It understood, at least for the most part, that it was consensual. Though it still felt the need to be sure I only take you when you want it," said Sesshomaru with mild annoyance.
"Well, makes sense I guess. It seems touchy 'bout me being fucked." Inuyasha rolled his eyes. He understood why his youkai was protective and shit—but only to a certain degree. He could damn well handle himself. It probably didn't even care about who or what he screwed—so long as his ass was untouched. " But ya know," the hanyou began in a joking tone, "I bet it wouldn't give a shit if I fucked you, it's done it enough times after all." Hell would freeze before Sesshomaru even thought about letting his hanyou brother fuck him for no good reason—especially when said brother was human.
Whether or not Inuyasha decided to penetrate him was irrelevant. He had already taken Inuyasha's cock a number of times so what could be the harm in once more, yes? "You and your youkai treat sex with a greater importance than it is worth. There is no meaning in it. It is simple pleasure where you either receive what you desire or are somehow stricken in spirit or in flesh." Sesshomaru glanced down at himself, then back up at Inuyasha who was apparently content perching in his lap while he taunted the youkai. "Remove yourself?"
"Oh, uh, yeah." It hadn't even crossed his mind that he was sitting in his brother's lap. Inuyasha moved to the youkai's side, his hand finding the tender spot on his thigh where he knew the branch had been. Fully healed, huh? His body was human again and he doubted he had the same pain tolerance that his youkai side did. But he had healed quite a bit. Which left him very aware another basic need. "Oi," he murmured as he drew up his uninjured leg and wrapped both arms around it. With his chin resting on his knee, the hanyou turned his gaze from the fire to Sesshomaru. Before he made an inquiry about food though, Inuyasha realized he hadn't thought of what happened to his brother as he was battered and impaled by trees. With a light frown, he asked, "What happened to you?"
Sesshomaru shifted and crossed his legs, half-surprised that Inuyasha had removed himself so agreeably and without a flustered or discomforted expression. Perhaps Inuyasha had grown more comfortable around him than he'd previously realized. That possible knowledge was enough to give the lord a short bout of satisfaction.
Oh right, the hanyou had said something. "To what are you referring?"
"Well, you're a little banged up. And I don't think ya'd just throw me into pointy-as-fuck dead trees for the fun of it." At least, he hoped the youkai wouldn't. "So... What happened to ya?" Inuyasha's frown deepened some as he felt his stomach gurgle unhappily before cramping up some. He moved an arm down to wrap around his torso.
"A portion of the cliffside collapsed under the force of the lightning strike." Glancing at his brother, Sesshomaru stood and took Inuyasha's wrist, pulling him into a standing position. Without pause, Sesshomaru started towards the cave entrance.
"Hey—" Inuyasha tugged futilely against his brother's hold, hating how weak he was in comparison to the youkai now that he was human. He had no desire to leave the warmth of the fire or to walk around in the snow. "What the Hell are you doing?"
"I can hear the noises your stomach makes. You need sustenance. I will hunt for you but I cannot leave you here alone. Not while you are human."
"I'm fine! Kami, I'm not some kid—I can handle being alone. I've done it plenty before." Inuyasha glared at the youkai but didn't try to pull away again. If Sesshomaru really wanted take him along, there wasn't anything he could do. There was no reason to waste his already depleted energy.
"This is not a discussion." Sesshomaru's voice softened and he slowed his pace a little, loosening his grip on the human wrist. "I do not like this area. I would feel better if you came with me." That was a very true statement and it felt odd coming from his own mouth. He never admitted to things like that.
After a moment, Inuyasha sighed. Maybe Sesshomaru did actually care about his wellbeing... "Fine, you at least gonna change?" He didn't want to walk in the snow and he could already feel the cold seeping back—the fire was sorely missed.
"Yes imbecile," sighed Sesshomaru in turn.
Once again, Sesshomaru hunted with Inuyasha on his back. This time, he did not present the raw carcass to his brother until he carried it back to the cave to be cooked.
Their travels seemed slower now—so little changed in the landscape. The snow let up occasionally, but most of the time there was at least a light flurry. It took a few days to venture out of the canyon; it turned out to be a lot larger than they first thought. When they first found a decent cliff to scale in order to get out, Sesshomaru decided the gusting winds were too strong and he didn't want to risk something going wrong again.
Once they were out of the canyon, the surrounding area grew more desolate, there were very sparse trees, and even less shelter. More than once, Sesshomaru spent his night in his dog form and curled around his human brother. Inuyasha couldn't really complain though—the youkai was warm and his fur was thick enough to burrow into comfortably.
Inuyasha wasn't sure how long it took, but very gradually the slope of the snowy ground began to incline and the landscape grew more rocky and mountainous. The lack of foliage meant no fire which, in turn, meant they began to have sex again. It wasn't anything special though—they were at least finding caves to stay in for the night so they weren't doing it out in the open.
The place they had just found was the best yet. There was a small entrance, shrouded by a few trees. There were more trees scattered around which provided ample fuel for a fire. And from the entrance there was a short tunnel-like passage which lead to the main cavern. Inuyasha sat in front of the fire, poking at the embers to ensure it wouldn't go out just yet. They would need more wood though. And a good stick he could use to cook whatever meat Sesshomaru found when he went out. It had only been a day since Inuyasha had last eaten, but after the canyon, his brother seemed particularly attentive. But that could've been the hanyou's imagination too. Sesshomaru had mentioned that since the foliage was beginning to become more frequent, there would be more game to hunt. It was just smart to get food when it was around though.
Sitting across the fire from Inuyasha, Sesshomaru stared into the flames, deep in silent thought. He thought of Rin, his palace, and his lands. The quest for his arm was becoming a fool's quest. Eventually, enemies would catch on to the dangerous reality that his lands were currently unguarded. The times were relatively peaceful but there could easily be a repeat of the times his father ruled. Soon, Sesshomaru would have to face reality again. Breaking his bond with Inuyasha was not as important as they were fooling themselves into believing it was. It was only a matter of time before he and Inuyasha would have to return and go their separate ways, with or without the bond. Their lives in their own world were waiting for them. "Come." Sesshomaru stood. "We are going to hunt."
Inuyasha looked up, but remained sitting for once. "I'm gonna stay here this time. This place is safer, so.. I should be fine, right?"
Sesshomaru's eyes made their way around the cave, confirming Inuyasha's claim about their surroundings. The place was higher, hidden by trees, and Sesshomaru had left his scent all around the area outside to ward away any unwanted creatures. Inuyasha had been in his presence for a long time, he supposed. He could leave him alone for a single hunting trip.
He nodded to his brother. "Perhaps I will be able to find some poultry this time. It may take a bit longer," long enough to allow Inuyasha some privacy, "but you will be safe here alone." Without a second glance, Sesshomaru left the enclosure.
The hanyou murmured a quiet "okay" as his brother left and his gaze dropped back to the fire. His chest tightened after several moments, when he knew he was alone. He hadn't been alone very often since the start of this journey. But that wasn't what made him crave privacy—no, he was used to being around his friends and having little time to himself. Inuyasha felt.. Weak.
How long had he been human now? He had no idea. Without his sword and without his youkai blood.. Inuyasha didn't feel like himself. He wasn't himself. Clenching his jaw, the hanyou stabbed angrily at the fire with the stick he had until the embers scattered and the fire dulled, leaving him in the dark.
"No!" Fisting his hands, Inuyasha threw the stick to the side and jerkily drew his knees to his chest. With a choked sound, he wrapped his arms around his legs and buried his face against himself. He couldn't even fucking be alone without screwing up a damn fire. Tears were welling in his eyes and he couldn't stop them. Being human was stupid—he was stupid. "Kami..."
Why? Why was he so impossibly weak and vulnerable? Everything was wrong like this—he had to depend on his brother, he had no choices, no strength—nothing.
Inevitably, Inuyasha's tears spilled, wetting his haori sleeves. Soon, sobs were wracking his body and his breath grew ragged. And he couldn't stop it. The more he cried, the more he hated himself. Crying made him feel all the more weak. He was weak enough as a human damn it!
With a strangled noise, the hanyou jerked to his feet before staggering his way to a wall so he could feel his way to the entrance. Before long, he was out of the cave and stumbling through the snow, stubbing his feet on rocks as he blindly ventured.. Somewhere. He only needed some fresh air before Sesshomaru came back—he needed to calm down.
Well... This is kind of a cliff-hanger. Though certainly not as bad as the one we left you with last time. Sorry about skipping a week, by the way. Conspiring Word Addict lost Internet for an entire week! It was terrible. But it is back now. We just posted a new oneshot and now we shave posted this. ^^ I hope you enjoyed this chapter. But oh...if you only knew what is in store for them in the near-ish future...
Comments, questions, and suggestions! :)
Ja ne.