A/N : Hi ! I am back !
Raiu : Yipee...
(frowns) Do I sense sarcasm ?
Raiu : Sarcasm and desperation.
Shut up Raiu ! (turns to readers) Anyway, sorry for the long wait ! Just please don't kill me ok ?I couldn't help it. I got really busy lately, for lots of reasons that I won't bore you with. Just know that things are settled now and that I should be able to update more often.
Raiu : That supposed to make us happy ?
Akari : Raiu ! Be nice !
Raiu : Whatever.
Thank you Akari-chan. And as for Raiu... well we'll see about that later. Now I have some thanks to make and some answers to give:
the Dah : Sorry, but Sessh is not uke in my fic... I'm sorry ! But I did see some pretty good fics where he was... I think I got some in my Favs, and in my C2... You could go check it out, if you want !
ahnigurL : Thanks for your review, and also for your help in correcting my japanese words ! Although, I got different answers about what "taiyoukai" means... Some say it does mean "demon lord"... I'm not sure now... And also, I know that youkai means demon. I use the word "youki" because I saw it in many Inu-Yasha fics (I'm not the one who came up with it), and it doesn't mean demon, it means something like the "demon instinct" or "demon energy" that is within every youkai. Do you follow here...? Anyway, thanks for your review ! Hope you'll like the chapter !
PuppylovePyro : Hi and thanks so much for your review ! It's so appreciated ! So, you're angry at Kagome ? Just read this chap and you'll see what's going on with her now... I'm not sure, but I think you'll get angrier... (smiles) Anyway, don't worry about that test you made, I know for a fact that you are not a bad person ! And it's not that bad if you're Inu, because in this fic Sesshomaru is all his ! (winks) Cool heh ? Well, I hope you'll like this chap !
Also a HUGE thank you to all my other reviewers ! I don't forget you and I think all your reviews are wonderful ! Please bear with me and don't stop reviewing, it makes my day every time !
Now enough of that, and on with the fic !
Chapter nine : Until the end of time...
Kagome's POV
"Bye Kagome ! See you at school tomorrow !"
"Ok ! Bye Ayumi !"
I wave at Ayumi before climbing the steps leading to my family's dojo. Another day of school is over, and to be honest, I couldn't be more grateful. I had almost forgotten how boring class can be sometimes, and this week just happened to be one of those times. I simply can't wait until Friday... Although, I have to admit, I'm doing much better at school since I stopped swinging back and forth between here and the feudal era, and my grades have improved a great deal.
I reach the top of the stairs and my eyes wander inevitably to the left, taking in sight the well house as I walk toward the dojo. I know that I could go back to feudal Japan if I wanted to ; I still have the nine jewel shards with me. I've kept them hidden in my drawer for the last two months... I should probably return them though... Sango and the others will need them, and if I don't return them soon, chances are Inu-Yasha will come here to get them back himself, since he's the only one beside me who can go through the well...
I think despite all that happened, I miss them a little. I mean, I've been around them so much, and we've been through so much together, I was bound to become attached... I really feel like I've lost something important... But even so, I'm still mad at them. I still don't get how they could treat me like they did. Ok, so maybe I lost my temper a little, but I did have good reasons ! Inu-Yasha, the man I love, the man I gave my heart to, the man I thought would come to me after all this was over, that same man MATED with another MALE, who happened to be his own BROTHER, who happened to IMPREGNATE him ! Isn't that enough reasons to lose one's temper ? Apparently Sango and Miroku didn't think so, since they immediately stood by Inu-Yasha and against me, without an hesitation. Even Shippo and Kaede took his side.
How could they accept what Inu-Yasha did so easily ? How can they not see the wrong in it ? Youkai rules or not, a man doesn't mate with another man, even less his own flesh and blood ! I've always been taught that it was bad. I mean, I think I could've accepted Inu-Yasha being pregnant, after all demons and hanyou seem to possess all sorts of strange abilities... What I really couldn't and still can't accept is that Inu-Yasha mated with his own brother. That's against everything I've ever known, and from where I'm standing it can be nothing but a violated taboo. And although I'm looking at it more coolly now, I still can't bring myself to agree with it.
Although, if I'm being honest with myself, that isn't the only reason why I'm so mad at Inu-Yasha... The thing is, I thought he loved me ! Even if he would often wander to Kikyo, I'd finally gotten in my head that he didn't love her anymore, he was just going to her because he still owed her and such... But if I thought Kikyo was bad, this new situation was taking the cake.
What really, truly irks me is that Inu-Yasha preferred me Sesshomaru ! Sesshomaru, of all people ! Mr. Block-of-ice personified ! The same Sesshomaru who tried to kill him countless of times, who mocked him so often without an ounce of regret... But despite all that, no only did Inu-Yasha mated with him ; he also fell in love with him.
Oh yes, I know he loves him. I'm not that stupid. I've seen it in his eyes when Sango asked him if they loved each other.
That's what truly angers me, because I know that Inu-Yasha never loved me like that, and that now he probably never will. I doubt he even loved Kikyo that much. It took me one single look to see that he'd given his heart completely for the first time, and that it wasn't to me or Kikyo. It was to someone whom I couldn't even dream to compete with.
Against Kikyo, I had a chance. Against Sesshomaru, I can't even begin to compare.
As it is, my only reassurance is that it is more than unlikely that Sesshomaru will ever return Inu-Yasha's feelings. I doubt someone like him is capable of love, if he even knows what it means. It's sad for Inu-Yasha, but I can't bring myself to sympathize ; I still feel betrayed. Now he'll know what it is to live a one-sided love. I can't help but think he deserved it.
I take one last look at the well house before sliding open the dojo's shôji door.
"Hi Kagome ! How was your day ?" my mother greets me with a smile.
"It was fine mom" I answer. "I got B+ on my History test"
"Oh that's wonderful honey ! Congratulations !"
I smile to her and slowly go up to my room. My mother didn't question me when I said I wouldn't be going to the feudal era anymore, and my grandfather was just too happy to have me stay here to complain. Souta did ask me if Inu-Yasha would ever come and visit again though... I couldn't answer him. I don't know myself.
I don't want to think about it, but I can't help but wonder what Sango and the others are doing right now... I take a glance toward my desk ; I guess I should at least bring them back the jewel shards... I have no use for them here, and they will surely need it. I don't think Inu-Yasha will come for them anytime soon...
Yes, I'll go back one last time to return the shards... eventually.
o0o
Normal POV
"Wow, I guess being a demon Lord has its perks" Inu-Yasha said as he entered Sesshomaru's private chambers.
The place was as luxurious as the rest of the palace, but there was something more refined in this room, something more elegant. It was very large, and to Inu-Yasha's surprise (considering his brother's usual demeanor), the colors were generally warm, from the smooth and dark wooden walls to the rich draperies in different shades of red and gold... There was not much pieces of furniture, but the ones present were beautiful examples of craftsmanship. In fact, just by surveying the room carelessly you could easily catch a glimpse of many items delicately designed and obviously very valuable. Inu-Yasha glanced to his left and saw doors adorned with long golden curtains that were apparently leading to an outdoor balcony... The hanyou then turned to his right and observed the large bed standing in a corner at the far end of the room ; it was slightly elevated, like the beds he had seen in Kagome's time, and it was surrounded by silky red veils hanging from the high ceiling and reaching all the way down to the floor. Everything was nice and tidy, showing that the room was cleaned up regularly every day.
"It's so beautiful..." Inu-Yasha whispered, more to himself than to his brother.
He jumped a little when arms encircled him from behind and when Sesshomaru murmured in his small puppy ear :
"I'm glad you like it, because this is now your room as well"
Inu-Yasha smiled slightly and leaned back in his brother's hold.
"It's like a piece of art..."
"I agree" the taiyoukai answered with a serious tone. "Especially since you will now be there to share it with me"
Inu-Yasha smirked and turned around in Sesshomaru's embrace in order to face him, then he said teasingly :
"Be careful, you're starting to sound mushy !"
"What does it matter, if there's no one else around to hear it ?" Sesshomaru merely retorted calmly, the hint of a smile on his lips.
"Well, I could use it to blackmail you"
"Then I would make you regret it"
"Oh yeah ? I'd like to see you try !"
"With pleasure my mate"
Inu-Yasha gasped in surprise when Sesshomaru suddenly scooped him up in his arms and carried him bridal style toward the bed.
"Sesshomaru ! Put me down you jerk !" the hanyou exclaimed while struggling, although there was no real animosity behind his words.
The older demon just pushed a red veil aside and dumped him on the bed unceremoniously, a playful smirk gracing his features. Inu-Yasha laughed happily in spite of himself... but stilled and quieted down almost as soon as the sound was out of his mouth. Sesshomaru's smirk faltered and he frowned, his youki clearly sensing that something was amiss with his mate. He lowered himself on the bed and sat beside Inu-Yasha, one hand coming up to caress the hanyou's cheek...
"What's wrong ?" he asked serenely.
Inu-Yasha looked up at him for a moment, then answered :
"It's nothing... It's just... I... I can't remember the last time I laughed like that..."
Sesshomaru stared at him in wonder and Inu-Yasha shifted uncomfortably under his piercing gaze... Finally he chuckled a bit awkwardly and said :
"Just forget it... It's stupid anyway..."
"It is not" Sesshomaru spoke up, his fingers still brushing his brother's face gently. "I'm pleased I could make you happy..." (he seemed to hesitate a second before adding quietly) "...for once"
Inu-Yasha slowly sat up in the bed to be at eye level with Sesshomaru. He locked gazes with the taiyoukai and was content in just observing him for a while... Then he closed the distance between them (as slight as it was) and leaned against his older sibling, inhaling his musky scent and resting his face against his chest, grateful that Sesshomaru had removed his armor earlier...
"You have no idea what you're doing to me..." he whispered faintly.
Sesshomaru lowered his head and brought his lips inches away from Inu-Yasha's ear, then he whispered back :
"Nothing compared to what you are doing to me..."
Inu-Yasha shivered at the feeling of his brother's warm breath softly blowing in his little puppy ear... It was nothing though compared to what he felt when Sesshomaru suddenly took the ear in his mouth and started nipping at it gently, being mindful of his fangs... Inu-Yasha repressed a moan and moved his head in a fashion that would give easier access to his ears... Sesshomaru smirked at this and moved his mouth to the other white appendage, blowing in it softly before closing his lips around it and sucking slightly... This time Inu-Yasha did moan... His ears were very sensitive and such ministrations, especially done by his mate, were quickly getting him aroused...
Sesshomaru suddenly released his ear and Inu-Yasha couldn't repress a small whine of protestation... It quickly stopped though when he felt his mate's lips on the bridge of his nose, slowly getting lower and lower until they locked with his own mouth... Sesshomaru practically violated him in one kiss, leaving the hanyou panting and dizzy with pleasure when they finally parted for air... Sesshomaru slowly pushed his brother down so that he was lying back on the bed... The taiyoukai then straddled the hanyou and grabbed both his hands, pinning them on the mattress above Inu-Yasha's head. Then he lowered his own head and captured his brother's lips once more ; he didn't even have to ask for entrance as Inu-Yasha immediately opened his mouth to let him in, and Sesshomaru explored every last corner of the warm cavern avidly, never getting enough of his mate's taste...
On his part, Inu-Yasha couldn't think straight anymore... The last coherent thoughts in his mind were Sesshomaru and the feelings the taiyoukai was giving him... His youki was calling out so strongly to his older brother that it was almost scaring him, while on another hand he couldn't have been more happy than he was now... Suddenly it seemed like an eternity had passed since their last mating, and he wanted nothing more than for Sesshomaru to make him his once again... Inu-Yasha thought that if something was to stop them now, there was no way he would be able to live through it... That's when a thought crossed his mind, and he tried to voice it between Sesshomaru's kisses :
"Sessh... (kiss) What about... (kiss) ...Rin ?"
Sesshomaru barely stopped long enough to answer :
"She's playing right now. She won't bother us. Nor will anyone else ; no one can enter my chambers without my permission..."
"Is that so...?" Inu-Yasha replied on a teasing tone before his brother could kiss him again. "Well, I came in here without asking for your permission..."
"These are your chambers as well now" Sesshomaru said. "And anyhow, you were with me, and as such it is not the same"
Inu-Yasha decided to push the teasing a little further...
"Even so, it was rude of me. Maybe I should just go now..." he said, pretending to make a move to leave.
Of course, he had no real intention to do so... But Sesshomaru, or more probably Sesshomaru's youki, seemed to take his threat very seriously ; the grip on the hanyou's wrists tightened almost painfully and Inu-Yasha suddenly found himself face to face with a very angry inu youkai laying on top of him... Sesshomaru's eyes were rimmed with red and his voice nearly came out as a growl when he snapped :
"You are going no where mate, as long as I have a say in this !"
The grip on Inu-Yasha's wrists tightened even more, and the hanyou had to resist his urge to whimper ; it wasn't so much because of the pain, but more because of the fact that his mate was angry with him. It was instinctive.
Sesshomaru spoke to him again, his voice sounding more like a growl with each words, more red starting to spread in his eyes :
"You are NOT leaving. I will not allow it. You are MY mate and you will stay by MY side until the end of time"
Logically, this was supposed to be an order, Sesshomaru affirming his authority as the alpha mate. Logically, now Inu-Yasha was supposed to be regretful and apologetic, and agree with Sesshomaru submissively. But that's not exactly what happened...
Inu-Yasha looked back into his brother's now completely red eyes, not even acknowledging the pain in his wrists anymore. The fact that he was being chastised went totally pass him. Right now, all he could think of was the words Sesshomaru had just said to him... He knew somewhere in the back of his mind that they were intended as an order more than anything else, but strangely, to Inu-Yasha they sounded like an incredibly beautiful promise...
He slowly raised his head toward the still infuriated taiyoukai, his hands still being pinned above him. Sesshomaru eyed him curiously, but Inu-Yasha merely left a soft butterfly kiss on his brother's mouth, their lips barely brushing against each other. There was no passion in that kiss, no urge and no fire. Just lots and lots of love...
Laying back on the mattress, Inu-Yasha smiled up at his momentarily stunned mate and said :
"That was the most beautiful thing someone ever said to me..."
The grip on his wrists almost immediately loosened... His hands were released as Sesshomaru ever so slowly positioned his own on both sides of the hanyou's head. The red in his eyes then seemed to evaporate like morning mist... No words were said as they simply gazed at each other, basking in the sight... Finally Sesshomaru lowered his head, his long hair creating a silver veil around them, and he captured Inu-Yasha's mouth with his own, giving him a soul-searching kiss while pressing their bodies together as close as physical laws would allow. Inu-Yasha brought his arms around his brother's neck and responded avidly, pouring a mountain of emotions in each kisses and caresses...
Then they parted reluctantly for air, and Inu-Yasha took the chance to whisper hoarsely :
"Sesshomaru... make love to me..."
It was a soft demand, an innocent plight, an irresistible order... Sesshomaru was quick to comply.
Very soon their clothes were laying astray around the bed, and both mates were sticky with sweat and trembling with need, their lean bodies interlaced like one on the soft mattress... They worshipped each others like gods in every touch, not even stopping to ponder about the intensity of what they were feeling... They were high on love and lust, and for a moment Time halted in the Lord's chambers, allowing its two occupants to rediscover each other with outmost care, not leaving an inch of skin untouched, or a kiss to be forgotten, or even a single heartbeat to go unheard... All the while whispering sweet nothings in each other's ears, washing away the longing, the pain of the absence, the fear of being left behind, sending it all into oblivion... And both they danced, with grace and passion, they danced the oldest dance in the World...
Hours later, when they were both laying in a tangled mess of silky red sheets, Inu-Yasha asked his mate quietly while passing his fingers through long silver locks :
"Were you serious ?"
Holding him closer, with one hand laying protectively over his mate's slightly swollen stomach, Sesshomaru immediately understood the question and answered calmly :
"I was"
Inu-Yasha raised his face toward him and observed him for a moment, his hand still brushing Sesshomaru's hair. Then he smiled somewhat teasingly and said :
"Until the end of time ?"
And Sesshomaru echoed without an hesitation :
"Until the end of time..."
o0o
"I HATE YOU !"
"Sure you do"
"I'M SERIOUS !"
"Of course"
"SESSHOMARU !"
"Yes Inu-Yasha ?"
"STOP DOING THAT !"
"Stop doing what ?"
"YOU KNOW WHAT!"
"I'm afraid I don't. You'll have to be more precise, mate"
"ARGH ! ...I HATE YOU !"
"As I gathered"
Huffing in indignation and resisting the urge to pull out his hair, Inu-Yasha stopped pacing before his lover's desk and glared at him. Sesshomaru merely dipped his pen in some more ink and continued writing whatever he was writing, not looking up even once at his ranting mate. Inu-Yasha bristled and walked to stand before the desk, hands on his hips and glare deepening with each more seconds Sesshomaru insisted on ignoring him. Finally he lost little patience he had left and snapped :
"WILL YOU LOOK AT ME SESSHOMARU !"
The taiyoukai graciously put his pen back in the inkwell and slowly raised his golden eyes toward his brother, raising a questioning eyebrow.
"What is the matter Inu-Yasha ?" he asked ever so calmly.
"Like you didn't know !" the hanyou growled.
Sesshomaru just looked at him, waiting for him to elaborate. Of course he already knew what was coming, Inu-Yasha was right on that point, but to be perfectly honest, the taiyoukai found rather amusing to push his mate's buttons. And considering that the said mate was now three months pregnant, those buttons had never been so sensible...
Inu-Yasha cracked once again (as predicted) and added with a glare :
"I will NOT meet them !"
Sesshomaru resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Instead, he rose and walked to his mate, not even twitching under the murderous glare Inu-Yasha was giving him. Once he was before him Sesshomaru took him by the shoulders and said evenly :
"Inu-Yasha, we've already been through this"
"And I've already told you that I would NOT meet them !" was the venomous reply.
The taiyoukai sighed and gently pushed his brother toward a nearby couch. The hanyou didn't resist but did keep glaring. Sesshomaru sat first then brought Inu-Yasha down in his lap. The latter was a bit surprised at that and his glare vanished, replaced by a look of confusion. He turned back to Sesshomaru, wondering what had brought that on... Sure they were affectionate with each other when alone, but at the moment they were in Sesshomaru's study, and the Lord himself had asked Inu-Yasha to be less obvious with loving gestures when they were here, where anybody could walk in on them.
The taiyoukai still wasn't very comfortable with open displays of affection, and probably never would be, considering his character. It was Ok when it was just Inu-Yasha or Rin, but that was about it. With others he couldn't bring himself to act other than cold and harsh. It was no surprise ; that attitude had been inlaid in him since his early childhood, intent on making him the perfect demon Lord with no weaknesses for his enemies to work on. Inu-Yasha didn't mind that. It was what made Sesshomaru... well, Sesshomaru. And the hanyou didn't want him any other way...
But at the moment, Sesshomaru seemed to ignore his own demand as he started stroking Inu-Yasha's hair tenderly and petting his small puppy ears, his lips barely brushing over one of the little triangles. Almost against his will, Inu-Yasha started to relax considerably and finally leaned into his brother's touch, never being able to deny himself the pleasure of his mate's ministrations... Sesshomaru inwardly smirked then started calmly :
"It cannot be helped, Inu-Yasha. I have to publicly announce my mating and I also have to officially present you to the other Lords and nobles. It is tradition among demon royals since the time of our great Ancestors, and not subjecting ourselves to it would be seen as a serious offense, even by our own people. Wars have been started for less than this"
Inu-Yasha slightly pulled away from him and asked incredulously :
"You mean to say that the other Kingdoms could start a war against us just because we wouldn't have followed the traditional mating ritual !"
Sesshomaru simply looked back at him steadily and answered :
"As I said, wars have been started for less. The other three Lords would be greatly offended if they were ever to learn that I had mated without inviting them to the usual ceremony that follows. To them it would seem as if I didn't consider them worthy of attending, and I'm sure I don't need to explain to you how that would be a terrible insult. And if they should learn that I never even held a ceremony, then they could come to think that I am ashamed of my mate, which is something I absolutely don't want them to think, and can't allow them to think, for then the insult is directed toward you, and thus toward me. As you can see, in both scenarios someone is insulted and a conflict is bound to arise, and as a demon Lord myself I know too well how a mere conflict can easily lead to an outward war. Our own nobles could turn against us and side with the enemy if that was ever to happen. I know for a fact that some of them are only just waiting for an occasion to throw me off, and that Lord Mizuki from the South will jump on any valid excuse I will give him to go against me like he's dreamed of doing since I succeeded father"
Sesshomaru ended his speech to glance at Inu-Yasha, who now had a look of total disbelief on his face. The hanyou knew that his brother's words were true, and he couldn't believe that such a simple thing as canceling the mating ceremony would cause such drastic consequences. It just seemed so... exaggerated...
"I know what you are thinking" Sesshomaru suddenly said, interrupting his musings. "But such is life in my world, Inu-Yasha. It is a constant fight for power and control, a fight to keep and protect what is yours and stop others from taking it away. It is a universe where two best friends can become enemies by jealousy because one of the two inherited more than the other. A universe where a man will be forced to marry a woman he doesn't love because the one he does love is a peasant and him a noble. A universe where a Lord can be assassinated by his own son because said son thinks he is taking too long to die and pass him the throne. A universe where a war is very likely to be declared if one Lord didn't bother to invite the others to his mating ceremony"
Inu-Yasha lowered his head and sighed. He was starting to get his brother's point : the mating ceremony was unavoidable, unless he wanted the other Kingdoms to use it as a pretext to start a war with the Western Lands. And Inu-Yasha didn't want that. No matter what he may have said about it before, the Western Lands were his home, now more than ever.
"I... I understand" he finally said, sighing dejectedly.
Sesshomaru simply nodded in approval, pleased with Inu-Yasha's answer. Gently laying the hanyou's head on his armor-less chest, he added :
"On a less stressful field, it is also important to let everyone know that I am no longer available to mate, and that the West now has its two reigning Lords. Our mating has to be seen and acknowledged by demon community as a strong and durable one. The stronger is our bond, the more they will feel it, and the more they will hesitate to rise against us. Because if our bond is strong, then we are powerful, and so is our Kingdom"
Sesshomaru paused, moving his hand under Inu-Yasha's chin and slowly raising the hanyou's face toward his own. They locked gazes and Sesshomaru pursued softly :
"I am powerful alone, but it is nothing compared to how much I can be with you by my side. I was a fool not to see it sooner. Us being brothers will only reinforce that fact, and so as you bearing my pup... The Lord of the West is now mated with a pup to come, and tradition or not, I want every last person in Japan to know it..."
Inu-Yasha didn't try to repress the happy smile that came dancing on his lips, his eyes never moving away from his mate's ; Sesshomaru just had a way with words, that stupid jerk...
"Alright" he said with a sly grin. "I'll meet those pompous bastards during your stupid ceremony, but I expect to be rewarded afterwards..."
Sesshomaru smirked and replied :
"I think I can arrange that"
Then he approached his mouth from Inu-Yasha's ear and whispered into it :
"But only if you promise to be very, very good during the ceremony..."
"P... promise..." was all Inu-Yasha could breath out as shivers of desire ran down his spine.
Sesshomaru suddenly lowered his head and captured his mouth brutally, giving him a heart-stopping kiss. Then the taiyoukai pulled away just as suddenly and rose slowly to his feet, supporting Inu-Yasha who was still slightly dazed from the kiss. The younger demon shook his head in order to clear his thoughts, not even bothering to ask his brother what had brought that on... Seriously, when it came to mood swings, Sesshomaru was often worse than him, even though Inu-Yasha was the one pregnant...
"So... hum..." the hanyou started, trying to form a coherent sentence (to his mate's great amusement). "Hum... When is that stupid ceremony of yours supposed to start ?"
"Tomorrow evening" came the serene reply.
"WHAT !"
Sesshomaru smirked.
"HOW COME YOU DIDN'T TELL ME IT WAS SO SOON !"
The taiyoukai graciously made his way back to his desk.
"WHEN EXACTLY DID YOU PLAN TO LET ME KNOW, JERK !"
Sesshomaru sat behind his desk and took his pen, dipping it into the inkwell.
"WERE YOU EVEN PLANNING TO TELL ME AT ALL !"
He started to write cautiously, making sure not to let the ink stain the paper.
"SESSHOMARU, DON'T YOU DARE IGNORE ME !"
The demon Lord smirked again, not raising his eyes from his sheet.
"...I HATE YOU !"
Definitely, a pregnant mate's buttons are so very easy (and funny) to push...
A/N : Hum... It's shorter than I thought it would be... I'll try to do better in the next chap...
Raiu : Note the utilisation of the word "try"...
If you end up dead Raiu, don't wonder why.
Raiu : Right back at you my dear.
Akari : Please review !