Disclaimer: I do not own 'Inuyasha' or any of its characters, any original one is mine.
A/N: Warning: adult content at the end of this chapter, explicit version on AO3.
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Let the Battle begin
"How did it go?" Kagome asked him when they were heading toward the private garden. She was tired of being inside, but at the same time, she needed the privacy she couldn't find outside the castle's walls.
Inuyasha shrugged, "Not bad. Katsuro explained to me how everything works, showed me the main building, training fields and so on. We also supervised some spars. It was interesting, but no one had the guts to challenge me," he huffed. "Some of them were looking at me as if they were studying my movements, others were curious and some were definitely against my presence there. Sure, I had my fun acting as if I was their better when they tried to sneer at me," he chuckled.
"You wanted them to challenge you?" Kagome asked bewildered.
"Not like that," he crossed his arms and snorted, "I mean... I wanted to blow some steam, a warm-up for tomorrow," he explained. "I wanted to shut up some of their traps for once."
"Tomorrow! We need to talk with Sesshomaru about that, you don't know how to works, he has to tell us..." she started babbling, suddenly very nervous.
They reached a low wooden bank near a small koi pond; a Sakura tree offered them some shadow. Inuyasha led her there, gluing his lips to her, successfully stopping her incessant babbling. When he broke the kiss, he cupped her cheeks and looked at her straight in the eyes. "What are you babbling for now?" She looked a little bit abashed; she started playing with Muteki's hair, avoiding his eyes. "You are not afraid I'll lose, are you?" he pried, his eyes narrowing.
She gasped, "NO! Of course not, even Sesshomaru told us that the old Commander's sons are not that strong. No, I'm just antsy, you know... everyone will be there watching you, judging you."
"That's what I want. Let them come, let them see what the half-breed can do," Inuyasha's eyes hardened, his grip on his family tightening.
"I don't believe everyone thinks of you like that, koi. I understand where you come from, and how you grew up, but that doesn't mean everyone will ever think you just like a hanyou. You are Inuyasha, that's what it matters," she pecked him on the lips, "and everyone will see Inuyasha tomorrow, the half-demon son of the Inu-no-Taisho."
"Yeah, let's see who the last one to laugh is. I am not really angry about my past right now, it's not like I could have had a so much better life here in the castle. Keh, probably I would have died as a pup because of someone's nasty trick and Sesshomaru wouldn't have cared. I don't need their approval, but they have to see who I am and what our arrival here means. Things are gonna change, I am Sesshomaru's heir now, I'll make my word count. Most of all, I need to do this for you too, Kagome."
"Me? Why me?"
"Until I will prove to them what I can do, until they see with their eyes that I'm not to trifle with, they could try anything... even hurt you. They'll have to think twice before. I don't want to spend every damn minute worrying about you or Muteki when I'm not next to you. If we're gonna do this, we're gonna come here periodically. I know you're powerful and you could turn them to ashes easily, but here you are still outnumbered and with so many demons your senses are likely in overload. I don't want to take any chance." He tugged at his hair and then spoke again, "Fuck! This is why I didn't want to accept Sesshomaru's agreement. It's not worth it, all this only assure more danger for both of you!"
"Ehi, where is this coming from? I thought we spoke about this. We need to do this. You said you'd do it for Rin. Are you going to back out?" Kagome pried, grabbing his finger and making him lose the grip on his hair. She kissed them tenderly and then brought them to her cheek, basking on the warmth they were giving her.
"What? Of course not! I'm not like that, you know it, but don't pretend this is all new. Sesshomaru swore nothing is gonna happen, but then I hear them whisper about the ningen and the mixed-breeds. I'd like to shred them, limb for limb, just because they dared to think about you," he said menacingly, leaning more over her and touching her forehead with his.
Their breath mingled and they stayed like that for a couple of seconds, Muteki secured between them.
"Ehi, ehi, calm down now, Koibito. You don't need that anger now, besides, you are making Muteki antsy too," she tried to soothe him. He took the pup and brought both of them to his chest. "It's like you said, Inuyasha," Kagome continued, "you're gonna show them. Tomorrow is gonna be ok, I'm sorry if I brought that up."
"No, it's ok, Sesshomaru will probably show up in a little bit anyway," he said trailing his claws up and down her back. He seemed to think about something for a couple of minutes and then said, "That's a pity..."
"What's a pity?" Kagome asked looking up at him. He smirked and then claimed her lips again, more fiercely this time.
"Sesshomaru coming of course. I'd have liked to blow off some steam with you," he wiggled his brows. Kagome slapped him in the chest, avoiding Muteki.
"And what would have you done with your son? Give him a free show? Ew! I can't even say it!"
"Well, Sesshomaru could babysit, it's the least he can do," he shrugged.
Kagome giggled, "Yeah, sure. Every time he holds Muteki, he looks at him suspiciously, as if he suspects he is gonna fry his hair all of a sudden."
"That's the bastard for you. Can't even hold a newborn pup... oi! Maybe with his own, he will do better... I mean it's like he's getting some training." He looked at her intently, "When are we gonna have another one? Muteki is growing up and we need to help Sesshomaru with his training..."
"You're kidding, right? Just this morning you wanted to murder your own guards because Muteki woke you up early," she slapped him again playful.
He grabbed her hands and kept them behind her back. "Oi, now, you know I was kidding. We can wait until the well closes and we won't have those future things you use, the ones who let us practising without risk," he breathed in her ears, nipping at her lobe. "What do you think?"
"Inuyasha! You're not..." he licked her neck, nipped at her flesh eliciting some shivers, "n-not ser-r-ious." He started nipping at her chin too. "Ah! Let's... Let's just keep practising, Inuyasha!"
He leaned back and feigned disgust, "You want to give your son a free show? Ew! Kagome, I can't even think about it!"
They ended up staying in the peaceful garden for a couple of hours, Muteki dozing off sometimes until Kichiro reached them to announce Sesshomaru's presence in their office.
"Little brother, miko," he welcomed them. "How was your morning?"
"Fine, Sesshomaru. But I don't think I can stand that amount of women squealing in my ears for hours another time," Kagome complained.
The dai-youkai waved her off, "Of little concern, Kagome. You will have to endure these things; Mother always said that is the perfect place to know more about your enemy. What did you learn today?"
"So, you practically sent me to be your spy today?" Kagome glared at him.
"Not really, but you could say that about my mother. I already spoke with her and she told me about Lady Keiko," he answered. "What I really want to know is... what you discovered today?"
"Uh, well, Masako and her friend seemed cordial enough. And Osamu already knows her because Katsuro is courting her," she started, Sesshomaru nodded, Inuyasha interrupted.
"You met the Commander's intended? I think we can trust him for now. I didn't sense any malice from him. You think his intended is good?"
"She seemed fine. She also came to Asuka's aid when Keiko jibed at her," she explained, "and there was the fox demon who is your mother's friend. If Kimi trusts her, I think she's ok, isn't she?" Sesshomaru nodded again. "Well, that was the positives. The negatives... Keiko kept looking at Muteki with murderous and jealous rage. I think she is convinced he's sorta stealing her imaginary son's place."
"Keh," Inuyasha snorted, "she's lost it, she's lost it. If she is like this, what about her father tomorrow? Do I have to expect some sly moves?"
"About that, Inuyasha. I think I do not have to explain to you why you cannot use any of Tessaiga's attacks with him," Sesshomaru glared at him.
"What? And ruin all the fun? Your court wants me to use my sword," he reasoned pouting like a child deprived of his favourite toy.
"You do not want to kill him, Inuyasha."
"Who said that? Because I certainly do want to."
"It is the rule," Sesshomaru stated. "However..." he locked eyes with his half-brother, a wicked gleam in them, "...you can make him bleed. And you better do it."
Inuyasha smirked, "Broke some bones too, can I? If I can't kill him, that means I can knock him down and have my fun differently."
"Yes, do what you like in that regard, but do not kill him. That means no Wind Scar."
"That's boring," the half-demon huffed, "I can still use Tessaiga like a normal sword but it's not the same."
"You are expected to, Inuyasha. Let's keep her true strength still a secret," Sesshomaru continued, "and try not to use it as a club."
"What about him? What can you tell me?" Inuyasha inquired.
"He usually uses a Naginata, very powerful, it belonged to his father. Pity, it is a waste on him, he still does not use it correctly, after all this time. He won't be allowed to use its demonic powers too, only as a classic weapon."
"Well then, but where are we going to battle? The training rings don't seem large enough to contain every demon in the court."
"The battlefield, of course. You have yet to see it. There is space enough to contain whoever wishes to see you fighting. I will be staying next to your mate and observe the fight from the bleachers," Sesshomaru answered. "Do not disappoint us, little brother."
The morning after Inuyasha wore his fire-rat again, with the sole addition of the black boots Sesshomaru insisted he wore and his new armour on the top of it. He impatiently waited for the time of the spar to come.
Inuyasha didn't like to wait, he had always thrown himself into battle without thinking much about it, it has always been like that and he found that he preferred it.
Sure, Kagome liked to say that he was a little too much reckless most of the times, but in the end, he had always won and that was the only thing that mattered anyway. Besides, he didn't have to kill an enemy, he just had to scare him shitless and he was going to enjoy the whole process. He just hoped this Shou could stand up to him for more than a couple of minutes, this way he was going to have more fun. Weak opponents didn't excite him very much.
Kagome arrived while he was adjusting Tessaiga in the sash of his hakama and hugged him from behind, hiding her face between his shoulder blades. "Ready?"
"Too much. I don't see why I have to wait till midday. I'm ready to punch him through all the seven hells," he remarked cracking his knuckles.
"Well think of it like this: Sesshomaru is giving people time to gather on the battlefield. The anticipation usually makes the audience much more receptive to a proper fight and it increases the thrill. Then, when you will finally beat that Shou, you will find yourself surrounded by a screaming and shouting public, who only cheers for you. Show them your best skills, the ones you got by fighting for your life, confronting full demons. Show them what the son of Toga and Izayoi can really do."
He turned in her arms and looked straight into her eyes, "Yeah, that was my intention from the beginning," he answered kissing her on the lips, "but I like the way you cheer for me right before a battle, maybe the wait isn't so bad if I can have you all for myself," he remarked, deepening the kiss.
The crowd had already gathered when they finally reached the place of the fight and Inuyasha thought he had never seen so many people in one place. The battlefield was huge and the grandstands surrounding it were set some distance apart to prevent one of the combatants from inadvertently injuring the many spectators who filled the rows. At the same time, it allowed them to observe the battle without any problem, although if one was to consider the enhanced sight of demons, something like this wasn't so difficult to guarantee. Maybe Kagome would have some problems, though.
They settled into the dais reserved for them, slightly higher than the other seats which allowed a much better view. They could easily spot Commander Shou, who was already in position on the opposite side of the field. At the moment his brother was whispering something in his ear while Shou was looking straight ahead, narrowing his eyes at Inuyasha and sneering. The half-demons scoffed in response.
"Remember, Inuyasha, you cannot kill him," Sesshomaru repeated, once they were ready to start.
Inuyasha waved him off and answered nonchalantly, "Yeah, yeah, you've repeated that too many times for my liking. Can we start now?" He was keeping his eyes on Shou in a battle of glances.
Sesshomaru shook his head and then signalled to Jaken to make the crowd fall silent so that he could speak freely and without hindrance. "Lords and Ladies, we are reunited today to witness the spar between my brother Inuyasha, the heir of the West, and Commander Shou. Should my brother won this battle, the Commander will lose all rights to comment on Inuyasha's legitimate place here at court. However, if he were to lose, Commander Shou will still be able to voice his opinion and offer a different solution to the matter, which, however, would still have to be approved by this Sesshomaru. Let the battle begin, the first one to fall and unable to stand up again will be considered the loser. Do your best!" Sesshomaru proclaimed.
Since Inuyasha had challenged Shou when he was complaining about his position as heir, these were the only terms possible. However, there was no way he would actually mate Shou's daughter, which is why he had added the little clause. Not that he believed the Commander able to defeat Inuyasha; it was only for show. He could not say in front of all these people that Shou did not have a chance, after all.
Inuyasha smirked, made a show of kissing Kagome passionately in front of all the people gathered, "For good luck," he said, and then swiftly reached the centre of the battlefield.
Shou was already there, the naginata in his right hand. It was really a beautiful weapon, but it would have never helped him to win. They slightly bowed to each other and then waited for Sesshomaru to give his final consent. As soon as Sesshomaru raised his arm, they began.
Shou charged immediately, trying to slice him in his guts and make him fall, but Inuyasha easily dodged the attack and the other ones he relentlessly aimed at him.
He could play with him a little, Inuyasha thought, otherwise, where was the fun? Let him think he actually stand a chance. He smirked when he noticed that the Commander was already a little winded while Inuyasha had not even started fighting back.
"You're already tired, Commander? We have not even started," he mocked.
"Fight back, you coward! You're not even able to attack me, using all these defence stances," Shou shot back.
"I was just warming up, Commander. But if you insist, I can make this battle last even less."
Promptly, he changed the dynamics of the fight and punched him in the stomach, making him fall violently backwards into the sand that covered the battlefield. He didn't even give him time to react that he unsheathed Tessaiga, showing it for the first time in all its glory to the crowd and sliced him lightly in the shoulders, the stomach and both of his thighs, making him begin to bleed profusely and demonstrating that his fang was as sharp as it appeared to be.
People gasped at the sight.
"Stand up!" Inuyasha bellowed, wanting this spar to last a little longer. He hadn't shown them anything yet.
Shou gritted his teeth in anger and, with difficulty, he got back to his feet. He would have shown to his hanyou who he really was. He tried to recover some strength and changed his tactic. He had always been good at using his legs to attack his enemy. With a sudden sweep of his right leg, he retaliated the punch Inuyasha had thrown at him, his foot colliding with his stomach and making the hanyou bend over with a head-butt.
In the meantime, up in the grandstands, Sesshomaru was focusing on his brother making a fool out of Commander Shou.
"He is really enjoying himself," Kagome commented, "he is always the same."
"He is doing what he needs to do, Kagome," Sesshomaru replied, "people must realize that is not so weak as they think a half-demon should be. Besides, I think he is not the only one having his fun." His gaze shifted to several Commanders that seemed to enjoy themselves very much, even Katsuro was trying to no avail to hide his amusement.
"Take a good look at that, Muteki, that's your father beating a demon who thinks himself better than a hanyou," Kagome remarked, "he will teach you to fight hard in the same way. Let's just hope he'll wait you're at least five years old."
Behind her, Osamu and Kichiro laughed wholeheartedly.
Shou's kick didn't have the desired result. The hanyou had yet to fall and apparently, could stand a strong punch in his guts too.
"Oh, you managed to actually touch me, I'll give you that," Inuyasha spit on the ground and wiped out the blood on his face with a sleeve. He was still grinning even though he was now sporting a splinted lip, "but you must know that I've received worse and I'm used to fighting with a wolf demon that can kick much harder than you can. We had many opportunities to train together. He is also much faster than you," he kept taunting the Commander. Oh, it was so entertaining to watch him grew redder with rage, trying to retaliate and finding it always harder to strike him. "Come on, Commander, show me what you really can do because so far I'm just bored," he brought a hand to his mouth to cover a fake yawn. "I haven't had the possibility to use my Tessaiga in a long time, aren't you letting it have its fun too? Are you actually able to use that nice naginata of yours?"
Shou was trying to move faster and kick the hanyou as much as he could, but the blood loss was restricting his movements and made him slower.
By then, Inuyasha had sheathed his sword, he had claimed it was of no use right now since his punches and claws were fine enough.
The crowd followed the fight with enthusiasm and was much surprised at Inuyasha's readiness and speed. So far the commander had had only a few openings and all had been given him voluntarily by his opponent. Otherwise, he had done nothing but took punches with little grace and trying to strike without much result.
When Inuyasha had finally blown off enough anger and deemed the spar already concluded, he jerked his knee up in Shou's guts and pinned him down. While he still was down, catching his breath and looking worse for wear, Inuyasha retrieved his sword and kept its sharp edge steadily at his throat.
Baring his fangs and bellowing "YIELD" Inuyasha made sure that his voice was clear and echoed throughout the battlefield.
Shou gritted his teeth at the humiliating way his opponent was forcing him to stay down and the way he had been beaten in front of all those demons who knew him very well. He would not be able to show his face in front of his subordinates for quite some time and he was sure that they would take advantage of it to show him insolence and disrespect. Worst of all, his brothers would be angered at the way the hanyou had handled him and he would have to listen to his daughter bitching about how he had just lost a golden opportunity to force Sesshomaru to mate her.
The hanyou's giant fang still pointed at his jugular when he finally spat out through gritted teeth his next sentence, "I yield."
The crowd erupted in cheers, just as Kagome had predicted and Inuyasha smirked while sheathing Tessaiga again. He looked at Kagome and winked, before shifting his gaze through the crowd and stopping at Noboru who was watching him with narrowed eyes. He grinned like the Cheshire cat and then waited for Sesshomaru to announce his victory. That was just the beginning, after all, he didn't even use the Tessaiga for real.
"Commander Shou, since you lost in a fair battle with Inuyasha, your claims are immediately rejected," the dai-yokai announced. "Lords and Ladies of the Western Lands, you have seen today what my brother is able to do using only a part of his strength." Let them know that this had only been a warm-up for Inuyasha. "Maybe next time, he will also show us what Tessaiga can really do..." he trailed off to increase the hype, "when he goes for a kill."
People will think twice before trying to oppose him now, knowing that he was able to bring down a Commander of his army, a full demon, without difficulty and that he still has some aces up his sleeve.
Inuyasha reached Kagome up in the grandstands and kissed her again, strangely not at all embarrassed to be so open with her in front of everyone. When their lips finally parted, he brought his mouth near her ear and whispered, "I expect a better prize tonight when we'll be alone."
That evening, when Muteki was already asleep and in his crib, Inuyasha didn't even give her time to settle that pinned her down into the futon. He kissed her savagely and started removing her clothes frantically, shredding her underwear, trying to touch as much skin as it was possible. He leaned back for a moment to savour with his eyes what he was going to lick, kiss and taste in a minute.
She was so warm and soft Inuyasha almost whined at the light contact between them.
He smirked at her, filling his hands with her breast still full of milk, and relished at her immediate moans of pleasure when he pinched her nipples.
Oh, how he loved she was so sensitive and responsive to his touch. It almost made him feel like a kind of sex God - and he knew Kagome considered him one. It's not like they hadn't practised a lot since their first time and they had learnt a lot about each other.
While he was busy laving her body with kisses, she was trying not to be so loud, clenching her hands into the sheets.
Her scent was already too intoxicating and Inuyasha was soon driven down to the source of her pleasure. When he settled between her legs he looked up at her, smirk firm in place, and buried himself into her curls, inhaling deeply.
He gave a tentative lick and didn't have to wait for her lips to bucking up and another moan to be heard in the stillness of their room.
He spread her legs wider, looped his arms under her knees, inserted two fingers in her wet folds, being always careful of his claws while his mouth concentrated on her clit, fucking her that way first.
By the time she reached her orgasm, she was writhing underneath him without control, her breath was harsh and her eyes shut tightly. This sight of her made him want her even more if possible.
When she found the courage to open her eyes and look down on him she asked, "Shouldn't I have been the one to give you the prize, koi?"
"You let me feast between your legs, it's a start."
"I may have something better in mind for you," she retorted, bringing him up to her and tasting herself on his mouth. While he was lost in the kiss she brought him on his back and then started making her way down his body, returning the teasing, the kisses and bites he had given her earlier. She gripped his rock hard cock and squeezed, making him pant more and then, with her tongue, she followed the trail of his white hair from his navel until the tip of his erection; she traced the head with her tongue while her eyes locked with his and she enjoyed the hunger she saw in them.
"Ka-Kagome!"
"Don't you like your prize, koi?"
"Too much, I like it too much..."
She pumped him with her hand enjoying the low sounds he was making and then suddenly, her hand shifted to his balls and she took all that she could in her mouth at once.
His head had fallen back, unable to keep watching if he wanted to resist more, and his eyes had rolled back. After a couple of seconds, he found that it was impossible not to look at that hot mouth sucking him greedily and soundly. He gazed down at her again, she immediately locked her eager eyes with his.
"Oh, Gods! Kagome! Keep going!" He couldn't tell her to stop, in all honesty. He instinctively pushed his hips up, urging her to take more, basking in the sounds she was making when his cock reached her throat when she swallowed him so greedily and her head bobbed magnificently.
She gripped his ass cheeks and pushed him up again, indicating to him she needed more and needed him to be an active participant.
Too eager to comply, Inuyasha changed their position and arranged her body in a way it was possible for him to fuck her mouth and give her what she wanted and more. His thrusts were neither slow nor tender, he pushed hard into her mouth, reaching her throat and needing to spill his hot seed directly into it. He wanted his mate to drink him as eagerly as she was licking and swallowing him whole.
Watching himself disappearing inside her, her plump and full lips encircling his shaft, made his control almost snap. Inuyasha gripped her hair and tug hard, trying to convey without words what he was thinking.
He was so loving her lips and mouth's work, so much he wanted to enjoy for a little more and didn't want to unload yet. Fucking her mouth was almost as good as fucking her pussy and he intended to make it last much longer.
But his little wicked mate had other plans and much to his displeasure, when she finally sensed he was going to blow up, his dick growing a little and his balls tightening, she released him.
Kagome moved her head away and offered him a wicked grin, licking his thoroughly swollen lips.
Inuyasha opened his eyes shocked and tried to make her go down again but to no avail. "What? Why?" he whined.
She gave him no answer and no warning when she came back to eye-level and aligning herself with him she buried his cock deep into her walls that were already squeezing him in anticipation.
He hissed and then stopped her loud moan with a rough kiss, grinding his hips up while, at the same time, she was trying to ride him.
So that's why she had stopped his fun earlier than he wanted. Too bad, he had to paint her inner walls with his cum then; not that he disliked when he felt her squeezing him hard and come together.
"Oh... that's it, that's it!" he said a little bit too loud while he was already on the verge of his climax again. He tightened his grip on her hips in an attempt to control the speed of their mating, thrusting up even faster. When her hot pussy clamp around his cock, trying to milk him, he couldn't control it anymore and release his load inside her, not letting one drop of his seed escaping her.
He screamed his release onto her shoulder, his fangs scraping at her bare skin and felt her blunt nails scratching his back roughly when she moaned and came with him. Inuyasha kissed her again while his cock kept twitching inside her and licked the sweat on her face away, enjoying the saltiness.
They collapsed exhausted on the futon, breathing hard and still sweating a couple of minutes after. Inuyasha carefully slid out of her, whimpering quietly when her warmth left him and encased her in his arms, offering her another kind of warmth now that in the aftermath of her orgasm she started feeling a change of temperature.
"H-how was... how was your prize?" Kagome whispered, shivering and sleepy, snuggling up against his hard chest.
Inuyasha looked at her, still a little winded out. He smirked, a fang poking out and removed a lock of hair plastered on her forehead before he answered, "The best fucking reward I could think of, koi. I think I'm gonna demand it every night from now on."
It became clear, however, that night, that not everyone had appreciated Inuyasha's display on the battlefield, nor their very presence. And probably, now that they knew the hanyou was indeed very strong and a threat, they thought it was better to act fast and while they thought no one would have dared to strike them.
As a matter of fact, that very night, while the priestess and her half-demon husband slept exhausted in each other's arms, someone else went to visit their little son who was sleeping peacefully in the crib next to their futon.
It wasn't their fault, nor the guards', who would have ever noticed a small, harmless insect crawling its way through the bars of the wooden structure?
Slowly, its little legs circulated the child whose chest kept rising and falling rhythmically, unaware of the danger he was in.
Almost as if it was aware that even one wrong move would wake up the child before it could perform its task - and consequently his parents as well - the reddish insect whose shape recalled that of a caterpillar did not dare to have any contact until he reached the chosen spot.
The little quarter demon had his head turned to the right, leaving his still chubby neck completely uncovered for the worm. Not hesitating even for a moment, the many white little legs moved simultaneously and began to secrete a strange viscous substance, ready to irreversibly stain the white and immaculate skin.
A/N:
Now that they noticed that Inuyasha is not just a fool, it's easier to pick on the little one, isn't it?
I was a little worried about the fight scene because I've never written one in my mother tongue, let alone in English, that's why I'd really appreciate any kind of comment about it.
Thank you so much for reading, until next time!