Author's Notes: This could be considered a sequel of sorts to 'Double Trouble'. I hadn't planned on writing a sequel but I was feeling all warm and fuzzy and this popped into my head so I decided to run with it. There are a few references to the events of 'Double Trouble', especially right here in Chapter 1, but this is also a stand-alone story in its own right. At least, that's the plan. DT didn't have an exact set time for when it took place - I imagined it somewhere a little later in the anime but before The Final Act. This story takes place roughly 15 months later, or about a year after the defeat of Naraku.
Just warning y'all now: It is probably going to take me some time to get each chapter posted. I have the first few chapters laid out pretty well and they'll go up fairly quickly, but after that I only have a basic plot outlined. With the weather finally turning nice I am going to be ridiculously busy with all the outdoor projects and renovations we have planned.
At any rate, reviews, comments, and constructive criticisms are always welcome.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters. They're the property of Rumiko Takahashi.
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Chapter 1
Oh, weren't they just the most adorable little pups! The mirror-like surface of the scrying bowl showed two inu yokai pups, about three years old. Or rather, one inu yokai and one hanyo. The yokai pup had a fluffy silver tail wrapped around his right shoulder, magenta stripes on his cheeks and eyelids, and a purple crescent moon on his brow. The hanyo had silver puppy ears perched atop his head. Both shared gold eyes and long silver hair.
The mirrored surface showed them in their fullest inu pack nature. The pups were laughing and playing together. They slept curled beside one another. They were fiercely loyal and protective of each other.
Once they had been restored, the brothers went their separate ways.
The scrying bowl showed the passage of the next few months. Gradually, their conflicts became less frequent and less heated, almost seeming to occur out of habit rather than any real malice. Finally, they ceased all together and the two came to an uneasy peace. But there was still an aloofness to their relationship, formality and strain from years of conflict and unwillingness to trust or show weakness.
Well, this just won't do at all! Did those two learn nothing? One would think that after all this time they'd have learned to get along! Why must they keep denying their true nature; hiding behind this façade of hatred and indifference? Inu are pack creatures. This silly sibling rivalry has gone on for far too long as it is.
Clawed fingertips tapped the side of the scrying bowl lightly.
They have both certainly inherited their father's stubbornness. This is not how he would have wanted his sons to behave towards one another.
A broad smile showed the tips of fangs.
A little push in the right direction is what those two need. And I know just how to give it to them…
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A/N: Yes, Chapter 1 is really, really short. The rest of the chapters (with the possible exception of the epilogue) will be longer. I was originally going to begin with what is now Chapter 2, but decided to add a 'teaser' to tie it in a bit with 'Double Trouble'.