Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Midnight Interlude...
Chapter 7
It would break eventually. He knew. It would surely break, the fragile bond between mates. His betrayal had been enormous. The natural laws the demons followed would not let the bond to form again if it breaks fully.
Could one blame him for prolonging it so that he could spend what little time he had to have his mate in his arms? He never felt such loss before. His heart ached at the very thought of loosing Inuyasha forever. The prospect of not having his little brother in his life sounding daunting to him.
He knew he couldn't force the bond to reconstruct, Inuyasha needed to give him his full trust. Inuyasha needed to trust him with his mind, body and soul. His arms tightened around his mate possessively as he brought his head down to nuzzled the beautiful hanyou's neck. The scent had flooded his nostrils drugged him.
For years his demonic blood had burned within he confines of is body. His soul calling out to something he had no knowledge of. Eight years of Inuyasha's disappearance, his body ached almost everyday, his demon side clawed at him. He never understood why he was so restless, his control slipped day by day. It was only about two years ago that he realized that his restlessness started with Inuyasha's disappearance.
When he set out to find Inuyasha he didn't expect to get what he got. A son and a mate.
When he set out on his search for his brother he never expected to end up like this, with a beautiful mate in his arms and a strong son sleeping just next door. Everything became so clear, the years of ache, the way his breath caught at the sight of Inuyasha after eight long years.
Tonight his demon side had set out to claim what was his. But he couldn't do it. The feeling of Inuyasha's body pressed against his was exquisite. The feeling of those supple lips parting underneath his sent triumph shooting through his veins. The scent of desire was heavy in the air as he, between short lingering kisses managed to bring his mate to his room, on his bed.
That was all he could do, he went no further. The sensual arch of Inuyasha's body when he ground their arousals against one another almost made him loose his sanity. He held back, ignoring the lustful growling at the back of his head. Inuyasha's slender fingers dug into his hair, holding his head in place as he dropped open mouthed kisses on the pale scented flesh of his mate's neck.
Desire was flooding through his veins as he lifted his head to gaze into those wonderful eyes. The glittering gems were half-lidded yet they conveyed a myriad of emotions, there was fear, anticipation and most of all there was love. The gaze nearly ripped his heart in two, he felt guilty for a crime he didn't commit. He lowered his lips to run along one smooth cheek as he murmured, "My beautiful mate... forgive me."
Inuyasha looked up at him in confusion. One elegant brow raising in question. He was just so simply, so elegantly beautiful. Golden eyes that were so impossibly large and innocent for a person who had suffered so much in his life. Smooth cheeks were flushed in a slight hue of pink, contrasting the pale silver hair that whispered against the silken skin. In his selfishness he could destroy this exquisite creature he cradled in his arms, the thought of hurting Inuyasha scared him like no other.
Which is why he held back.
"I don't know how I lost control." He kept his head on Inuyasha's chest and sighed, "I can't promise it won't happen again, but I'll try to keep myself away from you." He was about to get up when Inuyasha's fingers wrapped around his wrist. Gentle fingers caressed his cheek as Inuyasha placed a reassuring kiss on his forehead. Sesshoumaru looked at his mate in confusion but Inuyasha said nothing. Slender arms wrapped around him in an embrace.
Despite his confusion, the daiyoukai sighed when his mate stroked his hair. His head rested on Inuyasha's shoulders and he stared at the hanyou as the other's gaze was fixed on the ceiling.
"I love you Sesshoumaru." Inuyasha said simply, as though it was the easiest thing to say. Sesshoumaru felt his eyes widen slightly at the confession but Inuyasha paid no attention to him. "Despite everything in the past. I loved you when you drove your hand through my stomach just as I loved you that night when we mated." There was nothing but sincerity in those plainly spoken words. The strength of conviction supported Inuyasha's claim as he gazed, shocked, at his brother's firm countenance.
Inuyasha let out a tired sigh and said, "I will not let the bond break Aniki, I have no desire to do so." He shifted slightly and sought comfort in Sesshoumaru's arms. Digging his face into the elder youkai's chest he whispered, "But we have our son to consider first." Strong pulled wrapped around him as Sesshoumaru moved to lay on his back. "What about our pup Inu?"
Inuyasha took a deep breath and said, "You are his father Aniki. Despite all appearances, he needs both of us in his life. You have missed his birth, you missed a vital stage of his life, a stage when father and son bond. He is your blood, take time to understand him, let him understand you."
Sesshoumaru let a small smile play at his lips and he whispered in one furry ear, "Whatever you say my lovely one."
He chuckled as Inuyasha growled at him and yelled, "Hey! Stop treating me like a woman!"
Inuyasha ducked gracefully, using his arms as brace he flipped right over the gigantic blade of Tetsusaiga and landed just behind his opponent. With a solid hit at the back of his opponent's head and flipped over him and kicked the sword right out of his hands. Sweeping low Inuyasha brought out his leg and tripped him and then elegantly spun and landed on his opponent's stomach, claws ready to slit his throat.
The hanyou grunted in disapproval and stood up. Dusting his rich silk clothing he spared his fallen opponent a glance and growled, "That won't do. Pay attention whelp." Kiyoshi quickly snapped back to reality and forced his dizziness away. "Gomen." he whispered, trying his best to stand still on his feet. He was used to it now, the intensity of his father's training. He brought a shaky hand to his head and brushed a few strands of hair off his eyes. Taking a deep breath to steady himself he looked back at his father.
Every time he perfected a new move or made one of his own, he deluded himself into believing he could defeat anyone. The Tetsusaiga's power was legendary and when he was able to transform the rusty blade into a sword, he thought he could defeat his father in a spar just once.
And every time his father slammed his face into dirt with embarrassing ease. He flinched when the full force of his father's glare settled on him. "Alright pup. You managed to hold on for a minute against me. However, a minute means nothing. Don't let a new move go to your head."
His father's hand went to the hilt of Shinken. His eyes widened as the majestic blade was drawn. Pulsing with power. Kiyoshi took an unconscious step back at the sight of the glowing white blade. He had seen it several times before and it still managed to startle him with its beauty and raw power. The blade was slender, not fang-shaped like his Tetsusaiga. It was gleaming white and long. Along the length of the blade Inuyasha's name was engraved in elegant kanji. Although the blade looked fragile, Kiyoshi knew better.
He gulped when his father brought the sword before him and crouched down low, gazing at him through his silvery bangs. He could tell that he was going to end up bloody and bruised after this sparing match, however there was no denying the adrenalin rushing through his veins. His youkai blood burned under his skin to feel the thrill of battle and there was no better opponent then his very own father.
"Well now Kiyoshi, give me your best. You have to last three minutes, if I defeat you before that be ready to bare the consequences." Inuyasha said softly, but there was no mistaking the dangerous undertone in his father's voice. A shudder coursed through him. He bowed to his father and picked his grandfather's fang of the ground. It immediately transformed. Out of the corner of his eye he saw his father's friends. He also saw his other father.
A sigh escaped his lips. 'This is getting confusing. I really should find a way to refer to them differently. I cannot call dad mother. He'll kill me. How about big father and little father?' Kiyoshi snickered, the snicker turned into a full blown chuckle.
Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at his laughing son and asked, "Kiyoshi, what is going through that naughty head of yours?" Kiyoshi chuckled and said, "Well, I was thinking that I cannot call both of you 'father', so I decided I'll call you 'little dad' and him 'big dad'."
Inuyasha chuckled slightly and spared a glance at an amused Sesshoumaru. Although the youkai lord's expression did not change, he could see amusement in his eyes. Smiling at his son he said, "Why not call me father and call Sesshoumaru Otousan?"
Kiyoshi's eyes lit up causing Inuyasha's smile to widen. "Great idea father! Now I won't be confused anymore."
Inuyasha shook his head slightly at his son's antics and said, "Come on little one. I have to go for a patrol after this."
Kiyoshi nodded and settled into his preferred fighting stance. Like always he was the first to attack. He swung the fang at his father who easily dodged and like before appeared behind him. Not the one to be caught twice by the same trick he quickly brought the Tetsusaiga to block the Shinken. The fang trembled under the power of the other sword. The tremble shook his whole body and he fought to have a grip on the enormous sword. He pouted unconsciously and said, "I'll never win against Shinken, your sword is stronger then mine."
"Keh! That means nothing brat! Tetsusaiga is much superior to your otousan's Tokojin, yet he managed to defeat me many times." Inuyasha said, annoyed at his son's ignorance. "The sword is a weapon, a mere tool. How you wield it matters. With no skill, the sword has no power. In equally skilled hands, Shinken may overpower Tetsusaiga. However, with superior skill Tetsusaiga can defeat Shinken."
His son tilted his head to the side. The trembling of Tetsusaiga subsided, yet Kiyoshi's attention was on him. The hanyou and his son were oblivious to their audience as Inuyasha said, "Think, analyze my movements. Our eyes are sharp, things give an opponent away. Tensing of facial muscles, tightening of grip on the sword hilt, a hitch in breathing. Utilize all your senses and try to pinpoint such things." Kiyoshi nodded seriously. He settled again into a battle stance. His ears stood in attention, his eyes narrowed in concentration.
Seeing that his son was prepared, Inuyasha disappeared from view. He was a mere blur that attacked Kiyoshi from different side in a split second. Using his sharp ears the young youkai was able to counter some of his father's attacks. Other attacks got past his guard and hit.
Suddenly Inuyasha appeared to his earlier position and nodded, "Good work. For your first time, you did very well." Kiyoshi hissed and fell onto one knee, blood tainting his white clothes. Even through his obvious pain, he gave a beaming smile at his father when he saw the proud glint in his eyes.
Inuyasha smirked at his son and picked him up. Digging his nose into his son's hair he said, "Lets patch up your wounds then you can rest till evening and contemplate on your fight. Alright?" Kiyoshi nodded, smiling bright as he rested his head on Inuyasha's shoulder.
While Inuyasha was in Kiyoshi's room tending to his wounds. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha's friends were outside.
Kagome, Shippo and Miroku had gone pale when they saw the brutality with which Inuyasha trained his son. Which sane father would hurt his son in an effort to train? Wide eyed, Kagome stared at the small drops of blood that were on the floor of the dojo. Clutching Shippo to her chest she whispered, "What's wrong with him! How can he hurt a child like that?"
Miroku nodded in agreement, "There was no way Kiyoshi would have been able to handle Inuyasha when he is doing his best to defeat the boy."
Sesshoumaru did not pay any heed to the humans. His concentration was on the battle that had played out in front of him. Never had he felt such a feeling of pride course through him. Inuyasha had done a total of twenty eight strikes with his sword at tremendous speed. Out of that Kiyoshi had blocked eleven and dodged three. He was able to avoid half of Inuyasha's attacks, at his age such a feet was impressive. Sesshoumaru was certain that neither he nor Inuyasha would have managed such efficiency at such a young age.
Even though Inuyasha had held back a lot on speed and strength, he had utilized enough of his force to overwhelm Kiyoshi. Sesshoumaru felt a smirk crawl onto his lips, his father would have been immensely proud if he met his grandson.
"He has turned into a monster." The strong whisper caught Sesshoumaru's attention and he turned to look at Kagome who had spoken. "You know nothing of Youkai upbringing, do not try to judge our ways by your ningen standards." Kagome glared at him with fierce brown eyes and said, "Do youkai standards say that you should mate your own brother and make your son bleed for the sake of training? People here are right, youkai are evil creatures that pollute this earth."
Cold golden eyes gazed at her, his face void of all emotions. "Tell me ningen, is your little fox demon trained?" Kagome nodded, her eyes narrowing at him. "Will he be able to hold his own in battle, say if you are incapacitated?" Silky brows rose in question. There was challenge in Sesshoumaru's tone for he knew for sure that youkai trained by humans could not each scratch an enemy.
Kagome crossed her arms and said, "Yes he would, Sango and I have trained him, gently and properly. He is not going to be a blood thirsty youkai like you." The daiyoukai nearly raised an eyebrow at that. Some amusement showed on his face as he derisively repeated, "Blood thirsty?" Chuckling slightly the Lord turned to look up at the clear morning sky.
"My son, ningen, could handle a fourth of Inuyasha's power, from what I can see he will also be able to handle a fourth of my power. Considering he is only eight years old, such a feet is impressive. Your kitsune youkai is somewhere around fifty years old, yet he wouldn't hold a candle to my boy."
Facing her angry expression he said, "How Inuyasha raises our son is none of your concern. Kiyoshi will grow up to be a daiyoukai as he first born of our clan. It will be his responsibility to keep the west in check." With that said Sesshoumaru stood up and left to his room.
Sango sighed and shook her head, "Kagome, must you always lock horns with Sesshoumaru?" Miroku looked at the young slayer and said, "But Sango, those wounds looked serious." The demon slayer scoffed, "Serious! Che! Why do you tend to forget that demons aren't humans?" Sango threw her arms up in the air in frustration, "Why do I even bother?"
"Indeed." can a murmured response. They all turned to see the very topic of their discussion sitting not very far from them. Kiyoshi had his wounds bandaged and a look of immense satisfaction on his face. In his hand was the transformed Tetsusaiga as he examined the blade expertly for any wear and tear. "Although I appreciate your concern Kagome-san, I would be happy if you don't interfere in matters that you can't comprehend." With a contented sigh he sheathed his sword and looked at the group of ningens.
"My father always said that to gain strength there is no short cuts. If I don't want to bleed in battle I have to bleed in training. I like to spar with him like this, when he takes me seriously." He looked at them and said, "And forgive Otousan. He is merely defending his mate, you cannot go on to insult a daiyoukai's mate Kagome-san, he will have your head if you cross the line."
"Eh? What are you talking about? I never insulted Inuyasha." Kiyoshi raised an eyebrow at her. "Didn't you? A monster is not a term of endearment, lady, nor is blood- thirsty youkai. The training Otousan went through, as I am told by my father, was ten times as worse. Moreover, the life that turned my father as strong as he is now caused wounds far worse then what both Otousan and I have faced. May I remind you, it was through this hard earned strength you are alive today and Naraku is dead."
Kagome didn't look convinced but didn't voice her doubts. Kiyoshi closed his eyes and smiled when his ears picked up the soft whispered conversation between his parents. He hadn't failed to notice the rather fresh mating mark that adorned his father's throat. Although he still had his doubts about his Otousan, he couldn't ignore the smile of absolute happiness he had been bestowed with in the morning. His father was happy, so he was happy. After all how bad could his other parent be?
"Kiyoshi, go with your Otousan for some meditation." came his father's voice from somewhere in the house.
Kiyoshi sighed and ran to follow his other parent as the silent lord walked out of the doors. "Hey! Wait for me Otousan!" Sesshoumaru slowed his footsteps to accommodate his son. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw the exact replica of himself catch up to him.
"Ne, Otousan? How are western lands like?" Sesshoumaru blinked at his little one's attempt to start a conversation. Looking down at the boy and thought back on his conversation with Inuyasha last night. "Has Inuyasha never spoken to you of the West. It is after all your home land." Kiyoshi shook his head and looked up at him with a curious expression.
Sesshoumaru was curious as well, he was seeing two sides of his son. One cold and aloof but polite, and one curious and innocent, just like Inuyasha used to be as a pup. From what he could see, Inuyasha was a great father. He trained the child well, he thought him well, he gave him all the loving care that Inuyasha never got. So he didn't understand the need for Kiyoshi being so guarded.
He didn't hesitate as he placed one affectionate hand on his little son's head and said, "Not much different than here I suppose. Though we do have a forest there, named after your father." Kiyoshi's eyes widened, "Honto ni?" Sesshoumaru smiled slightly and nodded with a softly spoken, "Hai."
"The West is the only land that has a full fledged winter. Snow covers the whole castle, even your grandmother's beloved gardens." Sesshoumaru said, looking down at the thoughtful boy. "You father loves snowfall. I remember how his mother used to wrap him up in warm clothes just so he could have his desire to play in the snow." The slight smile on Sesshoumaru's face widened as he looked at the sky, "It didn't understand it then, my logic said that winter was bland, cold. There were no flowers, dead trees, long nights and short days. However, Inuyasha loved it, he loved the west."
Kiyoshi stayed silent, but Sesshoumaru knew he wanted to hear more. "Your grandfather was one of the greatest and the kindest demons ever to grace the surface of earth. He was very powerful and respected. He died protecting your father the day he was born. That's when I took over the position as the Lord of the West."
"Ne Otousan, Tetsusaiga is made from his fang right? Father said that you too have a sword, it have the power to bring people to life! Is that true?" Sesshoumaru nodded and took out the Tensaiga and handed it to his son, "That is the Tensaiga." His observed as his son looked at the sword with a critical eye and said, "Looks like an ordinary sword, then again, never judge a book by its cover."
Sesshoumaru nodded and took the sword as it was handed back to him, "Who knows, either you or your siblings. If you have any in the near future, would get this sword." That statement earned him a suspicious glare from his son. Crossing his arms he huffed in a manner that was so astonishingly like Inuyasha in his youth. As always, the action caused him to smirk.
They arrived at a peaceful clearing and Sesshoumaru sat down in the lotus position under the cool shade of a large tree. Kiyoshi gave him a confused look, forgetting of the whole purpose of their trip. The daiyoukai took the small hand in his and made the little boy sit on his lap. Running his long fingers through his son's silken hair he leaned back against the tree. Meditation could wait.
It was a few moments before the younger youkai leaned back against his parent and relaxed completely. "Otousan?" Sesshoumaru didn't open his eyes nor did he look at the boy. Clawed fingers kept petting the little head as he asked, "Nani?" His son shifted so he could look at him and asked, "Can you tell me more about father's past?" The daiyoukai looked down at his son and raised a questioning eyebrow.
The younger one just curled up against him, keeping his head on his parent's strong chest he said, "I never even knew about you, Kagome-san, Miroku-san and Sango-san. He never told me of that filthy wolf Kouga, nor about the kitsune. Who was Naraku? And who was this Kikyou lady?"
Sesshoumaru frowned, he didn't know why Inuyasha would keep things from his son. May be it was painful for him to recall the past. May be being as protective as he is, he didn't want Kiyoshi to be exposed to that. Sesshoumaru didn't know.
The daiyoukai lifted his gaze from Kiyoshi to the sky again and said, "It is not my story to tell. Nevertheless, I can tell you whatever I know." Wrapping his arms loosely around the boy and said, "Well, when you father was very young, he wanted to become a full demon. It was not because a youkai was more powerful, or a hanyou was weak. It was simply because Inuyasha needed a place to belong. He heard of a powerful jewel shikon no tama. The jewel had the power to grant any wish you want, at the price of your soul."
Looking at his son's wide eyed attention he said, "The jewel was protected by a priestess named Kikyou. She was strong but she couldn't bring herself to hurt Inuyasha, nor could he hurt her. There was deep love between them."
Kiyoshi looked up, startled, "How! Father loves you!" the boy promptly shut up when he realized what he had said. Sesshoumaru chuckled and dug his nose into his son's hair and said softly, "Hai, he loves me. At that point of his life, our face offs weren't as frequent. He didn't realize his feelings then. But his love for the miko was true." Sesshoumaru frowned and said, "As for the love miko had for him, I am uncertain. She told Inuyasha to use the jewel to turn himself to a human so she would not have the burden of protecting it furthermore."
"In short she was using father?" Kiyoshi muttered through clenched teeth. Sesshoumaru smirked at the boy's protectiveness for his father, "As I said, I am uncertain. Naraku was the one who plotted them against each other. He killed Kikyou under the guise of being Inuyasha and she pinned him to a tree with her arrow. He stayed like that for 50 years until Kagome, he incarnate released him. Your father swore vengeance. Kagome shattered the jewel by error. They spent a lot of time collecting the jewel and eventually defeating Naraku. What's surprising is that he defeated Naraku being pregnant with you."
Shrugging off all the memories the daiyoukai asked, "Is there anything else you want to ask little one?" Kiyoshi shook his head and relaxed. It seemed like his son was slowly beginning to trust him, trust him enough to show Sesshoumaru his true self without hesitation. The daiyoukai felt a weight lifted off his shoulders and smiled softly.
Having a son wasn't so bad. It was an extremely filling experience, to have your kid train, grow up. Even Kiyoshi's smallest achievements made him proud. He could understand why father sacrificed his life for saving Inuyasha and his mother. It was something Sesshoumaru would so without second thought now. He wondered how the actions of one night managed to change his life. From the icy coldness of his lonely existence to the sunny warmth of his Inuyasha's love.
He understood why those nights for the past eight years bothered him so much. The loneliness seemed unbearable all of a sudden. For two hundred years he never ached for companionship, he never thought his nights as cold, nor did he think of his bed as empty.
All of a sudden that false feeling of contentment shattered. He remembered one night, waking up from what Jaken said was a fever. It was since that night that he felt extremely incomplete inside. Like some part of him was missing. Inuyasha was the part that was missing, he realized that since he realized he was thinking of his absent brother a lot.
He closed his eyes and tightened his arms slightly, gently around his son, his blood.
Life was good.
Inuyasha smiled when he felt two strong arms warm around him, pulling him back into a warm chest. Cool lips pressed against the soft skin on his neck as he chuckled, "Had a good time?" His glittering golden gaze landed on his son who sat in front of him, looking at his parents curiously. Inuyasha placed his arms over Sesshoumaru's and submitted to his warmth looking at his son he asked, "You are back early."
The little boy nodded. Inuyasha tilted his head to the side and narrowed his eyes, "You didn't meditate did you?" Kiyoshi shook his head and his wide eyes looked at Sesshoumaru for help. The daiyoukai just rested his chin on his mate's shoulder, his arms still wrapped around the slim waist in a possessive grip. The hanyou turned his head to the side a little and asked, "If you didn't meditate, what did you do?"
Sesshoumaru shrugged and said, "We talked." Inuyasha blinked a little and asked, "What did you talk about?"
"Its a secret!" Kiyoshi said teasingly. A sly smirk hinting at his lips. Inuyasha looked at Sesshoumaru and asked, "What is he talking about?"
The daiyoukai looked at the mischievous eyes of his son and felt a smirk crawl onto his lips as he kissed Inuyasha's cheek and said, "As he said, it is a secret."
Inuyasha's eyes went wide and laughter seeped into his tone, "You too? I just knew I shouldn't had left you two alone. I just knew you'd plot against me! What is this secret, tell meeee!" The hanyou did his best puppy dog eyes on his brother. Inuyasha knew no body could resist it, not even his brother. Sesshoumaru looked torn, whether to suffer Inuyasha's watery eyes and sultry pout or give away their secret and spoil the little game they were playing. He strengthened his resolve and said, "We are plotting revenge against you because you defeated my son."
Kiyoshi cheered, "Yes, Otousan! Don't let father know our secret!"
Inuyasha huffed and crossed his arms, "Well, its not my fault that your son is weak." With his nose in the air he opened one eye to peer that his son's angry expression.
"I.Am.Not.Weak!" Kiyoshi growled. Sesshoumaru's chuckled whispered at his ear and the hanyou could barely suppress a shiver. He smiled down at his son and said, "Of course you are. You inherited all your weak genes from Sesshoumaru."
"That's not going to work itoshii." Sesshoumaru mumbled as he nibbled on Inuyasha's furry ear. Kiyoshi crossed his arms and glared at his father and said, "You just wait! One day I'll defeat you!" and he then glared at Sesshoumaru and said, "Would you keep your hands off him for a moment! I am talking to him you know."
Inuyasha chuckled and ruffled his son's hair, "It would be my greatest honor to be defeated by you little one. It will show my success as a father."
And just like that Kiyoshi face melted into a soft smile. He beamed up at Inuyasha and said, "Can I go play now?" The Inu-hanyou nodded, "As long as you don't venture into the forest and don't use Tetsusaiga when you spar with your friends." The child nodded and bounded off, all but a blur even at such a young age.
Sesshoumaru nuzzled his mate's neck and murmured, "I've been meaning to ask you..." the question was troubling him for a while now. Savoring his mate's warmth he asked, "Are you ever going to come back to the west?"