Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
She immediately drew back from the entrance when she saw who had come, trying her best to keep her face from betraying her. He scared her, this first-born, full-blooded youkai son of her husband. However much Sesshoumaru might look like his father, he was his mother's son in temperament. The warmth and compassion which the Inu no Taisho sometimes displayed in private was nonexistent in his son. A cold manner, and even colder eyes, spoke enough of what he thought of his father's new 'infatuation', though outwardly he was never less than polite.
Swallowing, she offered him a bow, keeping her gaze on the floor. "Your father is in the garden, Sesshoumaru-sama." With Inuyasha, she thought, but did not say.
A pause. "I see," he said, his deep voice toneless. A long moment passed, and he did not move.
She could feel the weight of his attention on her, but kept from shifting restlessly even as her uneasiness grew. "I shall inform him that you are here." Thankful that she was able to articulate properly, she turned her back on him and made her way towards the back of the large residence, feeling his eyes on her back the entire way. She fought the urge to run, fought the maternal instincts that urged her to protect her child. He is no danger, she tried to convince herself. Surely he will not harm his own blood. Yet those cold eyes spoke otherwise…
She knew he objected to Inu no Taisho's relationship with her. She knew that the only reason he came was to see his father. And she feared for her son, whom he watched with such a cold, cold gaze. Izayoi knew better though, than to bring her concerns to her husband. They had spoken of it before.
"Sesshoumaru is youkai, and my son. He will abide by my decisions."
"But…"
"There is nothing you need fear from him – or anyone else. I will protect you."
Outside, her three-year-old son was playing with the long tail of a large, pony-sized dog, attempting to clutch it as it swished lazily around his head. The morning light caught on the child's fair hair and the dog's white coat, giving them an almost blinding brilliance. The dog lifted its head at her approach, tongue lolling out as he gave a canine grin and shifted back into his human form, scooping up Inuyasha in his arms as he came to join her, eyebrow lifted in enquiry.
She hesitated slightly. "Sesshoumaru has come."
A flicker of emotion crossed his face, hidden too quickly for her to read. "I see." A slight frown appeared. Absently handing the squirming Inuyasha over to her, he strode towards the house. As if sensing her worry, he paused for the briefest moment to flash a smile at her, calling back, "I shall be back before dinner."
She stood out in the soft morning sun, watching silently as her husband disappeared within the shadows of the house, her fidgeting son clutched within her arms. That conversation echoed through her mind once more…
"If Sesshoumaru is cold, it is because he must appear strong, appear to be someone that the other youkai can respect. And they respect only strength. That is our way…"
Unspoken was the fact that it was not her way, or that of her son, because of who he was, who she was. And it was precisely because of that fact that she feared so much…
What did those youkai think of her and her son, who relied upon her husband for protection?
A/N: I am aware that this is not strictly canon if you take into account the third movie, but I wanted to write an Izayoi piece, and Inuyasha just wrote himself in. I'm attempting to work out her character – possibly for a longer piece later, if I feel like it. Anyway, please review. Constructive criticism will be appreciated.