His father sat in-between them while grinning childishly. Inu Yasha groaned, and Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes in irritation. This was a complete and utter waste of time. Apparently, his father had thought different. In fact, he had thought that they needed this bonding. After all, it was the half-breeds birthday. Both brothers had attempted to ignore the event, but then he had shown up at their door.
"Oh come now, don't be like that." If he had not known the sheer power and age of his father, he would have questioned his age as well as his behavior. Whining was unbecoming of an Inu. However, Inu Tashio held little regard to his eldest son's thoughts.
"Pops, we're good. Keh, he's annoying but we don't need this." For once, the half-breed seemed to speak a thought that mirrored his own. Sesshoumaru gave a curt nod in agreement. Yet their father remained seated on their couch, in their home, continuing his incisive whining. Suddenly it stopped, and both of the Inu sons were more grateful then they wished to voice.
Yet that had created another problem. Inu Tashio would only cease his grumbling if something else drew his attention—and it did.
"Mail." The glint in his eyes worried both sons and they exchanged glances in mild concern. They knew his curiosity behind the mail carrier, and it was an interest that they wished to avoid at all costs. Yet, father sat there with his ears twitching left and right as he listened to the sounds of the delivery of mail. Glancing back and forth between his two sons, his mischievous smirk was hard to miss.
Rubbing the back of his head nervously, Inu Yasha stood up while keeping his eyes on the door. As if reading his youngest sons mind, Inu Tashio pounced up off the couch and gave him a look of excitement. It did indeed seem that the short visit that father promised would be much longer than it was. Inu Yasha turned his gaze at Sesshoumaru with desperation in his eyes. Nodding in understanding, the eldest son stood up and glanced at the Daiyoukai that was somehow feared in all of Japan—and most parts of the world.
"Father, I wish to discuss the arrangement we spoke of."
Instead of father's attention, the Daiyoukai let out an irritated growl that was directed at both sons. Sesshoumaru noticed Inu Yasha's ears flicker back and fear while staring at father in shock and annoyance. They had upset father with their disrespect. Realizing their defeat, Sesshoumaru sat back down on the couch reluctantly.
To his surprise, Inu Yasha did not budge.
Clearly, the half-breed had much more to hide in his letters than he did. Privacy had always been held in high regards with Sesshoumaru, and usually never so with Inu Yasha. Apparently, something had suddenly changed for the youngest Inu. Inu Tashio raised a brow and let out a chuckle.
"Get the mail, Inu Yasha."
Just like that, the hanyou was gone. Why Inu Tashio had given him the luxury of privacy now was beyond Sesshoumaru. Glancing at the Daiyoukai in curiosity, his eyes landed on the answer. It seemed that father was willing to sacrifice the opportunity of invading Inu Yashas privacy in regards to the letter—if only to turn around and snoop through his phone instead. Sure enough, Inu Tashio grabbed the Inu's phone without a care in the world and began swiping.
Click. Click. Click. Swipe. Click. Swipe. Click.
Sesshoumaru himself allowed curiosity to get the best of him, and could not help but glance at his father's mischievousness. He had always been like this—strong, demanding, but playful. In fact, Sesshoumaru often wondered if the Daiyoukai relished in behaving like such an insolent pup.
Then, the phone began to ring.
His father gave him a sly grin but quickly brought his attention back to the phone. Waiting patiently, Sesshoumaru was sure whoever was on the other end would ignore the call.
But then the call was answered.
"Inu Yash—"The female voice on the other line stopped in mid-silence and Sesshoumaru silently cursed his father for his obsession to interfere in absolutely everything. Father tilted his head in curiosity while looking at the screen on the phone. Then the female voice spoke again.
"Uhhhh, is Inu Yasha there?" English. The woman was American. Just like that, Sesshoumaru was sure he knew who was on the other line. However, that did nothing to diminish the extent of the shock he had the idiot gotten her phone number? Clearly, they had been conversing by means other than writing letters. As he glanced at his father, it seemed that he was not the only one finding out new information. Anyone that knew the Daiyoukai personally was well aware that there were many things that the Inu was good at. Snooping was one, but gloating was another. As Sesshoumaru observed his father, he was aware of the gloating that would be occurring in the near future. For once in his life, Sesshoumaru silently prayed that there was no letter addressed to him in the mail. That was the last thing that he needed.
"You must be Kikyo!" Father was delighted—and intrigued. Sesshoumaru half wished for the mutt to come back inside and realize the situation. Yet, he was almost positive that his sibling would take the long route to the mail—to escape the invasiveness of father.
If he only knew of what was occurring now.
"Nice to meet you, dear. My name is Inu Tashio—Inu Yasha's father." Fathers English was good—but then it ought to be. He had been practicing the language for hundreds of years. He heard a gasp of shock from the phone and then a pause. Then, out of nowhere, both Sesshoumaru and the Daiyoukai heard a noise.
"I do apologize my dear; it seems I have called the wrong number." His father's words were so quick that Sesshoumaru nearly missed them. Click. The call was abruptly ended, and Inu Tashio tinkered with the phone for what seemed like a mere second more.
Click. Swipe. Click. Click. Click.
Lightly tossing the phone back to its original place, the Daiyoukai winked at his eldest son.
Seconds later, the door opened.
"Aye fuck face, you got a letter." Both the Inu's looked up at Inu Yasha with their thoughts clearly somewhere else. As Inu Yasha followed the Daiyoukais gaze, his face paled at his unprotected phone. Snatching it up, he searched through his phone for anything odd. When nothing appeared, he glared at both his half-brother and father in warning and suspicion.
"Something to hide, little brother?" Sesshoumaru had tried to contain his amusement yet failed horribly. Thanking the gods for the previous distraction, he grabbed the letter that was addressed to him and headed for his room.