Shimmering Moonlight

Part One ~ Impending Fate

By Princess Ari

*Please note that I am not the creator or author of the Japanese manga Inuyasha. I also have no connection to those who have brought Inuyasha to television either in Japan or the United States or in any other country. The copyright for the characters mentioned and the original storyline is strictly held by their perspective owners - more specifically Ms. Takahashi, the actual creator of Inuyasha. This work is only a fan fiction. No infringement on copyrights or ownership of characters, places and/or ideas was intended on the creation of this story. If there are any questions or comments to be left for me, please do so at BelovedDaughterOfMaatAndSet@hotmail.com . Do not sign me up for Spam mail, thank you. I hope you enjoy my work. Any constructive criticism is most appreciated. (

Inu no Taisho remembered his past mate with a deep hurt and pain that the only way He'd show it was through isolation, deep in the woods. He was there from early sunrise and now it was still early, but growing to mid morning. There was just something that kept Him there. ::Tomorrow shall be a joyous and grave day indeed.:: And it was not something He regretted, the day that is. It was actually one of His greatest and happiest days of His life! The joy came in the promise of a new day for the Western Lands, a new Lord to begin training and when His day came, take over His rightful position. But that hope also reminded Him of the past.of His not so long gone wife and Lady of the Western Lands, His lands, that soon He would have to depart to once again - and that was what made Him hurt and have pangs of pain. He would have to separate from not only the woman He loved presently, but from the young son she had born to Him. And, He would have to separate His eldest son from His youngest. ::They have different destinies.:: Though, it was more defined what the destiny of the eldest was to be. Sesshoumaru, His heir apparent and successor when the time came. This should bring Him hope, but He foresaw some of the characteristics that made His eldest to be possibly a great threat: instability held within a shell of impenetrable calm and cool mindedness. It did not escape Inu no Taisho that His eldest was silent, withdrawn, emotionless. He didn't act like a child - He stopped acting like a child when His mother died. He never played with the other children - even when Inu no Taisho arranged for youkai relatives from the Western Lands to be brought to their new, although temporary, home. He was like a ghost. He was spell bound. Inu no Taisho knew of no way to snap Him out of it either. Sesshoumaru and His mother were so very close. She adored Him, and He got His regal bearing from Her. Yes, He took after His father greatly, but He also has so much of His mother in Him. He inherited Her stripes. He also bore that noble, royal blue crescent moon mark upon His brow, as did His mother before Him. When the single Prince and in the Western Lands, Sesshoumaru hated to leave Her side when it came time for duties and outings that didn't include Him. That was when He was a small toddler.then much more open with His emotions.something that now was no more. Inu no Taisho loved His past wife, mother of His eldest son and heir with all His heart and all His soul and all His being. There was nothing that would have taken Him away from Her, not even the beauty of His present mate. He kept His Sesshoumaru's mother as the one and only Lady of the Western Lands. ::I wish that would tell Sesshoumaru something positive!:: He would never think of replacing Her with another, youkai, hanyou or human. He couldn't. He still loved Her so very much. Even He did not completely come through the passing of His Lady.Yet, as Lord of the Western Lands, at the age He was, at the position He was in life, He knew that life still went on. Inu no Taisho thought about how these hidden and deep emotions of Sesshoumaru's would affect His whole family, not just His new mate and young hanyou pup, but His side of the family, and His late wife's side. Would Sesshoumaru's deep love for His mother make Him choose Her side over His own, and with that, would Sesshoumaru then bring chaos and war in the Western Lands.both sides of the family were extremely powerful, and in their own right were able to claim the throne and power of Inu no Taisho. And then, what about the other Youkai in the other parts of the ethereal, or those that made the Earth plane their home? Lastly, but never least, He wondered about the mate He was about to leave and the hanyou son that may never see His father's side of life. What would Sesshoumaru's feelings spell for them? Although He knew that Sesshoumaru held at least some love for the young hanyou pup, that may not be the case shown in the future. He could only hope and pray to the Kami that it would be seen to for the best. What else could He do? As it was Sesshoumaru was pretty set in His ways of being withdrawn, silent.His face cold and unwavering, His stance usually slow, steady, smooth, ethereal. Nothing much betrayed Him.Only His blood betrayed Him. "Sesshoumaru does not belong here on the Earth plane." Inu no Taisho finally spoke to the flea demon on his left shoulder hiding a bit under the long stand of creamy and white colored hair that fell over his ear and down his shoulder. "Tomorrow I shall take Him back to the Western Lands." "Th-That, Lord Inu no Taisho, may be the best thing for all of us." Myoga spoke in his unsteady, unsure voice. He hesitated to speak to the great Lord of the Western Lands about such things. Though truth be told He was more fearful of the sullen Sesshoumaru who wouldn't tolerate His presence one bit, as full dog or as human figured. Fearful and hateful due to the one member of the family who was intolerant of Him, who was cruel for the sake of whatever - perhaps just for cruelty's sake - as far as He knew. But then, Myoga was just too afraid to really learn much else. Inu no Taisho spoke, sensing the fear and the anger at the mention of His son to the flea youkai, "no, Myoga. He's -" He paused while holding back a sudden rush of sadness. ::It has already started.:: This was not the first time He tried to explain things to the flea youkai. "He's not evil. He's not cruel for cruelty's sake. You do Him wrong to mock Him. He lost His mother. He thinks me horrid, having taken another woman to bed so soon after His mother died. That is one reason why I had the Tetsusaiga created." again silently choking back sadness that welled up inside of Him, and hurt, thinking of son and first mate and wife. "Just in case." Tears actually fell now. "He is my Prince. He does have that power." "I know, Lord Inu no Taisho." Myoga was suddenly sorry for His feelings towards the boy.but they vanished quickly when His sudden insight to the plight of a lonely boy with everything upon Him returned to fear. Inu no Taisho sniffed that fear, ::that is a fear we all have every right to have.::

Speaking of that boy, as Father and flea youkai spoke and thought, up the path ran little Inuyasha, with taller, silent Sesshoumaru behind Him, briskly walking but not bothering to pace Himself with the child that ran laughing and yelling back at His brother about not keeping up. Sesshoumaru said nothing in response to anything Inuyasha said or did. He just walked, followed, stared, like He was staring right through everything ahead of Him, yet still studying it inside and out. Sesshoumaru then sniffed the scent of His father and Myoga. He stopped about ten feet away from the tree and looked up to the branch where His father sat dangling his left leg, his right up and bent, facing forward. He said nothing, just stared. Myoga looked down at the boy. He asked Inu no Taisho, "what does He feel?" Inu no Taisho looked down when Inuyasha climbed three-quarters of the way up to where He was. "Inuyasha, already able to climb these trees?" He smiled warmly. He had wiped his tears away so that His own pride would be unquestioned by the child. Then He turned to look at His staring eldest son. ::No movement! That stare that just very rarely betrays His possible inner feelings.if I was not His father, I would not be able to sense anything from Him!:: He gave a look suddenly of shock, then settled back, still looking at Sesshoumaru. ::On our way home, I will try to get through to Him.:: He then turned His head back and forward. ::I must, I have to.:: Inuyasha climbed higher and tugged on His father's clothing. "Why did you leave so early daddy?" He was smiling so wide and seemed so fun loving, so carefree in His early childhood. "Momma's been worried." "I'm sure she has, my son." Inu no Taisho looked at Inuyasha and smiled kindly. But then, caught out of the corner of His eye, He observed Sesshoumaru spinning around to quickly leave, even more briskly than when coming. He looked up. ::Are my fears to be confirmed?:: He sighed. Then back to the young child that wished to scramble up on His father's lap. "No, child, let's go home. Let's go to momma." He smiled and stood up on the branch, then leaped down, feet away from the tree, turned around and waited for the little one to catch up with Him which only took a few moments, as Inuyasha was quickly learning not only to climb, but to leap and jump at heights and bounds. Holding his son's hand, the made their way back home.

"There you are!" Himeko exclaimed with relief. She was still soft spoken and gentle in her worry, her physical beauty unscathed by the feelings. Qualities that attracted Inu no Taisho to her from the very instant. Qualities very much like Sesshoumaru's mother, albeit, without an air of authority surrounding her. "What is wrong? Why did you leave us?" She was at the table with food placed out for all the family. To her side was Inuyasha, across from her was Sesshoumaru. Inu no Taisho looked at Sesshoumaru at the table with food before Him. He just stared off to the wall behind his father's second mate. Nothing said, no respects paid to His father. ::What is He thinking!:: Inu no Taisho wanted to scream at His son, get a response, get emotions, something that would prove to Him that He is not a physical void. "Sesshoumaru!" He burst with an exclamation that showed his love, showed his happiness, and still betrayed his worry. Sesshoumaru looked up slowly to His father with those gentle, sullen golden eyes. He didn't speak at first. After being pushed a bit by his stepmother, he spoke silently, "yes, father?" "Tomorrow is your tenth birthday, the day you start to learn to become an adult! This is to be one of my greatest days and pleasures of my life! I begin your training at once! We return home, to the Western Lands, in the morning!" He gave a sad slight smile in hopes that His son would perk up.

But this was to no avail. Sesshoumaru just turned and regained His stare at the wall. "What about Himeko and Inuyasha? They are your new family now. You will want them to come too. Or will you leave me in the Western Lands and come back here? Will you for-" He stopped Himself. Inu no Taisho was coming to wits end, but with that one slip perhaps there was hope?! He didn't know what to do or to say. He only knew He had to get Sesshoumaru to release the inner pain and sadness. "Sesshoumaru, I am taking you home. I will train you, but yes, I will return here every now and again. You are part of this family as well. Don't exclude yourself from everyone." Myoga spoke up but only Inu no Taisho could hear Him, or so He thought, but Sesshoumaru did hear. "Ah, He has not fully recovered from the thought and feelings of His mother's death, yes, but it seems Lord Sesshoumaru also has great jealousy over feeling that He is not part of your life anymore." Sesshoumaru got up and turned and left the room. He said nothing to his baby brother and his stepmother, who only sat with sad eyes of her own cast down. Inu no Taisho glared at Myoga and proclaimed out loud for all to hear, "He is very much a part of this family and He is not only a part of my life but a continuation of it!!!" He was left with his left arm and hand outstretched wanted to catch His eldest son, and slightly so with his right to His mate, threatening to cry, and Inuyasha, who didn't know what to make of the situation transpiring. He was torn between the two worlds. Two worlds that He knew He couldn't leave and He couldn't keep because of the ties to each. He turned to Himeko. "It is His birthday tomorrow. You know what I must do." Inuyasha yelled with a happy cheer for his brother and a giggle. Himeko looked up at Inu no Taisho, "I know. I knew it would come. I know He needs to learn His ways. I know He is your Prince. Yet, what of Inuyasha? What will become of Him, being your son and my son. He too is torn between two worlds. And if you return to the Western Lands with Sesshoumaru to train Him and resume your duties, what will be of Inuyasha when it comes time for Him to learn and be trained?" She closed her eyes, cast downward again. "Yet, I know that Sesshoumaru is most unhappy here. He does not love me, and I feel and fear He only tolerates Inuyasha. If He has any love for His brother.it does not show. Nothing shows!" With that last sentence she shot her face and eyes up at her mate in terror and worry. She then looked down cast again. "Sometimes . I wonder if we were truly meant to mate. I love you, and am so happy for Inuyasha, and yet, the whole world has changed around us. Nothing will ever be the same again." Inu no Taisho sighed at her words, agreeing. "Sesshoumaru." He paused. Inu no Taisho could dream and foresee some of the fate and destiny of those around Him. It was not an easy task even for a Great youkai such as Him. He needed the help of spirits greater than even He most of the time to foresee such possibilities or futures. "Sesshoumaru will either come around, or He will die in the process of dealing out His anger and hatred over loosing His mother and of you because I took you to bed so quickly. He sees no release. I must try to get through to Him. That is one reason why this world is just not for Him - not at this time.if ever." He too was sullen. Even Inuyasha became quiet, turning his head back and forth looking at His mother and His father, a look of concern all over his face. He had his feet pulled up and childlike played with his toes. "Momma, Daddy?" He finally broke the barrier between them. Himeko burst out crying at that moment. She put her elbows on the table, and her head rested on her hands, covering her face. Inu no Taisho looked at her in sorrow, closed his eyes, opened them, and then turned to his young Inuyasha. Kneeling down to the boy, he softly spoke, "I am taking your brother to a place where He will hopefully be happy. I am taking your brother home tomorrow. I won't be with you or your mother for a while. Inuyasha, I will come back, though, I promise you, I will come back." He had tears well up in His eyes again as He clutched His son and held him close and tight. "Why can't I go with you?!" Inuyasha was confused, but still had some hopeful joy in His voice. "I wish I could. Yet, you are still young. I couldn't take you away from your mother. And, the Western Lands you are not prepared for yet. Someday perhaps you will be able to join with your brother there as a family, but not now." "We're not a family?!" "Yes! Yes we are!" Inu no Taisho let go of His boy. "But Sesshoumaru will be Lord someday, and His wife, Lady, and His children, His heirs and heiresses." He got His head back to making sure Inuyasha understood Him. "Inuyasha, you are my son, by your mother. Before I knew your mother, I had another, a youkai like myself I loved so very much, and through Her, I have your older brother as my heir apparent and my other beloved son. I love you both so very much! But He is now ten, the age in where He must start learning to be an adult, and learn His duties for the time when I am not there. Only I can supply this training." "If nothing or no one gets in your way!" Myoga butted in, where Inu no Taisho flicked him off with a snap of his right fingers. ::Not now, Myoga! Not now!:: Then Inu no Taisho turned back to Inuyasha. "Child, your brother is a Prince in High Standing in my Lands. It is not only His right but also His duty to return, to begin learning to rule. I cannot do that here." Himeko then started, "May-Maybe you could, if you gave it a chance!" She then sobbed more. Was it the impending loneliness that filled her? Was it for what would happen to Inu no Taisho? To Sesshoumaru? To Inuyasha? To herself? Inu no Taisho had that covered, so He hoped, with Tetsusaiga. "Himeko, I so wish to be with you and Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru, more than almost anything." "More than almost anything?" Himeko quieted some to look at Inu no Taisho who had only entered her life five years prior. "You know I love and devote myself to protecting you and my home lands. If I could, I would have taken you there years ago.but you also know that means crossing over the boundaries that separate this physical world from that world. It cannot be done in the physical, by humans." Inu no Taisho frowned at her and yet still held sympathy. He wished she would remember these things. He did love the Western Lands, and His people, even though He loved His family more in a way, equally in all others. Himeko, head bent down again, just stayed quiet, choking back tears and trying to calm herself. All she replied with was "yes, my Lord." Inuyasha then jumped up and demanded of His father's attention. "Take me with you! If you cannot take momma, at least take me!" He stomped his little feet with determination and frustration. Inu no Taisho saw Himself in little Inuyasha. "I would if I could, my son. I would if I could." He turned His head just then to see that Sesshoumaru was standing there at the doorway. ::How long has He been there?:: He thought. So much silence from the boy just was not good. They had to be on their way. No later than tomorrow morning - dawn. He turned to face the flea still on His shoulder, who was now arranging Himself with a packed bag. "Myoga, stay here while I am gone. Protect Inuyasha and Himeko. Tell me quickly if anything is amiss." "Aye, my Lord!" Myoga blew off some relief. He hopped off the Great Dog Youkai in His human form and settled near Inuyasha who bent down and stared at Him with awe making a slight gasp. Inu no Taisho stood. He turned and approached Sesshoumaru. He laid his left hand on His son's right shoulder. "Be prepared to go tomorrow at dawn." He smiled. He took Sesshoumaru into His arms and hugged Him tight. He silently let tears roll down His cheeks, not allowing anyone to see them, though Sesshoumaru could sense them, as He returned the embrace, yet only slightly. Almost avoiding the interaction, the love and protection. Almost. Sesshoumaru's own eyes were now closed, wanting to cry and allow the feelings out. They just would not come. Or was it truly pride? Yet inside, they were pouring, as his heart was bleeding. ::Something has to give.:: Inu no Taisho thought, still holding onto His oldest as if He feared Sesshoumaru was slipping away into a void where there were no possibilities of return. ::Something has to give! He will either learn to love all and rule wisely, or He will be eaten by His hatred and create hatred amongst all. Everything rests on Him, yet He has been so traumatized by His mother and I. What will happen to everything and everyone?:: He looked up and stared to a far wall with the tears stained on his face. ::What will it be?::