Seems like you had a pleasant evening.
Dianzuan's voice slid through Sesshomaru's mind as he was busy detangling himself from the hanyou, without waking the stupid half-breed up.
Silence.
It's funny, you know. Your Yokai seem to get along quite well, when you aren't busy repressing them.
Sesshomaru glared, getting the last of his sleeves out of Inuyasha's grip. The pup whined a little, unhappy at the loss of warmth.
Diaozuan, remind me to kill you when you return.
More laughter from the fox's end, and that made Sesshomaru's ears redden. Oh how he hated being laughed at.
I will, my dear orchid. I was just pointing out that your yokai seems none too upset about the idea of Inuyasha becoming female.
Sesshomaru crossed his arms and huffed, combing out the smallest of tangles with his claws and pretending not to care. But Diaozuan was right. And it bothered him, like a sliver just under his skin. The whole thing with Gao had made their demons very… close. Uncomfortably so. How exactly was his demon going to react to Inuyasha being female? And of breeding age, no less?
Sesshomaru's awful childhood contributed greatly to a terrible relationship with his yokai- his inner needs and emotions. He'd been repressing it for so long that the beast was still rather… immature.
Dangerous. And interested in about 3 things; food, sex, and protecting the babies. All in all not bad traits, but with the fox gone-
Well. It wasn't the best situation. The idea of doing anything physical with Inuyasha made Sesshomaru want to kill himself. But the fact of the matter was, even Sesshomaru realized his yokai was reacting to this transformation in a positive way, which was unusual.
Yokai didn't breed sisters to brother, or even cousins usually, because of how it tainted the blood and weakened the kits. So it was very, very strange that his yokai was acting in this manner.
Almost as if Inuyasha were just another Foo-Dog Daiyokai, instead of his half-brother. Sesshomaru would have to go into the archives, do some research.
There's another problem we need to address.
Sesshomaru said softly. Far off in the Fox Tribe lands, Diaozuan leaned back on his pillows and made himself comfortable. Tucking his seven long tails over his bare feet and humming a little.
Tell me everything.
They talked for some time.
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It took about two weeks for Inuyasha's transformation to be complete.
Sesshomaru slept little. There was so much to be done. Pups to be attended to. Counsel meetings. Paperwork. And of course, his usual training with Bakusaiga and Tenseiga; sometimes with the guards of the Palace, but often alone, as he was a little nervous to unleash to full power of his swords on them.
During that time, Inuyasha was attended by a variety of people- Tian and Yuki mostly, but Sesshomaru also a great deal. In the meantime, Sesshomaru looked after the Palace and their four pups alone- no easy task. They were asking about every five minutes what was wrong with him, and when he was going to get better. And Sesshomaru had no fast and hard answers at the ready.
However, letting them go to see Inuyasha once at least quelled the questions somewhat. They'd come into the room quietly, as he'd instructed.
When they saw how quiet and still Inuyasha was they quickly realized the seriousness of his condition. Inukezi seemed shocked and stayed by his father's head, his expression grim. Katsu ran tiny fingers gently along the fire-rat robes. Ame clung to his arm, burying her face in it. And Toshi snuggled up to his side, making sure that he got Inuyasha's scent on him.
Sesshomaru let them stay for some time, watching them with interest. They were all so attached to the hanyou… but that was to be expected. He was sort of like their father- had been there for them since their earliest memories. He, Diaozuan, and Sesshomaru. They were a family, and when any part was taken away, they suffered.
He needed to get to the bottom of who did this. For their sake, but also for the sake of his children. He wouldn't tolerate harm to come to a single hair in their heads. He let them stay for about ten minutes, clutching close to Inuyasha or whispering in his ear, trying to get him to wake up.
"Children. Its time to go. Inuyasha needs his rest." He finally said, his voice low and cool. Mercury.
"But-!" Katsu began, his cheeks red with indignation. Sesshomaru raised a brow, and watched the boy's indignation slowly deflate. Katsu was the most like Inuyasha of all of them. A fire burned inside him.
"Yes?"
Katsu bit his lip. "Its not fair. He didn't do anything wrong."
Sesshomaru's yellow eyes met with his son's levelly. "Life is unjust, Katsu. And cruel. But Inuyasha will wake soon, so do not despair." The boy huffed and clung to Sesshomaru's arm for a moment, his little tail flicking angrily.
"Imma kill the one who did this."
Ame gave a surprised gasp, and Toshi looked over at Katsu with admiration.
Sesshomaru's eyes squinted a little with amusement. " No, son. That kill belongs to me. Now, run along. I know you all have lessons to attend to."
And so they went.
Luckily for Inuyasha, Sesshomaru was the one attending when he… she, finally woke up.
"Ugh. Fuck." She sat up slowly, rubbing her face. Inuyasha was not the sort to wake up gracefully, so Sesshomaru was not surprised by this. His own expression was a bit pinched.
This was going to be even harder than telling her about the marks.
Perhaps it was better to let… her figure it out herself?
"Sesshomaru?"
He looked up. Overall the face wasn't too different. Thinner eyebrows, a more rounded and feminine jawline.. and the voice, of course. Inuyasha noticed it too, and a hand went to her throat in surprise as she muttered another obscenity under her breath.
"You've been poisoned, Inuyasha." Sesshomaru began as the hanyou suddenly took notice of her hands. Smaller. More feminine. Shorter, thinner claws and bone structure.
He watched as Inuyasha's hand swept lightly over the new body- small shoulders, small breasts, larger hips. And he felt a great sympathy for the hanyou, for he remembered exactly how he had felt.
So very helpless. He could see the mounting panic in Inuyasha's yellow eyes. Inuyasha shrieked, screaming out in shock and surprise. This was followed by an intense muttering of 'what the fuck' over and over under her breath.
Sesshomaru waited quietly. Suddenly, the hanyou sprang to her feet, hand on her sword as she snarled, " Outta my way Sesshomaru, I'm gonna get the bastards who did this to me-"
But she was stopped.
By his arm.
The surprise was clear on her face, as was the resignation in Sesshomaru's. There was an awkward moment of silence before she drew her sword, " God damn it Sesshomaru- " and waited for Tessaiga to transform.
And waited. Inuyasha waved the rusty sword around in fury, " Tessaiga? The hell's wrong with you?" and Sesshomaru murmured, " You cannot wield him in this state. Not yet. Your poisoners have been dispatched. Even now, my informers are tracing the true source of those moving against us. Does that comfort you?"
"No!" Inuyasha snarled. Her mind was full of fire and rage yet there was so much fear underneath. It was coming to Sesshomaru in waves via their bond, nearly drowning him in the hanyou's emotions. Swallowing a few times and bracing himself against the hanyou's emotions, he offered simply,
"Inuyasha. What can I do to ease this for you."
White ears twitched and turned in his direction, at that. The hanyou's mouth actually opening at bit at those words. Um? Had that just come from his brother? The same one who'd said 'I am ashamed my father's blood flows in your veins'.
And she was overwhelmed all over again by how much things were changing between them. Scared, a little. Sesshomaru would never be the caring older brother- that window had passed. But still. They were connected, no denying that anymore. She sheathed her sword with a sigh and looked down at the shiny floors for a moment.
"How can I fix this bullshit? How can I go back to normal?"
Sesshomaru averted his gaze. And though his expression was stoic, Inuyasha could feel his emotions, just under that perfect white skin. A sinking sensation in his gut. Whatever it was, it wasn't good news.
"C'mon, spit it out. It can't be that bad. What, am I gonna be stuck like this?"
"In full-blooded yokai, you avert back to your normal state after six months or after your pups are weaned. But since you are a hanyou, we do not know if you will ever revert back to your original form."
Then there was silence on the hanyou's end. And if Sesshomaru knew his brother, it was when he was silent that you needed to worry the most.
"Pups." He thought he heard Inuyasha mutter sarcastically.
Then to his surprise, the hanyou closed the space between them. Her head gently leaning onto his chest, forehead against his sternum.
He was surprisingly warm, for such a cold demon. "Inuyasha-?"
Shut up, asshole.
Sesshomaru wasn't one hundred percent sure what he should do. But, when this sort of thing had cropped up before, Diaozuan had informed him that the best thing to do was return that affection. Besides, Inuyasha could always push him away if he wanted to.
Lightly, he lifted his arms and settled them around the hanyou's shoulders. Pulling her just a little closer. In the process, Inuyasha moved her head so that her cheek lay against his chest.
So warm.
Sesshomaru.
She didn't want to move.
Just for once, she wanted to be the one being protected, not the other way around.
Kaori, Kagome, Kikyo… Hell, even Diaozuan faded from Inuyasha's mind. Now was just for the two of them. This perfect moment of time.
Time seemed to slow. She could feel his heartbeat, his breath warming her hair. Thin claws on her rat robes. Claws that had torn Inuyasha's hide multiple times. Oh yes, she knew of the powerful forces just under that deceptively perfect skin.
And those hateful words that dripped from her brother's lips, that drove his sword straight through her chest, seemed so far away for the first time.
What is this? What's going on?
No. No!
Inuyasha suddenly jerked away from him, looking more nervous than ever. What the hell had that been, just then? She didn't need him for anything, ever! C'mon, Inuyasha, think!
"Oh, eheh- I uh, felt a little ill all the sudden. But I'm definitely better now. Curse this female body!" Inuyasha covered quickly, giving a nervous laugh. Sesshomaru just raised a brow. But luckily for her, didn't actually call her out on her obvious lies.
"Shall I fetch the pups?"
Inuyasha's expression showed a mix of relief, and nervousness when Sesshomaru changed the subject. " Ah…Kaori, is she…?"
Sesshomaru's face changed, his nose wrinkling in distaste. "The human wench will live." Then quietly, almost an observation, " I'm surprised you're not still screeching over this change of events."
Inuyasha's ears pinned back angrily. " Nothing I can fuckin' do about it. Might as well just suck it up. Especially for the pups."
It then occurred to her, looking at her brother's face, that he seemed rather tired. There were delicate purplish bags under his eyes, and his gaze was strained.
" Sesshomaru, when was the last time you slept?" Inuyasha asked accusingly.
The Daiyokai blinked. "I hardly see how that answers my question."
Inuyasha stared at him hard, poking at him through their connection until Sesshomaru snarled, " Half a moon-cycle, more or less. However long you were unconscious."
Two weeks. Inuyasha knew that yokai didn't need to sleep as often as humans, but that was obviously too long, even for someone like lord Sesshomaru.
"Yea, go ahead and call the pups in here. But then I'd better see you getting some damn sleep, or else."
Sesshomaru snorted, "Or else what, pup." flicking one of Inuyasha's ears with a finger.
"Oh, you'll see." Inuyasha said haughtily, watching his brother as he disappeared around the door frame. The moment he was gone, he looked back down at his hands, his fur prickling.
The fuck was all of that, just now?
Maybe it was just this stupid girl body. Yeah, that had to be it!
Had to be.
Inuyasha filed away that little moment, not wanting to think about it, not wanting to acknowledge what had just happened between the two of them.
She didn't have too long, anyway- the minute the pups came into the room they mobbed her, grabbing tight to her legs or demanding to be picked up. Inuyasha laughed softly and leaned back, "Woah- hold on, slow down-" climbing back up into the bed so that she wasn't knocked over. The pups pestered her with questions, and between he and Sesshomaru they were able to explain more or less what had happened.
"We're just glad you're okay. We were really worried!" Ame said, her little yellow eyes looking sincere and concerned. She was cuddled in his right arm, while Inukezi was leaning on Inuyasha's left.
The human-pup had Kagome's black hair, and a hint of his father in greenish-yellow eyes, and hands tipped with claws. "Yeah. I mean, it's not the worst thing to happen to someone. You could've gotten your arm or leg chopped off-"
He paused as he felt Sesshomaru's intense gaze and added in a squeak, " Or uh, died, or y'know, turned into some horrible gross monster so yeah-"
Toshi said softly, " I think it's nice. I liked it when Diaozuan was in his female form. I'll bet Inuyasha will be a good mommy, too." Inuyasha seemed conflicted, but decided to ruffle the boy's black hair with approval.
"Yeah well, I'm gonna do everything I can to fix it, so don't get too attached."
Katsu interjected, " I would just like to say that, I called this, and therefore I won the bet." The Daiyokai lifted a brow- oh, right. Katsu /had/ joked about this before.
The Daiyokai and his son had made a bet that, between Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, the hanyou was more likely to miraculously become female than Sesshomaru was to take his female form again. Sesshomaru never thought he'd lose that bet. Ah, well. It was only a few coins.
" Don't be ridiculous Katsu." Sesshomaru said softly. But deftly, slipped a few coins into the pocket of Katsu's hands while the hanyou wasn't looking.
Ame nodded, " I like it, too. You and I can bond over girly stuff. And your eyelashes are so big and pretty!" Inuyasha rolled his eyes, careful not to move too much as she ran a tiny hand over them, giggling a bit.
Toshi murmured, " Inuyasha? How /do/ you turn back, anyways?" and he and Sesshomaru shared an uncomfortable look.
"Well, in normal yokai it wears off after about six months, so I just have to wait until then."
Sesshomaru was surprised by the omission, but let it slide. Inuyasha had enough on her plate as it was. One little white lie wouldn't hurt the pups too much.
Sesshomaru's eyes half-closed, his head aching. So tired.
"Ame. Don't you think Sesshomaru looks tired? Maybe you and him can have a nice long nap, hmm?" Inuyasha offered slyly, handing the girl off to Sesshomaru. Her soft tail entwined with Sesshomaru's looping around it as she smiled, " Yeah ! Can we, Sesshomaru?"
The Daiyokai shot Inuyasha a look. Turning his own pups against him! The audacity of that hanyou. Ame meanwhile, looked up at him hopefully, her eyes infinite pools of sunlight.
He was defeated. " Very well. Inuyasha, make sure they get to bed at the proper time. They may use the training room until bed, if they are so inclined." Toshi and Katsu perked up a little, as did Inukezi. The training room ! They hadn't gone in some time.
Inuyasha stood and nodded, scooping up the two pups with Inukezi close behind. " C'mon you guys. Let's go!" She shoved the back door open and jumped off the balcony, off towards the training rooms which were in a different part of the outer courts of the Palace.
" Inuyasha's going through a lot huh Sesshy?" Ame said softly as he carried her down the hallway. It was sunset, now and the hall glowed with faint orange light. " Mm. It is unfortunately, commonplace for Inuyasha to be in some predicament." Sesshomaru said quietly, his eyes half-open. The fringes of his white eyelashes tinged with orange.
"And… and you have too." She added, her voice very small and quiet. He looked down at her with a measure of surprise. The same way he used to hold Rin, he realized.
Inuyasha's beautiful pureblood pup.
The murderer of Kagome, simply through her arrival into the world.
" I am a grown Daiyokai. I too, am used to such circumstances." He explained and tucked a loose strand of silver hair behind her ear. Opening the door to his own rooms with the point of a black shoe and then shutting it again with his heel.
"That's not a nice thing to get used to." Ame said, frowning. Sesshomaru couldn't think of a reply to that, so he said nothing.
By now, it had lost all of Diaozuan's scent.
Part of the reason Sesshomaru had been none to eager to sleep there. As much as he hated to admit it… the Daiyokai's presence had made it easier to sleep.
" I… I'm gonna work hard. And someday, all this stuff is gonna go away. It's just gonna be you, Inuyasha, and Diaozuan. And we're all gonna be happy." She said, stretching a bit in his arms before settling into a tighter ball. Shesshomaru carefully removed his armor, hanging it on a well-used hook near the door before crawling into bed.
" You think so, hm?" He lay on his side and pulled her close to his chest. Something his own father had done with him once or twice, when he was very small. But he still remembered.
Those were important memories.
"Uh huh. Oh, by the way, I learned something in training last week." She said, and lifted a small hand to Sesshomaru's. When her hand set atop his, it began to glow, and tingle.
Purification.
Sesshomaru's eyes widened in surprise as it spread to his body. Soothing his soul and aligning his energies in a way that was both intrusive but pleasant.
The pup had purification powers, just like Kagome. Just like Kikyo.
" That's quite impressive, Ame. However, do not use it on any of the other demons you spar with just yet, all right little one?" He murmured, petting her tiny arm with the length of his claws from wrist to elbow.
Her skin was still glowing with leftover purification, as was his.
"Mm. Will it hurt them?"
"Yes. Quite a bit." She nodded, content with this and closed her eyes. His own closed as well. It was wonderfully quiet here at night. Faintly, he could hear crickets. " Um. How come it didn't hurt you, then?" He heard her pipe up again.
Sesshomaru yawned, his canines glistening. "Not a lot of yokai can anymore." And when he spoke, his voice was low and quiet with sleepiness.
"Oh. Sesshomaru?" He re-opened one eye.
" How come sometimes, when Inuyasha looks at me, he gets kinda sad?"
The Daiyokai paused and kept his face expressionless for a moment. " That is between you and Inuyasha, Ame. Now, no more questions. Go to sleep."
" Oh, yeah. Sorry. Goodnight, Sesshomaru." She whispered and snuggled tight to him, a little pile of silver hair and pure white fur. He curled his legs up around her back, and his tail around them both.
"Goodnight."
It didn't take long for both to fall asleep.
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Over the next few weeks, Sesshomaru kept note of Inuyasha's progress in the female body.
Within a few weeks, Inuyasha managed to get the sword to respond to her words. Even, to produce the wind scar, backlash wave, and a few other of his signature attacks.
However.
As Sesshomaru watched from the rafters, he knew somewhere in his gut Inuyasha would never be able to protect them properly in this state. No matter how tirelessly she trained.
Even now it took everything from her just to volley of a few of those attacks.
She often trained alone, and that was for the best: for if the guards of the palace spread news of how weakened Inuyasha was in this state, Sesshomaru feared for their safety. Someone was making them vulnerable.
Sesshomaru did not fear battle. It had been his soul purpose in life to pursue those most powerful on the earth to battle, after all.
However. The anticipation of battle with Inuyasha in his current state, and Diaozuan so far away…
Well. It grated on his nerves terribly. The pups weren't ready for battle yet. They were growing adequately fast- as fast as any human, thanks to their diet and the abundance of affection they received from their parents.
Yokai always grew faster when those two factors were present.
Then, around the time of sexual maturity, their growth would slow. And in Daiyokai like Sesshomaru, the aging process becomes nearly imperceptible after maturity.
It was a strategy to get them to produce as many young as possible. And sorely needed, for there was no higher honor bestowed on human or yokai than claiming the head of a Daiyokai as a prize in battle.
They were impossibly honored, revered as gods, hopelessly rich… and constantly in danger of losing their lives. Sesshomaru could only imagine the honor a yokai would receive if they were able to take his own head.
Sesshomaru considered leaving the training room, his suspicions confirmed.
Inuyasha would not hold up in battle, despite her best efforts in that weak body.
Someone would make a move on them and it would be soon. Before the six months were up, before the possibility for Inuyasha to return to his male form, for certain.
Sesshomaru knew this. Yet his informants were having a tough time conforming this. Whoever was moving against the Foo-Dog bloodline was covering their tracks awfully well. Must be a high ranking yokai, for sure. Perhaps one of Inukimi's old enemies, or an old enemy of his father.
It hardly mattered. He trusted his gut. Already he was amassing his own forces, training his own guards himself. Gathering mother's depleted armies and whipping them into shape.
Perhaps it would be enough.
But there was another problem to address.
Suddenly, there was a yank on his tail.
"Whaddya think yer doin' up there, huh? Get down here!" Inuyasha snarled, yanking Sesshomaru down from the rafters.
Damn. He'd been so lost in his thoughts that he'd assumed Inuyasha's ear twitch had been for the noises outside, not his presence.
He sat up quickly, brushing sand off of himself with his hands and tail and growling just a bit. So undignified. Only Inuyasha would think to touch him in such a manner.
"Do not mishandle me, Inuyasha. Just because you are in a female form doesn't mean I will be merciful."
"Ooh, I'm soo scared." Inuyasha huffed, drawing her sword. " How about instead of spying like a weirdo, you actually participate eh? Wind Scar!" The air filled with yellow light, and Sesshomaru held up Bakusaiga, blocking the gusts with the sword still in its sheath.
"Inuyasha. Stop this foolishness." His voice was low and cool. Inuyasha, on the other hand, was panting and sweaty, already quite close to her limit. Though of course, she would never admit to such.
" What if I don't feel like it, huh? Why don't you fight back, coward? Adamant barrage!"
Sesshomaru swatted the half-dozen glittering shards aside in annoyance, as if he was swatting a fly . The hit the wall of the training center, shattering and reflecting distorted images of Inuyasha and himself before embedding into he soft sand and beginning to disappear.
He picked her up by the throat, " Imbecile. That body is weak. You should be taking better care of it." And tossed her into one of the structural posts nearly. Earning a pained grunt in response, and seeing a flash of light as Inuyasha's sword reverted to its rusted form.
She does not even want this fight.
The Daiyokai realized suddenly, even as Inuyasha came for him again. Not even bothering with the sword- just her claws.
She is doing it to cover for another subject bothering her. But what?
Sesshomaru dodged her, using his superhuman speed. She staggered forward and nearly pitched straight into the sand.
"Damn you-"
And even as they continued to 'fight', if one could call it that, he pitied her. She couldn't grab him. Couldn't land a single blow. How could she? With shorter arms, shorter legs- all her calculations were totally thrown off. Sure, she snagged his clothes or tail a few times, but it hardly mattered.
Sesshomaru wasn't sure how long it went on, but after some time, he noticed that suddenly she had been on all fours for some time.
He waited. His long tail uncurling from his shoulder for a moment and stretching out on the sand.
"Are you done."
Inuyasha was panting hard. He could see beads of sweat falling from her face, creating wet little craters in the sand.
"I hate this." Inuyasha whispered , tremors of exhaustion racking her body. So tired. So weak. How she hated it. It reminded her of when she was a child… thrown out by her mother's people, forced to live in the wild.
Scared every single day.
Sesshomaru knelt by Inuyasha's side. " Let us go." When he stood, Inuyasha stood…. But only for a moment. Her legs gave out, and she toppled into the sand once more.
The Lord of the West sighed. It was so very like Inuyasha to completely ignore her limits. Hopefully she had not done permanent damage to any of those limbs or ligaments.
When he went to gather her up, she resisted, "Don't- I can get up on my own-!" but of course that was a lie, and they both could smell as much.
He paused and showed her a fang, letting his eyes go red for a moment.
"Would you prefer to crawl back to our home? Advertise your weakness for all yokai to see?" He snarled, the bridge of his nose wrinkled in distaste. A growl was somewhere low in him, starting from his belly and escaping through the cracks in his teeth. If she kept struggling, he would let her try to get back on her own. That much Inuyasha was sure of.
The hands that had been pushing at his arms and chin stopped. Inuyasha's arms tucked tight to her form, and Sesshomaru heard a miserable,
"Sesshomaru-… Fuck. I can't even protect the pups like this." A tense pause, then "… What fucking use am I."
Sesshomaru stepped out from the training suites.
It was nighttime. Sweet white butterflies flew among the pathways, each carefully planted with a variety of unique and rare species. To the human eye it was a grey abyss.
But to a yokai eye, it was a calm pattern of blues. Rather pretty, especially by the moonlight.
Luckily, the few yokai who were outside seemed absorbed in their conversations and drink and payed the two no heed. In fact, Inuyasha's new form was so small that perhaps they thought it was just a yokai carrying his daughter home.
"As if your only worth is tied to your fighting prowess." Sesshomaru muttered disdainfully. "You protected Inukezi without your sword, did you not?" Inuyasha startled in his grip, just a little.
Sesshomaru was right- he'd set Inukezi up by a meat stall, knowing the stench would be too overwhelming for any yokai to track him properly.
There were other ways of protection. She'd just have to get better at them. And keep training this body in the meantime.
"First time you've ever said something like that." Inuyasha muttered, looking up at the moon. She was surprised to see that it matched almost exactly the mark on Sesshomaru's forehead.
"Hey Sesshomaru. Look." She pointed up. He followed her gaze, his eyes showing amusement.
" Mm. You know Inuyasha, that does happen more than once."
Her cheeks went scarlet, "I know that, you ass, I was just point-" and then even more so when his gaze met hers.
He was making a joke. And it'd worked, too, getting her riled like that.
She huffed, crossing her arms and tucking her chin a bit so she didn't have to look into his eyes anymore. Sesshomaru kept walking. His footsteps were quiet.
"Do you know why the marks of the Foo-Dog often manifest a crescent moon, Inuyasha?" He asked. She hated to admit that she was a little intrigued.
" We'll you're gonna tell me anyway so go right ahead."
Sesshomaru snorted just a little.
"It has many different meanings, depending on what clan you hear it from. From our enemies, they say it gives us unearned power, and predisposes our descendants to become evil." He paused and gave it another glance. An almost affectionate one. In each of his own eyes there was a small crescent moon for just a fleeting moment.
"Father once told me that a crescent moon symbolizes hidden strength. All life on this planet is touched by the moon- many plants and animals would perish without its cycles. It brings strength and power to those in our clan in moments when others would fail." His voice was soft, now. Hardly above a whisper. Inuyasha had to strain a little to hear it.
"His blood is within you as well, Inuyasha. Perhaps… you will thrive in this darkness rather than wilt." Sesshomaru murmured, and Inuyasha sought out his gaze.
Unfortunately, it was a bit late for that. Somehow they were back inside Sesshomaru's home in the inner court already. Sesshomaru laid out Inuyasha in his bed and murmured, "Good night, Inuyasha." Before the hanyou even had a chance to reciprocate, he was already gone.
Inuyasha writhed around in bed until she was able to get her head close enough to the window to see the moon. Everything ached and throbbed. She'd pushed herself far too hard, but it was her pride that was injured more than anything.
Sesshomaru had seen how much work she had left to do. How this body was so different. How her arms ached to even wield her own sword.
How weak she was.
"Damnit…" She whispered, giving the moon a glare.
What the hell was he trying to do with that little speech anyhow? Hidden strength? There is no hidden strength in this body! Honestly, -
She paused and grabbed the blanket, pulling it up to her shoulder, wincing and hissing in pain at the movement.
What was he doing.
Was he trying to… comfort me?
She replayed the little speech in her mind. Thrive, rather than wilt in the darkness.
He was.
The realization was a bit of a shock. But then…he'd done it before, too, when she'd first found out about this awful form. That weird hug-thing that had happened between them that neither had mentioned.
Why?
Partially she knew it was because if she was busy being a mess, that wasn't good for the pups. But… the other part of it, she didn't understand at all.
He doesn't give a shit. He never gave a shit. His entire existence was shaped around his not-giving-a-shitness.
And then a tiny, awful voice in Inuyasha's head said very softly.
He does, though. And you know it. Perhaps now more than ever. He's worried about you. Of course he comforted you. You're connected. Bonded by fate. You know the power of that mark on your neck.
Shut up.
Inuyasha closed her eyes, pulling the pillow tight under her head. There was too much to think about. If Sesshomaru cared than he wouldn't've spent half his life trying to kill him!
How long are you going to use that excuse? When was the last time he even touched you with the intention to kill? Do you even remember?
I said to shut up-
You like him.
That caused her breath to catch in her throat. No, no. Getting too close to the truth.
But it seemed like once these thoughts crept in, they were impossible to stop. A tiny sliver had opened in the dam and now everything was starting to leak through.
You like him. You want to be held by him.
You want to be loved by him.
You want him to look at you the way he looks at Diaozuan. That is why you were so angry seeing their little kisses and touches and watching them speak inside each other's heads.
You were jealous.
No I wasn't! Inuyasha's claws dug into the soft, cool fabric underneath her, ripping the sheets as she slammed her head down into the pillow. Repeating it over and over again until she could think of nothing else. Until her head aches and the bones in her fingers throbbed from being tensed for so long.
She pulled them out gingerly, wincing a little as she saw how much damage they had done. Whoops. Well. Sesshomaru probably had plenty more sheets. She crossed her arms over the top of her head.
I wasn't.
I can't have these feelings, so I won't. I'll just keep ignoring them.
But no matter how many times she told that to herself, Inuyasha's mind kept replaying the sensation of being carried in his arms. Like Inuyasha was weightless. Nothing at all. The thumping of his heart tucked away under all that armor. The tickle of moonlight hair. The slight indentation of sharp claws on his fire rat robes.
And it was trapped in that memory that she fell asleep.
Sesshomaru, of course, was still awake.
He didn't need as much sleep as the hanyou, and there was something that needed to be addressed. He was in the records area of their library, deep underground in case of raids, locked behind many doors and seals. Toshi was with him- apparently the kit couldn't sleep.
The area smelled of parchment, leather, and ink. Sweet and sour. The air was full of dust, and Sesshomaru smiled just a little in the darkness when Toshi sneezed. Sesshomaru went to one of the oil lamps, snapping his fingers to cause a tiny spark. The wick lit, and the area was bathed in warm orange light.
Quietly, he began skimming the records. Most were bound in yokai leather, as it endured the elements better than regular animal hide. His claw floated over the spines and their writing glittered faintly. Pulling out one, two, three volumes quick as a whip and stacking them on his shoulder armor as not to squish the kit in his arms.
He then went to a corner of the room. All among the records and library many desks and chairs were tucked in corners, and this was no exception. He lit an oil lamp there as well and spread out the three books. They were exceptionally old, and he was careful to handle the pages with only the tips of his claws as to not transfer oils and other contaminants.
This was going to take a while.
"Maru, what are you looking up?" Toshi asked sleepily. 'Maru' was sort of a bastardized version of 'mother' that Toshi still used with Sesshomaru sometimes, mostly when they were alone. He didn't much mind it.
" An answer to a question, kittling. Books usually produce answers, if you comb them carefully enough." Sesshomaru brought out a long kiseru pipe. If he was going to be here this long, he might as well smoke. With it, he brought out some supplies for cleaning.
" Would you like to help me clean this, Toshi?" The kit perked up, watching as Sesshomaru broke the pipe into the three main pieces. Mouthpiece, shaft, and bowl.
Together the two of them set about cleaning the pipe, Sesshomaru guiding the pup through the steps of getting out the old leaf, polishing it with oils. He checked Toshi's work carefully, making sure there was no leftover gunk in the barrel of the tiny tube.
Nope. " Not bad." Sesshomaru murmured, ruffling the kit's hair and then reassembling the three pieces just so.
He snapped his finger again to light the bowl and took a small drag, pulling the book a bit closer as the pips hung comfortably just behind his right canine.
"Can I have some?" The kit asked hopefully. Sesshomaru raised a brow, poking the little crescent moon on the boy's forehead playfully.
"In a few more years, kittling."
It was annoying, looking through birthing records. But at leas the author of these had grouped them into zodiac tribe. So getting to the Foo-Dogs was easy enough.
"Look, Toshi. This was one of your ancestors. They said he was as big as a dragon." Sesshomaru murmured, tilting the book so Toshi could see the illustration included.
It was a fox of enormous size, his seven tails spread and his ruff puffed out to fullness as he roared in victory over what looked like, piles of bodies.
"Wow.." The little fox whispered, touching the page with his claws gently. "What was his name?"
Sesshomaru tilted his head a bit, reading the full title. "Hyousuke the Terrible. But his full title was Hyousuke of the East, second of his name, the black-skinned, King of all flame-belchers, Destroyer of human hearts and Wielder of the corrosive flame."
Toshi blinked slowly, and Sesshomaru gently tilted the book flat again, moving on. Come on, Foo -Dogs. They were always in the back, for some reason.
"How come he has so many names?"
Aha, here was the section on Foo-Dogs. Sesshomaru's finger trailed down the lists of sires and dames, very slowly and carefully. Smoke drifted from the pipe, filling the air with the scent of licorice and peppermint.
"All Daiyokai have similar titles. It usually describes feats that they've done, wars accomplished, kits birthed… things like that. I have a full title as well."
The Daiyokai clicked his tongue in irritation. Wrong era. Too late. He set the book aside and opened the next one.
"What's yours?"
Sesshomaru's eyes glistened like molten gold as he scanned the pages. " I am Sesshomaru the Undying. My full title is Sesshomaru of the West, first of his name, crescent-blessed, King and protector of the mountains of everlasting mist, Destroyer of death itself, and resurrector of the Foo-Dog line." He stated mildly, taking another drag of the pipe as his hands flipped through delicate pages. This one was bound in human skin for some reason, but he decided not to share that with Toshi.
Toshi sat there in total disbelief, and Sesshomaru gave him a slight squeeze.
"Its' a bit… pretentious. That's why I don't often share it." Sesshomaru said softly, giving the shocked kit a soft look. It's also why he made sure Tiao-Wen and the other servants never used Sesshomaru's title around the pups, or Inuyasha for that matter. He didn't want her feeling left out.
" I don't think I'll ever be able to have that many fancy names." Toshi said softly, dejectedly.
"You will." Sesshomaru said, as if it were already set in stone.
"I had a bad dream, Sesshomaru. " Toshi finally admitted, after a little while of Sesshomaru reading through page after page of lineage.
"Oh?" The Daiyokia prompted.
"Mm hmm." Toshi's little body was full of trembles. " I dreamed that the Palace got attacked. And… and you and Inuyasha were fighting, but.. that you lost. Sesshomaru, you have to go talk to the dragon. The big one, in the mountains. He's gonna help you so that we don't die."
Sesshomaru raised a brow.
"Do you know what this dragon looked like?"
Toshi nodded. " He had blue scales, and a red mane. And he helped you out once before, but I don't remember how. And he's… huge." He ended quietly.
Helped me once before? He couldn't be referring to Youshi… Sesshomaru thought, a little ruffled. How did Toshi know all of this?
" When did these dreams start, Toshi?"
The kit shrugged. " A few days ago. Sometimes-" He paused tensely and then looked up at his father, clinging tightly to his robes. " Sometimes my dreams tell me stuff that actually happens and so, so…" He trailed off, looking a little lost.
"I will go to speak with him. Do not fret." Sesshomaru assured the kit, and he seemed to relax all over, muttering into his father's chest, " I was afraid you wouldn't believe me."
" You have not lied to be before." Sesshomaru pressed a kiss to the boy's dark hair and rubbed his back. But his mind was troubled.
Is he sight-blessed?
It was a rare and dangerous gift. It certainly didn't run in Sesshomaru's side of the family. All he knew of it was rumors- that yokai with it got glimpses into the future, even tips on how to prevent future disasters.
He'd definitely have to speak to Diaozuan about this later. His eyes drifted back to the text in front of him.
Aha! Here was the right era. He scanned with a finger down the many names, huffing a little when he saw Inuyasha's name.
Father's blood and signature, signifying Inuyasha as his son.
It was never fool-proof, but most demons of any merit signed a contract sometime after intercourse with their mate, just as Diaozuan had with Sesshomaru. It helped when claims or disputes of lineage cam up, as when the throne had been empty after Inukimi had died.
Of course, no one questioned Sesshomaru's claim.
Aha! Here it was.
Year 400 ( by human records). Union of Inukimi and Inu no Taisho. Offspring produced, Sesshomaru. The blood and signature were there of his father, just as it had been for Inuyasha.
Sesshomaru gave an irritated huff. He didn't know what he'd been expecting. His eyes went from the blot of blood on the current page, to the one in the other book.
Hm.
He moved Toshi to his lap. The boy curled up there and closed his eyes, already mostly-asleep now that what had been bothering him was off his shoulders. Sesshomaru wrapped him gently in his tail and leaned foreward, sniffing the two dots of blood.
They smelled slightly different.
It was nigh impossible to tell via layers of other people's scents, the passage of time, and the decay of the material itself that the blood was bound to.
Yet.
He squinted. Now that his eyes were this close, the writing for Inu no Taisho's name was a little blurry on the section for Sesshomaru. As if… as if someone had written something else, then quickly erased it.
Sesshomaru growled and ripped the paper out of the book, holding it up so that the light shone through.
There was a name underneath Inu No Taisho's name.
Inu No Takahiro.
What.
WHAT.
Who in the seven hells-
Sesshomaru carried Yoshi off to bed, then all but ran back to the records library. Snatching books off of the shelves now.
Who is that. I have never even heard of such a demon.
It was around three in the morning and the sky was a shy pink, when Sesshomaru finally found what he was looking for.
He slammed the book roughly down, his eyes all but devouring the definition and description when he finally found an entry amid the hundreds of sleeping volumes in the library.
Inu No Takahiro
Birth to Death record- 100-1267
Status- Deceased
Species- Foo Dog, Dragon hybrid
Description- Inu No Takahiro was Inu No Taisho's most trusted body double. Thanks to his dragon lineage and his time spent studying under the great Fox Transformation masters, he was able to imitate the Great Dog Demon perfectly, from physical appearance to personality. The boy was assigned to be the body double of the Great Dog Demon as a child and the two were great friends. Often he was sent to do assignments the Great Dog Demon disliked or to locations to lure away attempts at assassinations. He kept the Great Dog Demon alive for much longer than any other Daiyokai of that era thanks to his prowess. It was often said that the two enjoyed testing those in their presence, talking to Inu No Takahiro one moment and Inu No Taisho the next, to see if they could tell the difference. It was during one such assignment that Inu No Takahiro was poisoned by a member of the snake tribe and met his end. Due to his talent at imitation, it is unknown if he had any descendants, or several for none were officially claimed.
It ended there.
Sesshomaru felt like he couldn't breathe. The room was tightening up, closing in around him.
Mother didn't know. Even she didn't know the difference.
She put Inu No Taisho because it was the safest.
He sat back in his chair, covering his face with his hands for a moment. Then letting them slide down his face to expose his eyes.
Surely it cannot be so.
Sesshomaru at first, refused to believe it. But the more he sat and thought, the more factors stacked in favor of this strange, dead Daiyokai.
Factor one- Record keepers were very careful when writing names down. If it'd been a simple misspelling, that'd be different. But the entire name was written down and then crossed out. That indicated that at some point the record-keeper had been told that Sesshomaru's father was the half-dragon.
Factor two-One of Sesshomaru's first attacks was a small version of the now-perfected Dragon Strike. It was unusual for a Foo-Dog species to have a signature attack like that.
Factor three- all the nonsense about the Tessaiga. Giving Sesshomaru the cast-off technique to be perfected, just to be reabsorbed by Inuyasha's sword. Giving Inuyasha what was his by birthright… or so he thought.
It makes sense.
If Sesshomaru was not Inu No Taisho's son, than he could hardly be blamed for giving the pup a nigh-useless sword as an inheritance.
It would be the logical thing to do.
Inu No Taisho must have known that Sesshomaru was not his pup. Sure, he'd raised him as his own after the true father had perished, but he'd known. That was why he was passed over for Inuyasha. The Great Dog Demon had not cheated on Inukimi- had probably never even taken her to bed, despite being wedded to her.
Inuyasha was the one and only son of Inu No Taisho.
Sesshomaru glanced at his reflection in the small mirror hanging above the desk. Very slowly, tracing the two maroon stripes on his cheeks.
The truth of his lineage had been pasted on his skin all these years. Inukimi didn't have the double stripes- and neither did Inu No Taisho. And while it was true that occasionally markings mixed or morphed in strange ways…
The likelihood that it would produce a different color, and number of stripes?
Almost impossible.
What a fool I've been.
Sesshomaru's shoulders hunched forward- his hands balling into fists, his great blue demon-blood seeping out onto the wooden desk and slowly absorbing.
Well, he'd gotten his answer. The reason why his yokai and Inuyasha's were attracted to each other was simple- they were not blood brothers, nor had they ever been.
To the demons they were simply another eligible Foo-Dog mate.
When he looked back in the mirror he was a picture of grief and anger- fangs bared, nose wrinkled, eyes still yellow but ringed by blood. And on the lower lash line there were the beginning of tears.
Did all of it mean nothing? Why did you even bother raising me, if I wasn't yours?
Can I even still call you my father, if your blood is not within me?
" Who am I, father." He whispered to the pale dawn as he glared at his own reflection.
But his words went unanswered.
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Ooooh plot twist lol.
No fan of kikyo- okay you got me there. But now the InuxSess can commence, so that's good
Smiles-Not very well would be your answer, I think. Haha!