Inuyasha was careful to knock that morning. Though Sesshomaru was pretty good at blocking out the rush of feelings he'd had yesterday, Inuyasha had still received the occasional trickle of lust. That, combined with some noises she shouldn't have overheard while walking down the hallway yesterday, hadn't made it difficult to figure out what Sesshomaru and Diaozuan were doing.
She was still faintly feverish, but there was work to be done.
"Hey."
"Come in." Sesshomaru's voice was as cool as always. When Inuyasha walked in, the smell confirmed any suspicion she might have had. Sex.
A lot of it. Her ears flicked back, ignoring that unwelcome twinge of jealousy in her stomach. A blush on her face.
"Uh."
Sesshomaru was busy putting on a slightly different set of robes. These had a combination of blues, teals, and soft purples. A rather nice contrast to his deep yellow eyes and the maroon stripes on his cheeks. His horns catching the light and casting rainbows on the wall behind him as he dressed.
He tilted his head a bit, smirking when he realized why Inuyasha wasn't finishing her sentence.
"My apologies. I do not mean to be so distracting."
Inuyasha's face flushed, and hair puffed slightly. " I'm not- look, is-" Her voice trailing off when she saw the fox was still in bed. The Foo-Dog raising a finger to his lips to indicate that he wanted the hanyou to stay relatively quiet.
I'll take the pups to their classes with you. Diaozuan will be staying here to rest.
She gave the fox a once-over curiously. He was all tucked in- nothing showing except for his face and the curve of one tanned shoulder. Blinking in surprise when he saw claw-marks on that shoulder, healing to lighter shades of pink even as he watched.
Diaozuan looked so content. And his eyes were closed so tightly. Inuyasha's expression softened just a little. In these moments he resembled Toshi so closely. There was a kind of innocence and vulnerability that was not often present around the yokai that even Inuyasha could recognize.
Sesshomaru watched Inuyasha's reaction with both interest and bitter sweetness. He could see the affection that the hanyou has for the fox as well. No matter how much she tried to hide it.
Sesshomaru's stomach was tying itself in knots. Stifling a feeling of panic.
His stupid yokai had been upset since he'd first awakened. Pacing and nervous under his skin, feeling as if Diaozuan was being taken away from him.
What if… Diaozuan preferred Inuyasha's company to his own?
What if… Inuyasha and Diaozuan's relationship was stronger with time than his relationship to the fox?
He'd been talking himself down all day, but it hadn't helped. As he walked Inuyasha and the pups to their classes, he couldn't bit down the nervousness.
And the hanyou could tell. Sesshomaru was pretty adept at blocking things out from him, but he couldn't hide his physical reactions.
Something Inuyasha was unfortunately good at reading. He ignored the way her eyes were raking over him as he walked. Noting the strange, tight, tense gait. The high shoulders. The way the fur on his tail kept puffing and smoothing over and over.
"Sesshomaru… are you okay? You seem kinda off." She murmured, giving each of their pups a little hug or ruffle on their heads. Sesshomaru did his usual barely-there touches; a tucking of hair behind an ear, an affectionate swipe of knuckles on their cheeks.
"Perfectly fine." Sesshomaru murmured. It is you who should be worried.
He thought morbidly.
You are never going to be the same after this.
But then again. It'd be affecting Sesshomaru as well. He felt a little sick to his stomach, and his body ached to be near Diaozuan.
He did not want to be away from the fox. Wanted their last few hours before the inevitable change to be together. Even if he was unconscious.
Sesshomaru waited until they were back in the privacy of their own home before brushing his claws curiously across Inuyasha's stomach. The hanyou startling, and pinning his ears a bit.
"Sesshomaru! Warn me before you-"
"And yourself? Diaozuan told me you know the reason behind the fever."
Inuyasha flushed in embarrassment, stuttering for a moment.
"God damn, don't you two ever keep anything secret from each other." She hissed, and Sesshomaru huffed in amusement.
"Apologies. You still don't look well. You should get some rest this afternoon, Inuyasha."
You're going to need your strength. Sesshomaru thought, morbidly. He was pretty good about controlling his yokai around Inuyasha's smell now. But the scent of human, combined with the scent of the pregnancy, would probably drive Diaozuan out of his mind.
He'd be rough with her.
Very rough.
"You're keeping something from me again." Inuyasha said, her voice both angry, and despairing. Sesshomaru flinched just a bit from the tone. His mate was displeased.
"Yes. Something will occur between our three yokai soon. For your protection. And to keep the pups safe." He murmured, cupping her cheek with a clawed hands. She could feel the five points of his claws. And wanted to strike him, or cry. Or perhaps both. Why was it that he and the fox were always on the same page?
Why was she always being left behind? The last to know?
"For God's sake, just tell me, Sesshomaru. Not knowing is so much worse." She whispered, her hand hovering protectively over her belly. Clawed splayed angrily.
Sesshomaru hesitated. He did want to tell her. He did want to be honest with her. But he also knew she would never accept it.
And that could not the sake of the pups… no, for the sake of Inuyasha making it through this pregnancy, he had to keep it secret.
She was too hot. Even now, he could see the slight sweat that had built up just from them walking the pups to their little classes. That, and the unfocused glaze on Inuyasha's normally sharp, focused yellow eyes.
She was very sick.
Diaozuan's kit was melting her from the inside out. His demonic magic,and Sesshomaru's, a bit too much for a hanyou to handle.
Suddenly, Sesshomaru's yokai slammed him. He actually put a hand against the wall, the force of the demon under his skin hitting him almost forcing him to his knees. The Daiyokai staggered and from somewhere far off, heard Inuyasha's concerned voice.
"Sesshomaru?"
The Daiyokai fought him, desperately. Hands clenching, teeth grit… but it was a futile effort. Silver flooded whites, claws extended, fangs lapped over bottom gums. Those normally perfect, sleek maroon cheek marks going feral and jagged.
Inuyasha moved a bit of bang out of the way, startling when she saw how the marks had changed.
"Not you again-" She felt his hand wrap around her neck. His face dropping to the back of her neck in an instant and flicking the wave of silver hair out of the way.
Inuyasha yelped in pain and surprise as Sesshomaru's fangs sunk into the crescent moon on the back of her neck. His mark. Whimpering as her eyes flooded with red and then going very still.
Looking up at the other yokai expectantly. Obediently.
"We have work to do." The not-Sesshomaru said quietly. Keeping the hand that was on Inuyasha's neck there as they both walked silently back to Sesshomaru's room, where a certain fox was sleeping.
Diaozuan was awoken by a surprisingly rough kiss. He stretched happily, limbs shaking, then paused when he saw his mate's eyes flooded with silver.
And saw Inuyasha, perched lightly criss-cross, on the end of the bed. All red and blue eyes, like a broken sunset.
"Oh."
In the end, it was Diaozuan who helped Sesshomaru the most. Once his yokai left, he wasn't sure what the hell he was doing-what he was supposed to do, how the hell this even worked.
But the fox, the whites of his eyes tainted with purple, guided him through the whole thing. His low velvet voice in the Daiyokai's head almost constantly.
In fact, it was Sesshomaru who received attention first. To calm him, and to get him used to the attention of two people at one time.
And he had to admit… the only thing better than having Diaozuan or Inuyasha in bed, was having both at the same time. The fox busy at work between his legs and the hanyou draped over him. Kissing him in that intensely fiery way that only the Inuyasha seemed to possess. And when he'd had his satisfaction, it was time for the hanyou.
Sesshomaru took her first; Diaozuan doing an excellent job of prepping her for him.
By the time he mated her, she was a twisting, panting mess.
Her arousal seemed to influence the fox rather heavily, though.
By the time Sesshomaru was finished with his turn, he was the only one on the room who's demon was not at the wheel. Inuyasha's demon was of course, much more agreeable to the current situation than Inuyasha would be. And Diaozuan was a tad bit less talkative, and more aggressive than usual… the smell of his kit and the taint of human in Inuyasha's blood almost too much for him.
More than once, Sesshomaru had to slip himself between Diaozuan's fangs (or claws) and the hanyou's skin. Protecting her from too many deep bites and scratches and letting the fox marr his skin instead.
It was strange, being the one to warm her up while Diaozuan mated her. Strangely voyeuristic. He almost wished his yokai was in control, for her felt slightly … guilty for seeing them like this. Like it was something he wasn't supposed to be seeing.
"Haah…" Like now, for instance. One of his hands was busy keeping Inuyasha's arms pinned above her head. The other was across the hanyou's chest. At the current moment, he was protecting the hanyou from a bite that probably would have gotten most of the way though her breast, if it would have landed.
Instead, Daiozuan's fangs were buried in his arm. So deep, that two little trails of blood were leaking down and dripping onto Inuyasha's chest. The fox's eyes were a blaring, fiery red, surrounded by deep purple as he gave his mate a low growl of disapproval.
The hanyou gave a concerned whimper, leaning down to lick the wound while Diaozuan released his grip. Licking his lips and growling lowly, the taste of Sesshomaru's blood in his mouth when what he really wanted was hanyou blood. And flesh.
He wanted to fuck her, and then consume her. Every last bite. This was getting too dangerous.
It has to be now. Otherwise I will harm her.
Sesshomaru heard the fox's tickling, low, voice rubbing its way through his head like a cat against his ankle. Bristling and velvet.
All right.
Sesshomaru swallowed. His mouth was so dry! A sharp contrast to the rest of his body, which was wet with sweat. Hell, how long had they been at it? Even he wasn't sure.
He looked down at Inuyasha. She was more than overstimulated, and so very beautiful in her desperation. Those eyes that were pools of sunlight, that pink blush to her cheeks, those chapped lips that tasted of herself, fox and Foo-Dog. That silver hair was spilled all around her face and curled sensually around and between her breasts like a river of silver. Her ear fur wet with a thousand nips and bites and tugs.
She whined, and Sesshomaru gave her a comforting kiss before nuzzling down to her neck. Summoning up his venom and feeling that unpleasant tingle, the tang of bitterness that made him want to spit.
Diaozuan kissed her as well; letting his fangs pierce her lip and lapping gently when tiny blots of blood welled. His hips snapping up into her and her caramel thighs giving his body a loving squeeze in return. Her breath coming in short desperate pants. Sesshomaru's yellow eyes met hazy purple for a moment.
I won't let you die, Inuyasha.
I'm so sorry.
Both Daiyokai biting down on either side of that beautiful neck.
As venom from both lit up her veins, the fox's seed bloomed deep in her belly at the same time.
Sesshomaru let her hands go. And she shakily placed one arm around Diaozuan's shoulders, and the other around Sesshomaru's. Tensing and then relaxing as she met her own end. Her beautiful thighs trembling and her teeth clenched as the fire burned inside.
The mark on the back of her neck slowly… changing. Flames blooming all around that crescent moon, spreading from Sesshomaru's mark in a mesmerizing way. A two-inch thick choker collar of orange and red flames that wrapped all the way around her neck in unique, twisting tendrils.
Inuyasha rolled her head to the side, tucking it into Sesshomaru's frame with an exhausted whimper. And passed out.
Diaozuan's eyes cleared of that blue haze. He very gently pulled out of her, helping clean up the mess all three of them had made before leaning into Sesshomaru's shoulder and muttering, "Thank you. For keeping me in check." Kissing the bite mark on Sesshomaru's arm until the it scabbed over.
"It was nothing." The Foo-Dog murmured, snuggling into his mate. It was weird… feeling Diaozuan through his connection to the hanyou. All three of them tied together now in a way that was both wonderful, and horribly intrusive.
The fox shot the hanyou an amused glance, his tails flicking lowly on the bed and behind him.
"She's passed out. Doesn't have too much endurance, does she?"
"Well. We did both mark her, and take her. That's more than what your average hanyou could take." Sesshomaru murmured. The fox and the dog gently tucking the hanyou into bed. Slipping a pillow under her head and slipping a blanket over her shoulders.
Both Daiyokai spent some time searching her body. Dragging tongues across the many bites and scratches so that they formed thick, clean scabs. When they were satisfied, they let her curl up and covered her once more.
Sesshomaru let out a low, shaky sigh of relief. It was over. She'd survived. And best of all, when he touched her skin he no longer felt that awful fever that was tearing her apart.
Inuyasha would be safe. And so would the precious pup and kit inside her.
Diaozuan cupped Sesshomaru's face and pulled him close. Surprising the Foo-Dog with a deep, loving kiss. So soft and warm… Sesshomaru felt his stomach fill with butterflies.
How the fox could still manage to make him feel this way, he didn't know. When Diao pulled away the Foo-Dog was left with quite the blush. His eyes wide with surprise and shyness from the unexpected intensity.
"We did it. She's safe. And so are the babies." Diao whispered. His hair a glittering maroon waterfall, curling at the ends thanks to all the heat and moisture in the room. His gaze was soft as he looked from Sesshomaru to Inuyasha. Both observing her, deep in sleep for a moment. She seemed utterly content and also utterly exhausted.
"Are you still mine?" The Foo Dog whispered suddenly. Their eyes met. Diaozuan took Sesshomaru's fine, clawed hand and set it on his mark.
That beautiful, crescent moon on his chest that marked him as Sesshomaru's.
Forever.
"Can you not tell?" He whispered. And all of the sudden, he could feel it. Waves of appreciation and love from the fox in a way that was just as intense as the hanyou. Drowning, wrapped in the warmth of that fiery demonic aura that only his mate possessed.
This was something Sesshomaru would never want to block out.
He leaned into Diao's shoulder and the fox wrapped his arms around him tightly. Running his hands comfortingly along that beautiful swan skin that was scratched in a hundred different directions from both the hanyou, and himself. Each scar already beginning to heal beautifully.
And when the Foo-Dog was himself again, any tears he may have shed dried, they all snuggled down together. Diaozuan in the middle, with Inuyasha curled up on the left, and Sesshomaru curled up on the right. Inuyasha's head near Diao's belly and Sesshomaru's up against his chest and neck.
"She's going to be furious when she wakes." Sesshomaru murmured. His claws petting and smoothing her ears absent mindedly. Amused with the way they bounced back to the same position even after he'd flattened them to her head.
"Mm. When is she ever not furious with us, though." Diaozuan said fondly, stroking her belly gently with the back of his knuckles. She squirmed and gave a little growl, one arm going over her abdomen.
"Heh. She's so protective. She's gonna be such a good mom." He murmured with affection. Sesshomaru murmured, "She is surprisingly good with the pups. She gives them humanity. She helps them be vulnerable and trusting. In a way I am not yet capable." And leaned down, pressing a kiss to one of Inuyasha's soft puppy ears.
Diaozuan tucked his head to his mate's. Enjoying the silken feeling of those locks under his chin. And together, they took a well deserved nap.
Inuyasha slept for almost two days. Her body recovering from the… tenacity of two very horny Daiyokai going after her at the same time. Meanwhile, Diaozuan and Sesshomaru were well within about an hour… if, very sore.
"Damn that hanyou. She always thinks she can handle more than she's actually capable of." Sesshomaru hissed. Rubbing his legs and hips to try and get rid of the soreness and achiness. And remembering with a blush the way she'd egged him on. Harder. Faster. Deeper.
If there was any way she'd most likely be murdered, it was that.
It was morning, of the second day. Sesshomaru was at his desk , and Diaozuan was draped gracefully on the other side of the bed. On Inuyasha duty, for neither of them wanted her to wake up alone whenever she did decide to become conscious again.
The fox chuckled a little, " Mm, yes. But did you see her at the end? So desperate for us? The mingling of our scents in her? Ah, I'm blushing just remembering it." and his tails twirled thoughtfully in the air in delight.
Sesshomaru's finely pointed ears went pink.
You shouldn't speak of such things. What if she were to wake, and hear you?
Diao pouted, petting Inuyasha's sleeping form with a few of his tails moodily. They'd had her rat robes repaired and dressed her, but the smell of what had happened between them was still there.
Shame that that was not how the little ones ended up in her belly. But then again, I suppose I can always have you and Inuyasha put another litter in me, when she becomes male again.
Sesshomaru's ears went from pink to a deep red. " No! I already told you, no more damnable pups! What are you trying to do, populate the entire Palace! Fool!" The Foo-Dog threw a book at Diao, which he caught with a chuckle.
"If any of you gets pregnant one more time, (and this includes myself) I will throw myself off the Eastern Gate." Sesshomaru muttered angrily, turning back to his paperwork. His tail bristling and slapping the floor, twisting and turning all over itself in anger.
"We're going to get bored when they get older and move out, Sesshomaru. And you know what bored couples do." He said with a slow wink.
Sesshomaru's cheeks were still burning and Diao was sincerely enjoying teasing his beautiful mate.
The Foo -Dog hissed, " I am going to travel. You and Inuyasha can stay here and drown in a sea of your offspring, but I will have no part of it."
Inuyasha said sarcastically, " I think I would actually rather just die." rubbing her eye a little. Still sleepy. Both Daiyokai turned, relieved to see her finally awake. Sesshomaru making his way to the bed while Diaozuan put an arm around her shoulders.
"Well, good morning princess. You were out for a while." His voice was low and full of concern and care for the little hanyou. She was surprised- and embarrassed- at his touch, as well as the tone of voice. Usually, that was reserved for Sesshomaru only. She muttered, " M' all right. I think. What… happened?" rubbing along the line of her neck mark. It ached! Her neck ached.
Well… actually, every part of her. As she rolled her sleeves up she found long, raking marks, four or five at a time, all along her skin. They were mostly healed, but she was still quite shocked.
"Did I get attacked by some feral yokai?"
Diaozuan hummed, "In a way, I suppose." A little amused. But mostly relieved Inuyasha was all right. He'd come a little too close to really harming her. But with his mark, he never needed to worry about that ever again.
And Sesshomaru sighed, muttering in explanation;
"Inuyasha. We both bedded you and mixed our marks. It was the only way to rid you of that fever, and to make sure you could carry the offspring properly. You were getting far too weak and feverish for our liking."
"You WHAT?"
Both Daiyokai winced, a little. Inuyasha got up- (presumably to start throwing hands with Sesshomaru) when she was gently stopped by Diaozuan's hands. Around her face.
Ten points. So sharp. Yet, gentle. Her fangs were bared and her ears pinned in hostility.
"Woah woah- Hey. Calm down." The fox whispered. His seven tails cupping the air gently around the hanyou.
And Sesshomaru watched, in quiet amazement, the power of the mark in action.
Just as Inuyasha had let Sesshomaru's comforting presence all around him, that day on the wall as the armies marched towards them… He felt the fox demon's aura now. Much different than Sesshomaru's but no less powerful. Heavy, like being wrapped in the world's warmest heaviest blanket.
The anger very slowly, drained out of her. Her eyes still narrowed and her teeth still bared because she knew it was the mark and it's influence.
"Look at me. It was for you, and for the kit and pup inside you." Diaozuan said, so gently. His voice a low purr that made Sesshomaru's skin break out in goosebumps. And obviously, it was working on the hanyou as well- for though she was shooting Sesshomaru daggers, she kept getting pulled in by the fox demon's mesmerizing eyes and voice.
"Your pulse was becoming weak and erratic, Inuyasha." He murmured, stroking his thumbs on her cheeks. Her feral expression slowly beginning to buckle as the fox added, " We were worried for you. We didn't want this, either. But there was no other way." One of his hands wandered from her cheek to her abdomen and very gently settled there. Careful of her warning snarl.
" Is wanting to keep you and the babies safe such a crime?" He asked.
Feeling relief when her ears lifted just a little. Flicking with indecision.
She went to punch him- her fist settling on his chest and shaking. "You're bastards. Both of you." And he placed a hand gently over hers, squeezing. " You would never have said yes, Inuyasha. This was the only way."
She growled and spat something under her breath, putting a second fist on his chest as if to push him away. They weren't wrong. They knew her too well. But she still didn't appreciate not being given a choice.
"Was the…" She trailed off, embarrassed beyond belief. " I mean, you could've just both bitten me. We didn't have to…"
"Actually, we did." Sesshomaru said, his eyes still catlike in their yellowness. " Apparently it helps the mark settle. There is a possibility of both marks being rejected without the physical aspect."
The double-mark was a fickle thing, even among regular yokai. The book they had found emphasized the physical aspect was key to getting it to work properly. It wasn't something Sesshomaru was willing to risk.
"Fuck. I'm so fuckin' embarrassed." She whispered, dropping her chin, her bangs hiding her eyes. Sesshomaru felt a twinge- wanting to comfort her.
But Diaozuan was closer.
And he needed to bond with her.
Inuyasha was reeling. She didn't even remember any of it! Not a bit! She felt like… well.
She felt like such a harlot. At least they'd had the courtesy to dress and clean her. But she knew damn well they were telling the truth.
She could still smell both of them all over her. Inside her.
Whore.
Add it to the list of everything else I've been called in my life.
Inuyasha thought bitterly, her ears pinning to her head once more. So embarrassing. She felt so ashamed of herself, and of the damn yokai under her skin.
It was with two men she already knew, and one she loved dearly, but that didn't really make her feel much better.
This time it was Diaozuan's turn to growl, tails bristling in agitation. His voice as clear as a bell inside her head.
Don't you ever refer to yourself with that word again, Inuyasha.
She startled badly. Shit! The whole mind-reading thing. She was used to it with Sesshomaru, but not him.
He scooped her up- ignoring her snarl and the metallic click of her teeth. Her legs over one of his arms and her torso tucked to his chest. Her bare, clawed feet dangling.
You and your yokai did what needed to be done to save your children. Diaozuan whispered in her ear. His warm arm was around her shoulders, and she could feel the faint prick of his claws against her fire rat robes.
"Hey! Don't pick me up you stupid ass-"
You've sacrificed so much for the both of us. For your family. Thank you. She felt him press a kiss to her forehead. When she looked up she saw those purple eyes were incredibly soft. Like the last wisps of a gentle sunrise.
In return, I'm going to make sure you never regret bearing my mark, Inuyasha.
And despite her best efforts, started to soften. Her angry grip on him lessening and her muscles slowly starting to relax.
It was easy to stay angry with Sesshomaru.
It was much harder with the stupid, soft fox. Like kicking a puppy.
"Shut up. And take me to my room. Ass." She muttered. Pressing her face to his chest and hiding. So embarrassed. So ashamed. And so tired. Legs hurt. Arms hurt. That place between her legs. About the only place that didn't hurt was her belly; but that its own odd sensation. The warmth and the weird curve that seemed to become bigger every day.
The fox smirked a little, nuzzling her head. Then, made his way over to Sesshomaru.
Who was playing it cool; fiddling with paperwork and ignoring their interactions like he didn't care. But burning with the jealousy of a thousand suns.
Diaozuan found it most charming.
He slipped a hand under Sesshomaru's neck, tilting his head back and giving the jealous Foo-Dog a deep kiss. Sesshomaru's anger faltering when he felt his mate's love and affection so clearly. Nuzzling the markings on Diao's cheeks with relief and enjoying the way his maroon hair fell in that dark, sensuous curtain as they kissed; tickling his cheek and ear.
"I'll be back soon. Try to get some work done."
Sesshomaru huffed, biting back a small needy whine. What was he, a pining, jealous teenager? His cheeks flushed faintly and his tail thrashed on the floor. A little embarrassed of his own reactions, but unable to stifle them down very well at that moment.
Only his mate would be capable of making the great Lord of the West feel such an embarrassing emotion.
"Ew. Don't give that bastard any attention. He doesn't deserve it." Inuyasha huffed, sticking out her tongue at Sesshomaru, who hissed lightly. Diaozuan gave the soft sigh of a weary parent and muttered, "You two hotheaded pups." placing a kiss on Sesshomaru's forehead and rubbing Inuyasha's ear before taking his leave.
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Kirychan1226-Thank you so much ! That actually means a lot to me. This fic isnt all that popular so it really motivates me to keep writing when someone drops me a message like this. Think I might print it out and put it on my fridge lol.I do my best to keep the characters as 'in character' as I can, and I'm so happy you actually feel something for them! Thanks again! Really. I dunno what to say, I'm blushing xD
EatEmUp- Me too lol. Nothing like an ongoing joke- and you know it has to be important for him to throw all that hair up. Its funny- I like spicy chapters, but then when I go back and reread then I'm always like :/ wow, this trash xD So, its harder for me to write them. Hence, why this chapter took so long. But, its notlike there's anything else to do under quarantine anyways, so whatever xD Hope you enjoyed this chapter too!
