Chapter 4: Adjustments, Confessions, and Forgiveness

Inuyasha and Shippo were in awe with how big the palace was. There was just so much to see. Sesshomaru had been very patient and had given them the tour himself. After a quiet lunch, Sesshomaru had an older fox demon come in and join them.

"Kitsune," Sesshomaru began, looking at Shippo. "This is Ajuku, he is the clan elder of a nearby kitsune tribe. If you wish it, you may join them." Shippo's eyes widened in surprise. He begun to lose hope, that he would never been taken in, and here, Sesshomaru had proven him wrong. He wanted to go, but he felt bad, he didn't want to abandon Inuyasha. Somehow, Sesshomaru sensed this. "You are not abandoning Inuyasha kit, but it's better to be with your own kind for the moment. They can teach you things we can not. When you are older, if you wish, you may visit the palace."

"Thank you Lord Sesshomaru." Shippo said politely. "Then, I'll go. Just take care of Inuyasha. He may not admit it, but he needs it sometimes."

"No I don't you little runt." Inuyasha growled, eyes twitching. Sesshomaru held up a hand and chuckled.

"I understand completely. You have no need to fear, Inuyasha will be cared for."

"Thank you, good bye Inuyasha, Lord Sesshomaru."

"Farewell kit and good luck." With that the kitsunes left. Inuyasha crossed his arms and sulked. Sesshomaru shook his head but didn't move from his seat. "Inuyasha, come away from there and sit beside me." With a grumble, the younger obeyed. "What troubles you?"

"All this I'm a girl bullshit." Inuyasha said. "I'm strong enough to deal with anything that comes my way."

"I know but even Father had to protect you. There's more to this than we realize."

"I was never the damsel in distress type, now look at me."

"I understand, but this is for your safety Inuyasha."

"You're taking this a little too well." Inuyasha said. "What's the catch?"

"There isn't one." Sesshomaru said. "Father opened my eyes that is all."

"He threatened you didn't he?"

"For calling you a hanyou. But he really did have me thinking. And despite it all, he was right."

"I don't like this, I want my freedom."

"My dear Inu, you have it. You are not my prisoner. This is as much your home as it is mine. You can command anyone within these walls."

"Oh yeah?" Inuyasha smirked challengingly. "Anyone?"

"Let me rephrase that; you may command anyone within these walls, except me."

"Damn it." Inuyasha growled. "I was hoping you wouldn't catch that."

"Nice try though," Sesshomaru smirked. "Now, there is much to do. For one, you will have to be re taught palace life."

"Oh come on,"

"I am not finished." Sesshomaru barked. "Second, you will be taught on how to be a lady..."

"Excuse me, but wouldn't that look weird you know, as I look right now?"

"Fine, you make an excellent point." The elder Inu youkai said. "That schooling will begin once the spell is broken. However, you will be educated."

"Fine, can I pick the subjects?"

"No, you will educated in all fields." Sesshomaru said. "Just as I was."

"Fine whatever,"

"You will also be schooled in etiquette and mannerisms. You are a royal, you will behave as such."

"Gee why not just piss on me why don't ya?"

"If I have to, I will, so don't push me."

"Ew what the fuck?!" Inuyasha said with wide eyes. "I was just joking."

"Oh it's not a joke. Remember, we are dog demons, and as your Alpha, I will mark what's mine if necessary to prove my dominance."

"So I better put some paper down." Inuyasha grinned. That got him a whap in the back of his head. "Ow!"

"You are not a human, so stop behaving as one."

"Stop dogging me!" Inuyasha yelled. Both siblings heard their father's laughter in their minds.

Oh this is very amusing.

*"Father, can you explain to Inuyasha to be reasonable."*

-Hey pops, can you tell Sesshomaru to stop bitchin at me? He's giving me fleas!-

"I DONT HAVE FLEAS!" Sesshomaru bellowed. Inutaisho just smirked and let his pups duke it out. Hey, what can I say, married couples fight, these two better get used to it.

"Why do you have to be such a prick?"

"Why do you have to be such a brat?"

"Oh FUCK YOU!" With that, Inuyasha stormed off, not caring where he was going. Sesshomaru huffed and sat down.

Well that was quite lively.

*"Why didn't you interfere?"*

Why should I? What you two did was perfectly normal.

*"This will not work at all."*

Well it wasn't going to take a day. No relationship does. What you two need to do is let go of the past and look to the future.

*"I'm not sure if we can."* Sesshomaru admitted. *"There is so much bad blood between us."*

I stand by what I said. Inutaisho repeated firmly. It's up to the two of you to make this work. Sesshomaru thought long and hard at what his father said and sighed. Again, he was right. Sitting back in his seat for a bit, he thought about how to approach Inuyasha. Inuyasha was hot blooded and the only way to deal with that is a cool front. With a nod to himself, Sesshomaru honed in on Inuyasha's scent. His sibling wasn't far. Inuyasha was in the garden. He also smelled salt...tears? Sesshomaru thought. Inu...the closer he approached, the more he saw that he was correct. Under a Sakura tree, closest to the koi pond, was Inuyasha, hugging himself and crying silently. Sesshomaru felt his heart wrench. This was the first time he's seen Inuyasha crying up close. Without thinking about it, Sesshomaru dropped to his knees and pulled Inuyasha to him. The younger sibling didn't resist. Sesshomaru ran his fingers through Inuyasha's hair in a soothing way. He surprised himself on this behavior. What surprised him even further, was when Inuyasha's tear filled amber eyes met his gold ones.

"Sessho..." The younger Inu whispered. "Why...you don't have to..." He was hushed by Sesshomaru's fingers at his lips.

"True I didn't have to. But Inu, I want to."

"Why, I'm nothing but a filthy hanyou to you."

Sesshomaru bowed his head in shame as Inuyasha repeated his biting words. For years, all Inuyasha wanted, was acceptance and all the while, many backs have turned on him. Even Sesshomaru's and that hurt more than anyone. Now, Inuyasha was pushing away while Sesshomaru was trying to reach out. With a deep breath and a sense of resolve, Sesshomaru met Inuyasha's eyes again.

"I know I have been anything but kind to you. And I know that I don't deserve your respect, or your love. We have been at odds for many years, but that was my fault Inu, not yours." He took a breath when he wasn't interrupted. "All you wanted, was my love, and the love and acceptance of our people. I held you at fault for our Father's death but all you did was be born that night. Inuyasha, I'm not saying it will be easy for us to accept things as they are and will be, but all I'm asking, is to try." With a final embrace, he rose gracefully to his feet and looked at his sibling. "I know you'll need time and I respect that. If you need me, you'll know where to find me." Inuyasha remained silent as he watched Sesshomaru walk away. His heart ached all over again. Half of him wanted to run and hold Sesshomaru, never to let go. The other wanted to beat the shit out of him and accuse him of tricking him. But what tore at Inuyasha was the look in Sesshomaru's eyes, the timbre of his voice and the way he was comforted. Sesshomaru had been nothing but good to Inuyasha from the beginning, saved his life, sacraficed his hair, found Shippo a new home and brought Inuyasha back to their family home...Inuyasha felt horrible and went after Sesshomaru. He got up and followed Sesshomaru's scent. It was a little hard to find for there were a lot of different scents. Sesshomaru wasn't alone. Inuyasha looked up and understood why. It was a conference room, where his brother was holding council. Ah fuck it! Inuyasha thought. He opened the doors and despite the objections from the other Lords, rushed to his very surprised older brother and collapsed in his arms, tears spilling anew.

"Aniki...Sessho...forgive me...please...I'm so sorry..." His voice cracked as his body wracked from his sobbing. He calmed immediately when he felt Sesshomaru's arms hold him and felt The Lord of the West's head above his own.

"Hush now little one," He soothed. "There is nothing for you to be sorry or be forgiven for. It is I who should be asking for forgiveness and apologize..."

"Sessho...I love you." Inuyasha whispered, a light blush dusting high cheekbones. "I always have, and I always will..."

"And I love you too my dearest heart." The Lord of the West whispered back. "I always have, and I always will..." With that, their lips met and Inuyasha's world went black.

Ok, I'm a sap! So what...anyway, let me know what you think by leaving a review. There's more to come.