Work Text:
It's as if the soles of his boots were permanently glued to the ground. He can’t step away or pivot his ankles.
His limbs are heavy at his sides. He can flex his fingers and slightly crane his neck, but it’s as if he is paralyzed. Sesshomaru isn't even sure he is breathing.
A deep rumble echoes around him; a low chuckle of someone he knew personally, but who could it be? The voice does not resemble any of his foes, such as Lord Kirinmaru or the wretched Naraku. Sesshomaru scans his surroundings for the perpetrator, but all he can see is the grass before him, the distant trees, and the deep crimson red of the sky.
The chortle continues, sounding much closer, and the only thing Sesshomaru could do is wait and form a plan, a plan of escape. He cannot move a muscle no matter how many times he calls to his inner beast form for help; his poison claws are lost to him, without so much as a droplet of his acid forming around his fingertips; but surely his power isn’t completely lost to him. He is the great Demon Lord Sesshomaru, and for all these centuries no one has been able to stop him on his path. His beast half will prevail and save them both.
Sesshomaru closes his eyes and attempts to calm his frantically beating heart—he can't be deterred if he's going to use his ultimate form— but it's proven difficult as his heart stutters in his chest once the chuckle becomes louder.
Who is this daring voice looking down on this Sesshomaru?
"I'll… kill you…" Sesshomaru says through a hiccup.
A hiccup.
Since when did this Sesshomaru demonstrate such weakness, such hesitation? Since when did his blood run cold, and since when did his own skin begin to tremble in… in… fear?
A heavy, metallic scent assaults his nostrils, and Sesshomaru’s heart is caught in his throat. The scent of blood is in the air. It isn't his own, despite the familiar taste to it… The smell is too familiar.
No.
This blood, it belonged to—
“I’ll kill you.”
Sesshomaru's stomach drops and his hands clam up.
That voice, it was his own—but how can that be? His lips are firmly pressed into a tight line that they're practically sewn shut. Someone is impersonating him, that's the only explanation! Sesshomaru's nose wrinkles as the blood becomes denser, thicker…
Inuyasha.
Sesshomaru cranes his neck, shakily, and rolls his shoulders, but as hard as he tries, he can't move. It’s almost painful, like his muscles are screaming for him to stay still or they’ll tear from the smallest shift.
"Your blood is tainted, little brother," Sesshomaru’s voice echoes in the red night, “Your human mother should have done away with you instead of allowing such an abomination to breathe the same air as this Lord Sesshomaru.”
Sesshomaru grunts, turning his head as far as he’s able to, searching for the doppelgänger, searching for the enemy, searching for Inuyasha—
A startled sound escapes Sesshomaru’s throat as he finally finds him—them. How could such a thing be when there is only one Sesshomaru? And yet, scanning through the familiar crescent moon over his forehead and the cherry blossom patterned kimono, there is no doubt that it is another Sesshomaru. There he stood a distance away, with a smug grin over his features, standing proudly over the limp body that is his brother, Inuyasha.
"Sesshomaru you bastard…," Inuyasha says accusingly, glaring tiredly at him, as if the rigid Sesshomaru is able to lift a finger to harm him. Can't he see the other Sesshomaru before him, with blood staining his white attire, with his Tessaiga in hand? Can't he see the position the real Sesshomaru is placed in, unmoving with mokomoko weighing heavy over his shoulder?
But how could he expect Inuyasha to see when the glow is slowly hazing over his brother’s eyes?
“Little brother…" Sesshomaru would croak, helplessly.
His doppelgänger laughs at the pitiful, bloody state that is now Inuyasha. Inuyasha is surrounded in a growing pool of his own blood with a gaping wound over his chest. The other Sesshomaru points the tip of his blade to Inuyasha’s torso, the sharp curve pressing into his body.
The frozen Sesshomaru shakes his head in denial, in anger, as he glares at himself. His other self chuckles, that damning echoing chortle, as he pays the real Sesshomaru no mind. How dare he ignore the real him?!
"You should feel honored, little brother. To have this Lord Sesshomaru end your pathetic life."
The real Sesshomaru attempts a pathetic growl. His eyes reddened and his heart is pulsing in his ears. He summons his inner true beast form, causing his veins to pop over his features and his claws to double in size. With his new found strength Sesshomaru is able to rip away from the ground beneath him. Sesshomaru’s finger tips hiss and radiate green as he dashes towards Inuyasha and himself, but as fast as he runs, as many steps as he takes, he cannot reach Inuyasha! Some sort of pressure is holding him back, its as if he is running on water. What kind of power does this doppelgänger hold?
"I thought you've changed, Sesshomaru… I thought I could call you a real brother!"
"Inuyasha!" The real Sesshomaru spoke through a gasp. There's a warmth coursing down his cheeks, blood pouring from his crimson eyes, but that's the least of his concerns. "I’ve made a promise years ago… Inuyasha—"
"Why aren't you protecting me?!"
"That’s my only wish! I made my promise to protect you, and I don’t plan on breaking it!”
"Only an imbecile would believe such lies,” the doppelgänger says, amusement in his tone compared to the other Sesshomaru’s panicked one. “Did you really think we could be real brothers? With tainted blood such as yours? Count yourself lucky this Sesshomaru is being so benevolent with an abomination like you.”
Sesshomaru's heart stops as Tessaiga is brought over the doppelgänger’s head. The wind surrounding his fathers sword swirl causing the trees to rustle violently. The red sky thundered along with the roar of Tessaiga.
"Enough—" he says but his voice is muffled by a white sound, “Inuyasha!"
Finally.
Finally.
Closing the distance between them, the real Sesshomaru grabs at his doppelgängers throat, and slams him to the ground.
"Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha shouts but Sesshomaru ignores his cries. He has to defend, he has to kill! No one will harm Inuyasha ever again!
"Sesshomaru, wake up dumbass!"
Never again.
"Wake up!"
“It’s not the softest thing in the world. In fact, I’m willing to bet you’ve slept in luscious, cloud-like futons all your life. But this will do."
"Im… unsure of this arrangement. It's only rain—"
"Yeah I know it's only rain. I know you won't melt away or burn from it. But ever since your imp told me you don't sleep it just rubbed me the wrong way. Everyone needs rest, demons, humans, and even the Demon Lord."
"Little brother…"
“Besides I'm willing to bet you're so grumpy from lack of sleep. So, you're staying for the night. No exceptions!”
Is what Inuyasha had said, but even he is having trouble falling asleep.
Boy was it an awkward start. Sesshomaru and him lying in silence in their futons with not even a cricket playing its tune. Trying to fill the quiet atmosphere, Inuyasha attempted to make idle talk, asking about father, Sesshomaru’s childhood, shit he even asked about his favorite dish; but Sesshomaru was so tense with short worded answers, Inuyasha could hardly hear him over the hard pouring rain. Suppose after all this time Sesshomaru still isn't comfortable opening up to him. How could he expect him to be after so many years of hating each other? But Inuyasha was sure they were doing better, after all this time?
Over the past few years, Inuyasha's relationship with Sesshomaru had… improved, or at least become less deadly— sorta. Ever since Kagome’s departure, Inuyasha was never able to get over the empty feeling in his chest. Falling into a deep depression, his friends Miroku, Sango, and Shippo have tried their best to ease his broken heart. Even Koga had stopped by to get him out of his stump. His rival coming to cheer him up, Inuyasha had truly fallen into the deep end.
Nothing was working.
Inuyasha wouldn’t eat, drink or sleep. The only thing he wanted to do was wait, wait for the love of his life to return. He would gladly remain glued to the bone eaters well if it meant the teenage girl who taught him how to make friends, who taught him to be comfortable in his own skin, and who taught him how to smile, would come back into his arms. He was willing to wait if it meant for the rest of his life…
And yet…
Despite all the attempts his friends(and Koga) have made, the only person, surprisingly, who's managed to get him out of his stump was Sesshomaru.
There were no words of sympathy or encouragement— or so, no mocking insults— instead, Sesshomaru dragged Inuyasha away from the bone eaters well to a far clearing. Without a single explanation, Sesshomaru brought out his Bakusaiga from its sheath, and said one word...
”Ready?"
It was unexpected and out of nowhere as hell; Inuyasha dodged and blocked Sesshomaru’s incoming attacks, resulting in him getting bruised and slashed at a few times from lack of training. Their battle lasted for a long time, Inuyasha would say a few days to a week—may longer. Sesshomaru kept coming ruthlessly with his blade, not trying to kill Inuyasha but trying to coax him into something else. It wasn't until Inuyasha reached his breaking point that he slashes Tessaiga with all he's got. He cried out, relentlessly throwing wind scars and backlash waves back to back until finally cratering Sesshomaru's armor that their battle was over.
Inuyasha remembers clearly what happened after that. His body was screaming in pain, quaking with his knees close to buckling; he was coated in a mix of blood and sweat; and his robe of the fire rat was ripped nearly to shreds. If Kagome were their, she would have screamed “sit” a long time ago and the battle would have been done days ago. But no, she wasn’t their, the person he loved had left him and he couldn’t go back to find her.
Releasing all his pent up energy, not holding back and giving it his all during battle, had caused the damn holding back his tears to finally break. Inuyasha had collapsed on his side, the ground not gentle over his worn out body. He couldn’t move a muscle nor hold onto Tessaiga’s handle anymore… All he could do was cry. Emitting broken sobs and hiccups, muttering Kagome’s name as Sesshomaru stood before his form, watching the pitiful scenario. What did he think about Inuyasha crying at the time?
His friends, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo, had stood by the entire time, only finally jumping in to consume Inuyasha in tight hugs and gentle coos. Sesshomaru wouldn’t say or do a thing. All he did was make sure Inuyasha was taken care of by his friends, put Bakusaiga away, and leave without a goodbye nor explanation of their random battle. Inuyasha wondered then and even now if Sesshomaru was trying to get him out of his depression, letting him know that it's okay to cry…
Soon after, Inuyasha had resided back in Kaede's village, recovering with his friends at his side. It took a few weeks to recover(Inuyasha would succumb to a fever during) before Inuyasha was finally able again and feeling a lot better. Of course, the hollowness over his chest was there, in fact there were days where he thought he couldn’t breathe from the pressure of that ache, but he accepted that this feeling will remain there forever.
Right when he thought he could go back to the bone eaters well— it’s hard to break away from habit— there was Sesshomaru waiting for him.
"Let's go," Sesshomaru would say, simple and with no choice to his command.
Then, before Inuyasha knew what hit him, everyday for the past 3 years Sesshomaru and him would train together until sundown. Over time, the void in his chest became filled with hope and excitement, and thoughts of Kagome were just happy memories that brought him nostalgic joy… and he had Sesshomaru to thank for that.
Three long years with Sesshomaru.
A relationship he never knew he would have, or even knew he wanted, but here he is excited — for once— to see Sesshomaru waiting for him in their usual spot. In a way Inuyasha wanted to thank Sesshomaru, for caring enough to bring him out of his depression, but he felt strange bringing a gift to his brother(what could a Demon Lord want that he doesn't already have?), and he still finds it a bit hard having a normal conversation with Sesshomaru outside of talking about their sparring session. He doesn't know how Rin does it so easily, but suppose she has her child-like wonder to help with talking to Sesshomaru.
It wasn't until recently that Inuyasha commented that all Sesshomaru does is journey, spar, and repeat. Doesn't he eat or take rest at all? Jaken would scoff at him and say his Demon Lord doesn't need such trivial things, for he is Lord Sesshomaru. There is no rest for someone guarding the Western lands and blah blah blah…
Inuyasha isn't sure if Jaken was telling the truth or if he himself took what the imp said too literally. But the moment it started to rain today, Inuyasha took advantage and forced Sesshomaru to stay the night at his hut.
Now here is Inuyasha, lying stiff on his futon with Sesshomaru seemingly sleeping soundly beside him. The sky rumbles with thunder and the rain had dulled to a light drizzle
Thunder doesn't scare him, not like when he was a kid. He wonders if Sesshomaru had silly little fears such as this. Will he even get to talk about such topics with his brother one day?
Inuyasha turns on his side to gaze at the sleeping figure beside him and grimaces. Sesshomaru frowns even in his sleep. This guy just doesn't know how to rest at all does he?
Then, as a flash of silent lightning illuminates the room through the cracks of the curtained door, Inuyasha really took in Sesshomaru’s features. His face is tense with his eyelids clenched so tightly and his lips pressed to a tight line. Beads of sweat courses down Sesshomaru's face, over his ragged magenta markings and tight jaw.
"Inu…yasha…," Sesshomaru whispers in his sleep.
"Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha would call out to him, softly as he got on his knees. He leans closer to Sesshomaru, and he senses the others distress through his aura. It was in anguish, flight or fight, and it was afraid.
Sesshomaru, afraid? Is the other having a nightmare?
"Hey, wake up…!" Inuyasha calls out to him carefully, not wanting to freak out the other in his sleep. He grabs Sesshomaru’s shoulder and shakes him gently. “Hey, wake up…! You’re having a nightmare—“
Sesshomaru’s eyes finally snap open, and Inuyasha is met with a red glare.
"Sesshomaru—" Inuyasha gasps as Sesshomaru shoves him away from him. Inuyasha falls ass first on his futon, "Hey!" He shouts, but he’s soon slammed back down on his own bed.
"What the hell, Sesshomaru!" He demands, groaning in pain as jagged claws sink into his shoulders.
He looks up at Sesshomaru, noting the ragged appearance that was once his usually pristine brother. Sesshomaru is panting with drool coursing down his chin, shaky as his magenta markings spread. What the hell is wrong with this dumbass?! Did a nightmare really cause this kind of reaction?!
Hissing down at Inuyasha, his frizzy hair soon starts to bellow in the air. Inuyasha’s accelerated heart skips a beat as Sesshomaru’s aura pulses down on him. The curtains of the door flap crazily as chaotic winds swirl around Sesshomaru. This is bad. The last time Inuyasha had felt this sensation was when Sesshomaru turned into his full beast form!
"Sesshomaru—!" Inuyasha exclaims, but calloused hands were soon clasping over his neck. Inuyasha gags, panic setting in as Sesshomaru’s eyes glow in the darkness of the room
"I'll kill you!" Sesshomaru says in a booming, slurred voice. Inuyasha is sure the villagers heard his roar. If he doesn't do something soon, the others will panic and may even attack Sesshomaru in his state. Sesshomaru’s gaze is crazed and yet lost, Inuyasha can tell he's not entirely here. After all these years together, Inuyasha knew Sesshomaru would never harm him!
Despite his lungs burning for air, Inuyasha doesn't think to use his strength to push Sesshomaru off. He doesn't want to harm Sesshomaru, that will only cause retaliation.
"Sesshomaru, wake up dumbass!" Inuyasha exclaims through his wheezing! Wiggling his body and thrusting his hips, he tries to jolt Sesshomaru awake. Stars are playing over his vision, and Inuyasha’s hands are losing their grip around Sesshomaru’s wrist.
He tries again, wheezing out a pained "Wake up…! Wake up!”
An explosion of lightning interrupts the tension in the hut, and the loud boom jolts Sesshomaru back to reality. He gasps, flinching as he gazes forward.
Where am I? How did Sesshomaru get here? He’s shivering, taking labored breaths to calm his frantically beating heart. Moments ago he was trapped, frozen in battle with a bloody Inuyasha, and…
Inuyasha!
Where is his brothers?!
“L-Let go…!”
Sesshomaru gasps again, finally noticing the other beneath him wheezing for breath as Sesshomaru’s hands continue to squeeze his windpipe. He tears away from Inuyasha’s neck, and Inuyasha is in a fit of coughs and labored breaths.
Inuyasha elevates himself on one arm, and his free hand goes to his neck. “W-were you trying to kill me?!”
No answer. Sesshomaru could only stare at his brother who lied beneath him. Hot flashes of what was his little brother's dying corpse continue to race through his subconscious, and all Sesshomaru could think to do is provide aid. Sesshomaru’s hands are soon running all over Inuyasha’s chest, practically ripping open Inuyasha’s robes in the process. His fingers slither Inuyasha's chest, neck and shoulders. No wound, no slashes… Inuyasha is fine…
His heart soon sinks as he catches the scent of blood.
"Hey, keep your hands to yourself!" Inuyasha says in between breaths. He grabs Sesshomaru’s wrist, keeping him still and in place. Inuyasha didn’t want Sesshomaru to suddenly attack him again. “Are you awake now? Answer me, Sesshomaru.”
Inuyasha scans Sesshomaru’s features. Aside from being covered in a sheen of sweat with his hair in a disheveled mess, Sesshomaru seemingly looks back to normal. His eyes are back to their amber color, and his magenta markings are slowly but surely seeping back to their sharp point.
"I… I…," Sesshomaru starts.
Looking down at his own wrists, Sesshomaru took notice of the ragged appearance of his magenta markings. His claws were lengthened, each one coated in his brother’s blood.
He… he had hurt Inuyasha, didn’t he? With the evidence literally in his hands, that's the only explanation.
"Sesshomaru," Inuyasha says, trying to get his attention, but his guilt wouldn't even allow Sesshomaru to look up at his brother.
It looks like Sesshomaru isn't far from his doppelgänger after all; he could not be trusted. In order for Inuyasha to live, in order for Inuyasha to remain safe, he must leave—
"I… I must go…!" Sesshomaru explains as he elevates himself up to his knees, but Inuyasha brings him back down on his lap. Sesshomaru tries to tug himself free, but Inuyasha’s hold on his wrists is firm.
"Release me, p-please…"
Now completely sitting up, Inuyasha scoffs and says, "Since when does this Sesshomaru beg?"
"This Sesshomaru does not beg—" Sesshomaru is caught mid sentence as he's suddenly yanked forward. He braces himself, expecting a well deserved punch. However, he stiffens, frozen against Inuyasha’s chest as his brother’s arms wrap around him. Sesshomaru’s eyes widen, swirling as Inuyasha leans back to give Sesshomaru more room to settle. Despite Sesshomaru hurting him, Inuyasha still chooses to cradle Sesshomaru over his lap. Sesshomaru hadn’t even realized how hard he was shaking until Inuyasha held him.
"I got cha, you're okay now," Inuyasha assures through sweet coos. He holds Sesshomaru tightly, rubbing his back up and down with his hand as he hum’s a small tune. A tune his own mother used to hum to him when he had a nightmare.
They remain glued together, the sound of gentle rumbling thunder joining along Inuyasha’s song. Inuyasha allows Sesshomaru his chance to catch his breath, to gather his bearings and realize he’s safe with no threat. He can sense Sesshomaru’s heartbeat through his aura, coming to a calm beat, and Inuyasha gives them another calming, quiet moment before finally speaking up.
"A nightmare, huh? I used to get plenty of those too…"
"A nightmare… is that what happened?” Sesshomaru questions gently, hesitantly. The forming knot in his throat made it difficult to speak.
Inuyasha nods and says, “I guess there is a reason why you don’t sleep… Constantly being on fight mode, that must be a heavy burden on ya…”
Inuyasha isn’t sure what to say, he isn’t even sure if he should coo or offer words of encouragement. Maybe he should ask what the nightmare was about; but by the way Sesshomaru’s voice wavers, Inuyasha figures Sesshomaru wouldn’t want to speak to him much. Inuyasha wonders if Sesshomaru even realized he was shedding tears and soaking his sleeping robe.
They stay in silence for another long moment. Inuyasha wonders if they should even go back to sleep at all. What if Sesshomaru has the same nightmare again—
“As a child…” Sesshomaru’s hush voice breaks the silence of the room, and Inuyasha’s ears twitch. He waits patiently as Sesshomaru finds the words. “As a child, I used to have many night terrors. Demons, humans, even gods would haunt my dreams, and I would awaken the castle with my cries…”
Inuyasha hums in answer, rocking gently as Sesshomaru’s arms slither under his pits to hook over his shoulders. Melting into Inuyasha’s arms, Sesshomaru took in the warm embrace. Inuyasha’s cheeks burn as Sesshomaru sighs gently.
“Father would hold me the same way,” Sesshomaru admitted, pressing his eyes onto the crook of Inuyasha’s neck. “You’re like him in many ways, little brother… down to falling in love with a human.”
Inuyasha scoffs, covering his shock with an awkward laugh as he says, “W-well, it just goes to show you our old man has good taste in woman…! No offense to your mother.” Sesshomaru does a little sound in the back of his throat, and Inuyasha knew he made the other laugh.
I made Sesshomaru laugh!
They settle in another comfortable silence, and Inuyasha isn’t sure how close they are to day break. His eyes feel heavy, and he swallows down a yawn.
“Sesshomaru…, should we head back to bed now?” Inuyasha whispers, looking down at Sesshomaru who now rested over Inuyasha’s chest. Sesshomaru’s eyes are closed shut with his lips parted slightly, snoring soundly.
Inuyasha smiles down at his brother, never before seeing such a calm expression over his face before. Gently, Inuyasha grabs Sesshomaru by the arms, and repositions them until they’re both lying on their sides on Inuyasha’s futon. Sesshomaru instinctively shuffles closer to Inuyasha, searching for his body heat. Inuyasha then grabs the folded up bed covers neatly at his side. He never cared for blankets, but Sesshomaru may get cold tonight.
Then, before resting himself, Inuyasha takes a moment to look down over his brother's sleeping form.
In the span of three years, Sesshomaru had managed to fill the void in his chest. What should have been a crushing emptiness now holds deep affection for someone deserving. And although he will miss Kagome for the rest of his life, although the odds of her coming back is a mere 50/50 chance, Inuyasha knew he can count on his brother to help him in his depression; and Inuyasha hopes he could be the shoulder Sesshomaru cries on when he needs it the most.
Running a hand through Sesshomaru’s bangs, Sesshomaru hums and a small smile spreads over his lips.
“Thanks Sesshomaru… for everything,” Inuyasha whispers, shutting his eyes as sleeps takes over.