October 2009 Week 1
Title:How It Could Have Been; ch 9, Father and Son
Author;Petalears
Universe:Alternate
Rating:PG
Summary:Inu no Taishou goes to Sesshoumaru
Quote:Where there is no imagination there is no horror.-Arthur Conan Doyle, Sr.
Father and Son
"I think no one will miss me now if I go to tend to our pup My Mate." Inu no Taishou said as he watched the celebrations in full swing.
"Do you want me to come too?"
"No My Love; knowing Sesshoumaru he is spoiling for a fight; his scent is angry but confused."
"This is something I can also tell, are you sure you want this as soon as you come home?"
"I would rather not have to fight him of course; I hope to defuse his anger, I think I can, what I cannot do is ignore his pain." Inu no Taishou said to his mate before kissing her hands and giving her a glowing look which promised much for when they were alone. She smiled sweetly for him before deliberately licking her lips and saying ‘soon’, as she felt his temperature rise and let him go to their pup who needed consolation.
Inu no Taishou unerringly walked calmly to his son’s suite of rooms knowing that Sesshoumaru would hear his familiar footsteps and understand he was coming to him. He could also tell that his son was still confused and angry, but the father understood the son very well, he knew all the moods and feelings of Sesshoumaru and he knew when his boy needed help to put those in order.
"Sesshoumaru, may I speak with you My Son?"
"Of course, Father." Was the instant reply, and Inu no Taishou could hear the formal tones and recognised that Sesshoumaru had withdrawn into his cool persona. It made the father sad to think that his passionate son could hide so deeply within himself, but that was just who Sesshoumaru was; priding himself on his control which if they were not careful could overtake the pup.
Inu no Taishou came in and sat down comfortably and without ceremony as Sesshoumaru rang for refreshment. He wanted to hug his son, but the boy had put up a frosty impersonal barrier as a no go area. Of course the general could have ignored Sesshoumaru’s need for space but it would have served no purpose except show that he had no respect for his son.
Inu no Taishou however was a skilled diplomat and also had the advantage of age and wisdom over his precious child, besides knowing what the problem was. With Sesshoumaru there would be no need for hiding words however, the pup was also skilled and preferred to be treated with honesty; his parents had always been frank with him, teaching him not to lie and to this end they also never lied to him.
The family had always been open with each other, discussing problems as they arose and dealing with them. In this they were unusual, but it had worked for the three and the father didn’t see why it would fail him now.
"Your Mother and I missed you at the banquet Sesshoumaru, you went to much trouble to make it perfect and yet you are not enjoying it,"
"I felt indisposed Father; I would not have been agreeable for your homecoming."
"You are not ill My Son; therefore you must be out of humour. Your scent proclaims you are angry and confused, do you know why."
"No, but it is of no concern; I shall be quite my usual self in the morning." Sesshoumaru ignored his father’s raised eyebrow and offered him tea. They drank in companionable silence.
"I am afraid I cannot wait until tomorrow to know the cause of your disquiet My Son, and neither can you. Problems only fester if left unattended as you well know, and I think you do have clues as to your upset."
"There really is no need Father to trouble yourself; it is probably fatigue that disrupts my thoughts. If I retire to bed now I will be all the better to greet you and mother in the morning." The unusually stilted way of speaking to each other was getting Inu no Taishou annoyed and he ended the aloof politeness.
"No Pup, we will talk about it now. You are not tired so don’t try that trick; it is unlike you to evade my questions, so sit down and we will discuss now."
"I will not, I have been in charge for one whole year and done so successfully, I am no longer a small pup to be so bidden."
"You are not too big yet My Pup, that I can’t haul you over my knee and convince you otherwise."
"You wouldn’t dare do that; I would refuse." Sesshoumaru’s eyes flashed with anger and his father sighed with relief, it was easier to deal with genuine emotion than the cold assumed attitude.
"I wouldn’t dare, is that something you would care to put to the test child; I wouldn’t recommend that you challenge me unless you want an ignominious end to your year long rulership, along with a sore backside."
"Is this all the thanks I am to get for my hard work, Father? The threat of a childish punishment, just because I have learned to hold my own counsel; that’s not fair?"
"It is perfectly fair; now I am very, very proud of you and the work you have done. You have been most diligent and the West is running smoothly. You have my gratitude and thanks, but is that enough for you? You want power; you always have Sesshoumaru and indeed, you were born to rule, am I to expect a challenge for the West from you?"
At first there was no answer from the young prince; he had several times imagined this very situation, vying for the Western Lands from his father. Wondering what it would be like to be Lord over all he surveyed and knowing he had the power of undisputed life and death in his hands. But the reality was that he had only been dealing with a land that was already smooth running and he did have very capable advisors.
He was not a vain boy and did know that as yet he was not truly ready for anything more; there had been many difficult decisions and lonely nights worried that he’d done the right thing, let alone the fact it would mean the death of his father. At that thought, he couldn’t hold in a choked whimper and anger and frustration came rushing to the fore. At the tiny lost sound however, Inu no Taishou had reached his son and encompassed him in his strong arms. Sesshoumaru welcomed the embrace for a minute before turning round and snarling at his father;
"You obviously didn’t want your lands; you left them, you left mother and me to go to that human and her stupid baby. You nearly died for no reason. What would your lands have done then? I’ll tell you, I would have looked after them because you would have been dead. You left us for someone who meant nothing to you; you have been gone a whole year healing and getting strong, just to come back as if nothing has happened. He is my baby now; my brother only knows me, not you. I don’t care if he’s got your face, he is a stupid hanyou; he is nothing, but he is mine."
And there it all was, anger and jealousy and the pain of near bereavement. At least there was nothing more, Inu no Taishou thought wryly, but it had been expected. He tightened his grip on Sesshoumaru and told him to be silent.
"My Sesshoumaru, do not say that I didn’t care about you and your mother. You are the most precious things I have. But I had to care for Izayoi and Inuyasha too, they are my responsibility as you are, but they needed me more at the time. Inuyasha is just as much my son as you are my pup, but he is so much more disadvantaged.
"Do not begrudge him his look, Sesshoumaru; it’s the only thing he has that ties him to me. You are my legal heir. No one doubts your rights or your legitimacy. Inuyasha’s resemblance to me is his only irrefutable sign that he is mine, apart from when I acknowledged him as my own son. He will have a hard enough time as it is.
"I will tell you that when I was under all that rubble and thought my life over, there was a blessed peace of nothingness in my mind, nothing was scaring me, but I had to fight it, I had to live for both of my boys and your mother. I realised that if I died, you and Inuyasha would begin to hate each other instead of forming the close bond you have now, I had to bring the horror of that to mind to help me fight to live and stop it from becoming a reality.
I know you my son, your grief would have clouded your judgement and you would have laid the blame at the wrong door and how could I have been at peace knowing you two would tear each other apart?"
"You thought all that while...while under the rubble?"
"And more while I lay hovering between life and death, how much I wished to hold you again, to reassure you of my love always and how much the West would be safe in your hands for a while. I had so much sorrow at the thought of leaving you and your mother, of not knowing your baby brother at all."
"Oh Papa, I missed you so much." Sesshoumaru buried his face in his father’s chest and wept, while his father held him tightly. At least his son had let go of some of his problems, there would probably be others, but his father was home at last to help him deal with those.
"You are very able my son and your abilities have given me the time to fully recover; your mother and I have decided you are ready to stand at my side. Will you do this Sesshoumaru?"
"Willingly Papa."
Author;Petalears
Universe:Alternate
Rating:PG
Summary:Inu no Taishou goes to Sesshoumaru
Quote:Where there is no imagination there is no horror.-Arthur Conan Doyle, Sr.
Father and Son
"I think no one will miss me now if I go to tend to our pup My Mate." Inu no Taishou said as he watched the celebrations in full swing.
"Do you want me to come too?"
"No My Love; knowing Sesshoumaru he is spoiling for a fight; his scent is angry but confused."
"This is something I can also tell, are you sure you want this as soon as you come home?"
"I would rather not have to fight him of course; I hope to defuse his anger, I think I can, what I cannot do is ignore his pain." Inu no Taishou said to his mate before kissing her hands and giving her a glowing look which promised much for when they were alone. She smiled sweetly for him before deliberately licking her lips and saying ‘soon’, as she felt his temperature rise and let him go to their pup who needed consolation.
Inu no Taishou unerringly walked calmly to his son’s suite of rooms knowing that Sesshoumaru would hear his familiar footsteps and understand he was coming to him. He could also tell that his son was still confused and angry, but the father understood the son very well, he knew all the moods and feelings of Sesshoumaru and he knew when his boy needed help to put those in order.
"Sesshoumaru, may I speak with you My Son?"
"Of course, Father." Was the instant reply, and Inu no Taishou could hear the formal tones and recognised that Sesshoumaru had withdrawn into his cool persona. It made the father sad to think that his passionate son could hide so deeply within himself, but that was just who Sesshoumaru was; priding himself on his control which if they were not careful could overtake the pup.
Inu no Taishou came in and sat down comfortably and without ceremony as Sesshoumaru rang for refreshment. He wanted to hug his son, but the boy had put up a frosty impersonal barrier as a no go area. Of course the general could have ignored Sesshoumaru’s need for space but it would have served no purpose except show that he had no respect for his son.
Inu no Taishou however was a skilled diplomat and also had the advantage of age and wisdom over his precious child, besides knowing what the problem was. With Sesshoumaru there would be no need for hiding words however, the pup was also skilled and preferred to be treated with honesty; his parents had always been frank with him, teaching him not to lie and to this end they also never lied to him.
The family had always been open with each other, discussing problems as they arose and dealing with them. In this they were unusual, but it had worked for the three and the father didn’t see why it would fail him now.
"Your Mother and I missed you at the banquet Sesshoumaru, you went to much trouble to make it perfect and yet you are not enjoying it,"
"I felt indisposed Father; I would not have been agreeable for your homecoming."
"You are not ill My Son; therefore you must be out of humour. Your scent proclaims you are angry and confused, do you know why."
"No, but it is of no concern; I shall be quite my usual self in the morning." Sesshoumaru ignored his father’s raised eyebrow and offered him tea. They drank in companionable silence.
"I am afraid I cannot wait until tomorrow to know the cause of your disquiet My Son, and neither can you. Problems only fester if left unattended as you well know, and I think you do have clues as to your upset."
"There really is no need Father to trouble yourself; it is probably fatigue that disrupts my thoughts. If I retire to bed now I will be all the better to greet you and mother in the morning." The unusually stilted way of speaking to each other was getting Inu no Taishou annoyed and he ended the aloof politeness.
"No Pup, we will talk about it now. You are not tired so don’t try that trick; it is unlike you to evade my questions, so sit down and we will discuss now."
"I will not, I have been in charge for one whole year and done so successfully, I am no longer a small pup to be so bidden."
"You are not too big yet My Pup, that I can’t haul you over my knee and convince you otherwise."
"You wouldn’t dare do that; I would refuse." Sesshoumaru’s eyes flashed with anger and his father sighed with relief, it was easier to deal with genuine emotion than the cold assumed attitude.
"I wouldn’t dare, is that something you would care to put to the test child; I wouldn’t recommend that you challenge me unless you want an ignominious end to your year long rulership, along with a sore backside."
"Is this all the thanks I am to get for my hard work, Father? The threat of a childish punishment, just because I have learned to hold my own counsel; that’s not fair?"
"It is perfectly fair; now I am very, very proud of you and the work you have done. You have been most diligent and the West is running smoothly. You have my gratitude and thanks, but is that enough for you? You want power; you always have Sesshoumaru and indeed, you were born to rule, am I to expect a challenge for the West from you?"
At first there was no answer from the young prince; he had several times imagined this very situation, vying for the Western Lands from his father. Wondering what it would be like to be Lord over all he surveyed and knowing he had the power of undisputed life and death in his hands. But the reality was that he had only been dealing with a land that was already smooth running and he did have very capable advisors.
He was not a vain boy and did know that as yet he was not truly ready for anything more; there had been many difficult decisions and lonely nights worried that he’d done the right thing, let alone the fact it would mean the death of his father. At that thought, he couldn’t hold in a choked whimper and anger and frustration came rushing to the fore. At the tiny lost sound however, Inu no Taishou had reached his son and encompassed him in his strong arms. Sesshoumaru welcomed the embrace for a minute before turning round and snarling at his father;
"You obviously didn’t want your lands; you left them, you left mother and me to go to that human and her stupid baby. You nearly died for no reason. What would your lands have done then? I’ll tell you, I would have looked after them because you would have been dead. You left us for someone who meant nothing to you; you have been gone a whole year healing and getting strong, just to come back as if nothing has happened. He is my baby now; my brother only knows me, not you. I don’t care if he’s got your face, he is a stupid hanyou; he is nothing, but he is mine."
And there it all was, anger and jealousy and the pain of near bereavement. At least there was nothing more, Inu no Taishou thought wryly, but it had been expected. He tightened his grip on Sesshoumaru and told him to be silent.
"My Sesshoumaru, do not say that I didn’t care about you and your mother. You are the most precious things I have. But I had to care for Izayoi and Inuyasha too, they are my responsibility as you are, but they needed me more at the time. Inuyasha is just as much my son as you are my pup, but he is so much more disadvantaged.
"Do not begrudge him his look, Sesshoumaru; it’s the only thing he has that ties him to me. You are my legal heir. No one doubts your rights or your legitimacy. Inuyasha’s resemblance to me is his only irrefutable sign that he is mine, apart from when I acknowledged him as my own son. He will have a hard enough time as it is.
"I will tell you that when I was under all that rubble and thought my life over, there was a blessed peace of nothingness in my mind, nothing was scaring me, but I had to fight it, I had to live for both of my boys and your mother. I realised that if I died, you and Inuyasha would begin to hate each other instead of forming the close bond you have now, I had to bring the horror of that to mind to help me fight to live and stop it from becoming a reality.
I know you my son, your grief would have clouded your judgement and you would have laid the blame at the wrong door and how could I have been at peace knowing you two would tear each other apart?"
"You thought all that while...while under the rubble?"
"And more while I lay hovering between life and death, how much I wished to hold you again, to reassure you of my love always and how much the West would be safe in your hands for a while. I had so much sorrow at the thought of leaving you and your mother, of not knowing your baby brother at all."
"Oh Papa, I missed you so much." Sesshoumaru buried his face in his father’s chest and wept, while his father held him tightly. At least his son had let go of some of his problems, there would probably be others, but his father was home at last to help him deal with those.
"You are very able my son and your abilities have given me the time to fully recover; your mother and I have decided you are ready to stand at my side. Will you do this Sesshoumaru?"
"Willingly Papa."