Two days later, sesshomaru was in his room finishing with his studies for the day, when he heard whimpering outside his window. He walked out onto the balcony and peered down into the garden. There, among the flowers and green grass, Inuyasha sat, sobbing gently. A look of concern crossed the young Sesshomaru's face as he hopped down to his distressed brother. A gentle hand found its way to Inuyasha's back, and the child looked up. "What's wrong?" Sesshomaru asked. "The… the kids…. They hate me… They called me names and hurt me… What's…. what's wrong with being a hanyo?" he asked Sesshomaru sighed. "Nothing! Nothing is wrong with it….. Those kids just don't understand that. They're looking to make themselves feel better by hurting you." He gathered Inuyasha to his chest and rubbed soothing circles on the young pup's back until his crying stopped. "Come, it's time for a nap, the day grows hot." Sesshomaru placed his brother upon his bed, patting the child's back gently. Finally, he lay down next to Inuyasha and shut his eyes to rest as well.
The peace lasted about an hour before the young prince Sesshomaru awoke with a sudden start, the action jostling Inuyasha from his own slumber. "Bruzzer? What's wrong?" Inuyasha asked, rubbing the last bits of sleep from his eyes.
"I'm not sure…"
Inuyasha strode to the balcony and looked down in sudden alarm. "My ball! And my toy sword! They're broked!" Both he and Sesshomaru leapt to the yard below to examine the murdered toys. A hushed whispering laugh sounded from behind them. "Get em!" Suddenly a group of about 5 older boys jumped upon them and began to pummed the two princes. "Hanyo! You don't belong here! Get out! You're not royalty, you're just a bastard child with bad blood!" Inuyasha tried futilely to fend off their attackers. Sesshomaru fared a bit better in the fight, but it was obvious that the two were overpowered. Suddenly a great roar resounded ahead of the group. All motion stopped as the great Inutaisho, ruler of the Western Lands and father to Sesshomaru and Inuyasha, strode onto the miniature battlefield. With one look, he made the 5 attackers scatter. Then he turned his gaze towards his two sons.
Sesshomaru's face remained composed, stolid. It was a face he had just acquired in the last year or so, and one he would in the future wear constantly. Inuyasha, however, slumped as he noticed the disapproving look his father was giving them. "Boys…. Come with me. We need to have a talk."
