The patter of tiny feet sounded through the hall, drops of paint hitting the floor, before bursting into Sesshomaru's chambers where he sat writing up some response or another, before there was a tug at his sleeve. He glanced down to see his younger brother grinning up at him, a gap in his teeth where one had fallen out, pointing with his tiny claws at some smears of pain on his face, looking quite proud of himself.
"Look, Sessho-niichan!" the pup exclaimed, ears perked up in excitement, "Now I'm like you!"
Now he understood, the smears were supposed to mimic Sesshomaru's demon markings because like any little brother Inu Yasha all but worshipped the ground he walked on and wanted to be just like him. So Inu Yasha had gotten into the paints and given himself stripes on his cheeks to match Sesshomaru's; he wondered where their father was during all this. He put down his brush and turned to his younger sibling.
"Inu Yasha," he said, stretching the first syllable of his name, "What do you do when a door is closed?"
"Knock on it," the pup answered, recognizing the way he'd said his name.
"So why did you not?" his big brother asked.
"'Cuz it's yours," he replied, climbing up on the desk and sitting on the scroll his brother had been working on, "Dad says I don't gotta knock on yours cuz sometimes you're just ignoring us. So knock first doesn't apply to you."
Of course, he should've suspected their father would teach him something like that; gee, he wondered why he would ignore them. He rose to his feet and turned toward the door Inu Yasha had come through, wondering why he should bother keeping it closed at all if his father and brother were just going to waltz in.
"Come, Inu Yasha," he said and the pup eagerly jumped off the desk.
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at the little hand-print now smudging his work before kneeling to lift his half-breed brother off the ground to carry him so the pair could proceed at a nice, easy pace, growling at the smudge those little hands left on his clean silks. Inu Yasha scrambled up to his favorite perch on his brother's shoulders, ignoring the second growl Sesshomaru uttered at the grimy, paint-covered hands now resting on his clean, silvery hair.
"Where is Father?" he asked as they proceeded down the hall.
"Moping," Inu Yasha replied.
It wasn't really moping per se, that's just what Sesshomaru called it when Taisho took off somewhere on his own and paid little mind to anything or anyone else and Inu Yasha had picked it up from big brother.
They found Inu Taisho in the gardens, laying beneath a sakura tree on his back with his hands folded behind his head with his eyes closed. It hadn't taken long as Sesshomaru had an idea of where he'd be, he knew his father's preferred haunts around the castle and its grounds and it being a temperate spring day, he knew the old dog would be out in the gardens. He unceremoniously dropped Inu Yasha onto his father's stomach, the Dog General letting out an "oof!" as the pup landed on him quite unexpectedly.
"I believe this belongs to you," Sesshomaru muttered, arms folded serenely in his sleeves when his father looked up at him, now supporting his weight on his elbows, "Do keep better track of it. I have work to do."
While he'd spent his share of time with Inu Yasha, finding it simple enough to accept his brother simply as their father's child, having a hyper-active, rambunctious hanyou interrupt his peace while he was trying to work was quite bothersome. He was the older brother, not the half-breed's babysitter. His relationship with his father would never be what it once was, but it wasn't as hostile as it had previously been, though he was still sore that his father had carried through with his intentions regarding his swords. Even though his death had been averted, Taisho still opted to carry through on his plans for the blades forged from his fang, leaving Tenseiga to Sesshomaru, much to the older pup's chagrin, in the hopes of teaching him some compassion, and hiding Tetsusaiga away until Inu Yasha was older.
"I thought we had an understanding, Father," Sesshomaru seated himself beside the great demon, "You would do the busy work while I patrolled the lands. Instead I come home from the patrols to find the busy work incomplete."
The "busy work" Sesshomaru referred to were the missives and day-to-day correspondences that came with ruling over their territories, one of the many things Taisho was responsible for since he'd agreed to tend to things at home. Sesshomaru was quite proud to have taken his father's place and didn't take issue with having to spend weeks away from home while he patrolled and was in fact steadily expanding their territory, he only wished his father weren't so lazy about completing his own work. Taisho rolled his eyes; funny how he seemed to recall having a similar conversation with this very pup when the boy was much younger and wanted to help his father, but didn't have the patience or the discipline to finish the boring, mundane tasks.
"Just because they were not completed, doesn't mean I'm not fulfilling my duties," he returned, straightening himself to lean against the trunk of the tree and throwing a ball for Inu Yasha, "I just hadn't gotten to it yet."
Such was their home life, neither happy nor miserable, but contented once Sesshomaru got used to having a much younger sibling running around and being underfoot and quickly understood why his father had chosen to take a step back. Inu Yasha was a handful and was quickly becoming known as the hyperactive half-breed terror of the Western Lands. There were many, mainly those outside the Western provinces, that believed the Dog General dead, the might demon falling in his battle with Ryukotsusei as Taisho hadn't done much to discourage those rumors. It was some additional protection for his little half-breed son if some of his rivals believed him dead and Sesshomaru indifferent to his younger sibling, they had little reason to go after the little hanyou. The trouble started as Inu Yasha grew from a rambunctious, energetic child to a saracastic, lippy teenager reminding Taisho greatly in looks an attitude of one of his younger brothers. The great dog demon was finding it harder and harder to deal with what seemed like a great-than-normal rebellious streak and being a demon who didn't tolerate any disrespect, dealing with a half-breed who almost constantly talked back to him was trying. During such times, he usually sent Inu Yasha off with his brother to help him patrol, often leaving Sesshomaru wondering if it was something that he'd done wrong or that Inu Yasha had done wrong since it seemed like he was punishing them both. Occasionally, Taisho and Inu Yasha accompanied Sesshomaru on his patrols, partly so that Inu Yasha could learn from his older brother about defending their lands and partly so Taisho could escape the confines of the castle. Sesshomaru was never sure what to make of the company, certainly it was a chance to spend some time with his father, but Inu Yasha was loud-mouthed and obnoxious which usually disturbed Sesshomaru's peace and quiet.
Then there were the moonless evenings while the three inu were traveling and Inu Yasha might be sent to some human village to confer with the village leader as a human representative for the taiyoukai because they so feared demons. Sesshomaru hated those nights because Inu Yasha practically had to be written a script outlining what he was to say since the half-breed couldn't be trusted to handle it without specific instructions.
"I could've handled this myself, Father," Sesshomaru would say once Inu Yasha was out of earshot, "Why must you send the half-breed?"
"It's a good lesson for the boy, maybe it'll teach him some diplomacy," Taisho replied, ignoring the look on his son's face that said he was fighting the urge to roll his eyes, "Besides you have a bad habit of killing people who annoy you. It also puts villages like this at ease to speak with a fellow human about what they need from us."
"Where are you going?" his son asked as he turned and started walking off.
"Stay here and wait for your brother," he called over his shoulder, "He's vulnerable on these nights, so protect him. I'm going to patrol the area, I'll be back before morning."
Thus upon Inu Yasha's return, the two brothers ventured back to where they'd set up camp to await their father's return, Inu Yasha lounging on the grass with Sesshomaru sitting on his knees beside him, arms tucked in his sleeves.
"I should be out patrolling with Father, but no," the older brother remarked, "I have to protect your weak ass."
"Shut up, Sesshomaru," the younger replied.
Inu Yasha was moodier and surlier than usual during the new moon, on edge and nervous in his weakened, human state when he would be most vulnerable to demons and Taisho had spent years dealing with it. He figured it was high time Sesshomaru put up with it once in awhile since his older pup was not quite as temperamental as his father or as quick to lose his temper. While Taisho would snap and respond in anger to Inu Yasha's foul mood, Sesshomaru maintained his cool and seldom ever reacted to his brother's insults, hurling his own in return. Though more often than not, Taisho would return to the two wrestling with Sesshomaru quite gleefully quashing his now-human brother underfoot, but at least he held back so he didn't do too much harm. Then Taisho would grab the older son by the back of his haori and pull him off the younger often wondering what he was going to do with the two of them for they'd surely be the death of him.
Then came the night that broke the relative peace of their family, the night that changed everything, one many years later when sibling rivalry ceased to be harmless and turned into murderous intent. The three had been out patrolling, Inu Yasha and Sesshomaru bickering about one thing or another while Inu Taisho took up the rear, unable to shake the uneasy feeling that this bliss could not last. A punch to the head sent Inu Yasha face first into the ground, though he chuckled as he came up, having finally managed to get under his brother's skin and provoked a response, dusting himself off as his father was about to pass him.
"Hey, old man," he said, pulling him from his thoughts as the old dog stopped dead in his tracks.
He'd always enjoyed calling him that if only for the comical look now planted on his father's face as he turned to look at his younger son, brows knit, eyes wide and cheeks red in embarrassment with his whole body stiff.
"Don't call me that!" he half-growled and half-whined.
Oh, yes, it was always entertaining to break the great demon's over-confidence and swagger by exposing that little insecurity and reminding him of his age even if by human standards he was easily only in his late thirties.
"Something I wanted to talk to you about," Inu Yasha said with a smirk, tucking his arms into his the sleeves of the fire-rat cloak he habitually wore when they were patrolling.
"Hn. And what is that?" Taisho asked, regaining his composure though the red was not quite gone from his cheeks.
"Sessh says there's this other sword forged from your fang," he said, not entirely sure just how to approach the subject, "One you were gonna give me."
Taisho glanced at Inu Yasha, his gaze lingering on one of Inu Yasha's eyes, the one he'd hidden the black pearl in before glaring at the back of his older son's head; Inu Yasha was not supposed to know about the sword until he saw fit to tell him.
"Tetsusaiga," he mumbled, "What of it?"
"Aside from this dinky little thing," he gestured to the katana his father had given him when he'd begun teaching him how to wield a blade, "You ain't given me any other sword."
"No, that's not Tetsusaiga," he affirmed.
"D'uh, I got that part."
"I will teach you how to find my fang when you are ready, when you are worthy. I hid it away for a reason and getting to it will be no easy feat. In time, Inu Yasha, just be patient."
"How you expect me to protect myself?!"
"Pfft! You have all the protection you need, you're strong for a half-breed and Sesshomaru and I will always be here. This I promise you. The time will come soon enough."
"Gimme a break...!"
"Would you prefer an arm or leg? Because frankly I'd rather not."
"Yer not funny!"
"Tch, maybe not to you. Personally, sometimes I crack myself up."
"Yeah, yeah, you're the funniest person you know. C'mon, Dad..."
"The sword is meant to protect."
"Meant to protect?! What the hell does that mean?!"
"And that is why you are not ready."
"Damn your riddles, old man!"
"Enough! When the time comes, Inu Yasha, not before. I will say no more on the subject."
The subject was closed but time passed uncomfortably; granted, Inu Yasha took time to cool off, but eventually he did, but not this time. He seemed content not to say another word to his father and for the moment Taisho was content to let him be and let him speak to him again in his own time; it wasn't as though this were the first time he'd been given the silent treatment. It'd been a few days since the last time any of them had slept, demons and half-breeds didn't need as much as humans, but Inu Yasha being half-human required more rest and Taisho not being as young as his sons felt it high time they camp and rest for the night. So they found a suitable clearing in which to camp, Taisho preparing a fire and finding himself wishing Totosai were here to make this part easier before taking off to hunt.
"You weren't supposed to tell me about the sword, were you?" Inu Yasha glared at Sesshomaru.
"It is hard to say, but I suppose that was best left for Father to explain," he replied with a cold smirk.
"You rank bastard," his half-brother growled.
"When you are worthy he says," the young Lord remarked, "I, for one, doubt you will ever be worthy to wield Father's fang. This Sesshomaru also wonders if you being only half-demon even have the power to unlock Tetsusaiga's power."
"The hell you getting at, Sesshomaru?" his brother snapped, getting to his feet.
"You are weak," he stated, "That is likely Father's reason for bestowing his fang on you. Why else do you think he would keep some filthy half-breed around? Because he has to protect you. He has always had to protect you. Protecting you is why your worthless human mother died and it nearly cost Father his life!"
Both brothers were on their feet now and all the anger and resentment Sesshomaru had buried years ago was at the surface in what he felt was an attempt at making his brother finally understand his place. More than that, the filthy hanyou needed to understand what his very existence had ultimately cost their father and what it had nearly cost them both. He may not have liked the thought of his father bedding a human, but he'd stood by and saw what her death had done to his esteemed sire, how it had destroyed him in a way nothing else had. For a moment, Inu Yasha fell silent. He'd never known his mother, but he felt close to her because Taisho had told him everything he could about her and he could see how deeply he'd loved her, but his father had never told him how she died.
"Keh!" Inu Yasha spat, reeling, "You're just jealous cuz the old man likes me more!"
"I am well aware," Sesshomaru growled, "Father has made it abundantly clear all these years which son he prefers. But I could never be jealous of some filthy half-breed."
"What's going on here?" the deep voice of their father made them both look in his direction.
He had heard them arguing as he'd neared the camp, a dead boar that should allow all three their fill over his shoulder, but he was not prepared for the pained glare Inu Yasha fixed him with before looking back at Sesshomaru.
"Talk all you want, Sesshomaru," he said, "You got no clue what you're talking about."
"I was present, little brother," Sesshomaru corrected, "When he returned, I am well aware of what happened that night. It is you that is without a clue."
"Sesshomaru, don't!" Taisho pleaded, dropping his prey.
"The hell you goin' on about?" Inu Yasha growled.
"The samurai killed her, Father was too late to save her," he went on, "He could have, he chose to save you instead. He almost died that night in his efforts to save you."
"Peace, Sesshomaru! Say no more!" his father growled at him.
No, not like this, Inu Yasha was never supposed to find out what had happened the night he was born like this, he'd planned on telling him eventually, but this...
"Dad?" Inu Yasha turned his gaze to his father, his ears pressed to his head.
"There was no time," he said softly, "He followed me faster than I thought he would, I didn't have time to save her, only you. The only time I had was to grab you and run."
"You let her die..." his younger son repeated, his anger growing, "And you just ran from the one that killed my mother?! You didn't even bother avenging her?!"
"I went back later to finish the job!" he shouted, begging him to understand, "With her gone, you needed me to survive! That would not have happened if I'd stayed and fought him!"
"Why, why did he kill her?" Inu Yasha yelled back.
"Takemaru... he loved her," Taisho's voice softened, "He would not see her in the arms of a demon."
"She died because of you!" he snarled at his father.
"His plan was to kill you both," Sesshomaru interrupted, "But he acted out his cowardly intentions too late to accomplish both, so only she died. A pity he had not acted sooner."
"Sesshomaru, enough!" Taisho barked.
"And here I thought you loved me, Sesshomaru," the half-breed snapped.
"I have no use for so weak an emotion," he replied coolly, "I tolerate you because you are Father's son."
"You wish he'd killed me, too," his brother said.
"Indeed then you would not exist to soil our proud lineage," Sesshomaru responded, "I nearly lost my father because of you."
"So that's your problem, innit? All those years you had Daddy all to yourself, never had to share his attention with anyone else then I came along and ruined it. Well, you can have the old man all to yourself."
"Inu Yasha," Taisho nearly whined, "What're you saying?"
"To hell with both of you! I don't need your protection or your damn sword!" he threw the katana to the ground, "Goes double for your fang, old dog! I can take care of myself!"
"What have you done?" Taisho whispered to Sesshomaru as Inu Yasha disappeared into the night.
It didn't take him long to track Inu Yasha down though he was running at full speed, he gained on his son quickly but didn't see the attack coming. Inu Yasha was suddenly in front of him, claws swiping at his face, all of them coming in contact with Taisho's cheek, the older inu leaping back after his momentary shock. He lifted a hand to his cheek and pulled it away to find blood staining his fingertips, looking at Inu Yasha as the half-breed growled at him.
"Inu Yasha..." he said softly, reaching a hand out to him.
"Get the hell away from me!" his son snapped, "I lost my mother because of you! It's your fault!"
"Please, my son," he begged, "I tried... I didn't have time..."
"Shut up! You let her die, he killed her because of you!" he yelled, "Just get out of my life and stay out!"
Inu Yasha took off again and Inu Taisho stood, looking after him, letting him go. His son had actually attacked him, had drawn blood, and he'd never expected it, it felt as thought someone were twisting his heart. Eventually he gathered himself and headed slowly back to camp where Sesshomaru waited, the boar skinned and now roasting over the fire, surprised when his father returned alone. He watched Taisho walk slowly into the firelight, head down and waving bangs sweeping into his face, hiding his eyes from view. Wordlessly the older demon removed his pauldrons and vambraces and gauntlets before untying his sash and stripping off his breastplate, laying his double-tailed pelt on the ground as bedding. He laid himself down, one arm under his head with the other resting on the ground, his back turned to Sesshomaru who had clearly been waiting for his father to take his share of the kill before taking his own. Sesshomaru rose to his feet and approached his father silently though he knew his father was aware of his presence; he did not regret his words, they were said thus regretting them was pointless, he did however regret the pain they were causing.
"Father," he said.
"Say no more, Sesshomaru," was all Taisho said.
It's your fault!
"I know."