More to Me
I kept repeating it to myself through all the whispers. 'He is my half-demon son. What he doesn't know won't hurt him.' So I couldn't understand what my conscience meant when it kept screaming 'You're wrong!'
Chapter 1: Keeping Quiet?
I don't own Inuyasha
A/N: This story is not intended to be linked to Brown Eyes. Also, with classes starting back up soon, updates may take a little longer than my usual but I promise not to take too long!
The spring sunset shown against the walls of the castle. Its ominous appearance betrayed by the pink and orange blended sky. The guards however, that stood at the ready, prepared to take down any trespasser that threatened the dwelling's boundaries, was a visible reminder of who lived there. Centuries of its existence meant that the generations of rule had changed. A continued rule of full blooded inuyoukai had been the expected outcome. Other youkai nobles would have written it in stone when the current lord was growing up. A clear distaste for the human kind and an even greater disgust for half-demons, unlike his father, meant a pure bred heir without question. So with the birth of the inuyoukai lord's first son, word spread like wildfire. One would have assumed that knowing he had acquired a human for his first mate would have made the outcome an obvious one. But many had assumed she would be pushed to the background for a more suitable second mate to bear a full blooded heir. It was in fact he who had been so worried about upholding the honor of his family's name and now he had in fact contradicted his own beliefs.
Many years, now, had passed since the birth of his pup and though the whispers had not completely disappeared, many of them had subsided and faded away through acceptance or exhaustion. But there was one thing that had begun to draw whispers anew about the half demon pup and his father. It was customary for youkai to have a ceremony of entrance for an upcoming lord at the appearance of the age of four. This was the age most were deemed healthy enough to survive into adulthood and prove themselves worthy. There hadn't been one this time and his lord's son appeared to be a year past this age. The ceremony wouldn't have been so important had it not had an underlying theme of acceptance.
….
A small white ear pressed against the wall as the other lay folded over, unwilling to stand. Golden-brown eyes remained still as the jagged blue marks on each cheek lifted, straining to listen to the conversation on the other side. The two samurai must have been at the far side of the room. He could make out their figures as he took a quick peak at the shoji screen door that he sat less than an inch away from. They spoke about new lands and travel. It sounded as if they had just returned from a trip to the south as there was mention of the Tora (Tiger) youkai. The two were interrupted as a familiar being entered the room. He let out a small gasp then huffed as he slid back contemplating whether or not to stay or leave. He had been warned about eavesdropping but he wanted badly to hear the rest of the conversation. Weighing it, he felt the risk was worth it as he inched his ear back onto the wall. He froze as a servant passed behind him but he noticed her put her finger to her lips to signifying that she wouldn't tell.
…
"My lord." Both of the men bowed as he entered the room.
"I assume that you have word from the south concerning the lands of the southwest."
"Lord Sesshoumaru, Lord Yutaka refuses to discuss the southwestern lands with anyone but you. However, a small clan of Ushi (Ox) youkai do claim the land to be under their protection but have no real defense. I'm sure the tora youkai under Lord Yukata are looking to force the few Ushi off the lands and claim it as their own." Trota spoke.
"I see. Trota, you will travel to the southwest. Speak with the leader of the clan of Ushi. Offer them our protection to gain their trust. Arata, I wish for you to find Myoga. Tell him to send word to Lord Yukata that he should expect my arrival in a few days to…".
"My lord…?" Arata was cut off as Sesshoumaru gestured for him to stop as he looked toward the opposite door.
Rishou leaned away from the wall and moved to get up and run but realized he should have gotten up a little sooner since he was now a fair distance off the ground and inside the room. Now eye level with the men that he had been listening to, intimidation set in as he leaned closer to the mokomoko. He dared not say a word as they finished their conversation with his father. As the men left he was placed on his feet. Looking up, he read his father's expression to be less than satisfied.
"Rishou, why didn't you move away from the door when I walked in?"
The pup was a bit shocked, realizing that his father had known he was there before he had even entered the room. Tucking his hands behind his back, he looked down at his feet as he shook his head.
"You have words, use them."
"I just wanted to know. Bored I guess."
"Have you not been warned before?"
The pup nodded.
"Then it would be safe to assume that you have to much free time on your hands."
Rishou frowned, waiting for his father's next words.
"You'll have a lesson added to your evening."
Rishou furrowed his brow, leaving his mouth slightly agape as he shifted his eyes to look up at his father. Maybe, just maybe, it would work. What he had done really wasn't that bad was it?
Sesshoumaru ignored the pout as he walked out of the room. He mentally noted how much Rishou looked like his mother when he did that.
The pup's expression cleared, noticing his father leave. Remembering he wanted to ask him something he took off after him. Catching up he tried to match his stride with his father's as he began his question.
"Father?"
"…"
"Can I go with you?" The question was left vague.
"No."
"You can't say no yet, I didn't say where!"
"If its anywhere near the South the answer is no."
"I never get go anywhere with you. Why?"
"You're too young."
"A lot of the other pups my age said they've traveled with their fathers. So why can't I travel with you?"
Sesshoumaru found himself cornered here. He was less than interested in answering that question at the moment. It was true that most pups his age had traveled outside of the lands, possibly multiple times, but there was a difference.
"Father?" Rishou questioned again, waiting for an answer as they stopped.
"Enough questions. Go play." Sesshoumaru closed the conversation.
"But?"
"Do as I say." was the flat reply.
…. ….
Walking down the hall, boredom began to set in once again for the young prince. Though half of the day had been filled with lessons, it was in fact the evenings that he found the hardest to get through. Having a lesson added to it definitely had its drawbacks but it had benefits too. Most of the lessons were taught outside. Ever since he could remember he had only been allowed to play within the confines of his mother's private gardens without supervision. Often he tired of playing out there. The area was small and reminiscent of his mother's death. He didn't remember much about her aside from her smiling face and warm hugs. His father said that it had simply been her time to leave this plane, something that couldn't be helped. Coming to a window he sat and watched for a moment as the children played in the dusk dark of the north garden. He wished he could join them but those appointed to watch him were usually too busy trying to complete his father's other orders or simply forgot. He had given up asking after a while.
Taking his attention away from the children he laid his head on his arms as he watched the sky. As the first stars appeared, he counted them, wondering if his mother could see him.
So there's the first chapter. Let me know what you think!
Chapter 2: Two Moons - "I have never spoken of the ceremony to him."
