IN YOUR BLOOD-SDA
CHELSEA WELSH

Summary: My Father's Day Tribute. Sesshoumaru Never Thought He Could Be A Parent. His Father Didn't Either...

Quick Note: No one knows the real name of Sesshoumaru and InuYasha's father. Inu no Taisho is not his name at all. It literately means "Leader of the Dogs" which instead of a name is a title...but I'm using it anyways!

Part I: Sesshoumaru and Inu no Taisho: Inu no Taisho POV
The wind was hot that afternoon, rustling the leaves above us and breaking a heavy silence. My son sat quietly in front of a stone, reading her name over and over again. He never cried, never admitted that it hurt to go home and find her room empty. He used her hairbrush and wore one of her silver combs; sometimes I think he's her soul embodied. They look too much alike.

He hadn't moved. Would he ever? Would he ever stand from that place, unfold his hand and quietly tell me that we should leave? I wanted to clear my throat, touch his shoulder...something to make him realize that time was passing.

"Father?"

Toneless. Expressionless. He stood and walked without another word. And, as if I were the child, I followed him as a shadow danced over the headstone, covering her name. Neither of us had the heart to say goodbye to her.

Evening came without our consent, as it always had and would. My son lay quietly on her bed, his long, white hair pulled up into a lazy bun. I stood silently at his bedside, staring at his form that was covered with a heavy quilt. ...He looked so small.

"...It's okay." His whispered voice, as calm as ever, shattered the silence and hurt my ears. He sat up and looked into my eyes. I suddenly felt as if I was the child. My mind raced; I couldn't do this. I couldn't look at him. He sighed. I knew he had pulled his hair down; it whispered against the silk yukata.

Sesshoumaru looked pale, though not sickly. Had he always been that way? Had he always looked this delicate? Had he always looked so much like her? My throat felt tight.

"...I can't..."

He lay back down, facing away from me and hugging his mother's furs. I stood and turned away, not bothering to put the candle out. He would do it himself. He always would... The door creaked as I opened it. I heard him take a breath and, just before I shut the door, he spoke.

"I know."

I didn't let him see my tears.