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"talking"
'thinking'
"We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons."
Regrets chapter 6
Sesshomaru shifted Inuyasha's dead weight from one arm to the other. His wounds from the hunting fiasco the day before were healing nicely but draining the child of his energy quickly. They had been traveling since dawn the position of the sun indicated that it was early morning. Sesshomaru tried to wake Inuyasha up that morning but to no avail Inuyasha mumbled incoherently and refused to wake. Sesshomaru realized immediately that his wounds from the rabbit had drained him severely of his energy. Sesshomaru proceeded to wrapped him in a blanket and packed everything up and picked Inuyasha up and carried him in his arms. He was hoping to arrive at the palace before noon and at this rate they would. Sesshomaru's attention shifted from his internal pondering to the child. Inuyasha nuzzled into his shoulder and tightened his arms around his neck.
"Mm are we almost there Onii-san?"
Sesshomaru looked down into his brothers sleepy eyes.
"Yes Inuyasha we will arrive by noon."
"Our hunting lesson will have to wait until another day right?"
Sesshomaru sighed
"Unfortunately yes Inuyasha. I need to talk to you about a matter of great importance when we stop for lunch."
The child stiffened in his arms of fright.
"Did I do something wrong?"
Inuyasha's head was buried into Sesshomaru's shoulder, the child refused to look at him. Sesshomaru gently squeezed him reassuring the child.
"Did you often get into trouble living with your mother's family?"
Inuyasha nodded.
"You are not in trouble Inuyasha I need to tell you how the demon society will expect you to behave and act in public settings."
"Mamma taught me some of the human customs for children. Children are to be seen but not heard. Also don't talk unless spoken to"
Sesshomaru nodded. "Yes that is very similar to demon customs. Also make sure you are always near me or another that I have designated to look after you while I am busy. It will be wise to have you follow those rules for now until you are more settled and older."
Inuyasha nodded against Sesshomaru's shoulder. Sesshomaru's thoughts turned internal.
'I will have to start immediately looking for tutors to teach him. I will be dealing with his fighting lessons and survival lessons personally. I will have to have the wives quarters that are attached to my quarters cleaned and redecorated for Inuyasha's use. It will be considered unusual but I don't trust that the full demon nobility to not try and hurt him if his bedroom is too far from my own.'
Sesshomaru's internal musing disrupted by Inuyasha's contented growling unconsciously he had been combing his fingers through Inuyasha's hair. The boy had fallen back to sleep. The lord let a rare contented smile show and hugged the child closer and nuzzled his face into the child's soft hair inhaling his unique scent of a pup and a hint of what his own unique scent will be after he matures.
Inuyasha awoke in a nice warm and comfortable futon surrounded in his Onii-san's sent. Stretching and getting up to explore his new surroundings. Inuyasha moved slowly around the room touching and smelling everything, this is the scene Sesshomaru encountered entering his room.
"Well you must be feeling better if you are enthusiastically exploring."
Inuyasha squeaked in surprise and turned quickly to see Sesshomaru standing in the doorway.
'I will have to remind Inuyasha that he needs to be alert and scan his surroundings often. I I had been someone else intent on harming him he would be dead by now.'
Inuyasha quickly put the fancy calligraphy brush he had been intently studying back upon the desk and bashfully looked up to Sesshomaru.
"You are not in trouble for touching my belongings Inuyasha. You are naturally curious. What were you so intently studying that I was able to scare you."
Inuyasha blushed realizing his mistake that he let his guard down. Since it has been only him and his Onii-san he has let his guard down more and more.
"I have never seen such a nice calligraphy brush before. Jiichan had a very nice set of brushes that I wasn't allowed to use."
Inuyasha noticed the dark look cross Sesshomaru's face and hurriedly replied.
"Jiichan was always nice to me and considered me his grandson. Those brushes had been passed done from father to son for a really long time, and were only to be used for special occasions."
Sesshomaru silently nodded his head to show he understood and didn't hold any ill will towards to old human.
"Inuyasha come sit with me a moment I need to discuss with you what will be happening for the next couple days and from now on."
Inuyasha happily ran to the futon and climbed on to it into the middle. Sesshomaru chuckled and sat next to him.
"Inuyasha my mother will be arriving within the hour for her yearly visit. I know not how she will react to you. She could have harmful in tent towards you or just ignore your existents. If she has ill intentions toward you will stay by my side at all times in her presence. If I am unavailable you will stay with Jaken, who you will meet later. If she just ignores you then good don't draw attention to yourself and stay low. Do you understand Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha looked up into his eyes.
"So it is just like when Ojisan would visit mother's chambers?"
"Yes"
"Okay then I understand perfectly. How long will your mama be staying for?"
"She usually stays for at least a week sometimes more. I am hoping that she doesn't stay long."
Inuyasha tilted his head in question and asked in a surprised, shocked voice.
"You don't like your mama?"
Sesshomaru chuckled then replied.
"She just irritates me and is constantly nagging me about everything I do."
Inuyasha giggled and replied
"That's what mama's do it is one of the many ways they show they love you. My mama did it all the time."
Sesshomaru was dumfounded be the child's reply.
'He is so wise and smart for such a small child'
"Well she needs to learn how to show it in a different way"
Inuyasha rolled his eyes then began to climb off the futon to explore his surroundings more. Before his feet hit the tatami mats he was scooped up into Sesshomaru's arms.
"Let's get you cleaned up and ready to meet my Okasama."
Sesshomaru walked to the door opposite of the entry door. He opened it and place Inuyasha down.
"This will be your bedroom from now on Inuyasha."
Inuyasha's eyes widened in surprise.
"This entire room is mine?"
"Yes, you can chose how you want it decorated later."
Inuyasha turned in a slow circle admiring the room.
"I don't care what it looks like I am just amazed that I get my own room. Mamma and I shared a room."
Sesshomaru pulled out a bright red outfit that looked similar to Inuyasha's fire rat robe. This new outfit was a brighter red and had an Inu yōkai design going from the right shoulder to the left hip across the back in gold thread.
"Inuyasha come let's wash you up in the bath and into this new outfit before my Okasama arrives."
Inuyasha dizzy form turning in circles to see all of his new room at once turned to Sesshomaru.
"Okay."
Sesshomaru lead them back into Sesshomaru's room and to the third and final door. Opening it Inuyasha was shocked to see that it opened to a private hot spring. Inuyasha quickly began to strip of his clothing. Before Inuyasha could jump into the spring Sesshomaru grabbed him by the waist and hauled him into his side.
"You need to wash first Inuyasha this hot spring is for soaking only. Sesshomaru turned to a small area that had a bucket of warm water and soaps of every scent. Setting Inuyasha down on his feet upon a small stool. Inuyasha immediately sat upon the stool waiting for Sesshomaru to show him what to do.
"Which scent do you want Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha turned to read all the labels, pondering.
"Um juniper. Jiichan always smelled of Juniper."
Sesshomaru nodded and grabbed the correct bottle before setting the bottle down to start to help Inuyasha wash his hair and body.
Knock knock
"My lord?"
Sesshomaru looked to the door where the servant had knocked.
"Inuyasha take this cup and pour water on yourself and scrub your body I am going to see what the servants want and then I will help you wash your hair."
Inuyasha nodded and began to do what his Onii-san had instructed. With his usual cold, emotionless expression Sesshomaru opened the door.
"Yes what is it?"
The servant quickly adverted her eyes and bowed deeply.
"This worthless one is sorry for bothering you my lord. Your honorable mother has arrived and has requested your presence."
"Tell her this Sesshomaru has just returned home and needs to prepare one's self before a public meeting. Show her to her rooms and take her some of her favorite sake so she will leave this Sesshomaru in peace for at least an hour."
"Yes my lord"
The servant quickly closed the door. Sesshomaru turned back to Inuyasha to help him finish scrubbing before his soak.
"Is she early?"
Sesshomaru sighed and nodded yes.
"I am sorry Inuyasha we will not be able to soak as long as I know you would like."
Inuyasha smiled at his Onii-san and replied.
"Oh well it's not like I won't have access to the hot spring ever again."
"Very true Inuyasha are you done washing?"
"Yep, now just for my hair."
Sesshomaru took the cup from him and turned him so his back was facing towards him. He dipped the cup into the bucket and began to wet the child's hair. Once done Sesshomaru picked him up and turned him towards the hot spring.
"You go ahead and start soaking while I wash off."
Inuyasha looked to the welcoming spring back to Sesshomaru and shook his head.
"No I will help you with your hair. Yours is longer than mine so it will be harder to wash."
Sesshomaru sigh knowing he would be unable to deter the child from his mission.
"Very well while I undress do grab some towels from the shelf. They are just to the right of the door we came through. Then set then on the bench near the spring "
Inuyasha smiled and quickly ran to do as he was told.
Sesshomaru was already half way done washing by the time Inuyasha returned. Sesshomaru was beginning to wash his back when Inuyasha returned. Inuyasha quickly grabbed the cloth from the older Yōkai and began to scrub his back.
"I am fully capable of washing myself Inuyasha."
"I know Onii-san but you have been taking care of me for the last 3 days now it is my turn to return the care."
Sesshomaru just shook his head and let the child they were both scrubbed and all clean they enjoyed there short soak in the hot water.
Sesshomaru sighed in disappointment.
"Inuyasha we need to get out now."
"Okay"
Sesshomaru climb out first and wrapped a towel around his waist and grabbed Inuyasha and hauled him out and handed him a towel.
Once they were dried of the excess water they dressed. Sesshomaru was dressed in his usually outfit but minus his boots and armor. Sesshomaru took the extra time to show Inuyasha how to properly tie and layer his new and more complicated clothes. Inuyasha looked quite dashing and handsome in his new clothes. The gold thread made his amber eyes seem brighter. Sesshomaru grabbed a brush and a hair tie to tie Inuyasha's hair back. Once he was finished Sesshomaru turned Inuyasha to face him to see if every hair was in the proper place. Sesshomaru smiled and told Inuyasha.
"You look just like Oto-sama with your hair tied back like that."
Inuyasha's smile beamed brightly.
"Really? Mamma always said I looked like him but I thought maybe her grief of him dying just made her see him in me."
"No you are just about a spitting image of him. Now let's go greet our guest.