Summoned to the Western Palace, Inuyasha is stunned to learn his father had long ago arranged a marriage between him and Egypt's last surviving Jackal Demon.
In one night, he is mated for life and his new bride Atem has joined him on his journey with his pack.
But not everyone is accepting. Kagome is on the warpath and is determined to make life hard, but when her interference leads to tragedy, the Miko will have angered more than she may be able to take on.
Stood on his balcony, wind whipping through his silver hair, Sesshōmaru cursed his father into oblivion. It was often moments like this, he had to wonder if the man knew bloody well his end had come the night of Inuyasha's birth, because he doubted even he wanted to have the conversation Sesshōmaru was about to have with his hot headed sibling. Right on cue, Inuyasha's furious bellows flittered through the Western palace and with a sigh, the Lord girded his loins against the chaos that was incoming.
"Bastard!" Inuyasha exploded, the minute he burst into Sesshōmaru's study. "The hell right do you have to summon me like some mutt?!"
Ever calm, Sesshōmaru watched his simmering sibling, amber eyes casting a brief glance over the others who followed. He noticed the monk, the slayer at her fire cat, the fox kit…and yet it would appear the Priestess was missing. "You're missing some of your pack, little brother."
"Eh?" Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "The hell does that matter. Kagome had to go home for a few days. Not your business bastard, now would you tell me why that stupid toad Jaken came to get me like I was some errant pup!"
Sesshōmaru ignored his brother's crass behaviour. They had more important things to worry about. "When you weren't even born yet, our father proffered a treaty with one of the last remaining Demon Lords in Egypt. He was dying and his wife was carrying a child…the last of their kind…Father intended a marriage between our families. The Demon Lord Akhenamkhanen, however, insisted on binding magic. If the marriage didn't take place, a curse would strip the yōkai of his child's betrothed."
Inuyasha snorted. "You got me here because your ass is getting married? Where's the Demoness…. I should give my condolences, because no way you'll risk being human the rest of your life."
"Not me, Inuyasha," Sesshōmaru said, almost smug. "The contract…was for you."
"What?!" Sango blustered, no longer able to keep her silence.
"You can't!" Miroku added.
"I assure you; I am not the one forcing this," Sesshōmaru barked, irritated by the humans. "I was but a youth myself when my father agreed upon this. As much as the alliance would be appreciated, it is up to Inuyasha."
"How?!" Inuyasha exploded, his numb shock subsiding. "There's no choice here! I either do it or lose my demon blood!" As if Kagome wasn't out for his blood enough with regards Kikyo and her weird obsession that they were romantically involved when they weren't!
"When?" Sango asked. "When do you want the marriage to take place?"
"Tonight," Sesshōmaru responded. "Inuyasha's bride arrived mere hours ago."
"I bet she's excited about wedding a half-breed mutt!" Inuyasha spat angrily.
"He," Sesshōmaru corrected. "Your bride is a male Demon submissive."
Well, that was unexpected. Among Demons there were males, females and the extremely rare male submissive or Uke. Inuyasha had never met a Uke before and when it came to relationships, gender tended to be irrelevant to those with demonic blood, so it wasn't an issue for him to mate a male. Uke's differed simply by been less masculine and possessing the ability to carry pups.
Scrubbing a hand over his face in frustration, Inuyasha cursed colourfully. There was no choice here and damn it all the hell, his smug ass of a brother knew that. "Fine! Damn it! Kagome is gonna damn well murder me, but fine! I'm not risking my ass being human permanently. So, what do I have to do?"
Miroku, Sango and Shippō were absolutely stunned, but none of them could think of any form of protest. They had no doubt the binding spell was real. Especially in regards Egyptian Yōkai. They were known for powerful shadow magic.
Sesshōmaru snapped his fingers and just like that, Inuyasha was surrounded, by Demoness'. With a yelp, he found himself stripped and dumped into a bath of scented water right there in his brother's study! Clever bastard probably figured he'd run for it, if he knew what they planned. "Wait!" He spluttered, but the females were relentless in their scrubbing, one dumping a perfumed soap in his silver hair before he could voice his grievances.
Blushing, Sango turned her attention toward Sesshōmaru. "Akhenamkhanen. I've heard the name. I suppose his son is Atem, the very last of the Jackal Demons."
"You would be correct, Taijiya." Sesshōmaru confirmed. "Yōkai lines have been dying out for quite some time now. The Inus included. Atem was the last child born to his clan. Should he die before birthing a pup, there will be no more Jackal Demons."
"He was kept in seclusion though," Sango said, thinking on what she'd heard during her years training to be a slayer. "Raised by his father's court of seven after his father's death and his mother died birthing him. No one has even seen him, have you?"
"No, his companions whisked him away to the guest chambers the minute they arrived, some superstitious nonsense about his husband to be being the first to lay eyes on him." Sesshōmaru barely contained his mirth when Inuyasha released a sharp squeal after the women began cleaning his nether regions. "If the rumours are to be believed, Atem is supposed to be stunning."
"Ouch! Damn wenches! You brush my hair that hard, I'm gonna be bald!"
Undeterred by Inuyasha's brutish aggression, they worked tirelessly. The Hanyō was scrubbed till his skin flushed a healthy pink. His claws were tended to until they shone, and his hair was brushed until it was smooth as silk. They tied it up high on his head, the hair falling in a thick tail, a gold piece fixed about the hair tie. His dog ears twitched irritably, but he remained still. They wouldn't even let him put on his own fundoshi!
Next followed the Hadajuban. The fabric was a little more luxurious then he was used to and to Inuyasha's surprise, his brother had clothing custom made. Stylized similar to his fire-rat, it consisted of a Suikan and Hakama in blood red fabric that felt like silk but was most likely demon in origin. About his waist, they fastened a black Obi decorated with gold embroidery and much to his chagrin he was made slip his feet into a pair of finely made boots just like the ones Sesshōmaru wore.
All in all, he felt like an idiot, but when he caught sight of himself in the full length mirror, even he had to admit how good he looked.
"Inuyasha, my friend, you look wonderful!" Miroku complemented. "Your bride will be most pleased."
"Keh! Till he gets a look at my ears and realises he's being handed off to a mongrel." Rolling his eyes, Inuyasha tugged the irritating subjugation beads from the collar of his Suikan. "Can we get on with this now?"
"A few things first, Inuyasha," Sesshōmaru said, dismissing the Demoness' with a mere gesture. "The ceremony isn't much different to a human wedding, but the bedding must be witnessed."
"What?!" Inuyasha squawked, amber eyes blowing wide.
"What's a bedding?" Shippō asked curiously.
"Nothing!" Inuyasha spluttered. "Damn it, you can't be serious Sesshōmaru?!"
"It will be done within a privacy tent I have ordered erected." Sesshōmaru pointed out. "This is necessary, Inuyasha. Between demons the first mating and bonding bite is what permanently seals a marriage for us. Don't be difficult."
Difficult? How was he being difficult?! His whole life was getting turned upside down because their old man decided to write his fate in damn blood and magic before he even left the damn womb! Keeping a hold on his temper, Inuyasha simply barked out. "Fine!" Before securing Tetsusaiga to his side. No way was he going anywhere without his damn sword. "Lead the way, bastard."
Ignoring his brother's rudeness, Sesshōmaru swept out of the room. He just hoped they could get through the ceremony without any blood shed.
X.x.X-I-N-U-Y-A-S-H-A/A-T-E-M-X.x.X
Atem stood in front of the floor length mirror and wasn't sure what to make of himself. The Lord of the West had gifted him Japanese attire to wear and though his companions were a little put out he would not be wearing his Egyptian wedding tunic; they were awed by the clothing supplied for him.
He wore a Hadajuban, Suikan and Hakama all in pure white, save for silver embroidery upon the sleeves. A red Obi, decorated with white lilies adorned his waist and his knee length hair of blonde, black and red had been piled atop of his head, held in place by his own gold hair piece. Gold piercings glinted in his delicately pointed ears and across his forehead rested a golden headpiece.
He made for the perfect bride, but his blood red eyes with slitted pupils were filled with sadness.
"How could father expect this of me?" Atem asked aloud, slender hands clenching nervously in his Suikan, mindful that his ink black claws didn't rip the fabric. "I am more than a bitch in heat waiting to be pupped!"
"We know." Isis, the only Demoness of his father's court stepped up beside him, setting a gentle hand on his back. "But you must understand, your father was trying to do what was best for you. You are the last living Jackal Demon, and he feared what could happen if other Demons wished to take advantage."
"And what makes me any safer with the son of Tōga?" Atem groused, turning to face the other two of his father's court who had come with him from Egypt. "Have either of you met Tōga's younger child, Mahad…Karim?"
"No," Mahad admitted, the cat Demon shuffling a little warily, feline eyes darting about. "But…We've heard, he is a Half-breed."
Red eyes widening in surprise, Atem fell silent. He was well aware of the hatred the Japanese Yōkai tended to have toward half-breed demons, but in Egypt, they did not share the same discriminatory thoughts. He could only imagine what his husband-to-be was expecting when hearing he was to wed a pureblood demon.
Smoothing out his Suikan and taking a deep breath, Atem turned marching out before he lost his nerve.
X.x.X-I-N-U-Y-A-S-H-A/A-T-E-M-X.x.X
Inuyasha stood before the officiant, heart thundering in his chest and contemplating whether or not he could still take a bolt for the nearest window. All manner of Lords and their families filled the room, each one watching him with disdain and while Sango and Miroku had also joined, per agreement, Shippō was handed off to a servant under the pretence of bedtime.
Sesshōmaru stood to his left. Damn bastard was probably making sure he didn't run for it and when the doors finally parted, Inuyasha closed his eyes briefly, before taking his first glance of his bride.
Shock engulfed him, heart stuttering, because never had he seen such a beautiful male. Petite, Atem was radiant. His skin was gold, his eyes ruby red and his tri-coloured hair was unlike anything Inuyasha had ever seen. Tiny, he was barely the same size as Kagome and Inuyasha suddenly had the hungry desire to know just what that set of Suikan and Hakama hid.
Atem considered it a miracle he made it to the alter without falling flat on his face. He was shaking a little. After all, aside from Isis, Mahad and Karim, the room was filled with Japanese demons he had no familiarity with. He didn't dare glance at his betrothed until he was stood next to him, and his heart skipped when he did.
Tōga's youngest was nothing short of breath taking. His eyes were like sunlight and Atem itched to touch the soft puppy ears twitching upon his head. He barely had a moment to learn his image, before the ceremony had started.
With years to learn and hours to fill, Atem was glad he had taken the time to learn Japanese amongst several other languages, because a language barrier would have made the whole thing even harder to deal with. The foreign words washed over him, and he moved and spoke softly where needed. The minute the bedding was mentioned, his tremors grew more pronounced, and he numbly followed Inuyasha into the tent erected in the corner of the room.
Within its confines candles had been set about a bedding platform. The cloth about them was thick enough to muffle the outside, but Atem knew what they were about to do wouldn't go unnoticed.
Across from him, Inuyasha could smell his fear, could see him shaking and cursed his father anew. Holding out a hand, he kept his voice gentle. "Easy…I'm not going to hurt you."
Atem hesitated, but after a moment, he reached out and accepted Inuyasha's proffered hand. Pulled into a broad chest, he looked up. Inuyasha was a lot bigger than he was, and even for a half-breed, he could no doubt hurt him badly if he wanted to and yet, the hands that were suddenly removing his clothing were careful, claws teasing over exposed flesh and hitching Atem's breath.
"That's it," Inuyasha encouraged. "I got ya…relax." Inuyasha was no stranger to sex, but Atem reeked of purity. Demons didn't see mating in the same light as humans, but obviously it was better to keep him sheltered, rather then risk him being pupped by some brute. Tossing his Suikan and Hadajuban aside, Inuyasha lay Atem out on the bedding and dipping his head, he kissed him.
Atem arched into the kiss, body growing more and more heated. He was no stranger to arousal, but this was the first time he had ever had someone igniting it. His Hakama grew tight, a desperate whine building in his throat. He felt Inuyasha's chest rumbling, a warm chuckle escaping the male.
"Easy…I got ya." Inuyasha was in bliss! He had rutted with demons and humans alike when the need called, but Atem was making him ache in ways that he had never been able to fulfil before. Shedding his own clothing, he groaned with relief when his throbbing sex was finally freed. From beneath him, he watched Atem's heated gaze widen just a little at the sight of him and wasn't that just the best compliment ever.
Licking his lips, Inuyasha kissed him again and moving from his mouth to his jaw, he began nipping and kissing southward. Usually beddings were fast, got over with so the ceremony could be completed, but Inuyasha refused to ruin Atem's first time by hurting him. The stuffy bastards, along with his brother would wait till he decided they were finished.
Hakama and Fundoshi tossed aside, Inuyasha groaned at the perfect sight between Atem's supple golden thighs. Uke were intersexed, so instead of a sac sat beneath Atem's hard length, he possessed a female opening and at that moment it was swollen, wet and so very ready. Inuyasha's cock pulsed, his sac heavy with seed, but damn it, he would taste his bride before he mounted him.
When Inuyasha's hot wet mouth surrounded him, Atem's spine arched, a strangled cry ripped from him. Fingers were pushed into his core, a clawed thumb teasing against his clit and with his own claws tearing into the bedding beneath him, Atem's orgasm slammed into him with enough force to steal his breath. Completely boneless, he grunted when he was suddenly flipped, Inuyasha's chest flush to his back, fangs teasing over the juncture in his collarbone.
"This will hurt briefly, just bare with it."
Inuyasha moved back, lining his cock up with Atem's dripping sex and with a singular thrust filled him to the brim. The smaller demon howled at the sudden intrusion, startled by the sharp burst of pain. It thankfully didn't last and once he caught his breath, he urged Inuyasha to move.
Their breathing grew ragged, the obscene slap of flesh on flesh filling every crevice of the tent and when Atem felt the beginnings of Inuyasha's knot, he braced himself. Swearing colourfully, Inuyasha plunged in one last time, his Knot spreading Atem wide and together they climaxed on twin cries. Fangs elongating. Inuyasha lunged and sank his teeth into Atem's mating gland, binding them for life.
Hips rocking, the last dregs of his seed filling Atem, Inuyasha retracted his fangs, running his tongue over the bite to seal it. The scar was raw and puckered but would look years old come the morning. They had at least five minutes before his knot went down.
"Are you okay?" He asked his mate and Kami, that would take some getting used to.
Atem nodded, red eyes sleepy, content beneath Inuyasha's weight. "You were very kind…thank you."
"Keh! Wasn't about to mount you like a horny dog and leave you hurting."
Smiling a little, Atem lifted his head and licked Inuyasha beneath his chin. "Still…thank you."
Once they were free to move, the pair redressed and stepped back out. Atem's Suikan and Hadajuban was purposefully left lose to show off his fresh mating bite. Upon seeing it, the officiant declared the marriage official and cheers filled the hall, the celebration commencing.