September 2009 Week 4
Title:How It Could Have Been; ch 8, Lord of the West
Author:petalears
Universe:Alternate
Rating:G
Summary:Inu no Taishou returns after a year away.
Quote:A child educated only at school is an uneducated child. - George Santayana
Lord of the West
Sesshoumaru paced up and down in his chambers not understanding the feelings of frustration or the sheer anger that boiled beneath his calm exterior like a volcano about to erupt. This was so unlike him that he was worried and confused. All around outside his suite, the youkai prince could hear the sounds of jubilation and celebration and yet he just felt more and more apart from it all.
It had started two weeks ago when the announcement they had all been waiting for finally came; Inu no Taishou was coming back to the Western Palace, fully healed and refreshed. Sesshoumaru was beyond excited; he had missed his father greatly, even more than his mother who he had seen on brief occasions as she had visited the West during that long year.
He had spent that time making sure that the Western Lands were running smoothly and that all loose ends had been tied up; he wanted to return his father’s possession in a better way than he had received it and to that end, he had paid particular attention to the dragons’ strongholds. All was well at the moment, mainly because the dragons had retreated to their domains to regroup; although there had been some ambassadorial duties to attend with them, but so far that was all.
Then he had prepared a welcome feast in honour of his father too, inviting old friends and allies and he had even remembered to have his parents’ suite fully cleaned and aired then freshened with new decorations. He had commissioned a portrait of the Lord and Lady to hang in the gallery as a gift and in gratitude for his father’s health, and he had made sure that Izayoi and Inuyasha had new and splendid kimono to wear to welcome Inu no Taishou.
Inuyasha had a few words he could say now, which included Mama and Shu; they had also been training him to say Papa for the last few days and Sesshoumaru had carried the pup to the gallery and shown him their father’s portrait while saying ‘Papa’. Inuyasha had taken note as far as Sesshoumaru could tell, until the little hanyou snuggled down with his tiny nose buried in Sesshoumaru’s neck and breathed a happy ‘Pa’ at him.
Inuyasha didn’t care what Shu was trying to tell him, all that mattered was that he was with him again, a treat that had become more of a rarity of late, so if Shu wanted him to say Pa, he was quite happy to oblige. Inuyasha felt safest with Shu, he could nestle cosy and warm in Shu’s tail, and feel the strong heartbeat, via the pulse in his neck, with his nose. He could also scent the strong blood that contained the reassuring youki around him.
Sesshoumaru knew why the baby felt secure with him, the pup instinctively needed to feel the youki surround him, which of course his human mother couldn’t provide. But it was important too, for any youkai or half youkai to learn early his position in the pack and while he was young he would know that stronger familiar youki meant safety.
For the elder brother too, there was a bone deep satisfaction in being so needed; and to feel the infant snuggle and the little claws grip at his collar, made Sesshoumaru feel strong and powerful, no one would dare try to harm the baby while the big brother was in charge. Inuyasha was dependent on him and Sesshoumaru knew that he had his first adoring subject in the little brother, someone who had not come to him via their father’s court and that made him more special.
So why, when everything had gone to plan so very well, did Sesshoumaru feel fit to burst; and why was he not with the rest of his family in the Large Assembly Room and celebrating his Father’s return? Nothing made sense; Sesshoumaru had been practically bouncing on the balls of his feet waiting for his parents to come up the pathway so that he could hand over the Regency in a proper manner.
Once he had done that he would be drawn into his father’s embrace again; something he had sorely missed and now he could admit it was where he would feel safe again, sometimes the Western Lands had seemed like a heavy burden. It was when he thought that, that the trouble had started in his heart; handing back to the true Lord suddenly seemed wrong to him, he had enjoyed the responsibility, enjoyed the prestige and the power.
But Sesshoumaru had curbed his youkai, recognising easily where the pull was coming from, he had been well brought up after all. But then, although he saw the terrific pride in Inu no Taishou’s eyes which the Great Lord didn’t try to hide, and he heard the more than generous words of praise for his care of his father’s lands, the much longed for embrace was merely perfunctory and brief.
However as his father turned to the advisors, Sesshoumaru thought he understood; there were more greetings and thanks to be said. The youthful regent was not the only being who had held good control of the West and Inu no Taishou intended to thank each and everyone personally who had been entrusted with his realm and his son for the year.
It was a part of what made the General so well loved and respected; he never took anybody for granted and cared for all of his people in the Palace and lands, from the great to the small. Once he had spoken with everyone in charge, Inu no Taishou turned his attention to the young woman who stood at the back of everyone else and who was holding tightly to a small hanyou pup.
At once he got down on bended knees and held out both of his hands, inviting Izayoi to come closer with his smile and his warm golden eyes. Sesshoumaru watched as the human didn’t hesitate to approach his father and he realised that Inu no Taishou had halved his height so that he didn’t loom over the girl and her baby. The Western Lord then kissed Izayoi on the hand she had reached out for him, and smiled at both her and Inuyasha.
"Izayoi, I know I have you to thank as well for saving my life; you were quick thinking at the time and if not for your bravery and courage in placing that barrier, I would not be here today and my son Sesshoumaru would be Lord. So too he must be very thankful, as he is as yet too young for such large responsibility. Now perhaps I can properly greet my youngest son for whom I also thank you."
Izayoi brought forward the shy Inuyasha, who’s baby mind was trying to remember and work out who this person was, who hugged his Shu and spoke to his Mama. His father held out his hand still, allowing Inuyasha to sniff at him, laughing gently, because the puppy’s nose was working overtime. For Inuyasha his scent was familiar, not only because it was like Shu’s but because he had scented it before, and then the male looked like the picture in the gallery; suddenly things clicked into place.
"Pa," Inuyasha said and the big male’s eyes lit with joy especially as the pup launched himself into his father’s arms. As a part youkai he was unafraid of the stranger, because instincts and his other senses recognised familiarity and the lack of hostility in the male’s aura. Like his Shu, his Pa was a safe refuge from the sometimes chill of others’ auras when they saw him.
"My Little Inuyasha, what a wonderful coming home present you are; I can see you are a bundle of sunshine and I expect you’ll grow into lots of mischief like I did, you look so like me and your eyes are already full of fun." His father then tickled his new son’s belly and watched the baby squirm and giggle in his arms and then Inu no Taishou smiled at everyone and led the way into his Palace, followed by his son and mate.
Sesshoumaru had started the celebratory proceedings and then left to go to his suite, he had been struggling with an inner turmoil for what to him seemed ridiculous reasons, but that aside it hadn’t stopped them and he no longer felt sociable. Unknown to him, his parents watched him leave and his mother turned to his father in question, he answered;
"I will go to him in a little while My Mate; he needs time to think."
"Were we away too long My Love; you know how much Sesshoumaru still needs you, even if he won’t admit it?"
"He was fine, he had our correspondence, but I have not told you this; when I was under that barrier I had time to think. I nearly despaired thinking that if I died, Sesshoumaru would be lord; he is not ready for that, it would break our boy’s spirit, although I know he would be capable. It would have been too soon, he has more growing up to do.
"But he needed to be tested as well, and this provided the perfect opportunity; what good would all his studies have been if he had no practical experience. I now intend to live many years and I don’t want to hand over to Sesshoumaru for a long, long time. But now he can assist me and as he grows older he can take on more heavy responsibility, he has already grown and yet at the moment he is sulking and proving he is still a pup."
Author:petalears
Universe:Alternate
Rating:G
Summary:Inu no Taishou returns after a year away.
Quote:A child educated only at school is an uneducated child. - George Santayana
Lord of the West
Sesshoumaru paced up and down in his chambers not understanding the feelings of frustration or the sheer anger that boiled beneath his calm exterior like a volcano about to erupt. This was so unlike him that he was worried and confused. All around outside his suite, the youkai prince could hear the sounds of jubilation and celebration and yet he just felt more and more apart from it all.
It had started two weeks ago when the announcement they had all been waiting for finally came; Inu no Taishou was coming back to the Western Palace, fully healed and refreshed. Sesshoumaru was beyond excited; he had missed his father greatly, even more than his mother who he had seen on brief occasions as she had visited the West during that long year.
He had spent that time making sure that the Western Lands were running smoothly and that all loose ends had been tied up; he wanted to return his father’s possession in a better way than he had received it and to that end, he had paid particular attention to the dragons’ strongholds. All was well at the moment, mainly because the dragons had retreated to their domains to regroup; although there had been some ambassadorial duties to attend with them, but so far that was all.
Then he had prepared a welcome feast in honour of his father too, inviting old friends and allies and he had even remembered to have his parents’ suite fully cleaned and aired then freshened with new decorations. He had commissioned a portrait of the Lord and Lady to hang in the gallery as a gift and in gratitude for his father’s health, and he had made sure that Izayoi and Inuyasha had new and splendid kimono to wear to welcome Inu no Taishou.
Inuyasha had a few words he could say now, which included Mama and Shu; they had also been training him to say Papa for the last few days and Sesshoumaru had carried the pup to the gallery and shown him their father’s portrait while saying ‘Papa’. Inuyasha had taken note as far as Sesshoumaru could tell, until the little hanyou snuggled down with his tiny nose buried in Sesshoumaru’s neck and breathed a happy ‘Pa’ at him.
Inuyasha didn’t care what Shu was trying to tell him, all that mattered was that he was with him again, a treat that had become more of a rarity of late, so if Shu wanted him to say Pa, he was quite happy to oblige. Inuyasha felt safest with Shu, he could nestle cosy and warm in Shu’s tail, and feel the strong heartbeat, via the pulse in his neck, with his nose. He could also scent the strong blood that contained the reassuring youki around him.
Sesshoumaru knew why the baby felt secure with him, the pup instinctively needed to feel the youki surround him, which of course his human mother couldn’t provide. But it was important too, for any youkai or half youkai to learn early his position in the pack and while he was young he would know that stronger familiar youki meant safety.
For the elder brother too, there was a bone deep satisfaction in being so needed; and to feel the infant snuggle and the little claws grip at his collar, made Sesshoumaru feel strong and powerful, no one would dare try to harm the baby while the big brother was in charge. Inuyasha was dependent on him and Sesshoumaru knew that he had his first adoring subject in the little brother, someone who had not come to him via their father’s court and that made him more special.
So why, when everything had gone to plan so very well, did Sesshoumaru feel fit to burst; and why was he not with the rest of his family in the Large Assembly Room and celebrating his Father’s return? Nothing made sense; Sesshoumaru had been practically bouncing on the balls of his feet waiting for his parents to come up the pathway so that he could hand over the Regency in a proper manner.
Once he had done that he would be drawn into his father’s embrace again; something he had sorely missed and now he could admit it was where he would feel safe again, sometimes the Western Lands had seemed like a heavy burden. It was when he thought that, that the trouble had started in his heart; handing back to the true Lord suddenly seemed wrong to him, he had enjoyed the responsibility, enjoyed the prestige and the power.
But Sesshoumaru had curbed his youkai, recognising easily where the pull was coming from, he had been well brought up after all. But then, although he saw the terrific pride in Inu no Taishou’s eyes which the Great Lord didn’t try to hide, and he heard the more than generous words of praise for his care of his father’s lands, the much longed for embrace was merely perfunctory and brief.
However as his father turned to the advisors, Sesshoumaru thought he understood; there were more greetings and thanks to be said. The youthful regent was not the only being who had held good control of the West and Inu no Taishou intended to thank each and everyone personally who had been entrusted with his realm and his son for the year.
It was a part of what made the General so well loved and respected; he never took anybody for granted and cared for all of his people in the Palace and lands, from the great to the small. Once he had spoken with everyone in charge, Inu no Taishou turned his attention to the young woman who stood at the back of everyone else and who was holding tightly to a small hanyou pup.
At once he got down on bended knees and held out both of his hands, inviting Izayoi to come closer with his smile and his warm golden eyes. Sesshoumaru watched as the human didn’t hesitate to approach his father and he realised that Inu no Taishou had halved his height so that he didn’t loom over the girl and her baby. The Western Lord then kissed Izayoi on the hand she had reached out for him, and smiled at both her and Inuyasha.
"Izayoi, I know I have you to thank as well for saving my life; you were quick thinking at the time and if not for your bravery and courage in placing that barrier, I would not be here today and my son Sesshoumaru would be Lord. So too he must be very thankful, as he is as yet too young for such large responsibility. Now perhaps I can properly greet my youngest son for whom I also thank you."
Izayoi brought forward the shy Inuyasha, who’s baby mind was trying to remember and work out who this person was, who hugged his Shu and spoke to his Mama. His father held out his hand still, allowing Inuyasha to sniff at him, laughing gently, because the puppy’s nose was working overtime. For Inuyasha his scent was familiar, not only because it was like Shu’s but because he had scented it before, and then the male looked like the picture in the gallery; suddenly things clicked into place.
"Pa," Inuyasha said and the big male’s eyes lit with joy especially as the pup launched himself into his father’s arms. As a part youkai he was unafraid of the stranger, because instincts and his other senses recognised familiarity and the lack of hostility in the male’s aura. Like his Shu, his Pa was a safe refuge from the sometimes chill of others’ auras when they saw him.
"My Little Inuyasha, what a wonderful coming home present you are; I can see you are a bundle of sunshine and I expect you’ll grow into lots of mischief like I did, you look so like me and your eyes are already full of fun." His father then tickled his new son’s belly and watched the baby squirm and giggle in his arms and then Inu no Taishou smiled at everyone and led the way into his Palace, followed by his son and mate.
Sesshoumaru had started the celebratory proceedings and then left to go to his suite, he had been struggling with an inner turmoil for what to him seemed ridiculous reasons, but that aside it hadn’t stopped them and he no longer felt sociable. Unknown to him, his parents watched him leave and his mother turned to his father in question, he answered;
"I will go to him in a little while My Mate; he needs time to think."
"Were we away too long My Love; you know how much Sesshoumaru still needs you, even if he won’t admit it?"
"He was fine, he had our correspondence, but I have not told you this; when I was under that barrier I had time to think. I nearly despaired thinking that if I died, Sesshoumaru would be lord; he is not ready for that, it would break our boy’s spirit, although I know he would be capable. It would have been too soon, he has more growing up to do.
"But he needed to be tested as well, and this provided the perfect opportunity; what good would all his studies have been if he had no practical experience. I now intend to live many years and I don’t want to hand over to Sesshoumaru for a long, long time. But now he can assist me and as he grows older he can take on more heavy responsibility, he has already grown and yet at the moment he is sulking and proving he is still a pup."