The Perfect Mate by BelovedStranger

Unmasked

AUTHOR'S NOTE: UNEDITED VERSION!! NOW EDITED!!

I have wonderful news for you all. Yesterday and today I've had such the inspiration that I wrote THREE new chapters, so be patient while I get them all uploaded now :) 

Prompts used from Stella Mira's Latin Challenge: 

1) Garrulus—talkative, chattering, babbling, noisy

2) Mysticus—secret, mystic

3) Abnocto—to stay out all night

4) Labecula—a little strain, slight disgrace

5) Necopinans—not expecting, unaware

6) Pactus—agreed upon, stipulated, betrothed

7) Sanna—a mocking grimace

8) Reapse—in truth, really

What was he doing here? How did he breach this Sesshomaru’s barrier?

Sesshomaru’s mind was deadly sharp, his intent was to find his target and eliminate him once and for all, but as he took his next running step, shock almost froze him to the spot. Kagome. Her scent was here, not back at his castle where she’d be safe. The trail was fresh, so strong in the air she had to have been travelling this way only moments ago. And there was another. Haru’s scent was here, too.

A snarl curled his upper lip, baring a pointed fang in an unaccustomed show of anger. What was Kagome’s maid doing taking her charge away from his home? His heart stuttered when he realized just where the two females’ trail was headed—towards the breach in his barrier made by Naraku.

And then he was there, standing in the place where Naraku had broken through, but as if it had never happened, his barrier remained standing, the hole patched. Before he could even begin to answer any of the many questions circling within his mind, Inuyasha, carrying the dead priestess, arrived.

“Sesshomaru! Where is he?! I know he was here. I can smell the filthy bastard. Where is Naraku?” Inuyasha hollered.

Though his words were aggressive, Sesshomaru turned his head to watch his brother gently lower his burden to the ground. They stared at him, their expressions expecting answers he was trying to answer himself.

“A better question to ask is how a lowly hanyou infiltrated your home without you being aware, Lord Sesshomaru?” Katasurou asked, having followed close on his heels.

Sesshomaru had known that the Eastern Lord was on his tail, but he hadn’t feared an attack from behind. Katasurou might have tried to go unnoticed and kill his future happiness, but the male would want a fair match between them if it was his intent to kill him, that Sesshomaru was certain of if nothing else, and right now, he was not certain of much.

“That is an excellent question,” Kikyo said, glancing at the Eastern Lord without recognition before turning her stare back to Sesshomaru. “How did any of us not know of his presence here?” Then she left Inuyasha’s side to stand toe-to-toe with his barrier, her hand uplifted but not touching it, as if sensing its power. “This barrier is strong. There’s no way he could have gotten in without your knowledge at least, Sesshomaru-sama.”

Again she turned to stare at him.

Sesshomaru didn’t say anything, merely returned her penetrating gaze. There was no way for anyone to get past without his knowing, and he refused to state the obvious or defend his defenses to her or anyone.

But then Inuyasha had to open his mouth and draw his ire upon himself.

“Keh, what’s wrong, Sesshomaru? Is your barrier so weak you didn’t notice someone breaking in?”

“Half-breed—” Sesshomaru snarled in warning, taking a step towards the aggravating twerp only to be interrupted.

“That’s enough, Inuyasha,” Kikyo said, which shut his brother up instantly.

“No one could have gotten past without his knowing—no one. Which leads me to believe, Naraku was welcomed within.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time Sesshomaru-sama has allowed an enemy entrance,” sneered Katasurou.

Was everyone trying to piss him off, Sesshomaru wondered, turning his glare on the Eastern Lord.

“You are here,” he murmured meaningfully.

Katasurou stiffened at the implication that he was now considered an enemy.

“What are you saying, Kikyo?” asked a confused Inuyasha.

Suddenly, understanding struck the Western Lord.

“Sai,” Sesshomaru muttered, confusing everyone around him.

“What? If you’ve got something to say, then say it,” spat Inuyasha. “We don’t have time for this. Where’s Kagome?! I caught her scent. She was here. If Naraku has her, we have to save her!”

Unimpressed by his brother’s show of anger and impatience, Sesshomaru explained. “Kagome informed me about Naraku’s latest incarnation, how she was different from the rest. A demoness named Sai was on the brink of death, and Naraku offered her new life and vengeance on the ones who tried to slay her in exchange for fidelity to him.”

“Never heard of her,” Inuyasha replied, unimpressed by the news that Naraku had yet another incarnation running around.

“So, this woman was not purely created from Naraku’s flesh. What else do you know about this woman?” Kikyo inquired.

“Only that she seems to have the shape shifting powers unique to Naraku by absorbing the bodies of those she’s slain. Sai can also produce miasma.”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Inuyasha interrupted. “What does this woman have anything to do with Kagome? And how does Kagome know about Sai when this is the first I’ve heard of her?”

“Sai infiltrated your mating competition, didn’t she, Sesshomaru-sama?” Kikyo asked. “And that’s how Kagome learned of her. They both were there.”

Wordlessly, he nodded his head in confirmation.

“There is one other thing,” Sesshomaru began, making connections with what little he knew. “Sai has an attraction for her gender.”

“Wha…” Inuyasha stared dumbfounded at his brother.

Silent up till this moment, Katasurou made a disgusted sound. “That’s unnatural. Goes against every law of nature.” Then he pointedly glanced at Inuyasha, wordlessly implying that he, too, went against nature, being half-human and half-demon.

Getting the hint, Inuyasha bristled. “You got something to say to me, bastard?!”

“I believe I just did.”

Growling, he took a step towards the Eastern Lord, but Kikyo’s hand on his biceps stayed him.

“Now is not the time, Inuyasha,” she told him. Meeting his gaze for but a moment, making sure he heeded her, she glanced back at Sesshomaru, and he could see that she was making a similar connection as he had. 

“Kagome was taken…” she murmured.

Sesshomaru nodded. “By her maid, Haru, but I now suspect that she was Sai in disguise.”

Now that everyone understood that it had been Sai and not Naraku who had broken through, all discussion ceased. They had yet to learn how she had gotten in or what her true form looked like, but right now, they had a miko to locate. Inuyasha and Kikyo went in one direction as soon as Sesshomaru opened the way for them, while Sesshomaru took to the skies in another direction. Katasurou remained behind at Sesshomaru’s insistence. They still had unfinished business, and he didn’t want the Eastern Lord assisting in the search since he could not be trusted to bring her back alive. Katasurou didn’t seem to mind as he had no desire to see to a worthless miko’s safety and headed back to his borrowed quarters.

Hours later, both parties returned without any news. Sai’s trail had disappeared. However, while they were away, new guests had arrived at Sesshomaru’s castle—the rest of Inuyasha’s pack along with a newcomer. That wasn’t the only news that awaited them. Akahana-hime was gone, and Katasurou was in a rage over her absence. Everyone, Sesshomaru, Inuyasha’s pack and Yasuhiro, along with Katasurou were present in Sesshomaru’s study. It hadn’t started out that way.

Sesshomaru had summoned all but Katasurou into his study, bringing Sango and Miroku up to speed on the past week’s development concerning Kagome. Inuyasha and his friends—save for Kikyo—voiced collective words of surprise over the fact that not only had Kagome stumbled upon Sesshomaru’s mating competition but had actually won, that Sesshomaru seemed pleased with the outcome and desired to make her his mate, but also the added drama that Kagome was turning into a youkai.

Before anyone could get over their shock, Katasurou had exploded into the study without warning, demanding to know where his missing daughter was.

“Akahana?” Miroku said in surprise, gazing at the enraged lion youkai.

Sango grabbed a hold of his robes. “I know what you’re thinking, monk, but I doubt we are talking about the same demoness.”

“Human, do you know where my daughter is?” Katasurou demanded heatedly, taking a threatening step towards Miroku as if he’d throttle the information out of him if he had to.

Tension filled the air, escalating higher still when the Eastern Lord’s ire rose, amber eyes fixated on his prey.

“There is to be no combat within my home,” warned Sesshomaru in a low, threatening voice.

He was seated behind his desk, while everyone else either sat or stood on the other side of the large wooden structure. Inuyasha and Katasurou were the only ones standing, both tense. Katasurou was ready to attack Miroku, while Inuyasha prepared to defend his friend if necessary.

“Katasurou-sama,” Sango implored, rising to her knees beside Miroku, Yasuhiro on the other, gazing at the Eastern Lord. “Miroku thinks we might know who your daughter is, but I’m not so sure. The woman we met could possibly coincidently share the same name as your daughter.”

“Tell me any way,” Katasurou demanded, visibly taking ahold of his anger and controlling it.

“Ah…well…” Sango began, trying to think where to begin only to have Miroku take charge.

“It was about a week ago. We—Sango, Inuyasha, and I—were searching for our friend, Kagome. She had disappeared. Her trail ended at Sesshomaru-sama’s barrier. That’s where we met Akahana. She had been one of the combating females and informed us that Kagome was participating as well. She also said she would help us locate Kagome.”

“Keh, but not out of the kindness of her heart,” muttered Inuyasha, but everyone ignored him.

The news only seemed to aggravate Katasurou more, a confused expression bridging his eyebrows together. “Why would she do that? Your friend tried to kill my daughter with one of her spiritual arrows. She was lucky to have survived a direct hit.”

Sango lifted a hand to her mouth, eyes wide. Sensing her upset, Yasuhiro placed his palm on her knee comfortingly. This did not go unnoticed by Miroku who shot the demon a dirty look.

“What? What?! I can see it on your faces. There’s something you’re not telling me,” grated Katasurou, looking from Miroku to Sango and back again.

“Eh…it wasn’t Kagome who shot Akahana…” Sango murmured, glancing at Kikyo quickly.

“Was Akahana shot in the shoulder, milord?” questioned Miroku gravelly.

Katasurou nodded tightly before he noticed where Sango’s gaze went, and his eyes narrowed on Kikyo.

“You?” he breathed questioningly. “You’re the one who tried to kill my daughter?!”

Inuyasha was quick to step between Katasurou and Kikyo in case he decided to attack, hand on his sword hilt. “Weren’t you listening? That wasn’t your daughter. It was Sai disguised as Akahana.” 

That brought the Eastern Lord up short.  

“At least now we know how Sai came to be in Sesshomaru-sama’s castle,” Kikyo said as the silence thickened.

“But not why she took Kagome,” Miroku interjected.

“To either kill her herself or give her to Naraku to kill,” Inuyasha said like it was obvious.

“Doubtful,” Sesshomaru said.

“And how do you know that?” Inuyasha demanded.

Sesshomaru was silent a moment before answering. “Kagome believes that Sai was interested in her as a woman.” Here he hesitated, the words tasting like ash on his tongue. “Sai made advances towards her.”

The silence that followed his revelation was deafening only for Miroku to ask with an innocent expression, “What exactly did Sai try to do? Did she try to fondle—”

Then he grunted after Sango nailed his gut with her elbow, cutting off his words and breath.

“Pervert,” she muttered, shooting him with a scowl.

“You believe Sai has fallen in love with Kagome?” inquired Kikyo.

Sesshomaru nodded silently. “It’s possible she has turned against Naraku and wishes to keep Kagome for herself.”

“And how do you know that?” Inuyasha demanded again. “It’s just as likely she plans on giving Kagome up to Naraku.”

“Perhaps.”

“What are we to do?” Sango asked worriedly. “Even if Sai wasn’t working for Naraku anymore, that doesn’t mean Kagome is out of danger.”

“This Sesshomaru will send search parties to locate her. The rest of us will remain here—”

“The hell you say!” shouted Inuyasha. “I’m going to look for her, too.”

As if he had not been interrupted, Sesshomaru continued. “That way, once she has been found, news will be brought back and we all will know of her location and not run around in circles.”

No one had anything to say against that. As if their silence was answer enough, Sesshomaru summoned a servant, dispatching a small army of soldiers to travel in groups of two and spread out, searching the surrounding area for Kagome’s whereabouts.

“Sesshomaru-sama,” Katasurou said, stepping forward to gain his attention. “I wish to sincerely apologize for my actions against your…intended mate.”

“The hell she is,” grumbled Inuyasha beneath his breath.

“I realize now that Akahana was not actually my daughter. If that is so, then she is already… Well, and we have a like enemy more so than before, Naraku and this Sai woman. It is my sincere hope that we have not crossed the path of no return and become enemies. I wish to assist in your betrothed’s safe return.”

Sesshomaru stared at the other ruling lord for long moments. “Considering the unusual circumstances, this Sesshomaru will accept your regrets and offer of aid. But know this,” he warned. “If you dare make another attempt on her life by deed or order, our alliance is over, and I will kill you.”

Katasurou nodded in agreement. He couldn’t believe he had been so fooled by an imposter. Then the full weight of his loss hit him. Akahana was truly dead. His beloved daughter was gone, and he had to be alone, not wishing anyone to be witness to his all-consuming grief. No one stopped him or questioned him when he departed.

“I suggest the rest of you return to your rooms,” Sesshomaru ordered, and all but one did so willingly as there really was nothing else to do at this point to help Kagome.

“Why do you linger, brother?”

Sesshomaru glanced over at Inuyasha who had moved towards the window instead of the door. Though he couldn’t see the boy’s face, he could tell Inuyasha was troubled by something, and he had a feeling he knew just what that something was. He was proven correct when Inuyasha spoke.

“It’s about Kagome.”

“So I gathered.”

There was a pause. “What does she mean to you?”

Sesshomaru was not surprised when Inuyasha voiced the question, but it was none of the hanyou’s business, so he remained silent. That didn’t seem to bother Inuyasha.

“I’ve lost her, haven’t I?”

“We will get her back.” I will get her back.

Inuyasha shot him a dirty look over his shoulder before gazing out the window once more. “You know what I meant,” he muttered.

Sesshomaru did know, but he said nothing, neither confirmed nor denied it. Truth be told—if only to himself—though Kagome had claimed, quite passionately, that she no longer desired Inuyasha but wanted to try to be with him, he still had doubts. Kagome had loved Inuyasha, though he hated acknowledging that fact. It was possible she still did. And that angered him. She was supposed to be his.

“I can’t blame her…” Inuyasha murmured. Then he made a brief sound of humorless mirth. “I’m actually surprised she hasn’t given up on me before now. I’ve given her every reason to.”

Why was he revealing such intimate details, Sesshomaru wondered, unable to understand it, but there was no denying the melancholy that surrounded his brother. Was he sad that Kagome might not love him anymore?

“You love her,” Sesshomaru stated emotionlessly.

After long seconds where he thought Inuyasha wouldn’t answer, he did.

“Yes,” he whispered. Then he shook his head, sighing sadly. “But not enough. Not like she needs.”

Both knew he referred to his inability to let go of Kikyo, but neither brought up the dead priestess’ name.

“I’ve been such a bastard.”

Sesshomaru almost commented that Inuyasha was a bastard child just to aggravate him, but he didn’t. Whatever this discussion was, it was too serious to be flippant—on either of their parts. He still couldn’t understand what the point was with this whole conversation and wished Inuyasha would just get to it.

“What are you trying to say, Inuyasha? Spit it out.”

That seemed to anger the half-breed, who turned around so fast, his hair and clothes rustled around him before settling. “I’m not good for her! There. I said it. You happy now?”

Sesshomaru didn’t even blink in the face of his brother’s ire, didn’t comment to his statement even though he silently agreed with it. No truer words had ever been uttered.

“Aren’t you going to gloat? Call me an unworthy half-breed that shouldn’t even exist?”

“No.”

That seemed to surprise Inuyasha into momentary silence. But only for a moment.

“Do you love her?” he asked gruffly, nailing Sesshomaru with direct eyes.

It was Sesshomaru’s turn to allow the silence to lengthen between them, until finally…

“This Sesshomaru does not know.”

“Keh.” Inuyasha crossed his arms. “You didn’t say no and that says a lot coming from you. But Kagome’s going to need more than that.”

Sesshomaru understood that but didn’t say anything.

“She cares for you, you know. Even I can see that. But if you’re just trying to mate her because of how unique she is, you can forget it. I can’t stop you, but she will. Kagome won’t settle for anything less than love.”

“I am aware of this.”

“Just…don’t hurt her, or you’ll have to face me, and I won’t hold back.”

Sesshomaru merely raised one silver brow in answer. Though he didn’t like his brash brother, could barely stand being in the same room as him, there was…a connection between them now that hadn’t been there before. Not brotherly love, but something. An understanding. They both cared for Kagome, but it seemed, in a very Inuyasha-like manner, he was giving his elder brother permission to court his friend without interfering.

Inuyasha would have pressed Sesshomaru, to make him give his word not to hurt his friend, but he felt his heart pound, once, twice, three times. Whipping around, he glanced out the window again to see that the sun was setting. Darkness filled the skies with only a spec of sunlight on the horizon. Trepidation filled him as he realized he’d lost track of time while ‘talking’ with his brother.

The new moon was upon them, and if he didn’t get out of there now, Sesshomaru was about to see his human transformation for the very first time. The thought couldn’t be borne. In desperation, Inuyasha yanked open the window and hopped onto the sill. Just as he launched himself into the air, the sun completely set. As he landed more heavily than usual onto the ground outside in a crouch, he felt weak—human. From the corner of his eye, he saw black hair fall over his shoulder instead of silver. Lifting a hand to his face, his claws were gone.

He had to get out of there.

However, as soon as he got to his feet, Sesshomaru stood before him. Inuyasha almost cringed. He couldn’t help but want to run away from his brother. For so long, he had hidden his weakness from everyone—until his friends came along. Now, one of his greatest enemies knew of his secret, that he turned human on the night of the new moon. It didn’t matter to him that Sesshomaru had ceased trying to kill him over a year ago, that he and Kagome had some sort of strange relationship going on. Ever since he could remember, Sesshomaru had despised him, hated him for his human blood, and now his elder brother stood before him, witness to his weakness.

“Get out of my way, Sesshomaru,” he demanded aggressively.

Though he didn’t stand a chance in this state, he was prepared to defend himself should Sesshomaru attack him while he was all but helpless.

Instead of moving—no surprise there—Sesshomaru tilted his head at him, taking in his human form for the first time without expression, unnerving Inuyasha with the up close perusal.

“What are you staring at?” he spat. “Yeah, I’m human for tonight. So what?”

Golden eyes so like his own any other night stared into his now brown eyes.

“Do you really believe I have been unaware of the new moon’s power over you all this time, Inuyasha?” Sesshomaru murmured.

Wide eyed, he whispered, “What?”

“This Sesshomaru has known almost from the start of your existence.”

“How?!” Then comprehension dawned on him. “You were spying on me?”

At his continued silence, Inuyasha laughed cynically. “Are you regretting allowing me to stay here now? What if your household sees me like this?”

Instead of ridiculing him like he thought Sesshomaru would, the daiyoukai merely stared at him with an unfathomable expression.

“You look like your mother.”

Inuyasha blinked, staring back with surprise. Before he could think let alone form a reply, Sesshomaru spoke again.

“You should get your rest, Inuyasha. We have work to do come the dawn.”

“Keh, like I’d sleep tonight of all nights,” he muttered before he realized how that sounded. “Not that I’m afraid of anyone in this state. I could still kick any demon’s ass even as a human.”

What went unspoken yet heard between them was that he felt uncomfortable and defenseless in his human form, especially here, surrounded by demons—potential threats.

“Do you require company?” Sesshomaru unexpectedly asked, once again throwing Inuyasha for a loop.

“That’s not necessary,” Inuyasha answered gruffly, crossing his arms over his chest, and glancing away.

“This Sesshomaru insists.”

Again they met each other’s eyes, another silent communication going between them. Sesshomaru would stay by his side all through the night, making sure Inuyasha wasn’t attacked by someone in his household. Neither brother could understand why the offer was made but they didn’t question it, or their feelings about the arrangement.

“Keh, do what you want. Can’t stop you.” 

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Though it is impossible for these to brothers to forget the past and their differences to become a 'loving' family, perhaps it is not so unlikely to become allies.