Disclaimer: Shippo would like to remind you that Inuyasha would hit him if you consider this universe belongs to me for even one moment.
Blood Inheritance
An Inuyasha Fanfic
Prologue
Inu no Tashio watched as a blood-red sun disappeared below the horizon before ushering in the darkness of night once again. His proud figure and his broad back faced fearlessly to the forest behind him painted a picture of easy and powerful confidence. He was not a person to be trifled with, nor, since he was no person at all, was he a demon to be attacked without ushering in one's own death. Yet, despite the undisputable power and status the Leader of the Dog Demons commanded, he beheld the dying day with a thoughtful, almost melancholic air.
And as time passed and final rays of the sunset faded his elegant brow became even more furrowed until he abruptly smoothed his expression into one of casual indifference- a façade worn for the benefit of his vassal.
"Myouga. Come here."
The man's voice was deep and as unreadable as his face, though underneath laid an inner kindness and understanding of all life. The one he addressed quickly obeyed and hopped to his side, or rather, his shoulder.
"You called my lord?" the old, flea demon asked.
His master said nothing for several moments and his vassal frowned. He was always eager to help the great demon, but he sensed something different about him this time.
"Is something wrong my lord?"
"You are aware of the reason why I will bestow Tetsusaiga upon Inuyasha are you not?"
This question caught Myouga off guard. Was the man changing the subject on purpose? He scrambled to reply, "Of course, Inu no Tashio-sama! It is your younger son's inheritance is it not?" The silence made the flea chuckle nervously. "And, I needn't forget that the Tetsusaiga will act as a means to seal Inuyasha's youkai blood!"
"Yes. That is all true," Inu no Tashio agreed. Myouga glowed with the praise that wasn't given out often or lightly.
But, the dog demon continued to gaze out at the darkening landscape as if deep in thought. Then, he turned his head and his piercing eyes were aimed straight at his vassal.
His lips move only slightly and his words were soft, "Listen closely, Myouga, for what I'm about to tell you is to only be shared at the opportune moment." The flea demon nodded quickly. He would never dare to betray his lord and master's trust. What he lacked in courage was made up for in undying loyalty.
"There will come a time, when my youngest son, Inuyasha, will receive his blood inheritance."
"His… blood inheritance?" Myouga repeated questioningly. He had never heard of such a thing and wasn't Inuyasha already receiving Tetsusaiga, that wondrous blade forged from his father's fang?
The wind kicked up, rustling the bushes and caused the long silver hair of Inu no Tashio that was tied high on his head to lift slightly in a breeze.
"Yes. And when that time comes, Inuyasha will receive the full power of his youkai blood and it will be at his beck and call." His golden eyes shone in the moonlight and Myouga barely withheld a gasp. If this was true…
"This is his blood inheritance," the great demon continued. "It is his birthright, but since he is half demon, with the blood of Izayoi rushing through his veins it will only come within his grasp when he has gained the power and maturity that comes with adulthood, and becoming a true daiyouaki." He paused and Myouga sensed the tension that was roiling with Inu no Tashio. This was a far greater matter than he had originally let on.
Myouga jumped from his shoulder to the hand resting on the hilt of Tenseiga. "My lord!" The demon lifted his hand so his vassal was at eye level. "What of this? Why is it you must keep this a secret?"
Pain, yes, pain, flashed in the depths of the demon's eyes. Pain witnessed through a possible future for his hanyou son. "Nobody must know of Inuyasha's blood inheritance until the time comes. That is all you must know, Myouga." A warning coursed through his master's message and Myouga flinched. "But, I tell you this because I expect you to guide him through the changes. Because there will be changes and they will not be easy."
The flea demon started at Inu no Tashio's words. "W-wait! The way you're talking, my lord, makes it seem as though you yourself will not be there-!"
His raised hand froze the frantic words spewing from his vassal's mouth.
"Enough. I trust you will make sure that Inuyasha survives through his blood inheritance, Myouga."
"Y-yes, my lord!" he nodded quickly. "I will protect him with my life!"
At that, the dog demon's lips quirked into as close to a smile as Myouga had ever seen. He could only hope his master wasn't thinking of his aptness to run when his life was threatened.
However, that ghost of a smile vanished as swiftly as it appeared and with a wave of his hand, Inu no Tashio sent the flea demon sailing through the air.
"Go, Myouga. I will speak to you later."
The flea landed on the ground still intact and opened his mouth to bid farewell when his master spoke.
"So, you've come, Sesshomaru."
Myouga started in surprise as a tall figure with long silver hair like his father's and clad in a white kimono appeared where nothing but shadows had been before. He regarded Inu no Tashio before him coolly as Myouga silently made a hasty escape.
"Only because you wished it… Father."
Father and son locked gazes and the moon's light shone upon their beautiful inhumanity. Inu no Tashio extended his arm and gestured to the night sky.
"Good. Since I have something important to discuss with you as well, Sesshomaru…"
0~0~0
Author'sNote:Hello, everyone! This is my second fan fiction for Inuyasha and as you can see it is much more serious than my first and ongoing one, TheDogDays. The prologue here sets the scene for the rest of the story by the showing the past with Inu no Tashio and Myouga. I plan to explore a different version of Inuyasha's youkai side with a new concept of a 'blood inheritance' I hope you as readers really enjoy. The following chapters will be longer than this prologue, I promise. Please review and tell me what you think so far!