Chapter 13

"How much do thee remember, Inuyasha?"

Kaeade sat in front of Inuyasha in Sesshomaru's library, the hanyou glad for once the robes Sesshomaru made him wear were loose and hid his pregnant belly well. The priestess came as soon as she caught word from Sango and Miroku that the hanyou had regained his memories, wanting to know how he broke from the jewels power.

Inuyasha would not tell her it was because he fell in love and got pregnant.

"Everything, for the most part. It's hazy after we defeated Naraku," Inuyasha replied, looking down at his hands as if they were the most interesting thing in the world.

"This is what thee expected," she replied, her eye heavy with age. Inuyasha tried not to scoff, feeling weird being in Kaede's presence again.

He's been feeling weird a lot lately.

"Thee Inuyasha, do you feel any different? Do you still feel love for the miko Kagome?" Kaede asked, Inuyasha biting back a scoff.

No.

Inuyasha frowned as he thought about the Miko that had been a big part of his life, the abrasive teen who lacked a survival instinct. The hanyou couldn't say with all honesty anymore, as the part that loved Sesshomaru could attest in a heartbeat that it felt nothing for Kagome. The part that remembered, feebly tried to hold onto her memory, to the night they shared a bed.

However, the hanyou felt like his memory of her was twisted. When he first remembered, it had been a strong wave that had pushed him under, made him yearn for the one he lost. He had cried for her, wished for her return, hell even prayed to the gods in hopes they would return her. However, she did not return, and he was left alone once again.

As he fought to try and build his relationship with Sesshomaru, the bits and pieces of his previous relationship was replaced by things the demon did for him. It was less a form of forgetting, but rather, replacing.

Which did he enjoy more?

Being sat by an annoying brat, or being touched and caressed lovingly by a demon lord?

If anything, since he got his memory back, Sesshomaru was impossibly even more loving, and Inuyasha would be lying if it didn't turn him on more for the demon lord.

"Inuyasha?" Kaede parroted, Inuyasha clearing his throat slightly as he looked out a shoji, the wood slightly ajar.

"At first, but I…"

I love Sesshomaru.

He truly loves me, or at least, I hope he does.

Inuyasha was struck by the sudden idea that he wasn't sure if Sesshomaru loved him back. Yes, the demon lord treated him with gentle care, and had even got more vocal about his desire to just touch the hanyou. The scratches behind his ears were orgasmic, and the hanyou now spent more time with the demon than ever before.

"I'm finding it harder to feel love… for her," Inuyasha whispered the last part as he reached the epiphany, meeting the old wench's eye. Her eye held an aura of understanding, which oddly put the hanyou's racked nerves to rest some.

"Do ye love someone else, Inuyasha?"

Yes.

Inuyasha pursed his lips as he stood up, trying hard not to bring attention to his pregnant stomach. He ran a slightly shaking hand through his hair, taking in a deep breath before releasing it slowly. Kaede didn't push him further.

"The jewel must have answered a wish, a wish thee Kagome herself must have wanted. It must be thee was aware she would not return." Inuyasha frowned at that, looking to Kaede with a raised eyebrow.

"You think she wished for me to forget her?" Inuyasha asked incredulously, Kaede nodding her head once with affirmative.

"It would have caused you less pain, would it have not?" Kaede replied, Inuyasha rolling his eyes as he walked over to the shoji and opened it fully. He looked out the garden, sighing softly. There hadn't been much snow that winter, the usual rolling hills of snow replaced by a few scant inches. There were the beginnings of an early spring however, which promised a hot summer.

Inuyasha looked forward to playing in the river with Sesshomaru. If the demon lord was up to playing in such a way.

Inuyasha smiled softly at the thought, Kaede standing up with a small groan before joining him at the door. Inuyasha looked down to the aged woman, though his eyes returned to the gardens.

"It did cause me less pain, when I forgot." Inuyasha replied, taking in a deep breath.

"Now that I remember though, there is two parts competing for control. Though the one from Kagome's time here, it's fading away."

"The one you give power to is the one who will ultimately win," Kaede responded, Inuyasha humming softly.

"I'm happy here," Inuyasha whispered, immediately regretting it as he hoped the old wench didn't hear him. For her age though, she had good ears.

"I presume Sesshomaru treats you well?" She inquired, Inuyasha fighting the blush on his cheeks as he crossed his arms over his chest. He nodded once, hoping that alone would get the point across. Kaede hummed thoughtfully, her eye following a petal that flew in a small breeze.

"Kagome only wished for ye to be happy, Inuyasha. Though understand, the village will always accept ye with open arms." Inuyasha nodded, touching a hand to his stomach without thinking. Kaede's stare followed, a look of surprise passing over her features as she noticed his baby pump.

Inuyasha prayed she didn't say anything, though she was not one to keep things quiet.

"Sesshomaru's?" She asked, Inuyasha feeling the heated blush that took over his face.

"Before I got my memories back, I have heats," Inuyasha replied, understanding passing over the wench's eye.

"Did ye speak of this to Sango or Miroku?" She asked, Inuyasha shaking his head. Kaede hummed again, looking back to the garden.

"Then I will not as well. Though if need be, do not hesitate to call on me Inuyasha." The hanyou nodded softly, the tension in his shoulders fading away. Lady Kimi tried numerous times to find Inuyasha a midwife, though Inuyasha always felt uncomfortable around them. They were all very nice, but they always made him feel a bit on edge.

If Kaede became his midwife however, he was sure he would feel a thousand times more comfortable. Even though she was an old wench who a part of himself weirdly adored as a grandmother but also hated for being annoying. He had very mixed feelings about the old lady.

"My date is not set, they aren't sure if I will carry for six months or nine." Kaede hummed, looking to his stomach once again.

"Ye will carry for nine."

"And you can tell this how, miko?" Inuyasha looked over his shoulder at the voice, seeing Lady Kimi standing at the entrance to the library. If Kaede was intimidated by her, she didn't let it show.

"His size alone," Kaede replied, not seeing the tension that built in Inuyasha's shoulders at seeing the demoness.

"And if he rapidly grows in size and delivers early?" Lady Kimi challenged, Kaede leveling her with her stare.

"Inuyasha's body will not react this way. His body is not as accustomed to pregnancy as our own. If anything, he might carry longer if thee body sees it to be fit." Lady Kimi frowned slightly, looking from the hanyou to the miko. Inuyasha tried not to show his discomfort as he looked to Kaede, deciding now would be a perfect time to irritate his future mother in law.

"Be my midwife. The others here are stupid." Kaede raised an eyebrow and Lady Kimi frowned further, Inuyasha keeping his stare level with the old wench.

"She is but a human," Lady Kimi pointed out, Kaede looking to the demoness like she just told her she was stupid.

"I have delivered more babes than I'm assuming your own midwives. If Inuyasha wishes for thee to deliver his pup I shall. I will ask Sango and Miroku to keep an eye on the village." Inuyasha rejoiced when Lady Kimi almost sputtered, never before being disrespected by a human before. Inuyasha wanted to build a relationship with the Sesshomaru's mother, but he was also tired of feeling like he knew no one.

He wanted someone he remembered by his side.

And he also wanted to show the demoness that she wasn't as imperious as she made herself seem. He got happy at pissing her off. Not unlike how he originally felt for Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru…

Inuyasha was in the mood to play.

"I'll have a room set up for you," Inuyasha told Kaede, Lady Kimi actually sputtering now. Inuyasha ignored her and called for a maid, Lady Kimi dumbfounded as Inuyasha told the maid to not only prepare for Kaede's long stay, but to also go to the market and get her more robes. Kaede was as humble as ever, quickly sparking conversation with the maid who led her out of the room.

"You will not test my authority," Lady Kimi finally spoke after the old wench left, Inuyasha raising an eyebrow.

"I was understanding I am to be Sesshomaru's Lady. Do I not get some power?" Inuyasha asked, raising an eyebrow arrogantly. Lady Kimi frowned, almost seeming to be on the verge of exploding. Inuyasha fought the urge to bat his eyelashes at her, deciding instead to find Sesshomaru.

Though Lady Kimi forbade them from sparring, they could still go find a hot spring to enjoy. Outside the castle.

She was about to retort, though stopped when Sesshomaru entered the room. Inuyasha smiled at him, feeling a little giddy inside.

He really did need a run.

"You've chosen the miko as your midwife?" He asked in his monotone, Inuyasha nodding and looking back to Lady Kimi.

"I trust her."

If Lady Kimi was anything else besides a demoness, Inuyasha was sure she would have thrown her arms up in the air in exasperation. Instead she merely frowned and walked out of the library. Inuyasha looked to Sesshomaru, seeing his slight disapproval of Inuyasha's actions.

Inuyasha chose to ignore that.

"I need to get out this stupid castle, can we go for a run?" Inuyasha asked, Sesshomaru raising an eyebrow at the sudden change in subject.

"Are you fit to run?" Sesshomaru asked, Inuyasha rolling his eyes.

"Yes, I'm tired of being cooped up in here. I understand I'm pregnant, but I still have energy I need to burn off." Sesshomaru tilted his head, seeming to think about it.

"Run to where?" He finally asked after a long minute, Inuyasha shrugging his shoulders.

"To a hot spring or something, or go for a hunt. I just need to get out." Sesshomaru nodded, looking out to the garden.

"Let us go then."

Inuyasha tried not jump with joy. He followed Sesshomaru outside into the garden and to the edge of the castle grounds, letting the demon hold him as they descended down to the valley below. Inuyasha rejoiced at touching grass below the castle grounds, stretching as he felt the chilly breeze of the beginnings of spring.

"We can hunt tomorrow morning, there will be a feast for the nobles. A night of gifts, if you will," Sesshomaru told him, Inuyasha raising an eyebrow at the idea of it. Nobles will come to give him gifts?

"It is custom, as they will want to ensure they are on your good side, if negotiations need to be in order." Inuyasha snorted, looking to Sesshomaru with a challenging smirk.

"First to the hot spring?" Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow in challenge, the hanyou bolting towards the forest. He felt a strong burst of wind and looked behind him, seeing Sesshomaru turn into his true form. Inuyasha felt a spike of adrenaline go through his system at the sight, breaking through the trees as he tried to run faster. He heard Sesshomaru's roar causing a grin to plaster onto his face.

There was something freeing about being chased by the demon for fun, versus out of fear.

Inuyasha felt the ground shake beneath the demon lords' paws, his body screaming in joy of being used after such a long period of misuse. Inuyasha jumped up into the trees and jumped from branch to branch, feeling and hearing his own youkai roar in pleasure of the chase.

Sesshomaru jumped into the air above him, seeming to run in the sky as he chased down the hanyou. Inuyasha laughed at the feeling, bursting through a clearing and seeing the hot spring. He stopped at the edge of the spring, turning to face the demon lord that chased him. Sesshomaru jumped in front of him with a thundering roar, shaking the hanyou's bones.

Inuyasha reached for his sword, only to feel slightly disappointed when he realized he left it in their room that morning. Sesshomaru burned back to his human form, his eyes red as he regarded the hanyou with pits of desire.

Inuyasha wasn't going to give up so easily.

He called upon his own youkai, the lines of his heritage tearing onto his skin. Sesshomaru growled at him, demanding his submission. Inuyasha growled back, the playful dispute burning with an edge of defiance.

Sesshomaru took a step towards him, Inuyasha standing his ground as he lowered his body some. The urge to play was overwhelming, and the sexual aura Sesshomaru gave off only added to the thrill.

Inuyasha hopped out of the way when Sesshomaru bolted forward, baring his claws and slashing the demon's arm. Sesshomaru easily blocked him, grabbing his wrist and pulling him forward harshly. Inuyasha jumped up and kicked the demon away, wrenching his wrist free from his grasp.

Sesshomaru growled, a little anger seeping into his playful demeanor. Inuyasha stuck his tongue out at the demon childishly, yelping when the demon bolted over to him and grabbed a handful of his hair. Inuyasha threw a punch that was easily caught, baring his teeth as he growled in warning at the demon.

Sesshomaru growled back, tightening the hand in his hair as he tried to wrestle Inuyasha to the ground. The hanyou managed to land a blow to his armpit, making the demon let go of his hair. Inuyasha slashed down again, his claws catching the demon lords' sleeve.

Sesshomaru caught his wrist and threw him into the hot spring, Inuyasha yelping when he was dunked fully into the warm water. He rose up out of the water and sputtered, looking up to Sesshomaru with a heated glare.

Mate.

Inuyasha felt his order of submission, holding back a whimper as he pressed himself against a boulder. Sesshomaru growled in warning as he entered the hot spring fully clothed, his eyes burning red as he descended upon the hanyou.

Inuyasha felt his youkai order him to submit, his ears going flat against his head as he tried to ignore the burning heat between his legs. Sesshomaru wouldn't let him though, closing the distance and lowering his mouth to Inuyasha's throat.

Inuyasha tilted his head back, exposing his throat in a form of submission. He felt a shiver go down his spine as Sesshomaru closed his jaw over Inuyasha throat, the demon growling against him once again. Inuyasha felt the heat pool in his stomach and build in his neck, his ears buzzing slightly as the order to submit turned him into jelly.

He was panting and whimpering softly, the demon lord pulling away when Inuyasha's arousal became hard in his fundoshi. Inuyasha met Sesshomaru's eyes, the red pools replaced by burning gold.

"Sesshomaru," Inuyasha whimpered, the demon leaning forward and kissing his mate. Inuyasha lifted his hands and delved them into white hair, moaning into the kiss as he was swept away by the demon.

Gentle sex was awesome, but an unhinged Sesshomaru was better.

Sesshomaru pulled away from the kiss, undoing Inuyasha's soaked obi and tossing it onto the grass. Inuyasha let him take off his many kimonos and toss them over with the obi, feeling the bite of the chilly wind. Sesshomaru didn't leave him alone for long, taking off his own clothes and tossing them with the others.

"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru hissed out as he tore the offensive fundoshi in his way, Inuyasha gasping when he was turned against the rock and Sesshomaru delved his fingers against his ass. Inuyasha slapped his hand away, turning to face the demon and trying to slash his face.

If they were going to be rough, Sesshomaru was going to have to work to get him on his back.

Sesshomaru easily caught his wrist, grabbing his other hand and pushing Inuyasha till his back was against the boulder again. Inuyasha gasped when Sesshomaru used one hand to pin his wrists, and the other went to the burning arousal between his legs.

Inuyasha arched with a moan, panting as Sesshomaru moved his hand with slow strokes. Inuyasha thrust his hips into his hand, leaning forward and biting the demon's shoulder. Inuyasha felt something akin to embarrassment when he came suddenly, his release punctuated by gasping moans around the flesh in his mouth.

If Sesshomaru thought it was funny he didn't laugh, though he released the hanyou's wrists and grabbed his hips, lifting his lower body out of the water. Inuyasha shivered from the wind that chose to blow against him then, though Sesshomaru didn't let him stay cold for long. He lined himself up, Inuyasha releasing a pleasured yell when Sesshomaru started to push himself in.

He hadn't prepped him, and though he was wet from his own lubrication, he couldn't help but feel a bit nauseous from accepting his alphas member. Inuyasha gasped as Sesshomaru slowly worked himself deeper into his tight hole, Inuyasha leaning back against the boulder as he released strained moans of pleasure and discomfort.

Inuyasha wondered if for a second if he wasn't going to enjoy this, though with a soft push Sesshomaru buried himself inside. Inuyasha rotated his hips slightly, gasping sharply when his prostate was softly massaged. The hanyou placed more of his weight against Sesshomaru as he leaned down to kiss him, Sesshomaru's hands tightening on his hips.

When Inuyasha felt like most of the nausea went away he ground down against Sesshomaru, moaning into the demon lords' mouth. Sesshomaru thrust his hips against him, growling into Inuyasha's mouth as he felt the hanyou tighten around him.

Sesshomaru bounced him on his member, his claws digging into flesh as Inuyasha bucked and whimpered against him. The coupling was erratic and a bit sloppy, but neither cared as they used each other as they so badly wanted. With Lady Kimi in the castle Inuyasha was always a bit more timid in the bedroom, always worried the demoness was going to hear them.

Sesshomaru was always worried about work to some degree, and always felt a bit exhausted when they had sex. Now they were free to be as loud as they wanted, and go as crazy as they needed. Sesshomaru could enjoy feeling Inuyasha grip his member, could hear his yells of pleasure, could feel the desire that drove them both crazy.

He wanted only this hanyou for the rest of time.

Sesshomaru stopped his desperate thrusts and moved them out of the hot spring, placing Inuyasha on their clothes, not letting him feel the cold before he was over him and thrusting like an animal. Inuyasha dug his fingers into his hair and tugged hard, arching against the demon and yelling in pleasure.

"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru gasped, sinking his claws into the ground as he felt his own orgasm start to rise in his body. Sesshomaru went down to his elbows with a groan, keeping his hips moving in steady thrusts.

"Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha screamed when a hard thrust brushed against his prostate, Sesshomaru's steady thrusts becoming erratic as he neared his own release. Inuyasha suddenly arched beneath him, his mouth falling open as he moaned in pleasure. Sesshomaru felt a gush inside of the hanyou as he came, Sesshomaru's eyes clamping shut as he came with a deep groan of pleasure along with the hanyou.

Sesshomaru continued with slow thrusts, letting the hanyou's body milk his member. Inuyasha panted beneath him, his fingers softly combing through Sesshomaru's slightly tangled hair. Sesshomaru pulled out when he thought he would die from the sensations, resting his head against Inuyasha's shoulder as he tried to hold his own weight.

"Did I hurt you?" Sesshomaru whispered against Inuyasha's ear, the hanyou shaking his head.

"No, I feel good," Inuyasha whispered back, Sesshomaru smirking softly and slowly moving off his mate. They enjoyed the warmth of the offspring some more, going another round before putting on their soaked clothes. Sesshomaru turned into his true form so Inuyasha could keep warm, taking them back to the castle.

They got a change of clothes and bathed in the castle hot spring, Inuyasha leaning against his mate against the edge. Inuyasha sighed softly as he ran his fingers over Sesshomaru's chest, the demons head reclined back as he just enjoyed his mate's touch.

The smell of the oil they used filled the room, adding to the almost romantic atmosphere. Inuyasha looked to the demon's face, his eyes closed as he relaxed under his administrations.

Did Sesshomaru love him?

"Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha spoke, a tinge of uncertainty in his voice. It was enough to get Sesshomaru to crack open an eye, his golden pool responding in kind. Inuyasha swallowed, frowning slightly.

"If I…" Inuyasha swallowed, steeling his nerves. "When I didn't remember, I felt… I started to believe everything you told me. And though you're dick for lying, I…" Inuyasha frowned deeper, moving away from the demon some. Sesshomaru had both eyes open now, his head raised as he leveled Inuyasha with his stare. He gave Inuyasha his undivided attention.

"I started to feel…" Inuyasha growled, frustrated with his own lame attempts at admitting his love. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes.

"I love you."

Silence followed.

Inuyasha looked up and met Sesshomaru's eyes, surprised to see the demon's features completely unguarded. He looked surprised, Inuyasha feeling his cheeks burn.

"W-What! Aren't you going to say anything!" Inuyasha growled, feeling vulnerable and hating it. Sesshomaru reigned in some of his emotion, looking away from the hanyou.

"Even after all I did to you?"

That wasn't what Inuyasha had expected. The hanyou opened his mouth then closed it, looking away from the demon.

Well this was awkward.

"Yeah," Inuyasha whispered, Sesshomaru looking back to him.

"I love you too, Inuyasha." The hanyou was caught off guard, meeting Sesshomaru's eyes. The demon had reigned in most of his emotion, his face almost completely blank. Inuyasha could see his uncertainty however.

"I realized this after you got back your memories. When I went to your hut, and asked if you would marry me." Inuyasha blushed fiercely, thinking back to that moment.

Inuyasha released a breath.

"I wanted all of you, before we married Inuyasha. I just didn't know how bad till then." Inuyasha blushed deeper, feeling almost flattered by that. It was definitely not the romantic way he had expected this to go, but to know the feeling was mutual was well received.

"What now?" Inuyasha whispered, Sesshomaru raising an eyebrow.

Then he laughed.

Inuyasha wasn't sure if he ever really heard Sesshomaru laugh before, the sound was deep and melodic. It was warm and happy, and it put a smile on the hanyou's face. Inuyasha couldn't help but be pulled into it, chuckling as they both came down from their humorous.

"We exist," Sesshomaru replied, grabbing Inuyasha and pulling him closer. Inuyasha relaxed against him, sighing softly as he felt something heavy was lifted from his chest.

He was happy.

"Let's get some rest. We will hunt in the morning." Inuyasha nodded and got out of the hot spring with Sesshomaru, drying and getting dressed. It was surreal to just enjoy his presence as they returned to their room, Sesshomaru for once staying with him. Inuyasha pressed against him, sighing softly as he got comfortable.

He chose Sesshomaru.

Author's note: Just when I thought I lost all mojo for this story, Kaede stepped in. I wasn't expecting it by any means, though I was making myself coffee and she came to mind. She honestly saved this story, as now I feel compelled to write. This story is still far from over, though maybe I might have quicker updates. I feel like her being there gave Inuyasha the extra boost he needed to fully let go and let himself be happy. Anyway, I'm rambling now, so I hoped you enjoyed this chapter!