The characters of Inuyasha (manga and anime) belong to Takahashi Rumiko
Sesshoumaru's Mother Comes to Visit
Inuyasha was working outside, preparing the logs of wood for the upcoming winter. Despite the weather being only a little warm, he had to take his kimonos off as the heat from his handiwork became too much to tolerate. So preoccupied with cutting the wood in half with a large sharp knife, he didn't notice the shadow looming above him, coming to land in graceful steps.
Sesshoumaru stood for a few moments, watching his younger brother at work. It was something he never would have thought he would see in his entire life: Inuyasha attending to domestic chores. He smirked, and then frowned when he sniffed the air, promptly running into the house where the hanyou and miko called home. There were loud shrieks from Kagome, but he paid no heed of the wearisome girl as he tried to find a place to hide, somewhere smelly enough so that she would not be able to find him.
The hanyou had heard the commotion coming from inside the house, and was about make his way to the door, when he suddenly shivered. There was someone staring at him, intently, and it was making him feel as though this person had just stolen all of his clothes, and was now reaping the benefits.
"Yes, very nice." The woman's voice remarked at his surprised face. "Please excuse me, young man. I must go and find my son. Then, we'll talk." In a flash, she had disappeared into the house, to the shrieks of his wife.
"Sesshoumaru, where are you? Did you really think you could hideaway, from me?"
"Who are you?! What do you think you're doing in my house?"
"Oh, there you are, you naughty boy. Come out of there. No use hiding. You seem to forget that I have the superior nose."
Kagome met her husband outside, panic and anger written on her face. "Inuyasha, what's going on? Firstly, your brother just storms in, and now... I don't know, his twin sister, or something comes in, and now they're making a mess of our house. You have to stop them!"
The noise inside the house suddenly ceased, and the strange woman popped her head out of the door. "Inuyasha...?" she said, her eyes wide with wonder. "Is that you?"
Inuyasha just blinked, not knowing how to respond.
"My goodness... it is. My, my, it's the little puppy, and he has grown up so handsome as well. You almost look like my husband, when he was younger, of course. And here I thought I could have had some fun with you. Come here, and let me have a look at you, Inuyasha."
"I-I... uh..."
"He'd rather not." Kagome replied for her stuttering husband. "And just who are you?"
The female youkai smiled, looking towards her son. "Sesshoumaru, do come out of there and introduce them to me. I'm afraid that Inuyasha has forgotten who I am. I can't blame him; it was such a long time ago. For a brief moment, even I didn't exactly know who you were. But I did recognise those ears. You are the only one I know, to have such adorable ears. I see they are not floppy anymore."
"Inuyasha, Kagome, this is my... mother. Mother, this is Inuyasha, and his wife, Kagome."
"Mother?" the young miko whispered to the hanyou. "I could've sworn they were twins, and this was your long lost sister."
"Don't joke around, Kagome." Inuyasha hissed back, "As if one of them wasn't bad enough."
Sesshoumaru's mother giggled at the pair, blushing lightly behind her fan at the girl's compliments to her youthful appearance. "You are too kind, my dear, too kind. It's not every day one gets such glowing compliments, especially at my age. But I digress. I came here to visit my son, and he has been so kind to introduce the step-son I have not seen for such a long time. And I do like what I see."
The hanyou hurriedly wrapped himself up in his kimono so that the woman could not see his upper body, rushing into the house to wash his face of sweat. There was no way she could be Sesshoumaru's mother, it was not possible. Yet the thought that she was Sesshoumaru's twin sister was possibly the worst surprise anyone could spring up on him. The title of mother suited her better.
His breath hitched when two cool hands covered his eyes, whispering delicately, "Have you really forgotten about me?"
"I'm not sure. I hardly remember my father, and I certainly don't remember you."
"Sharp words, little puppy," she mused, though she didn't seem offended. "Sesshoumaru told me of your charming personality. That is the reason why I am here."
"You came all the way here just to tell me that?"
The youkai smiled in reply, saying, "Perhaps. Your wife has made some tea. Let us sit and relax, and talk about old times. I'm sure it will pique your interest." She then handed him what looked like a black lacquer box, with its lid decorated with golden chrysanthemums. "It belonged to your mother. Read it later, why don't you? When there are no interruptions. I want to know what you have been up to all these years."