Recap: InuYasha had brought his pack of ningens to Sesshoumaru's winter mansion and the sexual tension between the brothers could've been cut with a knife. Sesshoumaru revealed that he'd been having the reoccurring dream for hundreds of years and would take care of InuYasha while he was pregnant.

Dedication: This is for Sekre and koishii-tenshi.

Prophecy of Brothers

By Scarlet Willows

Chapter Five – The Lord's Confession

After he'd bathed, InuYasha couldn't bare the thought of going to Sesshoumaru's bedchambers (owing to his nerves), so he decided to take a stroll out to the gardens. He ambled aimlessly around the entire perimeter, enclosed by tall swaying willow and sakura trees, thinking of Sesshoumaru. The moon was nearly full, round, pregnant with opportunity…pregnant with desire…like InuYasha. He jumped up into a tree that looked like it could sufficiently support his weight and snuggled into its nook. He felt so vulnerable and weak. He felt he had no control because Sesshoumaru was obviously the dominant one. Part of him wanted to surrender to his brother; the other part felt like it had to put up a fight first. He was going to be pregnant soon; he was going to make life. His child was going to change history.

…

Sesshoumaru knew InuYasha was afraid to come to him. He wasn't sure if he could contain himself while sharing a bed with InuYasha. He sat in a chair, legs spread wide, massaging his temples, glass of sake in his hand. In general, sake had no affect on a youkai, but he found he occasionally liked the taste. Since his senses had oddly heightened in responsiveness, all he thought about nearly every waking moment was making InuYasha his mate; he was supposed to feel this way about his brother, it was fate. When he and InuYasha had been talking earlier about the prophecy, the hanyou had conveniently omitted that specific portion, that he and Sesshoumaru were also destined to be mates…or maybe the flea demon had forgotten to mention that to the hanyou. Baka.

Becoming someone's mate, in demon society, was not a thing to be taken lightly. Yes, youkai were led by instincts to take mates, but it was not a barbaric, animalistic event where the brain and heart were not involved; though, often times, many royals were paired more by obligation and political advances than by actual feelings for another youkai. During winter solstice, royals and nobles held feasts in order to make marriage arrangements and new alliances while during the summer solstice other non-royal tribes had similar gatherings of their own. The bonding process was an organized affair that was executed in many stages such as the Courting Period (the period where the two intendeds spent time together with chaperones while their parents or guardians made final preparations), the Ceremonial Day (the youkai equivalent to a wedding feast in which allies and family gathered to celebrate the couple's union), the Marking Ritual (the ritual performed on the Ceremonial Day; the act of physically marking each other by biting the other's neck, this mark was visible to all as well as permanent and binding on emotional and empathic levels), and the Mating Night (the night which the couple consummate their union through sexual intercourse). The bond was eternal and only broken by death.

If InuYasha had not been educated on this matter, Sesshoumaru was going to be seriously pissed off at Myouga. Surely the hanyou didn't expect Sesshoumaru to knock him up with a "bun in the oven" and not take responsibility! He had honor to uphold. This child was going to be his heir to the Western Lands! Of course he was going to go about this in the proper way! His son was not going to be an illegitimate bastard! He was going to do as the prophecy said, to take his brother as his consort and rightful mate, whether InuYasha liked it or not. It wasn't everyday that Fate, being the nice old lady that she was, already went shopping and purchased your spouse for you, all nicely pre-packaged for you to unwrap. Nope, there was no return receipt on this.

And why not mate the hanyou? Sesshoumaru mused. InuYasha will make a fine consort. He's strong and able to take care of himself, no required doting as opposed to fussy females. He is intelligent underneath his mask; otherwise he would have died a long time ago without his wits about him. He's a survivor, always has been. However, he has that blasted stubborn streak. He's a son of the revered InuTaishou. He'll make a fine host for our pups; he's already done a good enough job parenting that little kitsune. Although the youkai suspected that if it had not been for the miko's interference, the young youkai would have turned out better…he'd already been coddled too much by the wench. And as much as Sesshoumaru detested admitting it, he liked that his brother was defiant and feisty; he did not want a mate who would not question him or stand up for him or herself. He did not want a mate who would submit blindly, such beings were weak and would produce weak offspring. He wanted a challenge. The hanyou had been the only being in his whole existence to ever challenge him and make his normally icy blood boil (in more contexts than one). And it didn't hurt that InuYasha was attractive…no, not just attractive…beautiful, striking, exotic.

Fuck it, there was no use denying it to himself or trying to justify it...he just flat-out wanted InuYasha. He wanted to do things to him that the hanyou hadn't even dreamed of in his most erotic fantasies. He wanted to touch him in a way that his little brother had never touched himself. He wanted to hook those legs around his waist and make him cry and shiver with virginal fear and need…

Immediately, he started heavily breathing at the thought of causing InuYasha to moan and scream underneath him (just a guess, but he thought InuYasha wouldn't be a quiet lover) and his phallus grew rigid, pulling his pants. He moaned at the motion as the fabric stirred, the silk material brushing against his skin. InuYasha. He closed his eyes, bit his lip, and ran his hand slowly down his abdomen, past his thigh, claws gently brushing against his clothed arousal. Bit by bit he ran his palm firmly over the hard, clothed flesh between his legs unhurriedly while fires swirled to life in his lower belly. He periodically squeezed his arousal tightly, hissing when he did so, whilst maintaining an agonizingly slow, steady pace…he wanted this to last, even though it was a small torture. He tried to be quiet, holding in his moans, but a few whimpers escaped his lips. Finally, he'd had enough and just wanted to finish it, to be relieved, to cum so hard that he wouldn't care who heard. He began to massage his silk-covered groin with speed that was growing gradually desperate with ferocity, his head thrown back, his eyes closed, his chest heaving with his rapid breathing while a little cloudy blemish of pre-cum leaked through his crotch, picturing InuYasha pleasuring himself. Oh gods, he was about to cum…ah, that's it…uhn, just a little faster…faster…Oh gods, he could feel it building in his body, his heavy sacs tightening. He prepared to tear at the cloth covering his erection. I'm going to cum…I'm…going…to cu-

Suddenly, Rin burst into his room. His eyes snapped open and he quickly slammed his legs shut and sat up in the chair.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, will you tuck me in?" the little girl chirped, large brown eyes glittering with her childlike ignorance.

"Yes I will, but you need to remember to knock before you enter a room, Rin," he added sternly, trying to slow his heart and lungs, feeling his almost-orgasm recede like the tide.

"Okay, I'll try to remember."

Sesshoumaru's kimono and sash were baggy enough so he didn't have trouble hiding his erection from Rin as he led her to her room. The little girl jumped into bed and snuggled under the covers as Sesshoumaru sat on the edge, pulling the blankets up to her chin. "Close your eyes and sleep, little one," he whispered, leaning down to kiss her forehead.

No one knew of his nighttime ritual with Rin, not even Jaken. He knew his servants would loose fear and respect if they saw his paternal side. He began stroking her hair, watching her tiny chest move up and down with shallow breaths of sleep. He loved her, she was his adopted daughter, his little girl, but not his heir.

He slowly rose from her side and slid the door shut. Now it was time to find his brother. InuYasha. He could smell him. Oh, InuYasha. Ever since the hanyou had come to Sesshoumaru's house, InuYasha's pheromones had doubled in output and Sesshoumaru actually had to keep himself from screaming and violently defiling the hanyou before it was time. Having sex with a youkai in heat was extremely pleasurable, but having sex with one's mate while he or she was in heat was a hundred times better because of the metaphysical connections and tripled physical pleasure. And if both mates were in heat, it was even more mind-blowing, as in "atomic bomb" kind of mind-blowing. He deemed that it would be worth the wait.

…

InuYasha absently twirled a strand of silver hair in his fingers, gazing at the moon. He really did love Kagome, but he'd always secretly harbored buried feelings for his brother since childhood. It had started as a child's admiration of his nii-san when his mother would speak of his majestic sibling. Sesshoumaru. He was so fearful of him now, he'd never been aware of this fear before. It was probably due to the fact that he himself wasn't in control and that frightened him the most; he'd always been independent, he never needed anyone's help before. Well, he'd never admit that, at times, he did.

The smell wafted to his nose, sweet and urgent. His stomach and loins tightened. He was afraid to look down at the ground because he knew whom he'd find. "InuYasha," whispered his brother, but InuYasha still heard it, the liquid baritone voice carried on the still air. InuYasha bit his lip to keep from moaning, feeling electric tingles spark throughout his body. All Sesshoumaru had done was said his name and InuYasha had nearly had an orgasm! For the love of Buddha!

"InuYasha, come down." Sesshoumaru maintained his deadly calm tone. InuYasha couldn't help but obey. Silently, he landed graceful, catlike, squatting into the ground and then standing at attention, stiffly (pun intended). Sesshoumaru said nothing for what seemed like eternity. Then finally he turned and chuntered words InuYasha never thought he'd hear: "Come to bed." It was anything but a gentle request. InuYasha followed, but kept a sizable space between Sesshoumaru and himself. He'd started shivering even though the night air was fine.

They finally reached the dwelling, the whole household, including guests, asleep. InuYasha couldn't help but be extremely aware of himself and his appearance and the way he smelled, et cetera. Sesshoumaru paused to let InuYasha catch up with him, so they walked side by side down the hallway to his bedchambers. "You're very quiet," Sesshoumaru remarked as he led the way.

"There's not much to say," replied InuYasha, avoiding the youkai's eyes. Sesshoumaru was not one to make conversation, which struck InuYasha as odd that he'd attempted. But this whole scenario was odd to begin with.

InuYasha found himself in a large, bright room, candles everywhere, flowers in vases, paintings on the walls and…a rather outsized futon. Off the to left, a door led to a private lavatory and hot springs. To the right, another door led to a lounge with an extensive library and study area. His stomach, which had been failing him as of late, went numb as soon as Sesshoumaru closed the door. He's not going to do anything unless I want him to, thought InuYasha, trying to comfort himself by remembering Miroku's words in the bathhouse and repeating them in his head like a mantra. And then Sesshoumaru's hand was on his back, edging him closer to the bed.

…

Sesshoumaru had no idea InuYasha was this terrified. He was shaking underneath Sesshoumaru's touch. InuYasha had tensed up as soon as Sesshoumaru laid his hand upon him. He and the hanyou were halfway to the bed when InuYasha dropped to his knees, hunched over, and started breathing furiously in a panic attack. He felt dizzy and had an odd sensation in his brain as if someone was pouring cold water into his head where it dribbled down his spine and pooled in his chest.

Sesshoumaru knelt in front of him and straightened the hanyou's back with his massive hands to allow his lungs more air, but the hanyou's body fought his efforts so Sesshoumaru had to press his chest up against InuYasha's to keep his spine in line. InuYasha clutched Sesshoumaru's haori, trembling amid arid sobs, and buried his head in the youkai's shoulder. "I can't, I can't," he muttered, slightly rocking against his brother.

"Shhh," breathed Sesshoumaru against InuYasha's ear, running his fingers in the silver mass. "I'm not going to pressure you. Shhh, InuYasha, shhh. It's going to be alright." He finally felt InuYasha's muscles relax, his hands limp but clinging, his breathing return close to normal. They knelt there for a while, on the hard, cold floor, embraced, neither one wanting to break their hold. InuYasha's ears twitched as Sesshoumaru exhaled, "Do you not remember what I said earlier…you're not ripe, your body is not ready even though you are in heat. It'll take a while. Just relax and take comfort in my home…in my bed."

InuYasha's eyelids felt heavy. "I just want to sleep. I haven't really slept in…I don't remember, it's been so long." Sesshoumaru reluctantly broke away and helped the hanyou to his feet. InuYasha sat on the edge of the bed while Sesshoumaru sifted through a wardrobe, looking for suitable nightwear to fit his brother. He came out with a loose fitting white yukata. He started unbuckling his armor and untying his sash, but slowed distractedly in pace as InuYasha began to undress. InuYasha opened his red jacket, exposing his chiseled abs, pectorals, and peach colored nipples, letting the material hang below his shoulders for a few seconds, resting at his elbows as he readied the soft nightshirt, and then let the fire rat kimono drop to the floor. Oh, he wanted to turn those nipples red with gentle abuse.

Aware of his brother's survey, InuYasha quickly finished shifting into the light robe. Sesshoumaru had to face the wall as he changed, hiding his erection from the hanyou. In truth, he didn't care if InuYasha saw it, he just didn't want him to go into another panic attack; poor InuYasha was so strung out lately and understandably so. "Umm, do you have a comb I could borrow?" asked InuYasha when Sesshoumaru was clothed.

"Yes." He handed him the ivory brush. InuYasha was having trouble getting the tangles out as he tried to run the brush down the length of his hair. "Here, allow me," offered the youkai. InuYasha was hesitant but handed the comb over to his brother and sat on the bed's edge. Sesshoumaru was surprisingly gentle and efficient, starting at the ends and working his way to the roots. When Sesshoumaru was done with one section, he'd set it over InuYasha's shoulder and grabbed another, brushing his fingers deliberately against the hanyou's neck to send shivers down his back. He was quiet as he worked. InuYasha felt himself leaning into Sesshoumaru's strokes and closing his eyes. Being in the wilderness most of the time, he hadn't had access to this luxury. "Rin gets her hair matted up all the time," mused the youkai lord, more to himself than anything. He was soon done and he set the brush aside, running his claws along the hanyou's scalp a few times to prove that it was finally smoothed.

"Thank you," said InuYasha shyly, not meeting Sesshoumaru's gaze.

"You're welcome," and before InuYasha could turn away, Sesshoumaru seized his chin and kissed him intensely, dipping his tongue partially into the hanyou's willing mouth, yet it was still slightly chaste. Sesshoumaru wasn't one for so much tongue-action, but he encouraged InuYasha's tongue to explore his own mouth instead, sucking it into his hot cavern and running his slick muscle against it. InuYasha happily took advantage of the invitation. After more than a few seconds, he grudgingly pulled away. "If fire had a flavor, that would be your taste," he whispered.

"And you are its polar opposite…like rain," InuYasha whimpered slightly when his brother pulled away, caught in a kiss-induced daze and panting. Bizarrely enough, Sesshoumaru smiled at his brother's dismay. He blew out the candles, and pulled down the bedcovers. InuYasha quickly braided his hair loosely with his back to Sesshoumaru. As his brother lay down beside him, InuYasha did the same, turning onto his side facing the wall, a little embarrassed. Even though he was exhausted, he couldn't sleep, not with Sesshoumaru in the same bed. He felt like a virgin bride on her wedding night, eager yet frightened…maybe that analogy was more accurate than anything; he felt as if, at any moment, he was ready to break down and cry or scream. Gods, someone up there does not like me and has turned me into a sniveling little girl for their own sick amusement, he thought. Then an odd thought struck him and he pondered for a few moments, trying to decide whether or not he wanted to voice it. It was dead quiet, but he knew Sesshoumaru was awake.

"Just say it if it's bothering you so," Sesshoumaru said suddenly, sensing the hanyou's thoughts.

"Have…have you ever…been…pregnant?" InuYasha turned to face the youkai, not even phased that he had read him so easily; his brother had always seemed to be able to do that with him. Perhaps, due to the prophecy, they had already been born with an empathic link, a link that was usually gained through mating...interesting thought indeed, but he'd dwell on it later.

Sesshoumaru opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling in thought. He was quiet for some time, and then he sighed. "Yes." The answer surprised InuYasha as much as the question.

"What happened?"

Sesshoumaru sighed again. "About several hundred years ago," he began in a low voice, "I had a lover. He was a handsome inferior youkai, as all my lovers were. He was also expendable. If my lovers' seed was spilled in me, I'd kill them, right then and there. You must understand; I did not want to have a child above all things. The child would only be in the way, hindering me. I told him of my statute, that I had killed my lovers before, and that I had no problem doing so. We made love. And at the right time, he released in me and I felt his seed spread through my womb. It was one of the greatest feelings I've ever had. But I knew he had to die…and so did he. I'll never forget his face as I plunged my claws into him and ripped out his heart." He paused, reminiscing. InuYasha didn't know what to feel, but he listened knowing that it was more Sesshoumaru's benefit than his. "After I'd killed him, I knew I was with child. I could feel it growing in the pits of my belly. I decided that when the child was born I would exterminate it. Imagine, a powerful youkai like me…pregnant." He chuckled softly but it was bitter. "I couldn't believe it and at times I pictured raising the child and other sentimental moments. But then I'd catch myself and remember that I was going to kill it. It had no name, no gender, no soul. I would not give it a name. I would not care. To me, it was nothing but a burden. The time came and I bore the child…alone. And then…I couldn't bring myself to harm…it…the thing that I'd created inside me. I couldn't. So I reared it, nurtured it…even loved it." He paused and looked at InuYasha. He sensed the question in his little brother's eyes. "Yes, I loved it…more than anything. You'll see. Then, one day, I was at a village, buying food for it; it was able to eat solids at that point. I'd left it asleep in the inn I'd been staying at, tucked in a cradle…. There was a fire. A stupid dolt knocked over a candle stick and it had set the whole building ablaze…." Sesshoumaru's eye's hardened and he turned back to gaze at the ceiling. "I was too late to save her."

All that time he'd referred to his creation as an "it", an object. He had cared and it still hurt, no matter what he pretended. "She didn't even have a name on her grave. But…there is a name on the tombstone in…my heart."

"And what is that?" InuYasha couldn't help but let his voice crack with emotion.

"Kazusa."

"Sesshoumaru…" InuYasha laid his hand on his brother's chest. Sesshoumaru drew him closer to his body and InuYasha did not pull away. Sesshoumaru laid his brother's head on his chest and stroked the hanyou's hair, more so to comfort himself rather than the hanyou.

"That was when I found Jaken. I never told him about it. I've never told anyone. Somehow, after her death, I became colder than I originally was."

"Not…not without reason," said InuYasha, feeling Sesshoumaru's steady pulse against his cheek. "Although, you've always been ruthless."

"Still…"

"You want to be warm again, don't you?"

There was a pause. "Yes…" it was a mere whisper, almost a plea.

"Will you…let me…be the one to warm you again?" Sesshoumaru didn't answer, but kissed InuYasha softly. InuYasha deepened the kiss, pushing back fiercely, pulling himself to Sesshoumaru's level. He ran his fingers across the youkai's face, down his cheekbone, his lips, his neck. "Would you hurt me if…I ever…spent my seed in you?"

Sesshoumaru pulled InuYasha on top of his lap into a straddling position. InuYasha's legs were spread wide before him and he ran his hands up and down InuYasha's upper thighs in thought. InuYasha didn't pull away; he closed his eyes lazily, his claws scraping lightly, idly against Sesshoumaru's bare chest; his kimono had come loose. "No," he said after a while. "I would not harm you…I would welcome it." Sesshoumaru's hands slithered from the hanyou's thighs to his yukata opening. Before InuYasha knew what was happening, his silk robe was on the floor and he was underneath Sesshoumaru. His long white hair was tickling InuYasha's shoulders and his fingers were tracing lines of fire on the hanyou's skin. He kissed InuYasha's mouth religiously, waiting for InuYasha to open his lips a few millimeters. When he did, Sesshoumaru immediately took advantage, running his tongue across his brother's teeth, swirling it around his inner cheeks, and then sucking on the hanyou's own tongue. When he pulled away, he sucked slowly on InuYasha's lower lip, nipping lightly, which rewarded him a moan. InuYasha was breathing so heavily now, his skin flushed and eyes glassy with lust.

"You like that, don't you?" Sesshoumaru whispered at his brother's ear, grazing the fur with his lips as he spoke. All InuYasha could do was nod. "Do you want more?" he asked, his voice low and heavy, skin aflame.

InuYasha immediately nodded again, vigorously, even though he was somewhat afraid. "Yes…" His eyes betrayed his fear.

"You're afraid, I can smell it," he said as he bent to ever so delicately to kiss the pale, vulnerable column of flesh that was InuYasha's neck. He wanted him to be relaxed and not be fearful of him; he only wanted to bring his brother pleasure. His tongue darted out to lick the sensitive skin and then he blew cold air on the wet spot. InuYasha shivered and his nipples tightened.

Then Sesshoumaru ran his nose against the hanyou's neck and down his collarbone, his chest, and exhaled cool breath on the smooth alabaster skin. InuYasha's pants were painfully tight now, making a little tent. He bit his lip when Sesshoumaru started sucking at his nipple. His tongue was soft wet velvet and crème. The youkai licked his finger and swiveled it around InuYasha's other blushing nipple, erect, and expectant. The hanyou let out a low moan again, his chest expanding and contracting most rapidly; Sesshoumaru couldn't keep his phallus from rising rigid, and InuYasha's stomach plummeted. His brother was definitely above average…oh my gods, he won't fit inside me.

Sesshoumaru moved back to InuYasha's lips, sensing the hanyou's anxiety as he had felt the youkai's...equipment. He was going to say something to soothe him, but then InuYasha started making his own demands with his tongue, weaving his hands through Sesshoumaru's thick feathery-soft mane, pulling him further into the tangled embrace. InuYasha, in a moment of confidence, ran his hand down Sesshoumaru's chest, his hard abdomen and underbelly, into his waistline. The youkai groaned and felt a heat spread in his stomach as the tips of InuYasha's fingers disappeared into his hakama.

That was where Sesshoumaru had to break away. "Not yet, InuYasha," he gasped, panting somewhat, laying his hand on InuYasha's to stop him from going any further. InuYasha almost looked hurt, somewhat disappointed, and a bit relieved. His heart was racing. Sesshoumaru was so beautiful, his skin was flawless, he was simply irresistible, but his otouto wasn't ready. "We must abstain, it's not time yet." InuYasha untangled himself from Sesshoumaru's grip and turned over to curl up on his side, his heart still pounding, his erection throbbing and unsatisfied. Sesshoumaru laid a tentative hand on InuYasha's shoulder. "You have no idea how much it hurts me to say that and how much self control it has taken me already to not shove you up against the wall and fuck you right there, InuYasha…." Sesshoumaru's voice cracked on the emphasized word, obviously not used to cursing or the emotion of frustration. But InuYasha decided that curse words coming from Sesshoumaru's mouth were arousing. The hanyou turned again to face him, still frustrated by his torn emotions.

"Really? It seems like you've been doing a good job of it already," InuYasha couldn't help but be a little bitter.

"Don't give me that, hanyou!" His eyes narrowed, but there was no malice in his words. "Ever since your scent hit me a few weeks ago, my body's been getting more sensitive to any sort of stimuli. When I saw you on my doorstep, I thought I was going to orgasm," his accent was monotonous but full of the undercurrent of emotion. InuYasha put his hand on the youkai's lower abdomen and looked up into his eyes, fighting the urge to smirk. Then Sesshoumaru lay down beside his brother, stroking his hair, staring into the orbs of gold. He pulled him closer and InuYasha's fatigue hit him like a sack of bricks over the head. Sesshoumaru rubbed his nose between InuYasha's neck and shoulder, taking in his scent, his canine instincts telling him to mark this creature as his property, his mate. "I want to take you as my mate, InuYasha. Do you understand what that means?" he whispered. InuYasha whimpered softly, snuggling further against the youkai.

After a while, InuYasha said, "Yes, I do. Myouga explained it to me. I think I'd like that very much…and not just because it said so in the prophecy." Sesshoumaru kissed him softly on the forehead.

"That is very good, otouto. Ironically, being your remaining guardian it is also my duty to make the ceremony and feast arrangements. The Courting Period for us is quite unnecessary. The sooner we're mated, the better, don't you think?"

"Mmm hmm," InuYasha nodded sleepily. He fell asleep in Sesshoumaru's arms, his protective embrace, with a tiny grin on his lips. He'd be the mate of this powerful taiyoukai, his brother…whom he loved; he'd never need to admit that, though.

Japanese terms:

Sake – an alcoholic drink

Baka – idiot

Nii-san – brother

Futon – bed

Yukata – lightweight summer wear

Kimono – outer jacket

To be continued…