He was almost never home anymore and when he was, he usually shut himself in his chambers or his study, barely speaking to his older child. He was usually watching over his younger son from a distance, downwind so the half-breed didn't catch his scent, his aura masked so he could watch unawares. He'd held onto some hope that in time his son would come home, but the more time that passed, the less likely it seemed, and he was beginning to wonder why he bothered. He watched his son enjoy time spent with some priestess, he didn't approve of her, didn't like the attention he gave her. He heard many of their conversations, paying special mind to the ones regarding the Shikon jewel she protected and the possibility of him using it to become human. Selfish, little thing for a priestess, she could not accept and love his son as he was, she had to change him into something acceptable before she could be with him and at the same time free her of her duties to the jewel. He stopped watching after that, he could sense the panther tribe again on the move, though he'd killed their King long ago, clearly they needed to be dealt with again. They did not attack immediately but when they did, Sesshomaru had risen to the occasion, an army of demons voluntarily at his back though he felt he hardly needed it, and they were defeated a second time. He'd returned to the village of the Shikon jewel to find that the jewel had vanished and its guardian Kikyo had been killed by the half-breed she loved.
He stood gazing up at the still form of his younger son, sealed to the Goshinboku by Kikyo's sacred arrow; he'd wondered why the little toad that followed Sesshomaru had been in such a state.
"Staring at him will not break the spell," Sesshomaru's cold voice came from behind him.
His pup had grown to adulthood, his features still soft and beautiful but no longer childlike and innocent, his voice deeper though still as cold as ever. He looked over at him as he came to a stop beside him. His father had been distant and withdrawn since Inu Yasha's departure, at least towards him, and he'd never been sure if it was out of anger or just a father's grief over the estrangement of his son.
"No," Taisho finally replied, "but I keep hoping it will help me understand the stupidity that led him here. I'd have warned him had he but listened."
And indeed, Taisho had tried approaching his younger son to warn him about the woman he'd fallen for, but even after all those years, the pup still refused to speak to him. Hypocrite, Sesshomaru thought, recalling that his father had come close to dying for the love of a woman. Like father, like son apparently.
"They were tricked into betraying each other," the Dog General muttered, "Which says to me that they didn't trust each other completely because it seems to me that if they had, there would have been doubts. There were none, they were manipulated against each other."
"What if a shapeshifter had taken the form of one to trick the other?" Sesshomaru pointed out.
"Hmm, still," his father replied.
"What does any of this matter?" the Western Lord said, "This is where the fool is because he fell in love."
With Inu Yasha sealed to a tree for gods only knew how long, there was no longer much reason for Inu Taisho to remain in the area, so he finally returned home for good and resumed his duties alongside his son. So fifty years passed by uneventfully, the two demons being what they were barely taking notice of the passage of time. When he wasn't occupied with his share of the duties of rule, he was usually on the outskirts of the garden kneeling beside the simple marker where he'd buried Izayoi when he'd retrieved her body. He'd never felt quite so alone, more so when a few years a go, a bat demon he'd begun counting as his friend had been killed by his own father's hand. He seemed to have a bad habit of losing people he cared about, so he was slowly withdrawing into himself, preferring his solitude more and more. Myouga had even stopped feasting on his blood because his master never seemed to take notice anymore, usually sitting quietly on his shoulder, grieving on his behalf and longing for Inu Taisho to come back to himself.
He was aware of Sesshomaru's constant search for where he'd hidden Tetsusaiga, he could almost laugh he was so amused by it and the fact that with Inu Yasha sealed he'd never find it. Until one day when he'd gone to the Goshinboku as he did every once in awhile just to see and his son's body was no longer there. His eyes had widened in panic, wondering if Inu Yasha would remember the riddle he'd told him long ago, knowing that if Sesshomaru ever got it out of him, he could solve the puzzle. He'd hurried off, not sure where he was going, merely allowing his instincts to guide him as he went, shifting into his true form to reach his destination that much faster. He arrived in time to see Sesshomaru exiting a black portal in his demon form, blood pouring from his left side where his leg used to be. Inu Taisho let out a howl, worried for his pup, the smaller white dog hearing it and racing to him, shifting into his humanoid form as Taisho shifted to his and fell to his knees before his father.
"Baka ne!" he exclaimed, kneeling at his son's side to tend to his wound, "What have you done? Dammit, Sesshomaru!"
He gasped, his worst fears confirmed: Sesshomaru's left arm had been severed completely by Tetsusaiga. He untied the red-and-purple sash from his waist, tying it tightly above where the limb had been severed to act as a tourniquet before wrapping it around what remained of his son's arm. Sesshomaru, barely conscious, held onto his father as he shifted back into his true form, Jaken managing to grab hold of his tail as he flew through the air to bring his pup home so his wounds could be healed and he could rest.
Kagome had just emerged from the gateway to the grave of Inu Yasha's father behind her new half-breed friend, glancing out into the distance to see the large white demon dog racing into the distance. At first she thought it was Sesshomaru, but she could swear this one was larger and still had his left front leg. Inu Yasha followed the girl's gaze and saw the demon dog bounding off before it vanished from sight, catching a scent on the wind. When they'd followed Sesshomaru through the gateway, he'd seen the mammoth skeletal remains of a dog demon. Did the old dog finally die? Or is this just some elaborate test? he'd wondered. Now he knew at least that his father was still very much alive, so what the hell was with the skeleton? Frankly, he didn't care, the old dog hadn't bothered sticking around to see if Inu Yasha was all right, just flew off with Sesshomaru, so clearly the old man had stopped caring. Like it mattered to him.
Taisho hadn't left the room while the healers worked, not that there was much to be done, his only serious wound was his severed arm which they'd bandaged up. Sesshomaru had remained conscious throughout it all, but hadn't given so much as a whine even though he had to be in pain. A healing balm had been applied to his right hand and bandaged, Taisho taking note of the singed flesh and knew he'd found Tetsusaiga and had tried to take it.
"Did you not think I would have put safeguards in place on the off-chance you did find it?" Taisho asked once they were alone.
"Why the barrier?" Sesshomaru asked, gazing up at the ceiling; he'd known there'd be a lecture.
"To prevent other demons from wielding it," his father replied.
"I do not understand why that half-breed deserves it and I do not," he snapped, "What is it that makes him worthy and this Sesshomaru unworthy?"
"It is not about worth," the older inu soothed, kneeling beside him, "He needs it, you do not."
"I do not understand."
"I pray you never do, Sesshomaru. I hope with all my heart Bokuseno's warning was wrong."
Sesshomaru had healed over the next day or two and now had to struggle with learning to do everything with but one arm, his father there to guide and teach him as he'd always been and before long Sesshomaru was no weaker than he had been with two arms. Taisho hoped that this would be the only time his son returned to him in such condition, unfortunately, it was not nor was it the last. He'd come home quite some time after that with minimal injuries, but a heavily damaged breastplate.
"What happened?!" Taisho had exclaimed.
"Girl shot me," Sesshomaru grumbled, "Apparently she's a priestess."
Then after that, the pup came home looking like he'd spent time camping in the woods, filthy, smelling of blood, armor shattered and a little girl in tow. He claimed he'd healed fully and that he was only here to rest, not that Taisho necessarily bought that.
"The Wind Scar happened," Sesshomaru replied to his father's questioning glance before he could say anything.
"What the hell happened?" he asked anyway, "Oh, nothing, just the Wind Scar. Do you understand one reason I gave you Tenseiga?"
And there was the look that said the Ice Prince was fighting the urge to roll his eyes. He'd expected his father to be shocked that he'd been hit head-on by the Wind Scar and had lived to tell about it, but apparently the sly old dog knew Tenseiga had a mind of its own and had shielded him.
Although Sesshomaru wasn't forthcoming with details, from the little Taisho could get was the little girl had nursed him while he was injured and unable to move. He'd come upon her broken body once he was strong enough to move and Tenseiga had called to him, so he'd unsheathed it and discovered its use. Now the girl, Rin, having no home or family followed him as faithfully and loyally as Jaken. She and Taisho became close, she called him her Inu-Papa and it was almost as though he had a grand-pup. Things went from bad to worse gradually as his older son spent more and more time away from home and occasionally when he did return, he reeked of miasma, but he said nothing of what was happening. Not that he needed to, Inu Taisho had gone out on his own a number of times to gather information and had begun hearing tales of the half-breed Naraku. What he got were bits and pieces, if he were to ever get the full story, he would have to get it from those with firsthand experience: his sons. Easier said than done since Sesshomaru said only what he deemed necessary and Inu Yasha still wasn't speaking to him even though it had been over fifty years and frankly, Taisho felt it was getting a little ridiculous. He knew Sesshomaru would never ask for help and never wanted help, but when faced with a challenge he was hard-pressed to overcome, he swallowed some measure of pride and would inform his father of what was going on. Sesshomaru had not done that, so Taisho was left to assume that this Naraku was not yet a serious enough threat for the Ice Prince to speak with him in regards to it.
Even Sesshomaru was forced to admit that the situation with Naraku was only going from bad to worse and it seemed the longer they pursued the foul half-breed, the more power he gained. At first, the spider had been an annoyance, but now he was fast becoming a very real and significant threat and Sesshomaru was beginning to seriously consider what options there may be to end this. There was of course their ultimate weapon: the Inu no Taisho and his blade, but Sesshomaru was reluctant to involve his father. Naraku had once tried to absorb the Western Lord, would he try the same on his father if he came face to face with Inu Taisho? The half-breed was among the many who did not know of the Dog General's survival and Sesshomaru wasn't so sure he wanted this enemy to ever learn the truth. Hardly even realizing what he was doing, he began leading his small pack in the direction he could sense his half-brother in, the only thought in his mind being that it was high time he and the inu half-breed had a long talk. It took time, how much Sesshomaru really didn't notice, it was rare if he paid much mind to such trivial things, but eventually he caught the pack's most recent scent and tracked it, emerging from the bushes at the side of the road they were traveling on. Predictably, the group were all on edge and in battle stances, having learned from their previous meetings with him that he usually came for a fight. While the others were merely preparing themselves just in case, Inu Yasha was coiled to strike at any moment, Tetsusaiga pointed squarely at Sesshomaru's nose.
"Lower your blade, little brother," he said quite calmly, making no move toward his own sword since that would only provoke him further, "This one has not come to fight rather to talk."
"And what the hell would you come here to just talk about?" Inu Yasha demanded.
"Naraku," was all his older sibling said.
"We ain't got time to stand around and talk," the younger snapped, blade lowering and reverting to its normal state.
"Then allow me to walk with you and discuss as we do so," he offered as his brother began walking away.
"I got nothing to say to you," the half-breed growled, arms in his sleeves.
"Then I will talk, you listen," Sesshomaru fell into step beside him, his small pack joining Inu Yasha's.
"Do whatever the hell you want."
"He is becoming a serious threat that disturbs even this Sesshomaru, I do not care for it. Perhaps it is time to inform him."
"Forget it! I ain't speaking to him ever again!"
"Very well, I will inform him on your behalf."
Kagome quirked a brow as she listened to what she deemed an odd conversation between the brothers. Well, not odd for Inu Yasha, but odd for Sesshomaru considering he was, well... Sesshomaru, the Ice Prince, Mr. Holier-Than-Thou, a demon who'd made it clear time and again that the only thing he hated more than humans was his half-breed half-brother. Yet, here he was being almost brotherly, with absolutely no sign of the homicidal demon they were used to and who the hell was 'him'?
"Like hell you will! I ain't asking for his help and like you hell you even know how to ask for help, never mind on MY behalf!"
"Brother, you know we have never had to ask him for help. Simply being informed of the situation has always been all it takes to entice him. All he needs is to be informed of the current challenge and he is at our side, rising to help, asked or no."
"Umm," Kagome raised her hand, interrupting the quibbling dogs, "Who're you talking about?"
"None of your business, wench!" her friend snapped; oh yeah, there was a 'sit' in his future, "Forget it, Sesshomaru, I don't need any help from that rank bastard!"
"You will refrain," Sesshomaru growled, a faint red glow coming to his eyes, "from insulting him in my presence, you've no place to speak of our revered sire in such a manner!"
"I thought your dad was dead," Kagome muttered.
"SHUT IT, WOMAN! Mind your business, will ya?" Inu Yasha snapped.
Sit, sit, sit, sit, SIT! her mind chanted as the two continued their squabbling, Sesshomaru remaining oddly distant from who he usually was even though he was as ice cold as ever. Rin, astride A-Un merely watched her guardian and his brother, wondering why Inu Yasha seemed to hate Inu-Papa so much; he was always so warm and fuzzy, who could possibly stay so mad at him?
"See reason, little brother," Sesshomaru pressed, his voice the same bored tone he always used, "You and I alone cannot hope to defeat Naraku in his present state, perhaps the time has come to unite against him."
"What does this have to with that old dog?" Inu Yasha narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"You know full well of his power," his older brother went on, "He would be a great asset against Naraku."
"Fuck that!" the half-breed snarled, "I don't need him! I've done just fine on my own!"
"Oh just fine have you? Then do explain to this Sesshomaru the incident with the dead priestess for it appeared that she sealed you to a tree. Are you proposing that you were only taking a fifty-year nap?"
Kagome had realized before that although Sesshomaru didn't talk much, the brothers were not above exchanging insults in the heat of battle, but she hadn't realized just how sarcastic the Ice Prince could be.
"Shut up, Sesshomaru!"
"Hn. Last I heard you utter those words to me was over 50 years ago, oddly enough I have not missed it."
"Fuck you!"
"I do not know what thoughts you have regarding this Sesshomaru, but whatever they may be rest assured I am not attracted to other males. Even if I were, you are the last person I would select as a bedmate."
". . . Good to know, but coulda fooled me."
"Oh?"
"Keh! You're so pretty, people probably mistake you for a female at first glance and assume you like it in the ass once they realize you're a guy."
Granted, Sesshomaru was easily what one could call pretty, though Kagome thought beautiful would be a better word, even delicate in appearance, but his build and mannerisms were much too masculine to mistake the deadly demon for a woman. Now, Jakotsu on the other hand...
"Hold up, both of you!" Kagome snapped, both brothers turning to glance at her, "Inu Yasha would you think about it for a second? If your dad really is still alive, which by the way, you got some 'splaining to do, and really is that all-powerful, why not ask for his help?"
"I could name a few reasons!" he snapped.
"Prove it," she challenged.
"First off: I don't need nothin' from that washed-up old hound!" he began, ignoring Sesshomaru's growl at the insult to their father, "Two: We can handle Naraku on our own! Three: Naraku tried to absorb Sesshomaru, what the hell makes you think he wouldn't try the same thing with my old man? Four:..."
"Impressive, half-breed," Sesshomaru interrupted, "Who knew you could count that high?"
"I don't need his help!" Inu Yasha finished, glaring daggers at Sesshomaru, "I'm gonna go ahead and remind you who taught me to count, bastard, here's a hint: it was you!"
"I had not realized you'd actually been paying attention," his older sibling retorted.
"Forget it, Sesshomaru, I don't need his help or yours."
"If I may, Inu Yasha," Miroku interjected, "We may stand some chance against Naraku without aid, but why reject help when it's being so readily offered?"
"Whose side are you, monk?" the half-breed snapped.
"I am not taking sides," he assured his temperamental friend, "I am only asking you to look at this logically. The battle against Naraku will no doubt be difficult, but with aid from two such powerful allies, it will be easier most especially if one of those allies is someone Naraku has never before encountered."
"Whaddya mean?" Inu Yasha asked.
"Well, think about it," Kagome put in, seeing where Miroku was going, "Naraku's dealt with both you and Sesshomaru a few times now. He knows your moves, he at least has an idea of what to expect from you and Sesshomaru. He's been watching our group and your brother's so he knows what he's up against. But if your father were to help, well, Naraku's never encountered him before and has never fought him, so he has no idea what to expect or what his powers are. We'd have an element of surprise!"
"Ain't worth it," Inu Yasha.
"What do you mean ain't worth it?" she snapped.
"It ain't worth going to that old dog and asking for help," he replied.
"Enough!" Sesshomaru growled, moving in front of Inu Yasha and stopping dead in his tracks, "This has gone on long enough, Inu Yasha! It has been more than fifty years, the time has come to move on. Your petty grudge is blinding you to reason and your stubbornness may get you and your pack killed. I came here out of courtesy, now I will return to Father and inform him of current events."
"Will he help without being asked?" Kagome asked.
"Indeed, one of his more annoying traits," the taiyoukai replied, "He only needs to be told and he will aid us should we need it. Who do you think I turned to after the loss of my arm? Father. I did not ask him to help, he simply gave it. That is simply who he is. Once he is made aware of the situation with Naraku, he will be ready to move against him. I will take my leave and inform him of what has occurred with the spider hanyou and he will come. What he does from there is up to him."
With that, Sesshomaru was gone, already certain that once his father joined them he would unite both his sons' packs whether they liked it or not, the old dog would see no use in his sons fighting against each other in the face of a common enemy.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend," Taisho had always said.
The Dog General wasn't legend(wait for it)ary for his charm, but for his brilliance on the battlefield.
