Author's Note:
Here it is at last 28 chappies wait and it's here, the puppy! Lol. Obviously some people are going to be disapointed as to the sex of the puppy, but i ask that even if it isnt the choice you wanted that you still enjoy the story, as it would not have been much different whichever sex the puppy was. Storyline will progress the Same. And You guys were the ones that voted via , Aff and by direct email so it is not me thats done it, so please dont yell at me ^.^ I Will post the actual results in the end of the chappie (after you already know what the sex is) 'cause it's really interesting to see how close it was ^_^
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Birthing A Dawn
Eventually the door to the Demon Lord's chambers opened, and an unusually dishevelled Sesshomaru elbowed it shut once more with the Half-demon he had tackled (as gently as the word permitted) into his arms still struggling indignantly in between cries of agony. "...You son-of-a-bitch put me down!"
Sesshomaru refrained from growling in irritation.
"Gladly," he answered, dropping his mate haphazardly onto the bed. Inuyasha hissed in pain, the sound causing Sesshomaru to drop to the bed beside him.
"Takara has gone to fetch Nannami and all the necessary items; they should not be too long..."
Inuyasha nodded amidst whines of pain, and shifted onto all-fours, endeavouring to steady himself on his knees when the next wave of agony coursed through him. A wince distorted his features and his clawed hands snagged hold of his brother's shoulders, gripping unknowingly (spitefully) into him in an attempt to alleviate his discomfort.
"Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru asked, his voice uncharacteristically confused, anxious, useless. How could he be expected to watch and feel his mate's pain and do nothing about it? He leant further into the pain of Inuyasha gripping his shoulders, because it made him fell like he was doing something at least.
Inuyasha shook his head, his body shifting in confused directions. The Demon Lord watched him, his brow furrowed as his brother crawled up the bed slightly, resting on his knees with his chest and head pressed exhaustedly into the pillows, his breathing heavy. "It hurts..." The words sounded strange from Inuyasha's mouth, a person who never admitted pain nor weakness so easily. Both seemed to understand how foreign that was to the Half-demon's mouth. Both remained equally terrified and unprepared for what was to come.
Sesshomaru felt his gut twist with his brother's words, and he moved up to Inuyasha's side once more, leaning down so that he could capture his agonised gaze.
"I know it hurts. Tell me to do something, anything..."
Those words permeated the air, and the younger sibling stared at the older with glassy eyes, his claws slicing into the bedding as he felt the next wave approaching slowly. "The windows..." He finally answered breathlessly, "...it's hot..." He watched, for that moment paralysed as Sesshomaru (for the first time in his life) did as he was asked without question, throwing open the shutters to reach the windows. The moonlight flooded in through the open panels, bathing the sweat-covered body on the bed and the cool summer's evening caressed the room with a breeze. Sesshomaru gathered his breath, his heart hammering in his chest as he paused, staring out across his lands through the open window. After a moment, some semblance of calm returned to him, and he slowly removed the clothing from his upper body, so that only his hakama remained.
Inuyasha was right, it is suddenly very hot in here...
"Sesshomaru?" The disturbingly weak, small voice shuddered into his ears, and (a now half-naked) Sesshomaru returned to its source, kneeling beside his brother. His suddenly very sincere eyes met those that begged to be comforted, and released from the hurt.
"Water..."
Again, the Demon Lord moved as asked, returning with a glass of water from the basin, and even assisting the seemingly frail little body to drink it. But as he set the glass aside, a solemn gaze fell upon him, and he did not know what to say, or do to make it stop.
"Allow me to..." he paused, not sure what he had set out to say. He swallowed hard, not liking feeling so...different, so helpless. He was Lord Sesshomaru yet he may as well have been the now shredded comforter for all the good he was doing. "Allow me to tie your hair up off your back," he said at last, manoeuvring round to sit on the bed, "it will help you feel cooler." Deft fingertips weaved through silver tresses, and in peeling random strands from the sweaty back, he elected to ignore the fluid-soaked hakama out of courtesy for the moment, until his little brother's hair was bound back in tight braid. Still his fangs grated against one another. His only release. He felt useless, even now. And where were Nannami and Takara? It was ridiculous and obscene, that he should depend on others to care for his mate's pained body.
But is that not what I have always done? Sesshomaru thought, Stepped back and leave Takara and the others to deal with any real problems that could not be solved with a sword?
"You can feel my pain can't you?" Inuyasha asked suddenly, leaving Sesshomaru with another frown creasing his brow, but before he could conjure an answer, Inuyasha had cut him off. "Is that why you're worried?"
"Naturally, I-"
"-And since when has my suffering bothered you in the slightest?" Inuyasha asked bitterly through clenched teeth as he fought of the approaching, inevitable pain.
"Since I set aside my childish mistakes and resolved to become a mate, brother and father. I thought we had set our pasts behind us?"
"I know," the Half-demon replied shakily, "I'm sorry, I just..." He grated his teeth together, beads of blood weeping from his abused gums. "...it hurts...like nothing I've felt before. I've had nearly every part of me wounded in my lifetime but this is just... and I'm scared..." The last bit was almost inaudible, but Sesshomaru heard it, and he felt bile creep up his throat as the Half-demon's mental and physical pain assaulted him all at once. This kind of pain, made everyone the same, he supposed. Each just as helpless, and confused as the other. "Help me..."
Suddenly, Inuyasha's body tensed. A fresh, searing wave of agony spread through him. His fangs sank into his own clenched fist in some deformed kind of release as he felt the pup move down with the contraction, and his entrance dilated a little further with each new one - but it was not quick enough.
The contraction ebbed away, and Inuyasha struggled to sit up as best he could, his brother eventually assisting him in the movement. "Here," Sesshomaru said at last after steadying his sibling, his clawed fingers moving to undress him, "take these filthy garments off."
Inuyasha did not move, did not say anything, did not do anything. He didn't have any energy to do much else except exist at the moment. And when his thoughts abandoned him, and the throbbing pain worsened in time for another contraction, he found his now naked body pressing in the mattress. His knees supported him with his face pressed into the sheets whilst his arms cradled his swollen stomach, and each overwhelming surge caused his body to almost rock out of his control towards the bedding.
Still clueless and hating himself because of his helplessness, Sesshomaru merely turned away from the humiliating state the pain had reduced his fiery brother to. There was no fire in those eyes that tears of pain had not extinguished, no petulant voice the screams had not torn away. The Demon Lord despised this pain from dragging his brother down so, but that was not the cause of this sharp agony in his chest that increased with every pitiful sound...he was concerned over Inuyasha's pain. No more than that - he could not explain the intensity of this...'worry' but it was there, and hurting as badly as the bloody welts that his brother's claws had raked into his shoulders mere moments before.
Suddenly the door flew open, and the Half-demon remained both oblivious and careless. Sesshomaru however, dropped the thin blanket from the end of the bed over his brother to permit him some shred of dignity, before standing up to meet Takara and Nannami, who closed the door behind them as they stepped in, both quite out of breath. "Lady Rin is with Kazuki and Jaken, My Lord. I will assist Takara, if that suits?" Nannami gasped. Sesshomaru nodded dumbly, he knew the Demoness was just as gifted with medicine as her mate was, (particularly when it came to 'feminine' areas) and whatever they could do for Inuyasha, he would welcome. Besides which, she had assisted in bringing him into the world, had she not? Who could he trust more to bring his pup into the world, than the man who helped do the same for him, and the woman who kept him alive?
"Warm water and warm towels," Takara stated suddenly, "we need them." With that said he set down the small case he was carrying and plucked out one of the many small bottles from within, the liquid inside practically glowing an eerie fuchsia with its intense colour.
"Indeed," said Sesshomaru, "send for some servants to bring them up-"
"-No!" Nannami interrupted, moving over to where Inuyasha lay and shoving his dirtied clothes to the floor as she dropped to his side of the bed, as close as she dared. "He doesn't need a flock of people around him currently, My Lord, surely you must see that. We must calm this situation down, Takara and I will need your help but other than that there is no need for unnecessary people standing around uselessly making the Young Sire nervous."
"ASSHOLE!" Inuyasha screamed, his voice grating and tearing against his throat as he felt something in him tear, blood trickling down the backs of his legs. Sesshomaru seemed to practically dive forwards.
"Inuyasha, what is-?"
"-IT HURTS YOU IDIOT!"
Sesshomaru watched him, his heart thudding so fast in his chest he thought it might burst right out. His now almost visibly shaking hand stroked over his mate's spine carefully, in any attempt to be useful in ridding the trembling body of this pain. He grimaced as he felt the next wave of agony assault the already tired boy.
This is wrong... Inuyasha has suffered pain all his life... I should be the one to endure this agony for him... Had not I sworn to spare him this kind of torture from now on?
"Nanna?" Takara said, and his mate turned to him, "the towels, the water, you can get them, right?" She nodded, departing the room, and Takara moved forwards, sliding the bottle into his Lord's hand. "Its oil, it soothes, trust me Sire, it works. Rub it into Lord Inuyasha's back and stomach - nowhere else, understand?" This condescending tone was brushed off by the Demon Lord as he seized the attempt to be helpful. Rolling back the blanket so that it hung over his mate's lower body, he held the small vial aloft and allowed it to drip onto the skin below. Takara returned, his azure eyes studying Sesshomaru massaging the oil into pained muscles, careful of his claws as he did so. The servant approached, setting down the small bowl beside Sesshomaru, a doting, fatherly look in his gaze. Sesshomaru was scared, he was panicking - he was showing such emotions carelessly, but it was only proof of how far he'd come, how much he'd changed in the last few months, and a strange swell of paternal pride swelled in Takara's chest upon witnessing it.
"My Lord, there is a cloth in the bowl. If you would wipe it over your mate's forehead - on the back of his neck is helpful also." Sesshomaru felt that familiar uselessness and stupidity seize him, and he did as the Demon bade him, the Demon he trusted more than anyone. A strangled sob reached their ears, and Inuyasha's head hung limply as he no longer struggled to hold back his cries. The agony and emotions assaulted him to an overwhelming height and glistening tears cascaded down flushed cheeks as he gave in, sobbing openly and shamefully to those who could hear him.
"Inuyasha...?"
The Boy's face scrunched up as the next contractions approached - his whole body seemed to scrunch up, the cries continuing even after.
"I'm dying..." The Half-demon all-but whimpered, "There's something wrong. It's moving... What's happening inside me?" Takara came to the other side of him, gesturing silently for his Lord to rub the boy's back before braving speech.
"Do not push yet, Young Sire. Just breathe steadily and try to relax as much as possible - I realise how ridiculous that sounds but every ounce of strength you save now you will be grateful for later."
Inuyasha nodded, a ragged sigh dragging from his lips as he felt Sesshomaru bathe the back of his neck with the cloth soaked in that wonderfully cool water from the bowl.
Takara leant forwards, his first two fingers pressing firmly against the small of the Half-demon's back, and massaging in small, slow circles. Inuyasha's body relaxed against his numb knees, an audible sigh sounding. "H-How did you do that?" he asked, his throat sore from screaming, as he felt the pain lose some its edge. Takara smiled, gesturing for Sesshomaru to take over the action for him. Inuyasha smoothed his hands over his stomach slowly, closing his eyes against the room, and concentrating on the point where his mate's fingers were situated, sparing him some pain at least.
The door opened not moments later, a dishevelled Nannami struggling in through the doorway and kicking it shut before heading over to them. Dropping the things under her arm onto the table at the end of the bed unceremoniously, she freed her strength to better place the large wash basin, filled with warm water down without spilling any on the carpet. "Towels, and water," she said matter-of-factly, before moving over to Inuyasha, resuming in mopping his neck and face with the cool water where Sesshomaru had left off, attempting to keep his temperature down.
"How long is this going to last?" Inuyasha groaned after a few moments of blissful calm, as (despite Sesshomaru's efforts) he felt the next contraction brewing. He was so tired already; he could feel his body sagging into the sheets. His energy was dying, and it felt like he was too. He'd known pain. He'd known pure, unadulterated, searing agony, but this? It felt like every pain he'd ever felt concentrated into one spot at the same time. It was terrifying, and he felt his pup moving further down and down with each contraction, felt his entrance stretching spitefully, and the fear brewed at the pit of his stomach. The sudden jerking movement his pup did in his belly did not help the sensation. He felt like he was going to vomit. No. He needed to.
"I have to check you, to see how far along you are," Takara said softly, though kept his distance, not moving. Sesshomaru swallowed hard.
"But he is..." The Demon Lord paused, "he is uncomfortable just having his body looked at, much less touched. It is a miracle that he is permitting even myself to touch him at this moment."
Takara sighed. "Indeed, however I can hardly deliver this pup without doing those things, can I, Sire?"
Sesshomaru said nothing - no one, said anything, and Takara stood there quietly, waiting for his younger lord's command.
"I..." Inuyasha began, "I need to..." But before he could finish he shoved Nannami roughly out of his way, before throwing himself forwards, and emptying the contents of his stomach into the bucket that Takara had placed there earlier for that purpose. His throat wretched, his stomach lurching as he heaved again, only bile coming up this time, and the time that followed, and he did not retreat from the beside until he was sure he was done.
Resuming his position, Inuyasha relished in the feeling of both Sesshomaru and Nannami's pain-relieving attentions returning to his body. He fought against the taste of bile, taking a deep swig from the glass on the side table before managing to form coherent words. "Takara, get this pup out of me..."
At once Takara moved forward, carefully moving the blanket away, leaving Inuyasha completely revealed to the room. Bloodied fluids stained the blanket that had mere moments before been covering Inuyasha, and Takara set it below the raised entrance. "Not long, but not yet. Relax until I say, Young Sire."
'Relax' that was easy to say, but right now, that word just made Inuyasha want to cry and scream at the same time. 'Relax' meant it wasn't time. 'Relax' meant he was in for more excruciating agony. 'Relax' meant something so impossible that he began to prefer crying over screaming. Oh, that was the hormones talking... He definitely wasn't going to be missing those...
Suddenly he straightened up, gesturing for Nannami to hand him a further glass of water, though as he sat back he watched Sesshomaru rise to his feet silently, with an odd look in his eyes that Inuyasha could not read. "Sesshomaru, where-"
"-I will return shortly," he said, cutting his brother off and offering an apologetic glance as he all-but darted from the room. He kept going. He kept moving swiftly, his feet barely touching the floor. He could not even find the strength to care that he was walking aimlessly, semi-naked through the halls.
Then his steps ceased as swiftly as they had begun, and he stared at the wall, rage and fear tumbling off him in waves. Claws flexed, grating into palms as they curled into fists and one raised, crashing into the wall. He felt something inside him scream, or was that aloud? He felt the bitterness and anxiety and anger of everything in the last few months collide and explode with each blow to the trembling wall. Blood cried from his torn flesh, and slowly his blows ceased as he sank down the wall to his knees, his eyes closed as his face still clenched, that bloody fist remaining against the wall. A long silence seized him as golden eyes glazed over with unwept wetness. He was glad his father couldn't see him now, so helpless and afraid. When had he become this weak? This easily disturbed and shaken?
He drew a steady breath in an attempt to calm himself, to gather himself so that he could hide these weakening emotions behind that indifferent mask once more. He felt the blood from his palm run down the wall before him and his glassy golden eyes flickered open. Why did he feel so reluctant and yet so desperate to find that mask again? Because he wanted Inuyasha to see what lay behind it, because he didn't want anyone else to know how much his half-brother had changed him? Inuyasha, that was the answer - to why he was so easily shaken, why he had only just been able to suppress the torrential tempest of emotions that erupted from him ever since this all began.
Everything he ever was, everything he ever desired to be was slipping through his fingers because of the effect his brother had on him. Because of the weakness he felt when it came to him. Even stranger, was the fact that...despite how changed he was, he would not revert back, nor give up what he had, not for the world. Rolling over to rest his back against the wall,
blood ran down his chest as his bloody hand fell to his hip, grazing his mark lightly in reassurance to Inuyasha that he'd be back shortly. Sesshomaru tipped his head back, staring up at the ceiling, and sighing heavily.
Father, he thought absently, thinking of him and his half-breed son, and how they both had weaved the threads of his life in such haphazard patterns until each threads path was indecipherable. I understand now, he thought, smiling slightly, this is how it felt when you held Izayoi, this is the same love I saw in your eyes then, and every night before that. The West, the title...they are not as important as some things, some things that I have so recently acquired - some things to protect... "When you hold your brother, you will see...you will not be able to resist loving him..."
Father, he continued, licking the blood from his already healing knuckles as he turned to head back to his chambers, I understand now. I understand everything about you...because I feel the same. Right now I feel, if Inuyasha asked me to die for him and this infant, I would gladly slit my throat on his very lap...
Following the hall he stroked his mark absently in further assurance, a strange calm overcoming him at this recent epiphany. Suddenly the confusing storm had dissipated into crystal clear clouds. He was still concerned for Inuyasha, for the infant but at least now he knew why, he knew a lot more now, now that he understood such a simple thing, as he opened the door.
Moments passed, or perhaps they were hours? To Inuyasha they all felt the same, the contractions seemed to be getting closer but Takara gently assured him each time that they were not close enough to indicate the pup's arrival. A diligent Sesshomaru moved between massaging his back to speaking softly, the anxiety ever-present in his voice, scent and in their mark. Nannami removed the offending sick bucket, returning with another, just in case, and proceeding to reheat the 'warm' water that had since gone stone cold.
Stale though piercing agony throbbed through every inch of his body. It felt like his insides were knotting, twisting, tearing and trying to push out through his backside all at once as the once tiny entrance stretched to unbearable proportions, trembling as the flesh neared its limit. He wanted to die, he wanted it over. Had he realised how painful it had been he definitely wouldn't have let this pregnancy progress this far. A wicked thought, he knew, and an untrue one at that. His upset, and pain and fear was building, and he wanted to cry again, he wanted to be sick again. He wanted this over with...
Despite the soothing words from those in the room with him, every moment that escaped him, left him feeling worse, and feeling that it was even less likely that he would survive this to see his pup at all...
Takara straightened up as he checked Inuyasha's progress for what seemed like the thousandth time, and he offered the Demon Lord a small nod before speaking. "You are ready, Inuyasha?" His hands (assisted by Sesshomaru's) seized Inuyasha hips, turning him so that he rested on his back, causing the Demon Lord's attentions to cease, and the full-force of Inuyasha's agony to crash down on him once again - in tenfold!
He couldn't believe Takara's words. He'd been longing to hear them for so long he thought at first he hadn't heard them at all, but when Sesshomaru moved behind him, the strangely comforting warmth of his embrace encircling him, Inuyasha registered them. The truth in them rang through when a sharp, unbearable pain seemed to slice through his body. Entrance straining, threatening to tear as he felt something push against it - his pup?
Takara parted his legs a little more, looking up to meet the gaze of both brothers. "I can see it, you are ready, Young Sire, with the next contraction, push into the pain."
Inuyasha nodded, not really sure what he meant, not really sure if he wanted this to happen. He didn't know what to do. What if he did something wrong?
"I can't..."
"You can-"
"-Make the pain stop..."
"It will stop soon, I promise you," Nannami assured him, "Trust me. Now push."
Inuyasha felt more blood, he felt more than heard his own scream tear his throat, he pushed down into the pain, his clawed fingers pressing firmly on his stomach in an attempt to alleviate the pain. "Sire, don't fight it," Takara ordered, Sesshomaru yanking Inuyasha's hands off his stomach and replacing them with his own.
"If you bear into it the pain will go away and it will be over," the Demoness promised once more, and Inuyasha nodded again, fangs sinking into his fist once more as he tried to push down.
"Ahh...FUCK!" He growled, tipping his head back. His fangs grinded together, the metallic taste of his own blood filling his mouth and all-but stinging his tongue. His breath caught in his chest as he pushed. He winced. It didn't feel like it did anything but threaten to tear the agonised flesh of his orifice. It wasn't working. And he was so tired...
"Fuck..." He panted, head tipping back to rest against Sesshomaru. "It hurts...I'm not doing it right-"
"-You are doing it fine. Better than most," Takara cut across him, pushing his legs further apart.
"You are stronger than this," Sesshomaru breathed in his ears, clawed fingers stroking the tops of his thighs softly, "just keep going, it is nearly over." He felt so strange offering such comfort and warmth to Inuyasha in front of others, but something about Inuyasha looking so shattered and defenceless just...drew him in.
The pain returned, he bore into it. His cursing, his breath, his words fused into nothing more than incoherent, successive panting gasps, punctured with agonised cries. Tears streaked down his cheeks again. "Brave" Sesshomaru called him that. "I am here" he was sure he'd heard that amongst the soft platitudes. But what captured him most was the difference in the pain, because he knew it was nearly over perhaps, or perhaps it was just that - different.
He screamed as his body groaned in exhaustion and negation. Tired, abused muscles all-but refused to work anymore. He was sure his backside would never be useable in any capacity; he was partially unable to feel it! The inner muscles clenched and unclenched with each effort, his body struggling to push his pup free, as it pressed against his stinging, stretched skin with each push. Air and blood alike stung the cuts that stretched across the sensitive skin and alarming numbness began to spread up through his tense thighs to the rest of his broken body.
Suddenly, he felt something. "Shit, ah shit...I'm...Sesshomaru I'm tearing..." His claws bit down into the bedding below, his toes pawing uselessly at the end of tensed legs as he pushed one last time, something slipping free - smaller than he'd imagined, though still far too big considering where it was passing through. Takara's fingers, they were something he was all-too aware of as they edged in too, seeking to capture the infant's shoulders and twisting them slightly until they came free, the rest of the tiny body following to land in a small, struggling mess on the sheets.
There was no sound at first, and Inuyasha fell back into Sesshomaru, staring at Takara, his body seeming to almost fall back into place, the pain ebbing away a little, and the servant leant forwards, swiftly laying a small, bloody body on his chest, before hurrying to get the afterbirth out of him. But Inuyasha wasn't aware of anything - Takara and Nannami's voices, they fell away. He could see the silently struggling form on his chest, its tiny body supported by Sesshomaru's comparably large hands that cradled it against Inuyasha's chest gently.
So small, that was all he could manage to think as he smiled at the pup, stroking the blood off its face with the edge of the blanket that surrounded it, concealing its gender from him. But he didn't care so much for that, his pup was alive - he was alive with it, alive to see it, that was all that mattered. He was vaguely aware of the afterbirth following his pup onto the bedding, not aware at all of Nannami whisking it away, or of Takara cleaning him and the sheets. He was not aware of anything around him, except what was right in front of him.
What was it? He wondered. Gender didn't really matter now that he'd seen it - he was in love with it already regardless. Though lengthy silver curls stained with blood and other nasty fluids were not really a distinguishing point in their family. He'd never had much luck with girls, and a boy would be easier to deal with (at least he would know how its body worked without having to ask Nannami) but if he pulled back the blanket now and discovered female anatomy, he wouldn't be disappointed. Boy or girl, it was irrelevant, though all these months had passed without him or Sesshomaru conjuring a name between them, so identifying the newborn's gender would be helpful, as well as unavoidable.
Weak, clawed fingers pushed back the blanket slowly, until he could see what he sought, and his smile broadened, he even thought he could sense such a thing playing across Sesshomaru's lips. The evidence of the smile sounded in Sesshomaru's voice, his soft words only heard by his mate, who lay transfixed with the pup in his embrace.
"Our daughter, Inuyasha."
The Half-demon nodded slightly, the tiny body stretching, rising and falling with his every breath. From her neck to her backside she couldn't have even been as long as his hand. Tiny hands could barely clasp around his fingers, but long, whispery, tendrils of silver hair hung low, stained with his blood, her eyes not yet open to look upon her parents.
A small pang of disappointment reached him as two, tiny appendages struggled amidst the untidy mass of silver hair - ears, like his own. She's full-demon though, Inuyasha assured himself, his fingertips flickering over the puppy ears gently, it doesn't matter if she has a half-demon's ears - she has a demon's blood...
He couldn't find fault with her, granted he despised his own ears but it was nice to see something of his alongside the pup which currently he thought could only be Sesshomaru's daughter - she was exactly like him, with a few more obvious exceptions. Crimson crests adorned her cheeks and eyelids, and a few more were just visible from within the bloodied blanket, on her wrists (No crescent moon though, he noted). And Inuyasha knew that if he pushed the blanket back there would be more on her hips as well.
Again, the smirk was evident in Sesshomaru's voice, as his own hand came to stroke the marks adorning her cheeks. "I believe she has inherited more demonic traits than half-demon, does that displease you?"
Inuyasha watched the pale fingers admire their pup's ears thoughtfully, and he would have smiled if he had possessed the energy.
"No," he answered quietly, "she's perfect." It was such an odd concept, that he found something so beautiful. He never would have guessed he would have loved another girl as much as Kagome or his mother, yet here this miracle was, and it was the most unique kind of love that had ever graced his being. He didn't love anyone like this, nothing began to compare.
Like Inuyasha, Sesshomaru had fallen silent, remaining speechless for some time. Like so many other things now, he understood this also. His father had not loved him or Inuyasha any more or less than the other. He understood now, how it was possible for someone to love more than one being with all their heart, there were as many different forms of love as there were stars in the perfect sky this night, he could see that now. The once 'futile' emotion had become so very important to him within just a few short moments, it was as if this bloodied, wriggling creature had opened his yes too see the people around them for what they really were. People he loved.
"Indeed," the Demon Lord said at last, breaking the silence, "as long as she does not possess your temperament."
Inuyasha rolled his eyes.
"Oh and yours is better? He who poisons his mate and caused the conception of his daughter to be a drunken act?"
Sesshomaru said nothing, merely shifted slightly, allowing Inuyasha to fall more comfortably against him, and pulled the blanket around them once he saw that Takara and Nannami had quite finished cleaning up his brother's body.
Best and only drunken act I ever performed, Inuyasha mentally added, his grip on the girl tightening as he felt Takara's approach.
"Lord Inuyasha, will you permit me to wash her for you?" He always asked permission, even though he knew there was no way Inuyasha could refuse if he wished to avoid his newly born daughter from getting an infection - or worse. The little body curled towards Inuyasha's chest as Takara moved her. The Half-demon's hands pressing into Sesshomaru's legs to support him as he struggled to sit up a little straighter, in order to watch Takara lower his pup into the shallow water. She cried, the quiet, distant little sound disturbing him yet causing his ears to perk slightly, taking in the first sounds the new little voice made.
Crimson blood and other unwanted bodily fluids stained the once clean water. Soft pink skin was showing through, and silver tresses almost glimmered with each flicker of moonlight the strands caught.
"You must rest in bed for a few days, even weeks, My Lord," Nannami advised, wrapping the newborn in a yellow swaddling cloth, before passing her carefully to Sesshomaru who had gotten up to get a better look at his daughter now she was clean. "Do not get up except to relieve yourself, Sire. Food and drink will be brought to you. The Childbed period is advisable, if you hope to make a speedy recovery."
Inuyasha nodded tiredly. It was somewhat nicer to have a woman tell him about these things. As much as he trusted Takara, there were simply some things only a female could know about.
"How long will I be like this?" Inuyasha managed out, as Takara and Nannami both eased him back into the sheets, propped up slightly by the pillows.
"Weeks, maybe even a month. You are a half-demon, so it is unclear. Though I expect, at the most 2 months - that being the maximum time for recovery most humans possess." Inuyasha nodded again, the thought of being bedridden and so pathetically weak for a further two months causing an uncomfortable twinge to surface, so that he was relieved for it to be shoved aside by the sight of Sesshomaru at the end of the bed.
It was somewhat odd (to say the least) seeing the stoic Demon Lord that had once made his life a misery, now coddling a small bundle with pride emanating from him, accompanied by a slightly awed expression crossing his once untouchable features. The little girl possessed his very unreadable expression - such a solemn little look becoming her that was so identical to his own it was awe-inspiring. Like her 'father' she remained impassive with every breath, blinking large eyes at him with the same look. And there was definitely something different, something softer, and less stern about her features, something that could only be identified as Inuyasha.
"We will just leave you then," Takara added softly, he and Nannami gathering the things and departing quietly. "Rin and Kazuki will come in when Lord Sesshomaru sends for her."
Sesshomaru nodded in answer just before the door closed. He approached the side of the bed, watching his brother stare up at him weakly, his arms escaping the blankets to reach for his daughter. For a moment the Demon Lord did not respond, but then he stooped to tuck the infant into the Half-demon's chest carefully, Inuyasha's arms encircling and supporting her as he felt his body relax back into the bed now that the new little life was back in his grasp.
Inuyasha let an exhausted sigh shudder past his lips, staring down into the also tired little face as the little girl yawned widely, pawing at her now opened, large amber eyes with her tiny clawed hands. Those eyes, so deep and more vibrant than either of theirs, stared up at her parents solemnly.
The Half-demon couldn't help the smile that reached his lips as he watched her. Brushing her rogue silver tresses away from her face, he felt a strange swell of contentment as his finger was seized and held captive in her tiny fist. "Someone's got one hell of a grip," he muttered with a smirk, curling his arm round her as she nuzzled into the warmth of his chest as far as she could go. The downy ears atop his head perked slightly to capture the soft little sigh she emitted, resting his head against the pillow sleepily, though watching her every breath closely.
"Are you alright?" Sesshomaru asked him gently, sitting down on the bed beside Inuyasha, looking over both his mate and his new daughter (which he was not as irritated about as Inuyasha had expected - in fact he seemed generally pleased she was female). Inuyasha just sighed again, nodding slightly.
"I thought I couldn't do it...but I'm glad I did..."
"I knew you could," Sesshomaru replied, leaning over and running his fingers gently down the pup's spine, the smallest of smiles twitching at the corners of his lips when he heard the little whimper pass her lips as she stretched slowly.
"You did well," he said to Inuyasha, causing the Half-demon to look at him, though Inuyasha noticed his mate did not tear his eyes away from the pup as he crooned over her. He wasn't jealous of her as such, but he had the oddest desire for some kind of affection from Sesshomaru too, after all that had happened. Only then did he realise, that as expected, his time of being practically adored by Sesshomaru had expired.
I don't care, he thought tiredly, looking back to his daughter thoughtfully, as long as she's okay, I don't care about anything else... As if she knew his thoughts, the child squeezed his finger gently, before moving closer against his chest. He was tired, he ached everywhere, and there was a throbbing pain in his backside, not to mention an uncomfortable emptiness in his stomach, but his pup was alive and healthy, and he could care less about anything else that tried to ruin that. He admired her carefully, inhaling her scent and unwillingly breathing it out. She was so beautiful...
Sesshomaru pulled the covers round the two of them, before sitting back and looking over them again. "She is beautiful. I am proud of both of you."
Inuyasha had to hold back from purring as Sesshomaru caressed his ears gently, though did not hesitate to lean his head slightly into contact, appreciating the gentle fondness in those touches. He looked around, seeing Sesshomaru smirk at the sign of his desire for affection, and felt bliss swell in his chest as the Demon lord laid down behind Inuyasha. Propping himself up on his elbow, he curled his free arm round his mate and pup, still staring down at the both of them as if he dared not believe either were truly there.
"You're still being nice to me?" Inuyasha asked quietly, the hormones keeping him from holding his tongue.
"You are being paranoid again, Little Brother..." Sesshomaru answered impassively, though when he leaned over a little more, so that Inuyasha could see his eyes, an indescribable emotion flickered within them. "...Inuyasha...My Mate..."
Inuyasha bit his lip, before tilting his head to the side slightly and pressing his weak lips against Sesshomaru's. The Demon pushed back gently, his hand coming about to smooth Inuyasha's sweat-dampened-hair from his face, parting their kiss to lay another on the mating mark on the Half-demon's shoulder, before laying back a little.
"Sesshomaru-" A hand placed gently over his lips stopped his words, and he stared at his brother in confusion.
"I think that...that I am incapable of speaking the words you desire to hear so strongly," he said, his voice wavering slightly, as Inuyasha had never heard it before. But Sesshomaru stared at him with intensity in his eyes that felt...right somehow. "I do not think I will ever be able to say those words - to anyone, however I...I wish for you to know, that I feel it all the same..."
Golden eyes widened, and Inuyasha blinked, not sure he dared believe what he was hearing. "W-What? Are you...you saying that you love me-?" That hand was against his lips once more, and Sesshomaru was so close he could feel his breath on his cheeks, and his heartbeat racing against his skin.
"I adore you, I indulge you, I desire and worship you, I can say any of those things, because they are the truth. But the one truth I wish to divulge to you...I cannot force out of my mouth. But you understand?"
A hazy breath shuddered past the Half-demon's lips, and he blinked with wide eyes up at his brother, feeling his daughter stir from her doze at his side. But his eyes were trained on Sesshomaru.
"You...love me?"
Sesshomaru said nothing, but the flicker of such an emotion was evident in his eyes now. Inuyasha had seen the stoic Demon Lord look at him like that before - but only now did he realise it for what it truly was. This was...more than he dared to believe.
Suddenly, the moment was broken by an upset whimper, that steadily grew into a small cry - not piercing or furious, though upsetting all the same to hear from something so small and fragile. Inuyasha panicked a little, not sure what to do, until he felt a strange sense of hurtful understanding ebb at his chest where mere moments before he felt so happy. "She's hungry," he said, not looking at Sesshomaru. The Demon Lord rose to his feet, departing the room with one final glance back at his new family. When he returned a mere moment after, the same dark-haired beauty Inuyasha had met not long ago was close behind.
The Half-demon cradled his daughter a little tighter to his body as Kokoro smiled warmly at him. It was only really now that he realised why he disliked her, even though she'd done nothing wrong, and was otherwise a perfectly nice, kind person - he didn't want anyone touching his pup. This little girl that seemed to be pawing his chest in confusion as to why he wasn't feeding her may have been new to him, but she was the most precious thing he had, and he didn't want some woman - some anybody to touch and hold, and feed his daughter when it should have been him that did it. He didn't know whether it was instinct or just his own possessiveness, (that had peeked out more than once when it came to Kagome, and hell even Sesshomaru some times) but he hated the fact that there was something in the world that he couldn't give this precious little life, and this woman could.
Kokoro sat in the chair beside the bed, before looking to Inuyasha, obviously awaiting him to hand her the infant. Inuyasha gnawed his lip, and leant over, feeling a pang of guilt as the child's cries grew louder, as he passed her into the Demoness' arms - he felt like he was failing her already, and she'd not even been with him long. Kokoro smiled down at the infant, cooing gently to her as she adjusted her sleeping yukata, lowering it to expose her right breast. Inuyasha frowned as the baby screamed louder than ever, not taking to the exposed tip.
Far from blushing, Inuyasha sat up further, arm stretched out, ready to snatch his daughter back, but Sesshomaru stopped him. "She is fine, Inuyasha."
"How can you say that?" he spat back, his ears slicked back against his skull, feeling ill at hearing the child cry out in such distress. "She's screaming! I have to-"
"-Our daughter is fine, Inuyasha, she is just confused. She knows the scent of you, and is merely perplexed that you are not the one offering her food, that is all. Eventually she will come to understand that Kokoro's scent is where she gets her food from," he assured him, but Inuyasha just stared at the pup, sitting back awkwardly, using all his control just to let this continue.
Eventually, Kokoro stroked alongside the girl's jaw line gently with her smooth fingertips, protruding her chest a little, and the baby turned towards her at last, latching onto her exposed breast. The silence was almost deafening. Inuyasha's ears flickered, before drooping slightly. He watched Kokoro reproachfully, a confusing, angry hurt at seeing another holding, snuggling and cooing to his daughter where he should have been doing it so soon after her birth, burned in his chest. He bit his lip defiantly, ashamed of his childish jealousy. A few moments passed, in which he struggled, until, eventually he snapped.
Inuyasha shifted, scooting (with great effort) over to the side of the bed opposite to where Sesshomaru and Kokoro sat, and pulled on his sleeping kimono that lay at the side, before struggling to his feet. Sesshomaru immediately shot up. "What are you doing? Sit back down immediately."
Inuyasha ignored him, stumbling over to the door without so much as looking back at him, and shutting it roughly behind him. Kokoro sighed softly, looking sadly after Inuyasha, and Sesshomaru regarded her with a questioning expression.
"I apologise for Inuyasha, Kokoro," Sesshomaru muttered, heading over to the door. However, the Demoness' voice held him back for a moment.
"Lord Inuyasha is sensitive, Lord Sesshomaru," she said in her usual dulcet tones, "It will take him a while to get used to someone else experiencing something that - to him is so important with his pup."
The Demon Lord looked to her once more, none-the-wiser.
"Please excuse me, I will return shortly," he said, bowing his head to her politely, before following after Inuyasha.
It took him mere moments to find Inuyasha, thanks to the pain and exertion, the Half-demon was finding movement more and more impossible. His palms clung to the walls of the hallway, trying to remain standing, but as Sesshomaru approached him, he felt his quavering legs give way beneath him and he fell to his knees. "Cease this foolishness," Sesshomaru growled, his tone almost scolding as he seized his fallen mate round the waist, and pulled him against his chest and stood upright. "You must remain in bed, overexerting yourself so soon after giving birth will only-"
"-I won't go back in there..." Inuyasha interrupted him, his voice barely above a whisper. "I...I just don't want to. I can't..."
Sesshomaru growled quietly, smelling the blood leaking from his mate's abused body. "Come, Inuyasha." Pushing the door open, He winced as his Little Brother's claws grazed him in an attempt to make him let go, though did not until the moment he lowered the pained form onto the bed once more, watching those muscles clench in agony. Serves him right for being so foolish, he growled mentally.
Sitting back from it all, Kokoro watched the brothers carefully, rocking the child in her embrace slowly to calm her each time she tried to pull away to see what was causing the pain she felt radiating from Inuyasha. The Half-demon's skin paled with the cold, fingers shaking slightly from the blood loss, and Sesshomaru pulled the blankets up over the vulnerable body before moving across the room, apparently occupying himself with something on the mantel.
"I will be in the room down the hall, Lord Inuyasha," Kokoro said at last, though Inuyasha did not respond. "Lord Sesshomaru will come get me when the pup needs her feed. Would I be right in assuming you will do everything else for her?"
"Yes," Inuyasha answered swiftly, his quiet voice burdened by bitterness. Kokoro smiled, eyes watching him still as he stared over at her and his daughter, who continued to feed greedily.
Suddenly the infant released her, small hands curling into fists as that same growing whimper returned. Kokoro leant forwards as the Half-demon sat up slightly in the bed and the woman handed the small girl back to Inuyasha, before stepping backwards from the bedside. The Half-demon frowned as the distressed whimper grew louder, and his ears slicked back in an attempt to escape the sound. He didn't know what to do. She struggled in his embrace, face screwed up as if in pain, and he didn't know how to make her stop.
Sesshomaru turned to face them, watching his family with silent apprehension, his anxiety surging upon realising that Inuyasha knew even less than he about children. His fangs grated together in irritation. Why hadn't he had the forethought or common sense to ask Nannami or Takara for some form of advice? Did he think they would just raise a child on guess-work?
Leaning forward, Kokoro smiled awkwardly, placing a hand on the pup's back and pressing her into Inuyasha's chest gently. "If she fusses, hold her to your chest and stroke her back - perhaps even lightly rock her, Young Sire."
Inuyasha shifted uncomfortably, though did as she advised, tugging the blanket up under the girl's head where it rested on his chest. Mimicking what he'd seen the demoness do, Inuyasha rocked her gently, eyes widening in disbelief as her cries dulled slowly.
Kokoro sat back further, pulling her kimono shut around herself once more. "You should try talking to her, Sire." To this, Inuyasha blinked dumbly at her. He was so tired, too tired to comprehend much at all, and his body ached and burned all over, but if he gave in to his exhaustion Kokoro would have the baby again, and something about that thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.
"Talk to her?" he asked in disbelief. Kokoro continued to smile.
"Certainly," she answered, "she can't understand what you're saying yet, but if you talk softly to her it will calm her. Trust me, My Lord," she added, when he looked like he didn't believe her. But even if he took her word for it, what was he supposed to say?
Flushing awkwardly, Inuyasha tipped his daughter's head against him once more, whispering in a flickering downy ear. Suddenly her cries were interrupted by a quiet burp, Inuyasha looking slightly surprised at the shrill little noise.
"That happens after they eat sometimes," Kokoro assured him, "Do not worry."
Inuyasha looked at her, and then at the pup again, as Kokoro gathered herself to her feet, bowing slightly before departing the room without another sound.
At last Sesshomaru moved forwards, coming to stand at the side of the bed, and gazing down at Inuyasha and the pup. "Are you alright? I sensed blood from you earlier."
Inuyasha didn't answer, merely resting back into the pillows, eyes closing against the room. He was so tired...
He felt the bed dip slightly with Sesshomaru's weight, and the Demon's warmth hovered near his body. Was his brother really so foolish as to be blind to what caused him this pain? Inuyasha shook his head at that, shaking loose those bitter thoughts. It wasn't Sesshomaru's fault; he shouldn't take this out on him...
"Inuyasha?" at the sound of his name, Inuyasha's lashes fluttered, his eyes opening to see his brother leaning over him. "I would ask that you trouble me with your pain, let me help you."
To this Inuyasha sighed heavily, rolling onto his side slowly and laying the infant next to him, cradling her against his chest.
"I'm just tired, that's all don't worry about it," he assured him huskily, tipping his head to the side and against the Demon's shoulder. Sesshomaru murmured almost inaudible endearments in his ear, stroking downy hair softly before settling back into the sheets also, and pressing a kiss to his bother's forehead. "Inuyasha?" he asked, though the soft sound of unconscious breath was enough to tell him that the Half-demon had fallen prey to slumber. Glancing down slightly, he noted the child staring sleepily up at Inuyasha, its thumb in its mouth.
Not able to prevent the smile that tweaked at the corners of his mouth, Sesshomaru reached down, running his claws gently, over silver curls. "So you were the little pest that persisted in kicking me in the back, hn?" He smirked as the child made a soft cooing noise at him. His voice was soft, not harsh and cold as most others had become accustomed to. "A child born of two males, a child that brought two brothers closer together," he murmured, "Your conception has brought about some astounding occurrences, my daughter, I would say that makes you some kind of miracle..."
* * *
It would have not made the slightest bit of difference to the Inuyasha-and-Kokoro situation if their first night with the pup had been a peaceful one, though it may have helped Sesshomaru to retain some energy to deal with his duties to both Inuyasha and the West patiently. Sadly, the newborn being what she was, woke every two hours or more, dragging both lords from their slumber just as they'd managed to doze back off again. And Inuyasha, (being who he was) was all too reluctant to let the infant beyond his sight and so Kokoro was dragged into the room, to do her job awkwardly under Inuyasha's ill-tempered gaze.
This confusing sulking continued for some days after that. Inuyasha was not recovering from childbirth as quickly as Sesshomaru would have liked (though Takara assured him that for a half-demon, this rate of recovery was perfectly normal). At first he thought it may have been just general grumpiness at not having the freedom he might have liked, but he quickly realised this was not the case.
Takara very willingly took on the majority of Sesshomaru's legal obligations, though unfortunately due to the time the pup chose to arrive, all the guests insisted upon staying until they got to see the new daughter to the western lands - which Inuyasha refused to allow. This of course, adding to Sesshomaru's instinctual need to be with his mate all the time, meant he had a lot to tend to in any case.
Due to his brother's vulnerability, Sesshomaru forbid anyone besides himself, Takara, Kokoro, Rin, Kazuki and Nannami to enter his chambers where Inuyasha and the pup were at all times, and Inuyasha in turn refused to allow the pup out of his line of reach, even Kokoro had to sit beside the bed to feed her.
"All these additional bodies in the castle are stifling," Sesshomaru complained to Takara as they made their way towards his and Inuyasha's chambers. "There must be something done."
Takara smiled.
"They politely insist upon seeing your daughter, My Lord," he responded, "in any case, the naming ceremony to bless her will occur in a few short weeks, many think they may just as well remain until that is over, since they must attend that anyway-"
"-A further two weeks with these simpering fools?" Sesshomaru questioned irately. Inuyasha and the lack of sleep had both been testing his nerves recently, and resulted in this irritated lack of patience.
"Inuyasha's childbed period has yet to end, and has asked me not to take the pup out of the room - he scarcely releases her except to allow Kokoro to feed her, which he sulks about every time..."
"Is it not good that Inuyasha loves her so much, Sire?" Takara asked softly, understanding the confusion in Sesshomaru's voice. Being abandoned by his own mother at such a time would of course render him unable to see where this protectiveness that Inuyasha possessed stemmed from. Despite this, Takara found himself ever so slightly amused by the lack of calm in his Lord's voice. Fatherhood is treating him...quite well, he thought, still smiling. "In any case, what is the purpose for which you have summoned me?" Sesshomaru paused by the door to his chambers, and as did Takara, though they did not enter.
"Inuyasha," The Demon Lord said at last, for the first (though not the last) time in his life sounding exasperated.
"Inuyasha?"
"Nannami and Kokoro may continue their hushed suspicions behind their backs if they wish, but Inuyasha has been...upset almost constantly in everyone's presence but the Pup's - I believe he may be suffering from depression."
Takara raised a brow, evidently surprised that Sesshomaru even knew what 'depression' was.
"And you propose I...?"
"Fix it," Sesshomaru answered simply, "Give him herbal remedies or something but for the love of the Gods rid him of this petulant sulking."
The smile on Takara's face broadened in amusement. "I have not heard you speak like that since you were a boy." Sesshomaru frowned in confusion at his advisor's words.
"Like what?"
"Informal...worried."
"I am no such thing. I merely detest such childish behaviour from someone who is far from being a child."
A daring teasing reached Takara's voice with his next words.
"As I have said, Inuyasha is still very young. And if you were not worried," he paused, opening the door before continuing, "then why would you call me here?"
* * *
Inuyasha smiled as he flicked the lukewarm water gently over the baby's pink skin, supporting her on his lap with his free arm while he bathed her. "I really have to think of a name for you," he muttered softly, climbing carefully out of the shallow water and wrapping a towel around the both of them before venturing back into the adjoined bedroom. "But I'm not exactly a creative person..." He stared down at her as he set her down on the bed, drying her surprisingly long silver locks before wrapping her in the pale-pink swaddling cloth. "Still, I can't keep calling you 'pup' all the time, now can I?" Large amber eyes stared up at him, her mouth twitching into a smile that he easily returned, before leaning back onto the bed slowly with her laying against his chest.
Suddenly the door opened, and in walked Sesshomaru, shortly followed by Takara. Like a chain reaction, Inuyasha's smile faded, and he sat up slightly, his daughter seizing a fistful of the silver hair that draped over his shoulders.
"Lord Sesshomaru suggested I come see you a little earlier today, Lord Inuyasha," Takara said happily, sitting down at the edge of the bed. Inuyasha looked to Sesshomaru briefly, before meeting Takara's gaze, confused. "He says you've been feeling down lately."
"Sulking is the term I used, I believe," Sesshomaru interrupted, causing Inuyasha to scowl.
"Screw you, Jackass, I was perfectly fine being here alone so go piss off." The Half-demon pulled the baby close to his chest, as if expecting one of them might try and tear her away at any given moment, though Takara continued to smile.
"Kokoro says you seem...uncomfortable when she comes to feed the pup," he suggested, and it was then that hopeful golden eyes stared at him, and he knew what that meant. That Inuyasha had finally found someone who understood what was wrong.
Takara sighed sadly. "Is that the problem? I realise it must be difficult, and I know you are hurt by it however...breast feeding is not something you can learn - and you must know that there is no comparison to her-" he gestured to the little girl now gnawing on Inuyasha's hand with her gums, "-who is the better between you two." Inuyasha growled, looking to his daughter in order to avoid the shame he would feel in meeting Sesshomaru's eyes when he uttered the following words.
"The way she nuzzles into that wench, I'll never have that with her - and I can't stand it!" he growled quietly.
"And what do you propose we do?" responded Sesshomaru, an edge of bitterness in his voice. "You are blowing this out of proportion - you cannot do it so there is no sense complaining about it."
Inuyasha sneered, and Takara stared at his lord.
"It is not Inuyasha's fault he feels this way, My Lord," the Servant protested gently, "You must understand that his emotions are out of control currently - and besides which, he holds different ideas of parenthood to you and I-"
"It doesn't matter," Inuyasha interrupted, "I don't care what he has to say, he doesn't care-"
"-But you must understand also, My Lord," Takara said to Inuyasha, acting on his role as peacekeeper, "that Lord Sesshomaru cannot comprehend the reasons behind your emotions because he is accustomed to self-important demonesses who do not want to feed their offspring - not because they do not love them necessarily - but simply because during feeding the infant takes not only nutrients but demon energy from the nurse, a lot of mothers do not wish to suffer that lack of power."
"But I don't care! I just can't stand watching that girl feed my pup, bonding with her in a way that only a mother should - and yeah, okay I admit it, technically I am her mother." As his statement still permeated the air, Inuyasha's gaze passed from Sesshomaru, to Takara and then back to the child in his lap once more.
"I hate it when she cries when she's hungry for something I can't give her. I'm supposed to protect her! I'm screwing up already if I can't-"
"What do you want from me?" Sesshomaru asked, cutting Inuyasha across with his bitter tone. He'd tried to do everything for him, and give everything to Inuyasha, but what had him so irritated was the fact that he'd not understood something his mate had wanted. And his mouth was moving in thoughtless anger, and he didn't even know why he was saying any of these things at all. "Our daughter needs food and you cannot provide it, do you suggest she starve to death?"
"Lord Sesshomaru!" Takara's words were all but a shout, and it startled Sesshomaru a little to hear them directed at him - particularly when they originated from Takara's mouth.
"Please, Sire," Takara continued, his voice softer once more, "You and a lot of other demons might see some parts of raising a pup as mediocre, but Inuyasha wants to do them-"
"-So you are insinuating that I am wrong?" Sesshomaru shot at him. Takara sighed heavily in exasperation.
"No, My Lord, I am merely telling you what your mate wants, so you can cease this needless arguing. True, you cannot fix the problem, but you can be sensitive to it."
The words sounded slightly condescending, though Sesshomaru let it slide, if only to stop the arguing and to get Inuyasha to stop sulking. Maybe if the shouting and the sulking ceased, he would let him back into the time like before the birth, where they had been getting along - back to a time similar to when he'd all-but confessed his innermost feelings, which Inuyasha had yet to reciprocate.
"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru managed to say as softly as possible, moving to touch his mate, only to have the Half-demon turn from him slightly.
"Don't touch me."
A frown creased the Demon Lord's brow.
"You are overreacting-"
"-Yeah, I'm always overreacting aren't I?" Inuyasha spat sarcastically, "There's nothing wrong with you - it's always something wrong with me - the filthy half-breed-"
"-Inuyasha-"
"-Just leave me alone! I don't want to look at you anymore, you're a liar and I...I just...I thought you understood - I thought you cared - you're just a-"
Suddenly Sesshomaru surged forwards, seizing Inuyasha's free-wrist roughly, causing him to wince.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" Takara gasped, leaping to his feet, but Sesshomaru ignored him. His face was dangerously close to Inuyasha's. The Demon was was livid, and the girl in his mate's arms was beginning to fuss at the anger radiating off her 'mother and father' in waves.
"You dare call me a liar?" he growled, but Inuyasha didn't back away.
"I dare," he retorted, "you lied about what you said to me the other day."
Sesshomaru's anger flared even more at the notion of the 'revealing' of his feelings being thrown back in his face and branded a lie. It just caused the hurt fury to swell within his chest (especially since it had been particularly difficult to do).
"Insufferable, presumptuous little brat," he all-but snarled, vaguely aware of Takara preparing himself to separate them if they didn't do so themselves. "I have done everything you wanted, I have given you anything you asked for, flattered and worshipped you, and you toss my attentions aside so carelessly. You accuse me of lying?" It was then that his grip on Inuyasha's wrist tightened, his other hand raising to strike - Inuyasha flinched, readying himself for the blow, his daughter screaming by this time, and Takara threw himself forward, seizing his Lord's arm defiantly with all his strength, stopping him from striking Inuyasha.
"Lord Sesshomaru," Takara muttered softly, not releasing the Demon Lord, both of them frozen there, even though Sesshomaru seemed to have refrained continuing with his blow of his own accord. Sesshomaru's fangs grinded against each other in fury, as crimson flashed across his eyes - eyes that never left Inuyasha.
The Half-demon scooted backwards slightly, turning to his daughter and bouncing her in his arms slightly as he pressed her against his chest, attempting to hush her, (still not very confident in caring for a child). Though like Sesshomaru, he could not take his eyes off his mate - a slight quavering fear and anger within his golden orbs. Would Sesshomaru have actually struck him just then? Had he been able to read the Demon Lord's thoughts at that moment, he would have realised the answer...
That quivering fear is needless, Sesshomaru thought bitterly, Takara loyally releasing his hold on his arm. As much as I may wish to, striking my mate is not something I will allow myself to do any longer - particularly when he is holding my pup...
He'd just felt so angry and...strangely hurt just then, when Inuyasha doubted the difficult exposure of his feelings, and had (perhaps inadvertently) upset him further by disregarding all of his tireless efforts to make him happy.
Slowly, he tore his eyes from Inuyasha and his now silent pup, moving swiftly over to the door, and opening it, but not before pausing in the doorway as he spoke. "When you cease being such an insecure, selfish little brat you may just grasp the concept that you are not the only one that suffers within this relationship, Inuyasha. I have made sacrifices also." With that, he disappeared through the door, closing it behind him.
* * *
The busy, bustling halls of the castle died slowly as dusk settled across the Western lands, blanketing the domain with a cool darkness. Stars glimmered overhead like the moon, occasionally peeking out from behind the clouds. Sesshomaru did not return to his chambers (and Inuyasha) all day, instead he ignored his bothersome instincts that demanded to be near his mate and newborn, and busied himself with the distracting events of the castle.
Legal duties were tended to, he ate lunch with Rin and Kazuki, dinner with his many exhausting 'guests' and afterwards even bothered to pretend to listen to their simpering complaints that they had yet to see his daughter, and other such tiresome things. Yet, as silence descended upon his home, the Demon Lord ascended the stairs, and approached that familiar door to his chambers. He didn't really understand what called him there, but he had a vague idea, and he knew his mind would not rest until he had at least attempted to resolve things with Inuyasha.
All day, a miserable burn was conveyed to him through the mark from Inuyasha, and it had hurt so much more than his own suffering. Not for the first nor last time, he'd pondered his actions. Had he been insensitive to Inuyasha's wants regarding the Pup? True, he had been rather strict and tactless when it came to this 'feeding issue', and even though it wasn't his fault, it wasn't Inuyasha's either.
This was how he had come to identify his feelings towards that irritating little half-breed as love - no one made him regret his actions or words, no one made him this miserable, and pursued his every waking thought... No one made him want to be with them every moment of every day... Except Inuyasha. And as difficult to deal with, as irritating and stubborn the Half-demon might be, Sesshomaru was somehow captivated by him, drawn to him in the same way a moth was to a flame, regardless of the impending doom.
Inuyasha... He wasn't a release or an escape from the cruel, harsh world, but he did in every possible way make him feel, and think and...stop to appreciate the things in life that were worth living for. And Inuyasha, he was that (however much it hurt his pride to admit), he was worth the difficult moments, and the arguing - he was worth living for.
Regardless, Sesshomaru thought as he paused outside his door, noting that all was silent within the room. I would treasure a little 'niceness' from him more often, one would think with the pup here he might try to be more of a family...
Slowly (almost cautiously) he opened the door. Another thing that brat does, Sesshomaru thought, causes me to dread entering my own chambers.
Upon entering, he stalled the moment he would have to risk looking around the room, by closing the door carefully. But as the door offered a quiet 'clicking' sound signalling it was properly closed, he found he could postpone it no longer. He raised his eyes to Inuyasha, who was standing by the right side of the bed, setting the evidently sleeping pup down in the bassinet and tucking her in carefully. The Half-demon's ears flickered slightly, and Sesshomaru knew he was aware of his presence.
"You are able to stand," Sesshomaru acknowledged, moving further into the room apprehensively. Inuyasha turned to face him, their eyes locking silently for a brief moment, before the younger sibling climbed back into the bed and pulling the covers up as he lay on his side, ignoring his older brother.
It took all that Sesshomaru had not to sigh with exasperation. He was tired, emotionally and physically, and just wanted this atmosphere between them to dissipate. Pondering his next move on how to make that happen however, left him standing there thoughtfully, even as Inuyasha blew out the candles beside the bed. "You can come to bed," Inuyasha said, feigned gruffness in his voice, "I ain't gonna bite you..." Never this confused about anyone before, Sesshomaru lowered himself to his side of the bed, stripping himself exhaustedly, before joining Inuyasha beneath the sheets.
An odd warmth greeted him as he slid beneath the blankets, not only from Inuyasha's body that was painfully close to his own, but from somewhere within himself - and his mark, and he realised, that unpleasant emotion that had accompanied Inuyasha's misery all day had been...loneliness...?
"You missed me today." Sesshomaru's words were a statement, not a question, and Inuyasha found himself flushing in spite of himself.
"Keh, whatever, wishful thinking...idiot..." Long, gentle fingers splayed across his almost flat stomach, bringing him backwards into the warmth of Sesshomaru's chest. His breathing grew more erratic, as did his heartbeat, though despite it all, he leant back into it, strangely grateful for the affection after being on his own all day. Those fingers traced upwards across his collarbone, over his throat and came to rest beneath his chin as he coerced Inuyasha's face towards him. Inuyasha met his eyes, turning towards him slowly. Their noses brushed against each other as they held the other's gaze, before the Half-demon's lashes fluttered closed, and he pressed slightly parted lips forwards against Sesshomaru's.
Inuyasha's arms came to curl about the Demon's shoulders, and at the same time crimson-crested hands roamed the warm expanse of his chest. The Half-demon gasped, finding himself rolled onto his back as open-mouthed kisses meshed their lips together, expressing a sense of mutual apology as well as something else...something much more forbidden and confusing...
Sesshomaru pulled back only to regard Inuyasha closely with crimson-lidded-eyes, unconsciously brushing the backs of his claws over now slightly flushed cheeks.
"We can't..." Inuyasha managed out, tongue darting out unthinkingly and gathering the Demon Lord's taste from his lips. "My..." he paused again, trying to think of a way to phrase it, "My body's not ready to be taken again yet."
Sesshomaru resisted from quirking a brow at him.
"I do not have to take your body to adore it," he answered impassively, inclining his head to pass slow licks down Inuyasha's jaw and throat, pausing every-so-often to nip the flesh gently.
Small bruises brewed beneath the surface, littering honey-hued skin with love-bites, and he could not help but glance up at Inuyasha with a smirk twitching at the corners of his mouth. "I know how sensitive this part of you is right now," he said huskily, brushing the pad of his thumb over an erect nipple, torturing the over-sensitized flesh. Inuyasha tossed his head to the side, crying out thoughtlessly, so that he heard the girl within the cradle nearby stir.
"S-Sesshomaru," he managed out, hands pushing half-heartedly at Sesshomaru's shoulders as a devilish tongue darted out to capture the nipple, tormenting it gently before drawing it into his mouth.
"S... Nnnn, s-stop..." Inuyasha muttered, hearing his daughter begin to fuss.
Suddenly Sesshomaru winced, pulling back slightly to rest on his heels. Inuyasha, seized his chance and sat up as hastily as his still recovering body would allow. A hand on his shoulder caused him to remain, and he watched as the Demon Lord gathered himself to his feet, plucking the infant out of the bassinet and bringing her to him.
The Half-demon sighed ever-so-slightly, tearing his eyes away from the silver-haired pup that was reaching for his chest unconsciously. "Call Kokoro," he said, "she's hungry."
Sesshomaru remained unmoved, glancing briefly at his daughter, and then to Inuyasha once more. Dropping fluidly to his sibling's side, Sesshomaru cradled the girl to Inuyasha's chest.
"Sesshomaru, make yourself useful," he teased slightly, trying to ignore the feeling brewing in his chest at realising Kokoro was needed. "Go get the damn wench-"
"-Silence," Sesshomaru demanded. A scowl reached the Half-demon's features, and his mouth opened to protest, but snapped shut again soundlessly. Two small hands curled into fists around a large clump of silver hair that draped over his shoulders as it always did, and Inuyasha frowned, having to look down to ensure his suspicions were correct when the cries of the infant ceased.
An odd expression of both bewilderment and peculiarity reached his features, as he watched the still unnamed little creature...for lack of a better word feeding off of him. He felt Sesshomaru sit back slightly, and he knew he was watching even as the myriad of expressions fell away to a tired smile.
"You," Inuyasha began, "how did you-?"
"I could taste it," Sesshomaru answered, recalling his flinch at the bitterly over-sweet taste. Inuyasha stared at the infant, then to Sesshomaru, then to their daughter again. Still, he was evidently unsure how he'd managed to do this. Then again, some people might argue as to how a male body managed to achieve a pup in the first place.
I guess my body is more helpful than I thought...
Any misery that had tainted the blissful euphoria his daughter had brought into Inuyasha's life dissipated, so that only contentment for her presence remained, and no amount of discomfort or exhaustion would extinguish that feeling. Sesshomaru had settled against him, evidently as unsure yet as awestruck as he was, at seeing their pup draw sustenance from swollen, tender nipples.
As much as a nagging, annoying voice at the back of his mind told him to get up and inform Takara and Kokoro of the situation, Sesshomaru found himself held there, as if by some unseen force, and his instincts assured him he could tell them in the morning. Some time later, as the evening fell away to night, the girl had released the Half-demon's tender nub, yawning widely as she allowed her head to fall against her 'mother's' chest. Large eyes flickered between her parents, and she took long inhalations of their scents, attempting to adjust to their individual smells.
"Are those annoying people gone yet?" Inuyasha asked tiredly, stroking his daughter's hair gently. Sesshomaru shook his head.
"The Naming ceremony for the pup will be in a few days. They will remain until then."
Inuyasha sighed heavily at his brother's words.
"The Naming ceremony...?" The Half-demon repeated thoughtfully, his pup's gums nipped him playfully in an attempt to get his attention. "Guess that means she'll be needing a name, huh?"
Sesshomaru smirked.
"The title of the ceremony does imply that, yes."
A sudden, deep thoughtfulness reached Inuyasha's eyes, which were focused on their pup, as if studying her features for some, tiny clue.
"Well you were the one that suggested Itsuki-"
"-I forbid you to even suggest we call our daughter 'tree'," Sesshomaru argued. With that idea thoroughly quashed, Inuyasha returned his gaze to his daughter. "How about we name her after Nannami?" At this, Sesshomaru's eyes hardened.
"The Demoness, however awe-inspiring and intelligent she is, despises me," Sesshomaru murmured, joking despite the fact that it was not evident in his voice and Inuyasha fought to repress a smirk.
"With good reason," he teased. Sesshomaru said nothing in response. "Well you think of some then," Inuyasha sighed. Again, the Demon Lord said nothing, leaving Inuyasha to search his mind for something he thought his brother might agree with - something that suited their daughter.
"Aki?"
"She was born in the summer."
"It doesn't just mean 'autumn'," Inuyasha responded, though upon seeing the sneer reach his brother's features he moved onto any other suggestions that entered his mind. "Kaori? Miyoko?" Again, these names only received a thorough, unvoiced rejection from his older sibling.
"Such common names, unfitting for a royal demoness."
At this, Inuyasha rolled his eyes, holding his daughter up at arms length, her toes pawing at each other as she watched him, evidently trying very hard to smile at him, though not really understanding how to pull it off at will yet.
"Don't be such a snob. What about Chinatsu? It means-"
"-A thousand summers, I am aware."
"Well how about it then, it-"
"-Was my mother's name," Sesshomaru interrupted, an uncomfortable silence following. "Part of it in any case. Her name was Sachinatsu." Inuyasha swallowed hard. Did Sesshomaru want to name their daughter after his mother? He frowned at the thought. They had very different mothers, the same father and that was the problem. Sesshomaru's mother hated humans and half-demons alike, he couldn't stand to call his daughter that. Besides which, naming the little girl after either of their mothers would evoke painful, bitter memories, memories they swore to leave behind them from now on, so he was glad his brother did not voice either suggestion aloud.
"It does not have to concern the time she was born," Sesshomaru said, breaking the silence as he moved over to the dresser, withdrawing a long, weather-beaten scroll from within one of the drawers. "Here, our family tree, take a look if you wish."
Inuyasha sighed heavily, sitting up a little straighter with his pup curled between his legs as he unrolled the parchment, glancing over the names branching out from those at the top. They must have been my first ancestors, he thought.
It was then he realised just where Sesshomaru had become so snooty and picky about 'common' names; most of the names in his line of lineage he'd never even heard of before, and even then, the words were spelt so sophisticatedly he feared to even try and pronounce them.
"Anything?" the Demon Lord asked patiently. Inuyasha shook his head, still perusing his ancestry.
"Most of these are male names."
Sesshomaru nodded.
"Indeed, I informed you that the majority of our family line bore males."
Inuyasha snorted, tossing the parchment aside and plucking his daughter up under her arms, smiling at her as he held her up.
"Yeah, well she's better than any boy. Guys screw everything up - we're both fine examples of that fact," he said, still holding his daughter aloft, so that the moonlight escaping in through the shutters bathed her silver hair and unblemished skin. He watched as she managed a smile at last, golden orbs glowing in the near otherworldly light that caused long tresses to look almost luminous. He gnawed his lip as a thought occurred to him. His own eyes followed the trail of light, to gaze at the moon in the clear sky outside and cradled his pup to his chest thoughtfully as Sesshomaru approached.
"What is it, Inuyasha?" he asked, "is there something the matter?"
Inuyasha tore his gaze from the night sky to face his brother. The light that had lead him to this new idea now illuminated the silver hair that cascaded over his shoulders, causing Sesshomaru to fall completely silent under this breathtaking appearance.
"Tsukihime," he said softly, his voice barely audible. Sesshomaru frowned.
"Moon princess?" he asked.
Inuyasha smirked.
"Yeah... She was born at night time, and..." he sat her up slightly, so that she could look upon both her parents with wide, curious eyes. "She is a princess, I suppose - In more ways than one."
Sesshomaru sighed, looking to his daughter. He supposed, with the parents she possessed she would live up to her name; he could practically hear the future, inevitable tantrums that would undoubtedly mimic Inuyasha's. The infant yawned widely, rousing a smile at the corners of his mouth.
~To Be Continued...
Meaning:
Tsukihime - [Soo-kih-he-may] - Please ask if ya wanna re-use this name, it is 'tsuki' meaning moon and 'hime' meaning princess. I thought this name was appropriate for the new light of Inuyasha's life and the Stoic Demon lord's little princess XD With two daddy's she's definately going to be 'daddy's little princess' ne? Lol.
A/N: Likey? ^.^ I hope you did, i kinda felt like it was a bit slow moving but i guess time for Inuyasha is slow moving so it makes sense XD Either way i hope you liked the mush, action and angst resume as normal in the next chappie, which again, will be on time ^_^
The exact results were as follows
Boy: 65
Girl: 67
Tally of results from different places:
Email: B-3, G-12
: B-43, G-34
: B-19, G-20
Please review ^.^
Thank you
Shigure-san
x chuu x
