Chapter 11-Resistance

Sesshoumaru entered the main room where his father was sitting while his mother continued on to her room leaving the father and son to talk. Inutaisho sat with a dominating posture. Noticing this, Sesshoumaru moved slowly as if hesitating and waiting for his father to lunge at him as he had two weeks ago in Nakimi's room.

"Sit, pup", his father commanded. He followed his father's instructions and sat across from him keeping his gaze once again off of his father's face and his head slightly lowered. They both sat in silence for what seemed like forever to Sesshoumaru. In truth his father was thinking how to actually put what he needed to say into words without causing another reaction from his pup.

"Sesshoumaru, I am already aware that you are disappointed with the situation that will be taking place in the next few weeks. 'Disappointed was an understatement' Sesshoumaru thought.

"Whether you like it or not you will learn to respect Izaiyoi and when your brother is born you will protect him and treat him much the same way as you have treated Nakimi. You can either make this easy or difficult for yourself. Either way I will not tolerate disrespect from you any longer. You will remain silent over this situation and if I see any emotion which betrays your silence you will regret it. Do I make myself clear?" the taiyoukai stated.

Sesshoumaru looked up at his father. He struggled to restrain his anger at the mention of 'brother'. How could he agree to such outlandish terms? The pup hesitated to answer.

"No." came his answer to his father, although he knew that he would soon regret it, he continued.

Inutaisho was now noticeably angry.

"Father, I cannot respect the creatures that we do not accept. They are not our equals. Half-breeds are a worthless combination accepted by neither group. Why should I feel any differently?" Sesshoumaru replied, frustrated at his father's request.

Sesshoumaru let out a yelp as his father hit the side of his face close to his mouth. His lip split causing it to bleed.

"That is why", his father responded as he got up and pulled Sesshoumaru with him to the dining area.

"…and since you like to make a mess of everything, you can clean the floors and the walls of the entire castle", he said slinging Sesshoumaru toward the over turned table.

Losing his balance he fell to his hands and knees barely missing the table's short broken leg.

Inutaisho slung the pup a set of clothing that had been handed to him by one of the servants as requested.

"Change into these clothes before you get started. Since you don't want to act like royalty you won't dress like it either." And with that the taiyoukai walked away.

Sesshoumaru turned to see his father's back as he left. He knew, as he saw his father leave, that things between them, from now on would be different. The changes that he wished to stop could not be stopped, the distant hell was now upon him and he could feel the heat of the flames.

…

Sesshoumaru collapsed onto his bed in the servant's clothing that he now wore. It had taken him three full days to clean the floors and the walls of the entire castle. Every hall cleaned on his hands and knees. He looked at his battered, sore hands and remembered that at one time he had claws. Now they were nothing more than dulled nails. Still, it was nothing that a few days without hard labor wouldn't take care of though.

On top of the cleaning, his father had started back training him. He hadn't spoken a word to Sesshoumaru except to correct him and tell him that the attack wasn't perfect though to Sesshoumaru it could not have gotten any better. The taiyoukai had not taken it easy on him, dragging some of the sessions from the usual hour to three hours.

The pup stood and removed the servant clothing that he had been wearing and replaced them with his usual ones, including the pelt. For a moment he held the soft fur, remembering that it had been a gift from his parents when he was born and how it used to comfort him when he felt his worst. But now it did nothing of the sort. No matter what he did now nothing could take away the pain that he felt within.

'I wonder how Nakimi has been' he thought. 'I haven't seen her in a few days, I guess that I should pay her a visit'. Finishing the bow on his obi he left his room and headed toward the south hall. Many of the female youkai could be seen rushing up and down the hall. They seemed to be grabbing ribbons and shells and giggling about something or the other, almost as if in celebration. It was not until Sesshoumaru came to Nakimi's room until he realized what was going on. Nakimi was blushing and smiling as the other women made fun and joked with her about their husbands. None of them seemed to notice that Sesshoumaru was there. The pup stood at the doorway not knowing whether to retreat or approach. Nakimi looked up and noticed Sesshoumaru trying to figure out what to do. When the women turned their attention to making fun of each other Nakimi snuck out.

"Sesshoumaru, I'm glad to see you. I was worried about you." Nakimi spoke as they walked out of the south hall.

"I'm glad to see you too. My father had me clean all of the halls in the castle as punishment for turning the table and leaving the dining area." He replied

"Strange, I never saw you clean the south hall?" she pointed out

"Everyone was asleep when I finally made it to the south hall on the second night. I stayed up to finish it, not wanting to drag the chore out any longer than necessary."

"I see. Little brother…I have good and bad news to tell you. Which would you rather hear first?" Nakimi asked

Sesshoumaru turned to her almost with pleading eyes. "Nakimi, I already know what you're going to say. I don't think that I can stand to hear any more bad news. Congratulations on your betrothal". He closed his eyes and walked forward slightly. "…how ironic that you're leaving me when I need you the most".

Nakimi stood slightly behind him with her hands clutched to her chest. She could feel Sesshoumaru's sadness within her and knew that he had been having a hard time as of late. She guessed that he had known that she would not be around much longer when she moved to the southern hall.

"Sesshoumaru, I will never forget the times that we shared in this castle and I hope that those memories will help to pull you through hard times to come. I am to be wed in two weeks. I have heard rumors that this will also be around the same time that Izaiyoi is to move in so there is no doubt that many changes will take place for you. I will miss you dearly, little brother and only wish the best for you".

Sesshoumaru's focus on her words was interrupted as he felt her embrace. He turned to hug her back and she kissed his forehead and ruffled his bangs. Sesshoumaru could count the times that he had been hugged since about the age of eight, on one hand. They continued their walk and spoke nothing more about Nakimi's wedding or Izaiyoi.

Hello again. My finals are finally over yaaah, so I will most likely go ahead and edit and post the rest of the story pretty soon! Enjoy :)

Preview Ch 12 - Slipping into Silence: When there's no one to talk to and no one else understands or cares how you feel...