Author's Note:

Okay, thanks for the reviews again guys! WARNING! For gore and violence and swearing.

Dedicated to all my lovely reviewers ^.^

I drew a picture of Hikireimaru as some of you asked, to view it please follow this url (without the spaces): http : / / hyperlittlenori deviant art . com/art/WTMFR-Hikireimaru-130822893

Hope you like!

Chapter Thirty-Five
Where Everything Burns

Screams ripped through the darkness. A low, shallow hiss of searing flesh punctuated the cries, and the sickening smell caused those in the room to turn away from the scene – well, almost all…

A leering, pristine grimace revealed glistening white fangs in the dark. Hikireimaru drank in the scent of agony, the sounds of torment, while each of his followers turned away in disgust. The bonds that held the pitiful creature pulled taut as the writhing body slumped to the ground. Hikireimaru glanced at the white-hot iron in his hands, his fingers ghosting over the blade, almost touching it as he regarded his prisoner.

"Those foolish mongrels did not have the strength to punish you in such a manner," he droned softly, circling the beast. He gestured with his head for the demons either side to pull the chains tight, drawing the prisoner to her feet. He cooed in pleasure as he basked in the sight of the angry burns scarring once immaculate flesh. The face, once held in such regard, would not be recognised by even the creature's deceased sire.

"That is why they are weak," The Demon continued, "there are things – dark crimes that even Lord Sesshomaru will not commit. But I have seen everything, suffered every imaginable torment and I am not afraid of becoming a monster." He punctuated his words by bringing the searing iron to his victim's unblemished cheek. And she screamed.

"NO! PLEASE! I beg of you! I did not realise – I did not know! I beg you, Master – Sire, please – NO MORE!"

Hikireimaru sneered, twisting the blade spitefully before drawing back. He tossed the weapon carelessly aside, sickened by her begging and seized her by her (once glorious) now cropped hair. He yanked her head back hard and the female opened her mouth in a silent scream as he stared down at her. Though she could not stare back with blinded eyes…

"I could have lost everything because of you! For the fickle jealousy of a meaningless bitch!" His grip at the back of her neck tightened and she winced. Seeing the movement, he sneered, dragging his claws through the weeping, infested wound at the base of her throat that hung open. "YOU THINK THIS IS PAIN LITTLE WHORE?" He screamed, and when she cried out, his assaulting hand reaching for her mouth, and clamping it shut. "Years I bled, and cried with no hope of relief. These mere months of abuse are nothing!"

Releasing her, he watched her sink to the floor, wiping her blood from his hands with a disgusted sneer. "You suffer as long as Touya's life hangs in the balance. You will be released from this pain when I hear she has recovered and not a moment before."

Circling the whimpering bitch, he surveyed her bloodied, mutilated body. "But what to do with you after this? Is it a swift death you deserve, the kind that Inuyasha and his softened mate would bestow? Or to return you to your 'loved ones' – to allow them to see their vain princess hideous, unsightly…"

Her body quivered as tears shook her, stinging her gaping wounds, and Hikireimaru's mouth turned up in a satisfied smirk. Leaning down to her he inhaled her agony, relished the pain of this bitch that nearly killed his…everything. All for a capricious craving to stand in the place of Inuyasha at Sesshomaru's side?

"It would be hard, hiding away…keeping your face to yourself, knowing that Inuyasha – a half-demon, glorious and beautiful stands at Lord Sesshomaru's side…" He swore he heard her gasp for breath through her tears and pressed on. "I have heard his belly is full again, of the seed you so very wished to line your womb. Does it sting to think how beautiful their pups will be? And how you will never have any?"

With a final, shuddering cry, she tumbled to the floor, regardless of her wounds. Hikireimaru stood back, watching the quivering, bloody mess contort in this harsh reality, where everything burned. She reeked of pain, of stale blood, of rotting flesh, dried semen and urine. This was but a bitter reminder of what he had suffered centuries ago, and with each reminder, brought the satisfaction – the release of finally being able to take each torment out on another. He would be free of his torment by the time Touya was in his arms again, and this madness could finally end.

It was terrifying. In the last few years, he had watched everyone he loved ripped from his life – over and over again. He had discovered his worth and born his brother's child from his male body. Had been molested, all-but raped and humiliated, nearly lost everything all over again… But it was all nothing compared to this.

Darkness enveloped him. Something lurking in the nothingness buzzed through his skin. Fear. Unadulterated. Mind-numbing. He thought he was screaming, but no sound escaped him. He couldn't move. Silent and petrified, as if countless arms locked around his useless limbs, limbs that cracked forebodingly as he resisted the extreme force that shoved him to his hands and knees. He cried out but no sound came from his dry, bloodied lips. Moisture pooled around him on the ground he was forced to, his knees stung from the liquid, and Inuyasha winced in revulsion, turning his head away as his hair trailed in the unmistakeable smell of his own urine.

Not again, he begged, his agonised body slumping forwards. Not this again…

A flash of dazzling silver light blinded him momentarily, before fading to a pale, oval luminescence high above him in the oblivion. The Half-demon shuddered uncontrollably as light, hair-raising touches ran over his exposed skin. Hair, fur, it was something like that. Nothing like the cool comfort of Sesshomaru's hands. Nothing like the sweltering softness of his Demon's fur.

His mouth opened to scream again, but again only silence came. Though as the unbearable itching traced every inch of flesh, a disturbing, piercing cry echoed in the distance, a single, bone-chilling noise. A child – no, children screaming. His children. Screaming for him, louder. The familiar wetness of tears streaked down his cheeks in his desperation to escape. Where were his pups? Where was Sesshomaru? He was being shaken now; a dull murmur of something humming in his ear, the soothing tones not enough to chase away the now deafening screams.

Something cold and wet settled against the bare skin of his backside, and he turned his head, the eerie light from above illuminating the outline of that all-too familiar face. Crimson blood stained the lips that turned up into a cruel smile, those hands that gripped his frozen hips. Inuyasha screamed silently again.

It was then that his neck was twisted spitefully down, hanging in shame within inches of his own waste. A rain of silver hair cascaded over his shoulders, tumbling into the filth, just as before. Tears stained his grimy cheeks and he winced, closing his eyes to the cropped silver tresses that shone with the light from above despite the fluids that engulfed them. A sharp jerk on his remaining hair yanked his head back, just as agony split him in half. He writhed but did not move. Screamed but made no sound. Inuyasha cried but could not feel the tears, anything but the unbearable wedge in his backside, ripping him open. He felt fresh blood seep down the backs of his thighs as the demon, the monster rode him, shaking his head roughly when he tried to close his eyes…

The childish screams they surrounded him. And he didn't know how he knew, but he knew they were his pups, Tsukihime, and his other two…

And there they were, unnamed, unborn, ripped from his gaping stomach. Their unopened eyes and undeveloped bodies lay in the blood, the excrement before him, he could almost touch them if his limbs obeyed, but they betrayed him. Two, dead premature infants haunted his vision – his children. Their screams shuddered against the invisible walls of his endless prison and he wished he could clamp his hands to his ears to shut them out. He wished he could out scream them, but their cries were all he heard, all that filled the void inside that the assaulting monster could not reach with his weapon.

The children's screams were deafening now. And somewhere amoungst them he could hear Tsukihime calling, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not call back. With gut-wrenching agony he tore himself free of his the invisible force, and spun on his heel, claws slicing through the chest of the demon raping his dying, tortured body. But the demon that collapsed into his chest, the demon whose blood stained his already tainted body, was no longer Hikireimaru. It was Sesshomaru. The wounded Demon Lord snarled spitefully, his claws elongating into five razor points before plunging into his chest. Inuyasha's eyes widened, as he watched the Demon's fade into a dull gold, those dead eyes stared up at him, and his embrace tightened around the larger frame uselessly. He could not tear his gaze away from those eyes, that mouth moving slowly, silently in shock.

The children called to him, screamed out their pain, their fear, and it overwhelmed him, it drowned him, like burning and freezing all at once. He clenched Sesshomaru's deceased form to him, hiding his tainted face in that breathless chest, begging for it all to go away. The light above was getting closer, brighter, hotter! A thousand imaginary needles pierced his flesh where the sweat, the filth and tears danced across it. And the screaming, it would not go away…

He bolted upright. That resonating scream still lingering in the air. It wasn't until breath raced back into his lungs as he tumbled back from the agonising abyss and into his bed, that he realised he was the one screaming.

The noise stopped upon his realisation. His heart raced, breath bringing no relief to his desperate chest – it felt like he'd forgotten how to breathe. The Half-demon stared at the peaceful obsidian sky through the shutters that stood open at the window of the far wall, still breathless, still panicked. The eerily beautiful light of the moon leered down at him from the midnight sky. Was that the odd brightness in my dream? The moon? It still gave him the shivers to look at it now, but his breathing was finally calming down a little.

He was soaked through with sweat, shivering from the cold. Tracing the but slightly rounded shape of his belly (only visible as he was now, with his light yukata sticking to him) and inhaled shakily, fighting to regain breath. He blinked once, twice. Glancing over from where he lay on the daybed, he saw his brother at the desk, watching him over his interlocked fingers. He could feel the blood rushing to his half-demon cheeks as his mate stared at him.

"I wish I could stop these dreams from plaguing you…as if you did not have enough to deal with already," The Demon Lord whispered in the dimness, the ethereal glow from the fire offering a heavenly aura to his features as those intense golden pools fixed on him. Inuyasha closed his eyes, not missing the anxiety that lingered under the soothing tone of Sesshomaru's voice. He basked in it, breathing in his smell heavily, as deep into his lungs as it would go.

"Are you alright?" the Demon asked. Inuyasha nodded mutely before his sibling continued. "It was the same dream, was it not?"

The Half-demon sighed. Figures he'd know, he thought, shifting awkwardly under the heavy concern in that gaze. I'd probably given him a running commentary through the whole thing in my sleep. "Keh, I've had a few nightmares before ya fretful little housewife," Inuyasha murmured, brushing him off in order to preserve the shred of vigour his shattered brother still clung to. "And I've been pregnant before too so don't feel the need to waste your time with me when there's a war to organise."
Sesshomaru sighed, shoving the last of the signed papers aside.
"Tis done, Little brother," he answered, exhaustedly, but with a mocking tone to his words as he patted the space on his desk before him. The Half-demon did not miss the smile in his voice, and the more he heard the warmth of his words, the farther away the dark place of his nightmare seemed to get. He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, before approaching slowly. Sesshomaru smiled as he watched him move. "These will be sent out to the remaining allies and they will be on their way here within a few days. Once Hikireimaru discovers Tsukihime is on the mend, he will not delay before he attacks."

Inuyasha slid onto the desk before Sesshomaru, staring down at his mate with a frown creasing his brow. "Don't talk about that anymore. If it's done, and all we have to do is wait for them to get here, let's forget about it for now."
"How can I allow myself a moments rest when my family is in danger?" Sesshomaru asked him, not meeting his eyes. The Half-demon leant back slightly, regarding his mate with a mixture of pity and longing. He'd been fussing over getting fat and sore nipples while his brother had been bearing this whole burden himself. It seemed he'd been a little selfish in his hormonal mood swings.

"Let me carry you for a while," Inuyasha breathed, dipping down to allow his words to dust his brother's mouth. He felt Sesshomaru smile despite himself.
"You should not bear such heavy things when you are pregnant," he teased. Inuyasha snorted.
"You're as light as a feather compared to these two fat leeches you've stuffed in my stomach," he growled, seizing the back of his brother's hair and smashing their lips together. His tongue skated over his older sibling's parted lips, risking a tender lick of razor fangs before he drew back, his hazy eyes regarding the Demon before him.
"Are you swooning, Little Brother?" Sesshomaru asked huskily. Inuyasha sat back, huffing indignantly.
"Keh, you wish…" He breathed shakily, leaning back on one of his hands, and lazily brushing his yukata from his shoulders, exposing his body. The Demon watched him complacently, silent as stone, with his fingers still tightly interlocked.

"Come here," Inuyasha beckoned, the clawed hand not supporting his pregnant body tugging his mate's shoulder gently. When Sesshomaru didn't move the Half-demon inclined his head to the side submissively. "Please."
"Takara said that the pups are dangerously small as it is for being two or more months along," Sesshomaru explained remotely, logically, "that we should be careful with them. Too much physical activity could harm them, Inuyasha."

The Half-demon sighed, rolling his eyes and sliding his legs through the arms of Sesshomaru's chair, pulling him closer. "I'm not offering you sex, you horny mutt," he murmured softly, "I'm offering you solace."

The Demon exhaled slowly, his beautiful face betraying the signs of sleep depravation as he released his calm compose and allowed his forehead to drop forward to rest on his mate's swollen stomach. Those arms surrounded his sibling's body, supporting him as his nose and mouth traced the unusually small bump of a stomach. His pups thumped him gently back, and he smiled tiredly. "They are going to be a handful," he purred. Inuyasha smirked, stroking the silver tresses of the Demon's hair.
"They're gunna be two feisty, foul-tempered boys like us," he joked, and Sesshomaru offered a feigned moan of negation, but Inuyasha felt those lips against his stomach turn up in a sly smirk.
"And I shall love my foul-tempered pups just as I love my obnoxious mate."

Inuyasha growled playfully, raking his claws gently over the Demon Lord's back. But for some reason, he could not find the strength to release his hold on the Demon's clothing, on his warmth. Was this solace for Sesshomaru only? He sighed, without realising that the sound had escaped into the conscious world. Could he not offer his brother a single thing selflessly? Was he that selfish?

"Cease whatever needless paranoia your raging hormones are about to launch you into," Sesshomaru said suddenly, drawing back to consider his the young male's expression. Inuyasha averted his gaze, a shaky breath fluttering past his lips.
"I just want to give you something you want, something to help you…feel better," the Half-demon stammered, the latter of his words sounding so inane to his ears. "Something outside of sex…"

Sesshomaru smirked, the delicate point of his clawed forefinger pushing that chin up gently so that their gazes locked. "You are concerned the only thing you can offer to please me is intercourse, Little Brother?"
"That's not what I meant," Inuyasha answered quickly, a flush dusting his cheeks. "I meant that…ah geez, forget it," he growled, irritated with the damn pride that prevented the words from forming correctly. Pulling his yukata back up and securing it around his shoulders, he approached the only open window, his footing still shaky from sleep.

Gazing out across the calm horizon, the Half-demon could not help but wonder what horrors lurked beyond this temporary tranquillity. The dream, it was so vile yet so vivid. Everything he held dear, gone…but what did it mean? The death of his pups was simply explained, he was secretly concerned for their unhealthily small size for their age, a feat that was undoubtedly caused by the stress pressing heavily on his shoulders. He had tried to brush off Sesshomaru, and Takara's concern for the unborn twins but beneath it, he was berating himself for it.

In the dream, Tsukihime was gone, but crying for him, like he knew she would if Hikreimaru got his filthy hands on her. And Sesshomaru? Did it mean anything that it was by his own hand that his mate had perished in the dream? Or that his brother had cut into him with the claws that so tenderly stroked him mere moments ago? Was he merely shaken from seeing those eyes he had come to adore staring into him, their fire extinguished by death? Or was he more traumatized to know it was a death Sesshomaru clearly already expected to occur…

He thinks he is going to die for me in this battle, Inuyasha thought, staring down thoughtfully at the two figures in the summer garden, wrapped around each other innocently under the moonlight. He once said he would not let me die, does he think that I'm that weak that I will allow him to die? He was nearly angry now, his hormones carrying him from one extreme to the other, but he jumped as two arms wrapped around him carefully.

Sesshomaru offered a swift, peace-offering of a lick across the mark adorning his throat, and he relaxed into the embrace, conceding the emotional battle before it could escalate. "You should really tell those two that you know, Sesshomaru," Inuyasha said at last, changing the subject as he stared down at the demon and the human far below. "It's not fair to leave Kazu terrified for his life." He felt the Demon Lord smirk against him.
"A little fear never did the boy any harm. I will reveal my knowledge of their intentions to join soon enough."
"You really are a demon," Inuyasha almost laughed, relieved at the light-hearted air to his mate's voice. Perhaps his brother would take his advice now? And enjoy their final slice of peace before the allies arrived, and war ensued.

"How is my little 'Hime fairing?" Sesshomaru asked and Inuyasha sighed heavily.
"She's alright…she's been up and about the last few days anyway, albeit weakly." He slumped a little in his mate's embrace and a light shiver caressed his spine as Sesshomaru's claws traced the back of his neck softly.
"She is stubborn like you, she will be as well as ever and hanging off your haori sleeve before the week is out," the Demon assured him. Inuyasha laughed softly, and Sesshomaru frowned at the half-hearted noise. "You are worried, Inuyasha – for the pups?" His clawed fingers traced the swell of his mate's stomach as he spoke, and Inuyasha sighed exasperatedly.
"For you, you idiot," he spat darkly, turning in the Demon's embrace to stare up at him with doe eyes. "You've just accepted it like it's an inevitability – that you're gonna die…and it's killing me!"

Sesshomaru's eyes widened in surprise, taken aback by the sincere anxiety in glassy eyes, and his hands caught those shoulders, gently squeezing. He licked his lips slowly before daring to answer. "Inuyasha," he breathed, "What you have to understand about that is-"
"Lord Sesshomaru?" The distant call sounded from the hall before the door flew open and Nannami stumbled in, breathless.

"What is the matter?" the Demon asked, startled by raging anxiety. She shook her head, struggling for air and enough poise to form words.
"D-Downstairs! At the gates! They say it is urgent! We don't know who they are but they are all-but breaking the gates down!" Nannami gasped, and the siblings turned to consider each other a moment.
"I'm going down with you," Inuyasha growled before Sesshomaru could forbid anything, and sure enough the Demon seemed to stiffen.
"There is no time-"
"-I'm going with you," Inuyasha insisted.

Sesshomaru had fully anticipated his condition of carrying his pregnant brother would be enough to dissuade Inuyasha from coming. It was a credit to how stubborn (or worried) Inuyasha was that the Half-demon had grudgingly accepted. The stairs were a blur, and the younger man remained still, until they crossed the threshold of the main door. Sesshomaru dropped his mate to his feet impatiently, dragging him through the door. And he saw then, why Inuyasha had been reluctant to continue out into the front courtyard.

Inuyasha shifted nervously beside him, hiding half of his body behind him awkwardly. Hundreds of bodies filled the courtyard, staring up at them – both of them with oddly respectful eyes. Sesshomaru side-stepped, forcing his sibling to stand fully beside him, but brushed the back of his hand gently over Inuyasha's when he felt the Half-demon's hard exterior faltering.

"You let them past the gates without my word?" Sesshomaru growled out never tearing his gaze from the few falling from rank and ascending the stairs slowly to meet them.
"My Lord," Takara answered, inclining his head apologetically. "Forgive me but they are-"
"Do not assume, we do not know who we can trust in times such as these," Sesshomaru cut across him, accepting his servant's silent apology as the guests approaching stopped a few steps down, bowing respectfully. Inuyasha winced, turning his head away uncomfortably, even as his brother squeezed his hand softly.

"Inuyasha, you have been carrying that load for a while – ain't ya popped yet?"
Inuyasha sneered, his gaze snapping to the demon now rising from his bow, and meeting his eyes challengingly.
"I had that pup," Inuyasha growled out at the demon's taunting, "You know damn well this is another – you were at Tsukihime's blessing ceremony, ya Mangy wolf!"
Kouga smirked (the same cocksure, devious grin as Inuyasha remembered) and stepped forward, obeying the warning growl from Sesshomaru when he got too close, and drew back.

"You had a daughter?"

Inuyasha finally raised his eyes to meet the gaze of the obsidian-haired woman beside Kouga. He wrapped his arms around his stomach awkwardly, finding it oddly hard to stand still as she approached.
"Tsukihime, it's such a pretty name – we heard of course, but we hoped we'd get to see how you were fairing after, the birth must have been so hard on you…" The Human trailed off from her polite, concerned ramblings, her eyes glazing over slightly. Sesshomaru's every muscle tightened in apprehension of Inuyasha's reaction. The woman dropped the two toddlers she was carrying to their feet beside their older sister, before bolting up the stairs to wrap herself around Inuyasha.

Inuyasha stumbled a little, although retained his feet, before he wrapped his arms around the human female, returning the welcomed embrace awkwardly. "I missed you guys," he sighed, breathing in their scents. Sango nodded in his arms, offering him a final, comforting squeeze before drawing back to look at him.
"Us too, and look at you," she said warmly, tears gathering in her happy eyes. "Pregnant again? You and Sesshomaru must have good natural instincts."

Flushing a little, the Half-demon nodded, his gaze flicking to Sesshomaru briefly before looking back to Sango. "Tsukihime is perfect. We're in for problems this time though – these two already seem to be much more trouble than she was-"
"Twins?" The Human gasped and Inuyasha's smile widened as he nodded.
"Alas, Sango," came a voice from behind the Demon Slayer, and Inuyasha rolled his eyes as the voice, feigning innocence continued. "I fear I must take you to the marriage bed again – we cannot allow our good friend Inuyasha the chance to out-do us on children after all."
"Three is plenty for you until this war is over," Sango chided her husband. Miroku came to stand next to her, both of his hand wrapped around his children's smaller ones as his older daughter clung to her mother's side.
"How about you, Inuyasha?" the Monk teased, winking as his lecherous hand left his son's to grope the Half-demon's rounded belly. Inuyasha snarled in embarrassment, leaping back as he swatted the Monk's hand away.
"Another remark such as that from you, Monk and I will personally have you made a eunuch," Sesshomaru warned stoically.
"Please, do," Sango implored him.

Miroku hesitantly smiled, laughing nervously to signal it was a joke, but that warning look never dropped from the Demon's face, and had his face not been glowing beet-red with embarrassment, Inuyasha would have laughed. There was a long, silent moment then. Miroku shifted awkwardly under the weight of the Demon Lord's gaze, Sango's eyes drifted from Inuyasha to his mate constantly and the demons and humans alike aligned in battle ranks below, waited. And waited.

Suddenly, Kouga cleared his throat, approaching Sesshomaru with wary confidence. "It's no secret of what's happening in your lands, Lord Sesshomaru," the Wolf said respectfully, "that half-demon killer that attacked old Kaede's village has been recruiting demons and humans alike all over the continent. He's kept to himself, but his bounty hunters' attempts at stealing your daughter, they are no secret." At this point, Kouga paused, meeting Inuyasha's eyes with what the Half-demon could only assume was sympathy, before continuing. "There is outright war against the Western Lands for the life of a little girl and we've decided what side we're on."

With those words, the wolves, the demons, the humans, the half-demons below dropped to their knees in unision, bowing their heads respectfully to the brothers. Kouga followed their movements, and this time remained on his knees, waiting for either of the siblings to speak.

Inuyasha's eyes widened, and he stepped back, overwhelmed by the gesture, the gesture of man, demon and half-demon alike, all bowed at the same level, to the same people. He blinked hard, trying to ignore his brother's heavy gaze on him.

"We are grateful for your allegiance," Sesshomaru said, breaking the silence. "My advisor, Takara will see that you and your families are well catered for within the castle walls until war dawns." He punctuated his words by nodding to Takara who understood the gesture, beginning to usher the new allies into the castle. Inuyasha stepped aside to allow them to pass, finding Sango at his side.

"I'll make sure you guys and your kids get the best rooms," Inuyasha assured her awkwardly, and Sango smiled at his light blush.
"Inuyasha…could we talk – now?" The Demon Slayer asked. Inuyasha frowned, glancing to where Sesshomaru stood a few feet away, talking to Kouga and Nannami, and without tearing his eyes from his mate, the Half-demon nodded, leading his mortal friend through to the private summer garden. The Garden that remained his favourite gift from his brother, even after all these years…

Sesshomaru watched his brother slip away out of the corner of his eye, his heart plummeting, though retained his calm composure as his gaze fixed upon the wolf and his make-shift mother.
"Inuyasha just wants to catch up with his old friend, Lord Sesshomaru," Nannami murmured softly in his ear knowingly. Sesshomaru said nothing. If this demoness only knew the real reason for his uncharacteristic heartache, perhaps he could find some peace, knowing someone understood his inner dilemma.

He was not jealous of Inuyasha's friendship with the Slayer, he was jealous of who would inevitably hold Inuyasha's body, see his smiles, of who would hold his children once he was gone…

"…believe we have but a few short days, My Lord," Kouga continued, his words finally registering in the distracted Demon Lord's ears. "I think a week, and then Hikireimaru will meet us in battle."
"Indeed, enough time to call the remaining allies and prepare ourselves," Sesshomaru answered frostily. He did not betray his inner chaos, did not so much as allow his muscles to twitch, even as Nannami placed a concerned hand on his shoulder.
"And with both Takara and I there together – an Elemental pair, it will benefit our chances even more," She assured him. Sesshomaru just nodded, and the elemental and the wolf looked at eachother in confusion. Seeing their deductions all over their faces, the Demon Lord pulled away from her gently.

"You and Takara must send our swiftest messengers out to every ally before the night is out," the Demon stated, "Time is of the essence, I want to have everyone gathered here within the next three days to ensure we have chance to prepare." It took the Demoness a moment to realise he was dismissing her and she tugged Kouga's arm softly, leading him through the doors as the last of his followers were passing through.

Sesshomaru tipped his head skyward, relishing in the feel of the clean, empty space around him, untainted by another's breath, but also devoid of his mate's presence…

His thoughts drifted, to where Inuyasha was sitting with his slayer friend, talking of past times…of that priestess. It was fanciful to imagine that even after all this time, Inuyasha would have simply forgotten her – he should have known better. And now he, Sesshomaru was about to hurl himself into the abyss, and leave his mate and family behind, was it not reasonable that the Half-demon would want to find her again? He growled softly under his breath, hating his selfishness. With him long gone, he did not want to think of Inuyasha dwelling alone with their pups in this world, he deserved…needed someone. And while he loathed the wench for stealing Inuyasha's heart away with her, Sesshomaru could not help but understand that she would be the one to take care of him, to make Inuyasha smile the way he would not be able to do after the battle ended…

With painful comprehension hanging heavy in his dwindling heart, the Demon Lord sighed, walking slowly after his brother's scent, not even sure what to say once he found him.

The blossoming vines curled around the arbour snugly, reaching for the darkening sky and its shining decorations. The heavens were clear as Inuyasha lowered himself uneasily to the seating that stretched out beneath the arbour, his Slayer friend smiling warmly upon taking a seat beside him, giving him the personal space she knew he'd desire. Indeed, she had not forgotten the Half-demon's habitual need for physical distance…

Inuyasha sighed, sitting back against the wooden arch, and stared up at the glistening sky as he patted his busy belly-full of pups – the brats were uneasy…they could feel Sesshomaru's agony as well as he. But what was bothering him? He hadn't been gone a few minutes…

"So…" the Half-demon began agitatedly, his mind still on his sibling. "Kyou and Kuri – they've grown up really well – and Akane, she's beautiful, she's just like you." He watched Sango smile out of the corner of his eye, but the Slayer seemed somewhat…distracted… "How's Miroku deal with the little village boys playing with his little girl?" he asked teasingly, forcing a small laugh.
"Ah, he gives them fair warning," she answered, her delicate lips bearing a distant smile, "In the village it seems so odd that war is imminent, it is always so peaceful, so cut off from the chaos… Sesshomaru protects our modest home well, I had not expected him to be so-"
"-Attentive?" Before the word had even finished passing his lips, he knew had revealed too much, and the Demon Slayer raised a suspicious brow.
"Generous," she finished, still watching him with suspicion, and Inuyasha shifted his rounded stomach anxiously, avoiding her knowing gaze.

"Inuyasha," she hummed gently, her features softening into a concerned affection. He raised his head cautiously, like a puppy about to be beaten, and flinched unwittingly when she made to rest a hand on his shoulder. She smiled warmly, letting the hand fall to land over his on the bench between them instead, squeezing his fingers tenderly. He frowned; he knew she was revolted by his obvious affection for his brother. It had been ok when they were only together for the pup, but now…he could not expect such understanding from his human friend.

"Inuyasha," she said again, this time holding his gaze. "How is your life here?"
Inuyasha shrugged.
"It's okay," he answered hesitantly, shrugging, "Better than okay, it's…" He trailed off with a sigh. How could he come right out and say it so plainly when he had spent the last three years unable to admit it even to himself? That hand settled on his shoulder carefully, and he did not shy away this time. He no longer felt disgusted with himself, but he was afraid of the repulsion one of his closest friends might show now that she knew he was no longer 'forced' here by circumstance.

"It's a good life here," he admitted at last, not permitting himself to be a coward and look away from her eyes. "I've got my daughter, and soon these little terrors," he gestured to his stomach, "I have to take care of Rin and Kazuki, and I share a lot of Sesshomaru's responsibilities (when I'm not stuffed with his kids anyway)…" He paused, catching his lip between his fangs as he struggled to say what the Slayer, no doubt, was really waiting to hear. "It's safe, and…I feel like I belong here. This feels like my home and I'm…happy here, Sango."

The Demon Slayer's eyes sparkled lightly with a glistening sheen of moisture that clung to the hazel depths. She smiled, blinking back the tears and brushed an imaginary tendril of hair behind her ear to distract him from their presence. "I know you loved her, so much, Inuyasha," Sango said, her voice slightly choked by emotion, "but I'm so glad that you managed to get over her, to find a way to live without her again, even after she touched your life – made it that much brighter. I am happy you could pass the place where there was nothing left the world could offer you to take the emptiness she left behind away…"

Inuyasha shook his head, defiantly not crying at the memory of his priestess. His head hung limply from his shoulders, determinedly not looking at his friend.

"I am happy, because she would have wanted for you to be happy," she finished, her voice betraying her emotion. Inuyasha cleared his throat awkwardly.
"What makes you say I got over her?" he asked defensively, hoping to brush off her sincerity with his trademark impertinence, but she merely smiled softly.
"You're in love with Sesshomaru."
Inuyasha flushed, and the Demon Slayer immediately leapt back in to cut off his temper before it flared with embarrassment. Inuyasha had never been fond of discussing his feelings or his personal life with Kikyo and Kagome, and certainly not now with something much more complicated…with Sesshomaru…

"It's ok," she said quickly, and he blinked in surprise, as if expecting her to scorn him. "I understand a lot about demon traditions – your traditions. I can see you love him. The way you look at each other, the way you move around him…" She paused, stumbling over her words as if she was struggling to find a sentence adequate enough. "I'm only a human, but even I can feel it – there's this intensity between you, like the space between you is fragile, and any minute it might give way and you'll just fall into each other… I've never seen it before. Perhaps…" She stopped again, her eyes shining in the dimness, and Inuyasha felt his insides tying themselves in knots around his unborn children. Once again he had shamefully underestimated his friends, and once again they had pulled through, supported him through it all. I should have known better, he thought, smiling absently as she continued at last after her final thoughtful pause.

"Perhaps I am wrong but, it feels like you are two sides of the same coin. Two faces that need each other to form the whole."

Inuyasha listened to her musings quietly, his lips turned up at the sides in the slightest of smiles. The early evening breeze whisked through his garden, bringing with it several familiar scents, though the closer of which barely registered in his mind before the source tumbled through the bushes toward him.

"Inupapa!" Tsukihime called, beaming as Inuyasha opened his arms and scooped her up into what was left of his lap. She cooed softly, rubbing her face against the underside of his chin until he subsided to her wishes (all too willingly) and ran his claws through her silver tresses.
"Sorry, Lord Inuyasha," Kazuki apologised, he and Rin stepping out into view, out of breath (evidently having chased the toddler through the castle). Inuyasha smiled knowingly, settling his pup (still greedy for his attention) in his lap before answering.
"Don't worry. Sesshomaru and I have neglected her a bit today anyway, thanks – you two can go have some time to yourself now. I'll take her from here." He heard the suggestiveness in his tone, even Sango heard it, and raised a brow at the two teens. Kazuki cleared his throat (in a very Inuyasha-like gesture) and Rin flushed. They both bowed before swiftly disappearing from view.

Inuyasha sighed softly. He was glad that Kazuki had recovered from Shigehira's cruelty enough to find comfort in romantic relationships again, and even more pleased that it was with someone as worthy and special as Rin. Moreover, the little human girl he had come to adore was now secretly betrothed to a demon who, as well as love and care, offered her the prolonged demonic lifespan they all possessed. And me and Sesshomaru won't have to watch her grow old before we do, he thought, bouncing his daughter, gently until she giggled. The noise drew him from his pensiveness, to where Sango was awaiting an introduction to his shy pup.

"Sango, this is Tsukihime," Inuyasha said, the little girl's fingers wrapped into tight fists around each of his forefingers. The Demon Slayer smiled.
"Hello there, Lady Tsukihime," she murmured softly. The infant whined shyly to Inuyasha, looking between her papa and the Slayer briefly before bowing her head politely (the way Rin had taught her) and tucking her head bashfully into the Half-demon's chest.

Sango laughed quietly, and Inuyasha beamed. "Sorry," he said, "she's only trusted with a few people so strangers make her uneasy."
"Ah, no, of course – what with-" She stopped before she said the name in front of the toddler, "him lurking in every corner, it's only natural. I'm sure she feels the unease. But my, Inuyasha, she's the spitting image of Sesshomaru!"

The Half-demon nodded, petting his daughter's ears soothingly (the way he liked his stroked) as she bravely turned her head to rest on his collarbone, watching Sango closely, as if deciding if she was safe or not. "Yeah, I'm glad, she's all the better for it," he agreed. Again, that knowing smile graced his friend's lips, and he felt a little uncomfortable. He had forgotten how perceptive his most trusted female friend had been…

But then, she gave a soft chuckle, and he felt the anxiety subside slightly. "I just can't imagine either of you spoiling a pretty little girl," she admitted. Inuyasha laughed this time.
"If this shocks you, you should see how Sesshomaru indulges me!"

Sesshomaru followed the stale path of his mate's steps. He had not been able to trace them immediately – how could he face Inuyasha with his very core reeking with the misery he so desperately wished to drown. The Half-demon would never agree to his plan if he possessed an ounce of guilt, and more importantly, he refused to be pitied. Such revolting, this pathetic paranoia, Sesshomaru thought, moving deliberately slow, taking the long way through the furthermost corner of the gardens. How dare he possess me to such an extent that all I think of, all I breathe is him?

His tempestuous thoughts rushed his mind, dwindling on the line between distress and anger, before tumbling back over to the less furious, self-loathing side. He paused over the small bridge that spanned the width of the slender stream. His claws knotted into the wood, as he stared uselessly down into the glistening shallow water. How he wished he could've lived to see the two new pups his mate carried – they seemed so alive already, fighting to get out from day one. Both of the determined, feisty little lives that grew steadily inside, he wondered idly if they'd look more like Inuyasha this time…

Long, slender fingers drifted to his hip where he rubbed they ghosted over his mark pensively. He'd foolishly hoped that things could simply continue the way they were. He had irrationally desired to be the exception to their 'family curse'. Sesshomaru had never been afraid of death; he had possessed no reason to fear it. He was insurmountable, unconquerable, but since his brother had stumbled back into his world three years ago, he had fallen. His might, his compose, his iron exterior had crumbled under the gaze of doe eyes – conquered by his baby brother. And yet, these years he had lived under his sibling's unwitting spell, had been the best of his long life.

Tipping his gaze skyward, the moonlight flooded his pale skin. He had lost the simple, cold compose, the being he once was to something so much more complicated, and alive. He had never been so shamefully afraid since he had seen Nannami lying broken for saving his life, all those years ago – where his childhood innocence died. He had never been so bemused by the unfairness of his existence, and he could not understand why his heart ached with the knowledge of what must be done – why it was so broken.

After all the heartache and trouble he has inadvertently caused…after all this time, the Demon thought, confused by the notion, he seems more precious than ever before.

Suddenly, quiet, careless giggles he knew all too well reached his ears. Sesshomaru drifted back from his reverie and crossed the bridge towards Inuyasha's scent, but instead of continuing along the path, he paused at the place where the soft endearments had silenced with his approach. The small, almost invisible mouth of the private sector opened up to a nook adorned with summer flowers, where his two wards sat. Rin's cheeks were ablaze with embarrassment as she met his raised brow meekly, while Kazuki avoided looking at him altogether.

The Human girl had pulled her kimono back up swiftly upon hearing her Lord's approach, but it had not been arranged again in its usual, neat folds, and Sesshomaru knew what he had stumbled in on. He stared at them thoughtfully for a moment. Until then, he had not realised how much they had both grown. And he turned away slowly.

"Wait!" Kazuki called him, "Wait, please, Lord Sesshomaru?"

The Demon Lord stopped, but did not turn to face them again; the emotions still surging from his earlier thoughts were still too clearly imprinted on his features. "Yes, Kazuki?"
"I…" The boy faltered, chewing his lip nervously as he stumbled over his words, "I would like to…to request your permission – to take Rin as my mate."

His voice, so different to the one he had first greeted him with three years ago, reverted briefly back to its fumbling, boyishness in that brief sentence, and Sesshomaru could not help the smile that flickered at the corners of his mouth at the sound of it. This boy had grown so much since that day indeed, as had Rin…

"You are both sure of this I trust?" The Demon Lord asked stoically.
"Of Course-"
"-Yes, Lord Sesshomaru," Rin answered, cutting across her fiancé. "More than anything." Her tone was imploring, as if she did not know what to expect in answer.
"Then I will arrange to have the ceremony occur before the allies arrive and disrupt our home," Sesshomaru replied simply, "you have my blessing." He left them then, sensing the smile at his Wards' lips. His words had been distant as ever, but he knew that they understood what he had meant by it, especially the little girl he had cared for for so long.

Rounding the ornate greenery, he stumbled into the scent of his mate once more, and stopped in his tracks at the flicker of silver that caught his eye from between the shrubberies. A sigh tumbled from his lips. He knew he could not avoid this forever, though he may wish to. Eventually gaining control enough over his reluctant limbs, he followed the path around (deliberately slow) and approached Inuyasha.

He had come to accept his fate long ago, yet now with it all upon him, staring the end of this bliss in the face, he could not bear to let go. Inuyasha inclined his head towards him upon hearing his approach. The Demon kept walking, knowing that if he paused, he would lose his nerve – something he had never done before, and was adamant it would be one of the few things he would not be reduced to, even for Inuyasha.

"Slayer, I would ask you to give me a moment with my brother," he said plainly once he reached them. Both the human and Inuyasha got to their feet.
"Of course," Sango answered, and Inuyasha smiled at her.
"If you head to the main hall, tell Takara I said you, Miroku and the kids are to have the best guest room," Inuyasha said, rousing an amused smirk from his friend.
"You've definitely changed, Inuyasha," she replied, offering a respectful bow to the Demon Lord, before departing the way Sesshomaru had come, leaving the siblings alone (except for their slumbering, oblivious daughter).

"You've been anxious," The Half-demon stated simply, breaking the uneasy silence that had settled between them. "I sensed it."
"Do not be ridiculous," the older sibling retorted, a little too quickly. "This Sesshomaru does not suffer such pitiable emotions-"
"-Cut the crap, Sesshomaru," Inuyasha interrupted him, a scowl twisting his expression. And the small gesture to his neck was all the reminder his older sibling needed to remind him just who he was trying to fool. "It works both ways."

Sesshomaru, nodded apologetically. Was he making this much of a fool of himself because of his numerous concerns, his exhaustion? He must have been thinking longer than he thought because Inuyasha was approaching him, spanning the gap between them slowly as his scowl slid into a softer expression.

"Are you sure you're okay? You're not acting yourself."

How apt his brother had become. The others might fall for the mask, the façade he presented to the world, but he was ashamed to admit that to Inuyasha, that pretence had become almost transparent.

"Sesshomaru?"

That voice summoned him back again, and he snapped from his thoughts in time to see Inuyasha leaning up awkwardly on his toes to press their lips together. He did not react, he could not despite how he wished to ravage the petal-soft mouth that moved over his own. His jaw set, and he watched the Half-demon draw back, almost hurt. But he could not release his tense muscles, if he did, he would lose his composure…

"You're acting strange. You're tired," Inuyasha stated, though his voice was uneasy, questioning. Had he done something wrong? "Why don't we go upstairs and get to bed?" Again his older Brother did not react, and he shifted the still sleeping pup in his embrace as he moved closer, desperate now to get some sort of reaction from Sesshomaru. "We can put Tsukihime to bed and maybe take a bath? I could wash you if you wanted – you like that."

The unbearable tightness in Sesshomaru's chest only intensified as those eyes stared up at him, almost beseeching. Inuyasha was trying so hard to please him, and it was making it that much harder – too hard!

"A long time ago," the Demon Lord began stoically, his voice whispering into the night air at last. "I begged you not to ask me to take you to…her." He watched Inuyasha frown again, his ears slicking back into his hair.
"I remember," the Half-demon answered warily.
"But I realise now the selfishness in that action – to prey on your unfathomable conscience was a cruel trick to get you to stay-"
"-It wasn't like that," Inuyasha cut across him indignantly. What was going on? He knew Sesshomaru was overworked, tired, worried, afraid even, but he was not at all himself and for a demon who prided himself on hiding his inner turmoil, that was worrying. The Demon Lord was slipping before his eyes. Inuyasha caught his lip between his fangs as he stared up at his brother. Was he truly so ashamed of being afraid? Or was it that he was just some unaccustomed to it that it was startling him more than it should have?

"It wasn't like that," Inuyasha repeated tentatively, "You just jumped to the wrong conclusion-"
"-I will perish in this battle, Inuyasha," Sesshomaru cut across him, his voice more empty and icy than it had ever been, and it sent a shiver down the Half-demon's spine. It chilled him to hear him speak of his demise so easily – so acceptingly. There was no hope, no faith, no emotion in his voice at all.

"And I realise," the Demon continued, "how wrong it is to leave you alone with the pups. In consequence, when the time comes, when the battle draws near, I will take you and Tsukihime to your priestess's time, where you can be safe from this battle, even when I fall. And you can be with Kagome again." His frosty casualness stunned even himself, especially since his insides, his heart was burning with an all-consuming agony. He straightened up despite himself, his gaze lingering over his shocked mate, and their sleeping daughter still in his embrace.

Inuyasha's eyes were wide with shock. A lump had ascended, lodging somewhere in his windpipe as an incredible pressure built in his chest. Glassiness pricked his eyes and his mouth moved occasionally – unsuccessfully attempting speech. The arms around his daughter tensed slightly, and he could have sworn his mark was itching. He blinked silently, his mind stunned, still staggering at those words that seemed to be revolving constantly around his now aching head. And there he stood, beneath his mate's intense gaze, unable to form a single sound for a long time…

~To Be Continued...