Title: By the Light of Mars

Parings: Inuyasha/Sesshomaru and Sango/Miroku

Chapter 15 of ?

Summary: After Naraku is killed Inuyasha's world is settling in to a normality He hadn't expected but when his brother appears bringing with him Rin and royal intrigues can Inuyasha prevail over the new obstacles in his life, including this strange affinity his brother seems to have for him?

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha franchise, anime, manga or characters. I play with them for fun not for profit.

Hime Mikata sat quietly under the morning sun. Much had happened in the few days she had been present in the royal court of the Lord of the West. She was glad to have the nuisance of her brother's marriage contract behind her. He seemed rather taken with the young Hime, even if he would never admit it. It was beautiful here in the royal gardens. The abundance of flowers, trees and water elements made her warring heart calm itself.

She had been sent as Koga's escort to forget. Kikatsu, her beloved brother. She knew they could never Mate. It would not have benefitted her father in the slightest. Yet she had longed for him, craved him as surly as she had ever craved another. He had been her dirty secret. Until his death, somehow her mother had found them out. She had hurried her away from their palace sending her as quickly as she could with Koga to the West.

*Flash back*

"You must leave daughter."

Mikata turned staring blankly at her mother's impressive form. "Why?" She felt broken in side, her soul was breaking in two. "I have just lost my brother, why must I leave now?"

The steel of her mother's grip frightened her from her melancholy. Cool blue eyes stared down at her pain evident.

"You are no longer pure." Her mother growled. "That is why you must leave this place. Your father will kill you." Her voice halted on the word Father as though it were a curse.

Mikata startled trying to pull from her mother's encompassing hold. She turned her face away staring out at the cliffs below her window.

"He is dead, why should my death matter?" She asked her voice breaking as tears rolled down her stained cheeks.

The sting of her mother's hand striking her face shocked her. "You will never speak to me in such a way." The harshness of the other demoness' voice chipped away at the numbness of her mind. "I will not lose another child so soon after my Kika has been taken."

Haring her mother's pet name for her brother pained Mikata. "I wish to be with him." She whimpered.

Her mother's soft bosom met her face as she was pulled in to her strong arms. "I will not allow it. I know it feels as though you are being ripped in two now my love but it will get better." She snuggled in to her mother warm embrace and sighed.

"I will pack Mother, how long should I stay away?" She felt the acute loss of her home as these words passed her lips.

"You shall stay with Lord Sesshomaru until I find you a suitable mate." Her mother's forehead touched her own and rested lightly. "That will give you a place away from your father. He is not stable I fear." The desperation in her mother's voice made Mikata cling to her harder.

"Mother will you be well?" Her voice sounded small to her own ears.

She was pushed lightly away from her mother and met those startling blue eyes in earnest concern. "Oh my Mika I will try. Know that I love you always, you are my light" Her head dropped as she said this.

"Oh Mother."

*End Flashback*

The Hime sighed and picked a few irises to bring to Rin. The young woman seemed to enjoy their fragrance.

She had not heard from her mother since they had arrived in the West. Although she supposed that was to be expected it had not yet been any length of time. Yet that did not stop her from worrying. Being this far from the scent of her brother, from the warmth of her mother's arms allowed her to think more clearly over the last few years of her life. The part her father had played in particular.

He had changed. When she was a pup he had doted on her and her siblings. As she grew they grew apart as was only right for a father a daughter but he stayed loving and affectionate. He showered his children in gifts, giving the boys more responsibilities, weapons and warriors. While sending a plethora of dresses, jewels and fine golden trinkets to his daughters. They hosted balls and hunts. Her life had been a dream. Until Naraku. As the dark demon decimated their people and the surrounding countryside the gifts waned, the parties stopped and her father took to hiding away in his study.

At the time she had shrugged it off as stress. This new annoyance was proving to be a true threat, the likes of which she had never seen.

But it was more than that; something had forever changed her father. She could see that now. He had not even shed a tear at the passing of her beloved brother, only griped about how now he would need to send one of his other sons to marry Hime Rin if he wanted a truce with the western Lord.

Mikata sighed and stretched her legs out in front of her. She glanced around the garden but could detect no one in the vicinity. Slowly she toed off her formal slippers and dipped her toes in to the cool water of the reflecting pool before her.

She hoped fervently that the Lords Sesshomaru and Inuyasha would agree to her mother's terms once the missive arrived, she was not sure how long she would survive if her father ever found out she was of no use to him anymore.

(POV Change)

Inuyasha stretched and peered around his chambers for his mate. The spot next to him in the large bed was empty and cold but he hoped the older Inu was not yet gone. Feh Mate me and leave huh? He growled in annoyance and stood walking to the door that lead him down in to his private bathing chamber.

The water was steaming as he entered, his favorite scent, honey and cherry blossom filling the air. He sighed, he was going to smell girly. But the relaxation the scent allowed him was worth the teasing he was sure to endure from Miroku.

He sank gently in to the steaming water sighing in contentment. His backside was sore from the rough treatment it received the night before. The pleasant ache made him shiver in anticipation. If being mated to Sesshomaru came with that kind of perk he was sure he had made the right decision.

A small cough broke his train of thought and caused him to glance up. One of his servants he had yet to get to know stood before him blushing a brilliant red.

"Yes?" He asked smiling at the young boy.

"Lord Sesshomaru has requested your presence in his private office." The small boy bowed deeply as he spoke.

Inuyasha sighed. "Of course tell my husband I will be with him shortly." Inuyasha waved his hand dismissing the servant. It really pissed him off that his staff was afraid of him. He would have to find a way to remedy that. It was disconcerting to be so feared.

He lifted himself from the water and wrapped one large soft drying cloth around his waist. Padding silently he made the short trek back to his bed chamber. A set of formal clothing was already laid out for him. Imperial red and yellow vines adorned the elegant white silk. Their families crest was embroidered on each billowing sleeve a mark of his station.

Inuyasha shied as he got to the formal obi and called out for a servant to assist him. A young girl entered the room and swiftly tied his obi, bowing to him as he swept past her.

Inuyasha treaded as quickly as he could down the long hall that lead to Sesshomaru's private office. It was strange to be so far from the children, he wondered idly if his mate would consent to them moving in to rooms in the main palace.

The sentries stationed at the office door bowed as Inuyasha came in to view, the doors were opened for him at once and closed promptly once he had entered the room fully.

Sesshomaru sat as he had the first time Inuyasha entered this particular room, stiff and formal behind the large western desk. His hair glittered in the morning sun that flitted in from the gardens.

"You left." Inuyasha accused sitting opposite the rather imposing lord. He glared hotly at his husband feeling jilted.

"There were matters to attend to, I did not wish to wake you." Sesshomaru explained rifling through a stack of papers on his desk.

"I'm not a fucking woman so don't go treating me like I am Husband." Inuyasha hissed the last word placing a hand on top of the paper the other was reading. "We are going to war are we not?"

Sesshomaru's golden eyes lifted and considered the hanyou for a moment. "Yes we shall. I do not go back on my word. Alas a matter of some importance has come to my attention and must be tended to before we march my mate." Inuyasha raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

"What could be of such importance?" He asked trying to rein in his temper.

"Your Hoshi and the Lady Sango have requested to be married before we leave. They wait our presence in the gardens. This Sesshomaru shall unite them this morning before we away." His brother's smirk irked Inuyasha but he smiled anyway.

"Good I was hoping those two would get their act together. They have only been dancing around it for four years." He stood and walked around the desk. "Forgive me Husband I understand the need for swiftness now. Next time something important comes up allow me to help you. I am your mate, your partner." He leaned down and brushed his lips across Sesshomaru's a blush marring his face. He pulled away quickly and grabbed Sesshomaru's hand pulling the older man from his chair and towards the doors. "Now let's go get those kids married!"

INY

The day was bright and beautiful. The garden was fragrant around them. Sango looked radiant, her long raven hair flowed freely behind her a crown of white lilies Rin had made for her atop her head. A long white flowing kimono embroidered with red flowers adorned her flowing out on to the manicured lawn. Miroku held her hands in his as they promised forever to one another. His normal attired forgone for a much more appropriate black and red kimono. His hair tied neatly in a top knot.

Inuyasha smiled as Sesshomaru announced them married and Miroku swept Sango to him in a passionate embrace. Her laughter filled the air. Rin and Shippo threw flower petals at the new couple covering their human scents in sweetness.

Sesshomaru's warm presence made Inuyasha grin, he turned to look at his husband. The older Inu's face was stony.

"I feel uneasy brother." He whispered. "I wish this to be a happy day for them, yet we leave to protect your forest this very evening." He sounded unsure, something Inuyasha would have never expected from the great Lord.

"They will be happy even in our journey beloved, because they have one another." Inuyasha whispered trying to quell his brother's uncharacteristic fears. Then a wonderful thought came to him. "I am happy that we have cemented our union before these harrowing trials." He whispered turning and brushing his cheeks against the other Inu's in comfort.

A low contented purr rumbled from the elder Inu's chest making Inuyasha smile happy he had contented his mate.

INY

Inuyasha sighed as the last of their battalion came together in the large outer yard. He stood at the open doors of the entrance hall watching as Gnerals barked orders to their men. He turned in indignation towards the inner hall. Rin was speaking quietly with Hime Mikata, and Sango. The three women were hugging and Rin looked worried. Koga stood a little apart from them arms crossed eyes closed.

Inuyasha sniffed deeply taking in the torrent of scents his pack gave off. They were nervous. Sesshomaru and Miroku took that moment to enter the hall speaking in hushed tones and followed by a few men carrying a covered pallet. The silken drapery was imperial red and yellow making Inuyasha glare at his mate.

"Who the hell is that for?" He barked completely forgetting decorum in his rage.

Sesshomaru's eyebrow rose in contention and Miroku hid his smile behind his sleeve. Inuyasha glared hotly. "I sure as hell better not be for me." He grumped giving his brother the harshest glare he could muster.

"Do not fret husband, the palette is for Lady Sango and Hime Mikata. It is unseemly to have Ladies of our court walking alongside common warriors." Sesshomaru explained.

"I can walk my Lord." Sango told him obviously irritated. Sesshomaru inclined his head and, much to Inuyasha's amusement, took a tiny step backwards.

"Of that I am assured Lady Sango. It is not your ability that is in question. You are now a married woman walking among the unattached of this Sesshomaru's army would bring shame to this house. As for the Hime Mikata she is a royal entrusted in to my care it would not do to allow her to walk among the masses so unprotected." Inuyasha caught Sesshomaru's gaze and sighed in resignation.

"Sango just ride in the damn thing. Once we are out of the western lands you can ride Kirara." He urged smiling when she rolled her eyes in resignation.

"You are all barbarians." She huffed but climbed in to the palette followed by the smiling Hime.

Sanika glided towards them from the dining hall, her long billowing baby pink robes brushing against the marble floors.

"Lady Aunt thank you for advising the Hime Rin in our absence." Sesshomaru called. The hanyou watched the great lady bow to his brother and go to stand at Rin's side.

"The Hime Rin and This Sanika shall watch over your affairs My Lord Nephew." She smiled and caught Inuyasha's eye. "And you Lord Inuyasha please know I will keep these two from anything improper." She eyed Koga warily.

Inuyasha smiled and nodded. "Good he's a giant letch."

Koga sputtered as Rin covered her face red coloring her cheeks. "My Lord!" She cried looking down at her feet.

Inuyasha laughed and strode forward. He took the embarrassed girl in to his arms and hugged her close. "Be good and don't let that mutt misbehave. We'll be back soon. And remember Sanika is here to guide you but these decisions are yours to make." He felt her little body relax against him.

"Where is Shippo?" Sango's inquiry made Inuyasha glance around.

"Where is that squirt?" He turned taking the entire hall. Inuyasha met his husbands eyes in concern.

"I believe he is saying goodbye to Lord Reniki's daughter, they have become quite inseparable." Sesshomaru explained nodding in contentment. "Their blossoming romance is fortuitous."

Inuyasha stared at his husband for a moment before turning towards the Palette. He walked to it pulling one delicate curtain to the side. "Did you know he was seeing someone?" He asked Sango quietly.

"Well, I suppose I know he was playing with other children… but Shippo is so young I never imagined." She waved her hand.

"You may imagine the fox kit to be such, yet it is not the truth." Sesshomaru called to them. "Fox yokai will stay in their child like form until their first centennial when they hit maturation and their bodies transform in to adults. It is this stage that your kit will go through in the next moon cycle."

Inuyasha blinked rapidly trying to comprehend what his mate was telling him. "Shippo is almost one hundred years old?" He asked.

"Indubitably." Inuyasha turned to stare at the other demon.

"I hate it when you use words I don't understand." He growled stomping his way past his husband and towards the courtyard. "I'm going to wait with the men."

INY

(POV chage)

Sesshomaru sighed as he watched his husband bound away from him. The hanyou was being particularly irritable and he was unsure how to calm him.

"He will calm down my lord. He is just in the first stages." The wolf Hime soothed him.

Sesshomaru turned to the curtains that shrouded the women from his sight. "The first stages of what exactly, Hime Mikata?" He queried trying to keep his annoyance from his tone.

"My Lord are you unaware of Lord Inuyasha's condition?" She asked timidly.

"Were I aware Hime I would not ask such a thing of you." He growled his tightly held control slipping to show his true irritation with the situation. He did not like to be ignorant.

"Of course not My Lord. I should have not spoken thusly; if you are as yet unaware of your husband's condition it is not my place to inform you." Sesshomaru growled and pulled the flimsy curtain to the side. He leaned in to the colorful, pillow filled interior and glared harshly at the young wolf.

"You will do well to inform this Sesshomaru what it is that you know of his Mate, or you may find yourself left to the tender mercies of the army." He felt more than saw her stiffen with fear as he grasped her arm in his large clawed hand.

"He is pregnant my Lord, Lord Inuyasha is with child!" She cried pulling her arm harshly from his grasp and sinking back in to the confines of the palette.

Sesshomaru paused staring at the strange Hime for a moment. "How have you come to know this?" He asked carefully pulling back from her.

"His scent it has changed, most would not notice but I have been around rutting females and bearers all of my life I can assure you Lord Inuyasha is with child." Her eyes shone in protest of her treatment.

Sesshomaru stepped back and bowed low to the frightened Ladies. "Excuse my outburst, I am quite temperamental when it comes to the wellbeing of my new husband. It seems I must endeavor to be less so." He glanced down at the ground momentarily before meeting the younger demoness' eyes. "Pardon my behavior it shall not happen again."

For a moment all was still then she nodded almost imperceptibly and smiled. "Of course Lord Sesshomaru it is forgotten."

He nodded and pulled himself from the silks that swathed the palette searching the room for signs of his mate. The fox kit had arrived, looking for all the world a princeling. Sesshomaru beckoned to him.

Once the youngling was standing near him he gestured to the palette. "The Lady Sango and The Hime Mikata ride with in, they are in need of an escort. You are to ride with them and protect them from any man bold enough to lift the veil." Small protests were heard from within the palette but the kit nodded and climbed in to the cushioned interior.

Sesshomaru sighed and strode through the mostly empty hall out in to the mass of soldiers. He stopped and inquired of the whereabouts of his mate from several guards known to him.

"The Lord Inuyasha has gone ahead to scout or trail. He said to tell you… well hurry up." The eldest of the group, Genku explained bowing and turning a rather unappealing shade of red.

"Hmm." He nodded his assent and took to the sky. "Come then we must follow."

End Chapter Fifteen!

Hey guys sorry for the wait. I am going to try to stick to a better schedule but I can't promise much. I am still looking for a Beta reader! If anyone is interested just PM me :D I hope you all are enjoying the story! I cannot believe how many reviews I got for the last chapter, 13 awesome! I completely love you guys! On a more personal note there are only 68 days until I get married! Crazyness is ensuing! Come January I should be finishing this… maybe if my muse doesn't run in a new direction. This could end up being ridiculously long.