Inuyasha's POV:

His body feels like it is on fire. The sweat dripping off his body does little to alleviate his burning skin and only adds to his discomfort. Even with most of his clothes in shreds, the heat is agonizing. But even worse, is the insufferable ache deep in the pit of his stomach. There is this overwhelming desire building in him. Something he has never felt before and it must be satiated. Even now, he is twisting and turning in discomfort as his rock-hard sex aches for release. His breathing is shallow, and he cannot think straight.

He cannot resist any longer. His desire is a physical ache and he needs some relief. As humiliating as it is, he allows his unsteady hand to slip into his pants. He has only done this a few times in his life, so his inexperience hinders him as he strives to pleasure himself as quickly as possible. His distaste for the situation shows on his puckered brow, but despite his roughness it only takes mere seconds to push himself over the edge. Relief settles over him as he quickly wipes his soiled hand on his torn hakama. For the first time in hours, he can feel his skin start to cool and his body finally stop shaking. His moment's respite is short lived when he notices he is still as erect as before. In the very next second his skin starts to prickle once more with overwhelming heat and the ache in the pit of his stomach returns with a vengeance. 'What the? Why? It barely helped at all! In fact, I feel worse than before. This is impossible. I've never felt anything like this. Is it because of what he did to me last night?' After being bitten, the agony and fire coursing through his veins was enough to knock Inuyasha unconscious. When he woke up, his body was totally immobilized by arousal and warmth. He has been laying there all morning, completely unshackled, completely alone, but unable to escape because he can hardly move. 'God damn it! Did he really…Am I really mated to that bastard?'

"That was a riveting performance."

His eyes dart to the cave entrance to find the male in question leering at him in amusement. Inuyasha can hardly move his body but he manages to slightly prop himself up on his elbows to glare at the man. "Khu—zai—mah." His snarl is hardly menacing considering he has to pause and gasp between syllables.

"A good effort, but a wasted one." The ryu smirks at the younger's questioning scowl and elaborates as he creeps closer. "There is only one thing that can bring you respite now. There is only one thing that your body wants—or more accurately, needs." There is a predatory glint to his crimson orbs as he parts the hanyou's knees to kneel in between them. Naturally, Inuyasha wants to fight, yell, curse—do anything, but his legs tremble with the effort it takes to simply try and close them. The fire is still coursing through his veins, his mouth is so dry, and his arousal throbs painfully with each passing second. Still, the hanyou tries to convince himself that it is not true. There is no way he could want anything the monster looming over him has to offer. He can't. He won't. 'No. There is no way…' He tries to think of all the pain and torment he has been subjected to over the past month, but it is not enough to keep his body from reacting when the ryu lord strokes a cool hand over the mark on his neck. "I would advise against fighting your urges, hanyou. You belong to me. Half-breed as you are, there is still a demon in you. And that demon wants its' master. Do not deny yourself."

The growl he tries to threaten him with comes out in a high-pitched whine which prompts his ears to flatten against his skull when the other chortles at the attempt. He tries to turn away as the dairyu leans over, covering them in his long green tresses.

"Be a good mutt and I will refrain from making you bleed…too much." He adds with a too wide grin. Inuyasha continues to glare at the opposing wall as he positions himself between his legs. A sharp gasp leaves his lips as the brute shoves himself inside with no regard for his comfort whatsoever. He screws his eyes shut as the dragon proceeds to pound him into the dirt. It should be painful, and it is, but he can also feel his body responding in a way he never has before. Instead of cringing away, his body is arching for more. Instead of whimpering and cursing, he is moaning and gasping. Instead of each thrust of his hips making him sick, every movement pushes the Inu closer and closer to the edge. 'What the hell is wrong with me?!' He has to sink his claws into the ground to stop himself from clinging onto the bastard making use of his body. Even so, he cannot help the way his legs squeeze him closer. "Don't fight it. Go on and give in. Submit to me and I assure you, you will feel so much better."

'Shit, shit, shit, SHIT!' His teeth clench painfully and his toes curl as he paints their stomachs with his seed. He can feel the affects almost immediately; the ache is gone. He can practically feel the steam emanating off his skin as it cools in the mountain air. But as his mind clears up as well, his relief is replaced with shame, disgust, humiliation, and most of all anger. Just a moment ago he was fiending for the daiyoukai like a wanton whore. '…How could I…'

Khuzaimah notices the change in the hanyou's disposition and leans forward to nibble at his canine ear with too sharp teeth, causing it to flinch away due to previous trauma. The last time he did that, he bit a chunk out of the sensitive appendage. "This is only the beginning, half-breed. In just a few hours, your body will crave me once again."

'WHAT?!'

"But fret not, as long as you are a good little bitch and roll over nicely, I will satisfy you over and over."

"…"

"Perhaps then you will come to appreciate my graciousness."

….

Sesshomaru's POV:

(One Week Later)

Although the sun shines brilliantly in the crystal blue sky, he can see his breath in the frigid morning air. As he steps out from the cluster of trees the temperature only plummets. The closer he nears the frost mountain, the more unnatural the cold becomes. The monument of earth and stone stands tall and proud, blocking out much of the sunlight and making it much colder in the surrounding areas. Sesshomaru knows that if he were to scale the mountain or fly to the top the temperatures would reach freezing levels. However, like all the other days, he does no such thing and stops just shy of the base of the rocky structure; as far as the barrier comfortably allows him. His fair eyes scan the peak, but as usual he cannot see any movement or sign of life. The barrier ensures that he can sense, hear, smell, and see nothing but an unassuming mountain and valley. Despite the youkai responsible best efforts to cover up the ominous aura, the lord of the West can easily pick up on the irregularity of it. Luckily for the dragon, or whoever resides here, he has no intention of breaking the barrier or making his way up to the peak. He is merely here out of…curiosity.

"Lord Sesshomaru, may I ask why we keep returning to this valley?" A slight narrowing of his lord's eyes is enough to silent the bumbling toad. He knows better than to question the Lord of the West, especially when he is in one of his moods. But the loyal servant cannot help but point out that the daiyoukai has made a peculiar habit of patrolling these forests lately. No matter where they go, it seems like they always end up back here at some point. The only logical conclusion Jaken can come to, is that his lord is actually searching for signs of his younger brother. But that would be absurd. Sesshomaru would never waste his time doing such a thing. Before he can make up his mind to ask the question in a different, less impudent way, a distinct rustling of leaves draws their attention to a nearby bush. All at once, the rustling stops as if aware of the sudden scrutiny.

Jaken waits half a beat before calling out with an authority that only comes from serving the Lord of the West. "Present yourself before Lord Sesshomaru and state your business."

"…" The bush quivers but falls still once more.

"Hmph! Insolent little—show yourself at once or face the wrath of the Staff of Two Heads!"

During the brief exchange the Inuyoukai's face was a wall of impassiveness as usual, but his golden eyes narrow ever so slightly when a small creature cradling a bundle of herbs emerges from the foliage. The boy's short stature is made smaller by his knocked knees trembling in utter terror. His indigo hair shields his face from view, but Sesshomaru can make out the barest hint of green when he risks a terrified glance in his direction. Those reptilian eyes combined with the scattered scales and tiny horns leaves no doubt what type of demon this child is. 'I did not pick up on his scent at all. It must have been diluted so close to this unusual barrier. That or he is incredibly weak. Just how many of them are hiding in these mountains? How could an entire roost of ryu escape my notice for so long?'

"Aha! I knew something reeked." Jaken spits despite not being able to smell anything either.

"I-I-I'm s-sorry. I-I did not m-mean t-to—"

"That's right you're sorry!" The demon toad is obviously relishing the notion that anyone could actually be afraid of him. "Now explain yourself. Why were you sleuthing around in the bushes like some sort of vagrant? You are not foolish enough to think you could sneak up on Sesshomaru-sama, are you?"

The boy looks up in horror and shakes his head to the contrary. "N-No o-of course not. I-I would n-never—I-I was m-merely collecting herbs."

"Bah! Make yourself known!"

"I-I-I—!" When he makes accidental eye contact with the Inuyoukai's icy stare, he drops the bundle of plants to prostrate himself on the forest floor. "I-I—"

"Tatsuya, you worthless worm!" The child nearly jumps out of his skin when a serpentine voice hisses from the trees. 'Tatsuya?' A youkai clad in the robes of a noble strides into the clearing with a snarl on his scaled face. "What is taking you so…long…I see." If the horned man is startled, he hides it well.

In the face of this new, more imposing potential enemy Jaken loses his bravado and stumbles back behind his lord before calling out, "H-Halt! Who goes there?!"

The nameless stranger tears his ruby eyes away from the daiyoukai to grin at his charge in amusement. A mirth, Sesshomaru notes, that does not reach said eyes. "Funny you should ask me that in my territory little demon."

"Eh?! Oh well, ehmm you see—"

"No matter," His smile is threatening to spilt his face in half as he strides close to the pair. Sesshomaru stands his ground with no issue, but the demon's ominous aura is enough to send Jaken stumbling back several feet. The man stops a polite distance away, a good enough distance to belie any threat, and places a hand on his chest. "I am Lord Khuzaimah, ruler of these humble mountains." He pauses to offer a small, contrived bow. "And you must be…must be son of Inu no Taisho; the killing perfection…Sesshomaru."

"That's Sesshomaru-sama to you!" Jaken pipes up from his hiding spot behind one of the trees.

"But of course," Another forced smile, "Sesshomaru-sama, welcome to my lands, but I must ask; why are you here?"

Instead of answering, his halcyon orbs settle on the miniature dragon currently trembling behind his master with his face plastered to the ground. 'Tatsuya…that is the name Rin mentioned. There is no doubt, this dragon is the same Khuzaimah Inuyasha ran off to help before disappearing without a trace. He reeks of Inuyasha. His scent is all over him.' All at once the air grows thick with the pungent scent of reptile and alpha hormones. The corner of Sesshomaru's mouth twitches in part amusement and part offense. He knows what the other daiyoukai is trying to do, but it is much too late. No barrier can dull his senses enough and no pheromone is potent enough to cover up his little brother's scent. He could pick it out anywhere. It is, after all, the smell of his father's blood tainted by that of a human's. He should be insulted that this arrogant lord would even try.

"Well," Khuzaimah continues once the silence is more than he can bear. "No matter. I am sure you have your reasons; I would offer my assistance in your endeavors, but I am not often available. Nor will you be able to reach me on my mountain—"

"Where is Inuyasha?" Although it is a question, the inquiry rings out around the clearing like a brusque demand.

"I—what?" He looks sincerely taken aback.

"Inuyasha. Where is he?"

"I do not understand…ah, your younger brother, second son of Inu no Taisho, correct?" The smile on his face is strained now and it looks like it is taking everything he has to keep it up in the face of the intimidating lord. Still the dragon maintains a cool, calm façade. "He helped me out with a panther situation quite some time ago. I have not heard from him since. If you are searching for him, my assumption would be that he is back in his village."

"…"

"…"

"…" A tense silence settles between them, only disturbed by the rapid beating of the ryu-boy's heart and the rustle of animals scurrying between the leaves. The dragon lord looks ready to turn tail and flee, but he proudly stands his ground waiting to see if the snowy-haired lord of the West will call him out on the validity of his story. "…I see…" Sesshomaru flicks his gaze over his own shoulder and in the instant Khuzaimah's eyes follow, he closes the distance between them before the ryu can draw his next breath.

Khuzaimah is openly alarmed by such abrasive actions and makes a move to step back. "What is the meaning of this?!" Despite being caught off guard, Sesshomaru takes note of his quick reaction. 'The defense stance was almost immediate; hand poised over his sword, feet firmly planted, shoulders squared…hn, he is competent enough.'

Without bothering to dignify him with a response, Sesshomaru turns and casually stalks away from the stunned dragons and their puny territory. Jaken follows close at his heels and as soon as they are out of earshot grumbles, "Ha, the nerve of that presumptuous lord. How dare he question Lord Sesshomaru. He almost wet his pants when you displayed your superiority! Still…there is something off about him." 'Off indeed. He was clearly lying about Inuyasha's whereabouts. However, Inuyasha should be more than enough for the likes of him. Perhaps with some difficulty but even still…No, there is no use wasting time thinking about my foolish little brother. Whatever idiocies he gets himself into, is none of This Sesshomaru's concern. Now that I have ascertained that this Khuzaimah is of no real challenge for me, I have absolutely no reason to ever return here.'

….

Inuyasha's POV

(Six Weeks Later)

"Blargh, ugh—shit," This is the third time he has thrown up and it is still early morning. On top of that, even though he knows it is freezing up on the mountain top, he is covered in a sheen of sweat. 'What the hell is going on with me? My heat ended a while ago, and I don't just get sick.' His demon blood typically takes care of anything in that regard, so he has no idea why he has been feeling so queasy lately. It is making it harder to gather his strength.

"G-Gomenasai Inuyasha-sama, I-I'm coming now." The bluenette scurries over from the fire with a steaming cup clutched tightly in his trembling fingers. "Here is your tea, sir."

Inuyasha sits up a little too quickly but ignores the way the room spins to gulp gratefully from the cup. The only thing that settles his nausea is the herbal tea Tatsuya so diligently prepares for him up to three times a day. The boy has to hold it in place for him since his arms are, as usual, tied behind his back. Khuzaimah made sure to restrain him properly once his heat ended, except for now there is only one metal chain locked around his right ankle which connects to a metal loop on the wall. Also, it appears this time the bindings do not sap away his energy, but it definitely does something to keep him weak and subdued. The silver-haired hanyou has tried everything imaginable to escape. He has yanked his shoulders out of socket many times, trying to wriggle through his restraints. And trying to convince Tatsuya to free him is a fruitless venture these days. After being caught by Khuzaimah the last time and almost being burned to a crisp, the kid is too traumatized to even be alone with the hanyou for any extended period of time. "Where did that bastard go this time?"

"A-Ah, um K-Khuzaimah-sama said he had some business close by. H-He should be back soon."

He hates it when the dairyu vaguely suggests he has "business" to take care of. The tyrant has learned that an effective way to manipulate the hanyou into docility is to threaten to pay his village a visit and do a "cleansing of the disgusting mortals". No matter what happens to him, Inuyasha cannot let that happen. 'I could never forgive myself if something happened to the gang or any of the villagers. But how much more can I take?' He used to think that he was unbreakable, but now he is not too sure. Not only is his body reaching the limit, but he is mentally tapped out. 'How much more?' Everything he tries ends in failure and every time he does anything against Khuzaimah, the matting mark on his neck burns in agony. 'Now there is whatever this sickness is to deal with. Kuso, when will my opportunity come?' He has long since given up on Miroku and the others coming to find him. 'I just need one chance. One moment of weakness on his part.'

"I-Inuyasha-sama?" He has grown accustomed to the brat's timid little murmurs, but it is still enough to break him away from his thoughts. "A-Are you alright?"

"What? Yeah, don't worry the tea is still working. I don't feel like barfing again—yet."

"N-No, sorry sir, I m-mean you a-are shaking awfully hard. W-Would you like me to add m-more kindling to the fire?"

'Shaking?' It is only then that he realizes just how violently he is shivering. 'What the hell?'

The young male does not wait around for an answer before rushing over to add more tinder to the fire in the center of the room. Soon he comes back with a bowl full of some medical mixture. Inuyasha has learned that the kid is good at making them. "I-It has been a-awhile since I-I have treated your w-wounds. M-May I?"

Truthfully, if he did not take the time to periodically do this, the hanyou would be in a much worse place physically. He would probably be as weak as those first few weeks he was imprisoned. Khuzaimah takes every opportunity to remind him of "his place". His body has the reminders all over it in the form of bruises, gashes, scars, and bites that never seem to heal fast enough on their own. Every time Inuyasha catches a glimpse of his battered body, it fills him with blinding rage and crippling shame, so he tries to avoid looking altogether. Still, the tiny bit of rationality he has left knows the best course of action is to gather his strength as much as possible. "Feh, yeah whatever." With the go ahead from his typically stubborn patient, Tatsuya goes about treating and bandaging the most severe of his injuries. Inuyasha usually avoids eye contact during this process since he hates how vulnerable it makes him feel, but he looks over when the kid lifts his undershirt and freezes. He follows his emerald stare to his own stomach and scowls when he notices how rounded it looks. It is not a huge bulge, just a small rounded bump, but it makes his stomach protrude enough to be noticeable considering he had toned abs before. "What the hell is that!?" He cannot even reach down and feel it due to his hands being tied behind his back.

"I—I do not know Inuyasha-sama." The brat looks just as perplexed as he is. "It looks like…I-I can examine it, i-if you will allow me sir?"

"No just leave it—" A rush of violent wind swirls around them, putting out the fire and causing Tatsuya to shield his face from the harsh nips. They know it can only mean one thing. Sure enough, they see Khuzaimah soar upwards, past the peak, before circling back and touch downing in front of the alcove.

His loyal slave already has his face buried into the dirt by the time he charges inside. "Welcome back, my lord."

"Status report." The long-haired male barely acknowledges his nephew as he stares over his shoulder as if he expects someone to be following him. Inuyasha noticed that the daiyoukai has been on edge since awhile ago. He has been making the child scout the surrounding area, investigate, and patrol more and more. This behavior started a little over a month ago when the duo returned from a short trip. Khuzaimah was enraged about something and he decided to take it out on the boy. Inuyasha woke up to his screams and to the dragon beating the kid to a pulp. The hanyou tried to intervene, but the lord continued to beat him unconscious before turning on his prisoner. His ivory horns nearly knocked his head clean off and it certainly broke a few ribs. Neither of them could move for days after and Tatsuya utterly refused to tell him what caused his rage in the first place.

"T-There has been no activity in the f-forests and…n-no sign of them."

"Mn…and the roosts?"

"A-Ano." The natural scent of fear the kid always radiates increases tenfold as he struggles to find the right words. "Etto…erm t-they, um—"

"Spit it out you mindless worm!"

"F-Forgive me, master! T-There h-has been some u-unrest in the l-lower roosts. T-They have been a-acting…rebellious. There are t-two in particular w-who are trying to rally the others against y-you, m-my lord."

"I see." His crimson leer takes on a sinister glow as a wide sneer creeps across his face. "It would appear that my nests are long overdue a culling." Tatsuya lifts his head to object, but quickly looks away when they lock eyes. "Is that all then?"

"No, my lord, uh, I-Inuyasha-sama has been very ill recently."

"And?"

"A-And it is o-only worsening as the days go by."

For the first time since arriving, the ryu turns his bored stare to the tired looking Inu against the wall. He can clearly see the way he is panting and the shudders rippling through his body despite the cavern's warmth. "Hm, are you trying to tell me it is time to take out the trash?"

"What?" Tatsuya gasps as the words tumble out of his mouth in an effort to correct himself. "N-N-No! I-I w-was j-just—"

"I have grown bored with that mangy cur lately and he has proven to be more trouble than he is worth. It has never taken me so long to train anyone else. He is beyond help and refinement. What do I expect when playing with mutts? I should have known better than to add something so weak and pathetic to my collection."

"Weak and pathetic?" Inuyasha jeers as the demon skulks to his position to look down his fine nose at him. "Feh, that's rich coming from a spineless coward."

"I cannot wait to be rid of your impudent mouth, but first," He grabs the trapped male's knees and forcefully parts them, causing searing pain to rocket through his already sore hips. Inuyasha tries in vain to close his legs as the dairyu kneels in between them. "Your body still has some use. One last time before I send you off to meet your father, hm?"

"Fuck you!"

"You know hanyou," He hisses before latching onto his silver locks and pulling him close. "The body stays rather warm for some time after death. I could always rip out your throat before rather than after I have my way with you. I will give you the choice as a dying gift. Am I not a gracious lord? Hahahahaha." 'Shit, shit, shit! After he is done with me, will he go after the others?' The thought of dying is not his biggest concern at the moment. It is what the ryu might do after killing him that has him worried. 'Is he petty enough to attack Kaede's village in spite? Or will he move on completely after killing me? God damn it! How do I get out of this?!'

"Master wait!" His intervention comes as a huge surprise and he looks over the man's shoulder to see Tatsuya steeling himself for what is to come. 'Baka! Don't do anything that will get you killed.'

"Tatsuya, you are dismissed."

"B-But master—"

"Be gone." Inuyasha snarls under him when the dragon ends his wild thrashing by grabbing his ankles and forcing his legs above his head.

"My lord, t-there is something—"

Khuzaimah pauses, genuinely stunned that his ever-obedient servant would dare to speak again. His eyes glow ruby red as he snaps around with razor sharp teeth bared. "Have you finally lost your mind?! Leave now or I will slash yourthroat first."

Even from where Inuyasha is, he can hear Tatsuya's meek whimpers, but he remains rooted to the spot. His knees are knocked together and his legs are shaking so hard it is a wonder how he is standing at all. He looks afraid for his life, and rightfully so considering what his uncle could do to him, but yet he makes no move to leave the cave. 'What the hell are you doing? Get the hell out of here!'

"Khuzaimah-sama please forgive me for my insolence. I deserve whatever punishment you deem necessary and I will accept it graciously and gratefully. But I implore you to take a look at Inuyasha-sama's abdomen before you decide to g-get r-rid of him." His spiel came out in one rushed mouthful, and he drops into a low bow as soon as the last word leaves his trembling lips.

It is the first time Inuyasha has heard him speak so much in Khuzaimah's presence and with hardly a waver to his subservient words. The dairyu seems torn between his apparent curiosity and his desire to be malicious. Eventually he chooses the former and turns his attention back to the Inu pinned underneath him. "…This better be good Tatsuya. Otherwise I am going to snap your neck for your insolence and tell your mother it was a mishap due to your incompetence during a flying lesson." More whimpers accompany the threat, but he ignores it in favor of lifting Inuyasha's undershirt. For a second he is stunned into inaction, but he quickly recovers and reaches down to caress the small bump that is his stomach. As usual his hand is cool to the touch and causes the other to squirm in revulsion, but the ryu ignores his reactions as he studies it intently. His attention is solely on his abdomen and it is starting to make Inuyasha anxious. "Interesting…very interesting…I never thought a half-breed could, hm…I wonder…"

"What are you saying? Make some sense!"

"I suppose that this would happen, but I never expected it to work with a half demon of another species at that. Will it be an egg or…?"

"Oi! Bastard! Don't ignore me! What is going on?! What did you do to me?!"

He snaps out of his contemplation and locks eyes with the enraged male before grinning in that way Inuyasha has grown to hate with a fiery passion. "Want to hear something interesting?"

"Don't fuck with me!"

"Ryuyoukai are rare and almost extinct so naturally we have learned to adapt and evolve. When a strong enough alpha mates with another male, the beta's body starts to develop and change. I have heard that this change can happen on the inside, outside, or both. The beta's body will change to accommodate their alpha's young."

"What…?"

"I have never mated a male this long before killing him, so I had no inclination this would work with a male who was not also a dragon. It is no wonder you have been feeling so ill. You have been changing from the inside all this time and now it looks like your body has finally evolved enough to carry my seed."

'…There is no way he is saying what I think he is…'

"I just wonder, with you being a mangy mutt and all, will you carry live young, or will your body change enough to produce an egg?"

"WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?! THIS ISN'T FUNNY, YOU BASTARD!"

"Every single time I grow bored of you," he continues without missing a beat, "You give me another reason to keep you alive." He leans down to hiss directly in his furry ear. "Seems like no matter how much you fight it; your body wants nothing more than to be my bitch. Fret not, I am rather amused by all this, so you shall live long enough—"

"NO!"

"To bear my child."

….