*Screams roof down* I swear if things keep getting in the way of my fanfiction writing...whether it be assignments or mental blocks...! *growls*
Kami, I started this chapter ages ago, and I've only just been able to finish it? *sigh* well, as always, I truly hope it was worth the unreasonable wait...sorry everyone ^^'
This chapter was really hard to get done, but at least I'm pretty sure where it's going after this...mostly...
Let's see...nope...don't think I have any notes to add, so please enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of it's characters, only this fanfic and any previously mentioned OCs.
Chapter 11: Shadows in the Light
"Inuyasha…" Takehiko spoke quietly, breaking the silence that had caught everyone's voices.
The hanyou walked forward, not responding. His eyes were locked to his brother.
"You just don't learn, do you hanyou?" Sesshomaru spoke up, his eyes just as focused on him in return.
Before anyone could stop him, Inuyasha raced forward, his claws raised.
Sesshomaru jumped back, avoiding the strike at his face, but Inuyasha recovered fast and lashed out again. After the fifth time, Sesshomaru grabbed Inuyasha's wrist, the deadly claws almost touching his face.
"Your attacks seem very…concentrated…hanyou."
"That's because I forgot to repay you for Takehiko last time!" Inuyasha growled.
"Inuyasha that's enough!" Takehiko protested.
Sesshomaru however, just smirked.
"So you hope to take away my sense of smell? I'm afraid you lack the poison in your claws for that. Even if you did possess it, I hope you realise that wouldn't stop me from finding you, Inuyasha."
"I don't give a damn whether it would or...!"
Inuyasha winced as Sesshomaru's grip tightened his smirk fading.
"Don't even try to pretend you don't care hanyou." He growled quietly.
"Hey! Let him go!" Kunio growled.
But as he tried to step forward, Takehiko blocked his way.
"That's enough Sesshomaru!" The alpha growled.
"Or what Takehiko?" Sesshomaru replied, throwing Inuyasha aside, "Will you over step your boundaries as an alpha and try telling me how to control my pack?"
"We both know you're the one not adhering to the laws of an alpha. You've failed to make the truth clear to him!"
"If he wasn't so foolish he wouldn't need someone else to point out…"
Sesshomaru cut off mid sentence as Inuyasha's fist collided with his side. The hanyou glared up at him furiously, before stepping away.
"What truth?" He demanded, looking between both alphas, "Someone better make it clear right now!"
"The truth hanyou?" Sesshomaru growled low, "The truth is this. I may not mention things, but I am hardly the one intentionally hiding something!"
His gaze turned accusingly to Takehiko, who suddenly looked angrier than Inuyasha could recall.
"Drop it right now Sesshomaru of the west! You know that has nothing to do with this!"
"And what proof do you have of that, Takehiko of the mountains? Why don't you go ahead and tell Inuyasha then? See how he feels about it."
Takehiko's fangs gritted in retrained fury.
If you have turned him against you, then it is of your own doing. Do not try to ruin my friendship with Inuyasha!"
"Friendship?" Sesshomaru growled, though there was dry humour within his voice, "He is nothing more than a replacement to you!"
Inuyasha saw Takehiko's claws twitch, and faster than he could keep up with himself, he jumped in front of the alpha, pushing him back.
"NO! It's not worth it!" He yelled, "Remember last time! Don't let him get to you again, not again…"
Takehiko's gaze remained on Sesshomaru, but Inuyasha quickly felt the larger body relaxing, though his chest heaved heavily from the effort.
"Leave now Sesshomaru. You've done nothing to warrant an attack as of yet, but if you linger, I'll have to see you as a threat to my family!"
"Hmph. A true alpha would've already sent me packing." Sesshomaru taunted, though there was no humour in his voice this time.
"Teme…" Inuyasha growled low, turning the alpha's attention again, "Just leave! If you somehow missed the message, then you're not welcome here!"
The hanyou suddenly stumbled forward as he felt a thud on his leg, and watched as Sesshomaru's gaze dropped before his own did.
"Haru? How did you…why are…? Fuyu! Why didn't you catch her!"
"I-I didn't see her coming…" Fuyu stumbled out, the awkwardness more than enough proof that she was telling the truth.
"Inu…" Haru spoke with a cute blink, before she looked around to the unfamiliar youkai.
Right there in view of everyone, Sesshomaru flinched the moment his eyes met Haru's.
Her golden orbs were bright with curiosity, her fluffy ears twitching.
'Niisan?'
"Haru no!"
Inuyasha grabbed the child and shielded her as Sesshomaru's gaze didn't leave her, "Fuyu, take her back to the castle!"
He threw the child into her sister's arms, ignoring her squeals of protest as she reached for him.
The action however, didn't miss Sesshomaru's attention.
'Niisan…Sessh…Sesshomaru…Niisan?'
He could almost feel the tiny hand gripping his hakama, and his own fingers twitch.
A familiar sound drew his attention back to Inuyasha, who had drawn Tetsaiga.
"Don't even think about it teme! Touch her and I'll lop off every last one of your limbs!"
"I have no interest in the child hanyou." The youkai growled, "It's you I came to collect."
"Give me one good reason to go with you. I'm not leaving unless Takehiko tells me to!"
He raised the massive blade at the alpha.
"I'm only a waste of existence to you, remember? So why don't you leave and pretend I don't exist?" He hissed low so not everyone heard.
"As much as we'd both prefer that hanyou…" Sesshomaru whispered.
There was a gust of air in front of Inuyasha that he recognised as the swift movement of a youkai, and looked up to see Takehiko standing in front of him. His sleeve was pushed back to reveal one of the blades attached to his arm that the hanyou remembered from the fight with Todaramo.
The blade had clashed with Sesshomaru's claws, which were stretched out as if to capture Inuyasha.
The rage shared between the alphas was terrifying.
"As long as Inuyasha resides on my lands, I will not allow you to take him by force." Takehiko stated firmly.
"Perhaps whilst he's here, but how long do you think that will last Takehiko?" Sesshomaru growled back, "He is part of my clan after all. Try as hard as you want, you won't be able to keep him here."
"I have no desire to force him to stay."
"Not even to protect him?"
The last comment came with a smirk, before Sesshomaru pulled away.
"Very well, let's see how long you can remained confined here hanyou. I doubt it will be more than a few days."
Sesshomaru turned and walked away a few steps, before changing into a small energy sphere, and zipping away through the air. No one moved until the light had disappeared over the mountains.
"Everyone, back inside." Takehiko ordered, folding the blades back up, where they sat protectively against his arm, almost like scales.
Before anyone else could move though, the alpha stumbled a bit as Inuyasha grabbed his hand and began dragging him back towards the castle. He said nothing, able to feel the furious emotions from the hanyou.
Inuyasha didn't stop when they reached the castle, and instead continued all the way to Takehiko's room.
"Inuyasha…?" The alpha finally spoke, sliding the door closed behind him.
The hanyou released him and moved away a few steps, before turning back around.
"No more!" Inuyasha yelled, his emotions fighting to slip from his control, "I didn't want to ask you to answer anything you didn't want to, but I'm sick of all this secrecy!"
He moved away from the comforting hand that stretched out towards him.
"Why did Sesshomaru say I'm just a replacement to you? I used to think he just wanted me to hate you, but just now…he himself seemed so convinced of whatever he was saying!"
He rubbed his eye furiously when it tried to water.
"I don't know and almost don't care which of you is right, I just want to know the truth!"
His eyes crushed closed as he tried to focus his breathing.
He couldn't really remember when he'd last had full control over his damn emotions, and each time it seemed…despite his efforts…that it was only getting harder to control them.
He finally looked back up when Takehiko cautiously took his hand and led him to the cushions in the middle of the floor.
"Alright. Even though it's not true, I will confess that I'm worried you'll believe what Sesshomaru said once you know."
"Tell me anyway." Inuyasha mumbled quietly as he sat down.
His heart clenched in anger at himself when Takehiko sighed quietly.
Whatever he had to say, it was painful.
'But I need to know.'
"Well Inuyasha, the truth is…" A moment's pause, "…Sesshomaru believes me to be using you, because once…I also had a younger brother."
It felt as if even the air had become still.
'Fuyu…this is it…what you were going to tell me…isn't it?'
"If he's still alive, then he is perhaps only a few years older than you."
"If he's still alive?" Inuyasha mumbled, almost choking from the lump in his throat.
"I haven't seen him since he was no more than a few days old." The youkai replied with a sad smile, his eyes to the ground though his mind was somewhere unseen.
"Takehiko…I…why? What…?"
"Do you remember young hanyou…what you have learnt about my father?"
"That…that he was very…"
"Judgemental." The youkai finished for him, "Normally, inu packs only see each other as rivals, and only clash if one clan shows disrespect to another. My father however…he was so envious of your father's power and title, that he went out of his way to make our clans hate each other."
"I know. He wouldn't even accept anyone in your pack with silver hair or golden eyes…"
"Exactly."
The hanyou looked back up.
"You may have already guessed, but black hair and silver eyes are the common blood traits of our clan. As such, my father was all too proud when I was born with both. I wish I had realised at the time…how sickening it was the way he showed me off."
Inuyasha heard the lowest growl slip from the alpha, and watched his fist clench slightly, before Takehiko shook it off.
"Back to the topic at hand. When I was older, my mother fell pregnant again. A few months before she was to give birth, my father left to battle with other clans. It was nothing more than a show of strength against your father, but he made other packs suffer just to do so. He was gone long enough that my mother gave birth whilst he was gone, and it was so lucky she did."
"Takehiko…don't tell me…"
The alpha smiled gently at him.
"He had perfectly black hair, but his eyes…"
Inuyasha felt his hand slowly slide up and rest just below his own eye.
"They were beautiful…I remember thinking so at the time. A little darker than yours, but still so radiant like the sun."
The youkai sighed.
"That knowledge never left the room. My father would normally banish anyone with golden eyes, but not all the time, sometimes he would…"
"…kill them?"
"Yes. He couldn't accept it amongst the clan, there's no question which fate it would've been if he'd learnt his own child had such a trait."
"Was it like Haru? Just a rare chance occurrence?"
"Yes. Long ago, our leaders weren't so harsh about such things, and one of my mother's ancestors had golden eyes. Traits in our clan have a habit of disappearing for a few generations, and then reappearing unexpectantly, just as they did with Haru and my brother."
"So what happened?" Inuyasha asked, though he wasn't sure if he wanted to know.
Takehiko took a moment to light an incense before he answered.
"Takehiko, my son, come in darling."
"You sent for me mother?" The young youkai mumbled quietly as he entered the room where his mother sat up on her futon.
"Come sit by me Takehiko." She instructed gently, and he obeyed.
The clan prince looked a little taken back when she held out the baby in her arms to him.
"Hold your baby brother Takehiko, take in his scent."
"Mother?"
"Please my son."
Cautiously taking the tiny being into his arms, Takehiko lent close and breathed in deeply.
"He smells a lot like you, as I said last time." He chuckled to his mother.
"Good, that should make it easier for you to recognise him, at least I hope so."
"What do you mean mother? How would I not recognise my own brother?"
His mother was still smiling, but tears were suddenly trickling down her cheeks.
"Mother!"
"Takehiko, you've seen your baby brother's eyes, have you not?"
He looked to the tiny creature in his arms. Its eyes were closed for the time, but he'd already seen them.
"Are you worried about their colour? Don't worry; father wouldn't banish his own son."
"No he wouldn't…" She sighed.
Her maids flinched in worry as she weakly shifted to her knees and embraced the prince.
"…he would kill him."
"Mother! How can you say such a thing?"
"Because it's true my son, I know you understand that yourself. You have always tried to see the beautiful qualities within others, especially your father. But this time you must accept the truth Takehiko. I was able to persuade him to banish others instead of killing them, but he won't accept it from me…he will say I betrayed him and kill both your brother and myself, even when he knows the truth."
"Mother…I…"
Takehiko began to shake, and he felt the child squirm in his arms.
"What's going to happen mother? We can't allow father to kill you!"
"You already know that answer as well my son."
Takehiko's face lowered into her shoulder, his voice shaking with his next words.
"…you have to leave."
"That's right." The female youkai whispered, leaning back to look her son in the eyes, before nodding over her shoulder.
A maid and a guard stepped out of the dark corner. Takehiko gasped as the guard had silver hair tied back loosely to the middle of his back.
"One of my maids fell for someone outside of our clan. They wish to have a child together one day, but they understand the risk of doing so. They have agreed to accompany us away from here."
"Let me come with you…" Takehiko requested, holding her hand.
A fresh set of tears followed the previous trails down his mothers face, and her hands moved to the sides of his face.
"I'm such a wicked mother to do this to you my son. How I long to take you with me, but I must forget my own selfishness and do what's right for the family."
"The family?"
"Takehiko, you are my eldest son, and have just obtained your status as an alpha. One day, you will take your father's place as head of the mountain inu pack. When that happens, our family may finally find peace and no longer live in fear."
"I'm not sure I understand mother…"
"My son, you are a loving and loyal youkai. Even though your father has forced his hatred of others upon you your whole life, I know you feel non of it. I cannot regret mating with him, because it brought me two beautiful children, but sometimes I wish I could've seen past his charm and strength to his arrogance and wickedness. There was a time we lived in peace with our fellow inu tribes, and the only rivalry we shared with them was a friendly one. But your father is blinded by his jealousy of another…"
"The Inutaisho of the west?"
"Yes. He envies his strength and status, and for no reason more justified than that, he has made all around him suffer. The Inutaishos pack, other packs, even his own. Takehiko, look to the child in your arms, do you hate him simply because of the colour of his eyes?"
The young alpha looked to his baby brother, who'd begun to cry gently. He visibly cringed, and pulled the baby close, his body shaking.
"I must stay here…so that when the time comes…I can stop others from having to say goodbye…like this…"
His mother's smile remained, but it was clearly only a fragile mask. She rested her forehead gently against his.
"I truly am…a wicked mother…"
"There was no telling when my father would return, so it was vital they left as soon as possible. They set out the next night down a path in the mountains rarely used. Very few were trusted with the truth, just a handful of maids and guards we knew for certain wanted to protect my mother and brother. They helped sneak them out, and hid any scent trails left behind. When my father returned a few months later, we told him that they'd both passed away during the labour. Luckily he never questioned about the maid who had left as well, and basically the entire clan has followed that story the whole time, including the few who know the truth."
The silver eyed youkai sighed heavily and looked up, his expression showing the drain the dull ache had caused on the alpha all this time.
"It was not so long after that, that we both lost our fathers. First mine, and then yours a few years later. It was by sheer coincidence that Sesshomaru and I met what I expect was a few years after you were born."
"A little far from your clan, are you not Takehiko?" Sesshomaru growled from a few metres away.
"I don't recall it being forbidden for an alpha to take a night off to himself. In any case, I trust the guards enough to keep my family safe." Takehiko answered irritated, "Now if you will excuse me…"
"Do you think I believe that you're just out here for a break?"
"You presume something else?"
"What I presume is that you're hunting…"
"And is that odd for an alpha?"
"You know that I don't mean for a meal, Yama inu."
Takehiko's eyes narrowed.
"You're searching for your lost family, aren't you?"
"And if I am? What concern of yours would it be?"
"Absolutely none. I don't care what you choose to do, but out of curiosity, do you actually expect them to still be alive?"
At that, Takehiko turned sharply to face him.
"Just what does that mean, Sesshomaru of the west?"
"Your own pack may be under some illusion about what happened, but rumours leaked from somewhere, and your mother was even spotted carrying an infant a few times. Masanori didn't leave much for others to like about your pack. In fact, I dare say some sought revenge on him…"
"My mother left to protect my brother's life, as well as her own from that youkai! She is innocent of any crimes he caused, no one has any justification to harm her!"
"Perhaps not her…but Masanori's spawn?"
A knot twisted hard in Takehiko's stomach.
"What…did you just dare to call my brother…?"
"Let me give you some advice Takehiko of the mountains. Siblings who don't turn out right are not worth the time of an alpha."
"How can such words spill from your mouth Sesshomaru of the west?" Takehiko snapped back.
"Are you truly that surprised?"
"I wouldn't be if I didn't know the truth."
Sesshomaru gave a warning glare that told him to continue.
"Just because my pack is secluded does not mean we are ignorant of the outside world. Rumour has it that you also have a younger brother."
The golden eyes that narrowed at him confirmed his words.
"That filthy little hanyou…is no brother of mine."
"So the rumour that you rejected him is also true. How could even you be so cold Sesshomaru?"
"He is nothing more than a mistake by my father."
"Are you insulting your father's intelligence?"
"To give his life for a creature that shouldn't exist…it was an act I didn't expect of him."
"And you don't consider what he did to be noble?"
"Had it been for a life worth saving, then perhaps."
A low growl from Takehiko put the youkai on defence.
"How can you be so horrible Sesshomaru? Do you actually blame your sibling for being born the way he was, as if he had a say in the matter? Isn't it worth anything just to know he's your brother?"
"I already told you that he's not my brother, or not one I will accept."
Sesshomaru turned to leave.
"You should give up your hunt Takehiko. If your brother is still alive, he's probably also a weak little freak not worth protecting."
A boiling fire that had been burning for years in a well contained place suddenly breached it's confines, and Takehiko snarled loudly, his eyes flashing a toxic purple.
Sesshomaru span around quickly, raising his claws as Takehiko sped forward at him.
The outburst was unexpected…but he was ready anyway…
A great howl of pain echoed over the land; as Takehiko had drawn near, Sesshomaru had swiped his claws forward, his shot at the youkai's face clean and undeterred.
"I believe you…know the rest of the story from there." Takehiko concluded.
He touched his nose faintly, as if it still felt odd to know it was healed.
"Though it was selfish, the thing that truly hurt the most at the time was not having my ability to protect my family weakened, but the fact that without the use of my nose, I would never be able to find my brother's scent, despite memorising it."
He sighed and looked back up to the hanyou.
"Inuyasha, I won't deny that after that time, there was a part of me that wanted to find you and care for you simply as a way to fight back against Sesshomaru, and he believes to this day that I just want to have you in place of my own brother. Now that you know, I'll understand if you choose to believe what he says. But I speak with all the honesty I can when I say that isn't why I first brought you here."
The alpha sounded worried, possibly even scared that he would be rejected.
Inuyasha's eyes were hidden by his long fringe as he stared at the ground silently.
He stood slowly and moved closer to the alpha.
Takehiko made a small sound of surprise when the hanyou crouched and wrapped his arms around his neck.
"I wouldn't care if it was."
"Inuyasha…"
'At least you wanted your brother in your life. At least you would've given him a chance if you could've. That's the true reason you were so grateful when I asked Hiroaki to heal your nose, because it means maybe there's a chance now…even if it's slim…'
"I don't care why you brought me here, not anymore. I trust you even if your reasons are selfish."
"They're not…"
"SAY THAT THEY ARE!" The hanyou interrupted, his grip tightening, "Say you want me here! As a replacement brother, a guest, a friend, I don't care, just tell me that you like having me around…not as a way to get back at anyone or prove your not like your father, but for no reason more than personal desire!"
'Kuso…calm down…calm down!'
The hanyou knew that a selfish excuse wasn't a good reason to stay, but his only desire was to feel wanted.
Takehiko felt the hanyou shaking against him, and calmly wrapped his arms around the smaller body.
"I am always glad to have you around Inuyasha. I may not want you to stay by force…but I can't deny that I wish for you to remain here."
Inuyasha…who's face had come to hide in the alpha's chest…looked up slightly.
"I can…stay?"
"As I have said to you in the past, you are always welcome here young hanyou." Takehiko spoke warmly, brushing his fingers through the silver hair gently.
It was true the alpha had never once forced him to leave, and he'd always seemed disappointed when he had. Still, hearing for himself that his presence was welcome there…
…Inuyasha felt his emotions slowly backing down, and he relaxed against the larger body.
"Takehiko…?"
"Yes?"
"…never mind, it's nothing. But, could you…rub my back?"
Takehiko gave that warm smile of his, and moved his hand over Inuyasha's back, gentle, but firm enough to be like a massage.
The hanyou felt like he could sink into the youkai, and just sighed heavily, his emotions pacified for now.
"Promise me something?"
"What's that?"
"No more secrets…if you think of something I should know, then tell me."
"Alright."
"Promise it!"
"I promise, young hanyou."
"Hey."
Inuyasha looked up from his bowl of fruit as Baku sat by him.
"How're you doing?"
"Can't complain."
The hanyou was surprised by how many days had passed since Sesshomaru had come knocking at Takehiko's door. They'd been spent playing with Haru, helping with chores around castle, and even joining in with the guard's training.
But it seemed as if the initial excitement of staying with the mountain inu pack was wearing off, as that particular day had chosen to take it's time.
He wasn't unhappy or anything, far from it, but sitting around all day made him feel a bit…well…lost.
"I see Haru decided to give you a break for once."
"Not really, her sisters had to drag her off of me for an afternoon nap."
"Aaah, of course. A lot of the children have naps about this time."
"So that's why you're not teaching them right now?"
Another way he'd spent his time was watching Baku's classes.
"Yeah, it gives both them and myself a break."
He leant back on his hands, soaking up the warm sunlight.
"So how are you finding it here?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well this is the longest you've stayed here so far. Forgive me, but as I was walking up, you just seemed a little bored…"
'Let's see how long you can remained confined here hanyou. I doubt it will be more than a few days.'
It had been five days since he'd heard Sesshomaru speak those words, and his pride kept reminding him that the more days he spent here, the more he proved the youkai wrong.
But despite his desire to stay, he was beginning to understand that Sesshomaru had been more than a little serious.
"I'm perfectly happy here!" He answered, giving an awkward look when he realised a short growl had slipped out.
Baku only chuckled though.
"Inuyasha…you've forgotten…"
"Forgotten what?"
"That I used to be part of your pack. You can be honest with me here, I know the frustration of staying in one place for an extended amount of time."
The hanyou looked up, before shifting his gaze awkwardly.
"The pack of the Inutaisho was naturally nomadic. True they had safe houses, or places they'd visit when needed, but it was rare for them to stay in one place for more than a few days. When I first joined Takehiko's pack, I felt just as out of place, and it was more so because of the change of lifestyle than the pack members."
Inuyasha didn't want to admit that the youkai was right, considering it seemed so selfish after Takehiko had said he could stay.
Still, it was nice to know someone else knew how he felt.
"Say Baku…" He searched for a change of topic, "Are there any other betas here? Besides me I mean…"
Baku scratched his head thoughtfully.
"Not many…only two I know of, and possibly a third."
"Possibly?"
"There's a younger male we think is going to be a beta, but he hasn't hit maturity yet, so we don't know for sure."
Inuyasha looked to the ground with a thoughtful frown.
"That's something I don't get…"
Baku looked to him questioningly.
"How can you tell? Sesshomaru once told me that our old man had a feeling I'd be a beta. I mean, he only saw me for a few moments when I was a baby, but his hunch was correct."
Baku smiled lightly and sat up properly.
"Well I don't know if it's true or not, but they say alphas can sense a beta, even before they hit maturity. It wouldn't surprise me, but otherwise there's physical signs to look for."
He continued after chuckling at the expectant look he got in return;
"One of the main indicators is that Betas usually have a much smaller build than others…n-not to say that they're weaker or anything!" He quickly added when Inuyasha gave an indignant look, "…in fact a good level of strength is another sign to look for, it's just that Alpha's have such largely built bodies…compare your body to Takehiko's or Sesshomaru's."
Inuyasha looked to his hand. Take away the whole beta thing, and he could hold his own against Sesshomaru, but the alpha was certainly a lot bigger than him, and the hanyou's muscles…as powerful as they were…didn't show through nearly as much.
"What else?"
"Well, Beta's can be feisty, whilst Alphas can be aggressive."
"What's the difference?"
"Uuuhh..Well, what I mean is…a beta might snap at you if you taunt them, they don't like being teased at all. An alpha on the other had, won't care for taunting, but if you provoke them, they'll do more than just bite your head off…they can be deadly."
The hanyou stopped again to consider that second point. He compared Takehiko, Sesshomaru and even Arata. That perhaps seemed true about them…but…
"Does that necessarily apply to all alphas? Or is it just a majority thing?"
He'd thought about Koga and Kunio, both alphas, but easy to snap like himself.
"Of course. Just like not every single alpha is bigger in physical size, just a large majority of them."
Another good point about Koga and Kunio, they were almost the same size as himself.
"It is a rumour that alphas grow when they become the lead alpha…but I think that one really might just be a rumour."
"Hey, there's something else I'm curious about…"
"What's that?"
"I was going to ask Takehiko before, but I didn't feel it was right at the time. You probably don't know, but…when he was talking to Sesshomaru that last time, he said he was failing to make the truth clear to me. Any idea what he meant by that?"
Baku looked a little puzzled, but then turned away thoughtfully, his finger at his lip.
"That's hard to say…probably something to do with the whole alpha-beta relationship…oh!"
He turned to the hanyou in realisation.
"Inuyasha, tell me…you do know that…it's your choice, right?"
"What's my choice?"
"Who your alpha will be."
Inuyasha looked to him in surprise.
"I…I knew other alphas besides the blood alpha were capable of claiming betas…but you make it sound like it's a rule…"
"That's because it is." Baku spoke up seriously, "That is one thing I do know for sure. An alpha can be as dominant as he wants, but unless the beta chooses him, he can never fully claim them."
"If that's true…then…" The hanyou mumbled.
The last time he and Sesshomaru had been alone, they'd almost…
'That…would mean that I…I wanted him to…'
He remembered the way Sesshomaru had proven he enjoyed the actions, and how he'd eventually stopped resisting.
If Baku hadn't been there, he might've just curled up there and then.
"You won't be angry at Takehiko, will you?" Baku broke through his thoughts, "If Alpha thought you didn't know, he probably didn't say anything because he thought it would sound like he was trying to get your favour."
"How do you know that's what he'd be thinking?"
"It's only a guess, but would you be surprised?"
'Hmph. I'm not happy about it. Takehiko promised to tell me anything he thought I should know, but at the same time I can't be angry at him. What Baku said sounds exactly like how Takehiko would think…he doesn't like Sesshomaru, but he's so damn polite and considerate; he doesn't want to come between us even though we couldn't be further apart. But I suppose since he had to lose his brother, it must really hurt to see other siblings torn apart…whatever the reason…'
"Hmph. In any case, I don't mind if he wants me to stay for a selfish reason, at least he isn't upset by my mere existence."
Baku gave a concerned look.
"Has Sesshomaru…always been this way to you?"
Inuyasha's eyes opened slightly.
"Always."
The toy ball rolled across the floor, aimless and ignored.
"Okasan?"
The lovely woman…her beauty faded by her poor health…smiled up at the child by her.
"Inuyasha…my beautiful boy…there is…one you must go to…one you must seek if I ever disappear…"
The boy tilted his head as she reached up a weak arm to grip his face.
"Are you going away Okasan? I want to stay with you…"
She smiled up at him, warm but sad.
"I know my precious child, but you must listen to me carefully. If ever comes a time I cannot be by your side, there is someone else you must find…someone who will protect you…"
"Who Okasan?"
"Your brother my darling…you have a big brother."
The child gripped his mother's hand.
"O…nii…san?"
"That's right Inuyasha, your oniisan. His name is Sesshomaru, and if I cannot be here to care for you, I want you to go find him. Do you understand my child?"
Inuyasha's eyes watered a bit. He was clearly confused, and didn't like the conversation…as natural of one his age.
"How Okasan?"
"Open that box there my son, and take out what you find inside."
The child did as he was told, pulling close a small wooden box that had been next to the futon. From it he pulled out what appeared to me little more than a scrap of white silk.
"You have a very good sense of smell Inuyasha. Remember how you've been learning different smells around the castle? You need to do the same with that piece of cloth. It once belonged to your father…it will probably be faint by now, but his scent may linger still."
The child sniffed at the material, looking like he was having trouble.
"Your brother's scent will be almost identical to your father's Inuyasha. You must try to remember this scent, and find the one who smells like it."
"I guess my mother knew what would happen to me when she died. She'd never met Sesshomaru herself, but must've hopped he would take me in…"
"But she was wrong?"
"…completely…"
The child shivered and whimpered where it was huddled within a hollow at the base of a tree.
"Okasan…Okasan…" He whimpered.
He was out of the rain, but that didn't stop the cold air reaching him.
He hadn't eaten anything since his mother had died, and the other people had thrown him out of the castle.
Why? Why had they always been so mean?
Why wasn't he allowed to stay there?
"Okasan! Why did you go away?" He screamed through his sobs.
By the time the rain stopped, he'd curled up and gone to sleep, exhausted from crying.
He woke up with a sneeze and uncurled himself, whining as his body ached.
He scanned the area nervously before crawling out of hiding.
"Okasan…gomenasai…I lost it…" He whispered, trying not to cry again.
Before the rain, he'd had to flee a hungry demon, and in the process he'd lost the bit of material his mother had given him. The ugly demon had swallowed it, before suddenly stopping it's pursuit, and rushing away as if something had suddenly scared it.
Despite being out of danger, the little hanyou was still lost.
How was he suppose to do what he'd been told and find his brother without the scent?
He was lucky enough later on to find a couple of berries, though they did little for his empty stomach.
In the process, he yelped as something pricked his foot, and he lifted it to see something white gleam up at him.
His ears twitched curiously, his sadness momentarily forgotten as he picked it up.
It was a fang, and even at his age he could see it had been powerful before dropping out.
He opened his mouth wide with a big 'aaah' and compared the fang to his own.
It was massive against his tiny daggers, and with a light smile, he held it up to the sun, watching as it almost glowed, before his nose twitched a bit.
He brought the object back down and sniffed at it.
It smelt funny…and yet…familiar…
It took a bit of time for his young memory to associate the smell, but it suddenly clicked…
'Your brother's scent will be almost just like your fathers Inuyasha…'
"O…Oniisan…?" He mumbled, remembering the smell of the material his mother had given him.
The fang smelt…almost just like it…
"Basically after that, I just hunted around until I found him. Took over a whole freaking day, but we did eventually meet. Sometimes…I wish we hadn't…"
'Are you…Niisan?'
"Don't say that Inuyasha. It's sad that you don't get along, but at least you know your brother…"
Inuyasha tried not to flinch. He knew Baku was referring to Takehiko and his brother again.
"Still, it almost seems pointless, since he doesn't think of me as a brother…"
"Maybe he does…"
"What?"
"There's plenty of brothers in the world who don't get along, and can't talk without getting at each others throats. It doesn't mean that they don't care about each other, just that they're unsure how to communicate."
Inuyasha wasn't sure how to react to that. His ego sort of wished the words hadn't been said.
Too stubborn to agree, he snorted doubtfully.
"Maybe that applies to other brothers, but not us."
"Then why does his rejection hurt you so much?"
This time the hanyou did flinch. He frowned heavily and turned away, making it clear not to push the topic.
"Look Inuyasha, if you're bored, why don't you see if you can join the guards on the next hunt?"
"Really? They…you think they wouldn't mind?"
"Sure. He wouldn't admit it, but I'm certain even Kunio would be grateful to have your strength on their side."
"Hm. Sounds kinda fun…I've never been part of a pack hunt before…" Inuyasha said thoughtfully.
He paused to scratch his chest, giving a quiet whimper as he did so.
"Are you alright? Is your beta blood playing up again?"
" A little. My skin's been itchy all day, and I feel kinda queasy." The hanyou admitted.
"You have been in a pack full of alphas for almost a week. Considering you're still unclaimed, I'm impressed you're doing this well. Then again, the alphas might just be being extra careful themselves…"
"So this really will get better if I'm claimed?"
"You'll still go into heat here and there, but it won't be a constant thing, and the stress on your body will greatly decrease."
"You know that doesn't change my mind about wanting to be claimed?"
"Didn't intend it to." Baku laughed.
Inuyasha expected him to continue talking, but when he didn't, he looked to him slowly.
"Baku, be honest…do you wish I'd pick Takehiko?"
Baku gave a guilty grin.
"Forgive me Inuyasha, I know it's not my business. It's just that alpha is always so happy when you're around, and it would be kind of nice for him to find a prime beta…"
"A what?"
"Oh…a beta that becomes an alphas partner. You already know that an alpha will claim any beta of their pack as a way of protecting them…ooor as a dominance statement, depending on the pack…but once in awhile, they'll actually choose to form an actual relationship with a beta. From what I've heard, most alphas simply look after the betas, and have a relationship with someone else…they rarely form an actual true bond with a beta, but occasionally it'll happen, and that beta gets the title of prime beta…or alpha's choice…heck, there's a few names but they all mean the same thing. I guess you could say it's sort of like an engagement between alpha and beta…"
"En…engagement?" Inuyasha stumbled.
Kagome may have had to explain that word to him one time, but its meaning had stuck with him.
"That's the best way I can think to describe it. It's one of those things that can vary between packs, but even though Takehiko would claim a beta first, he'd never force them to mate with him alone."
"But I thought betas were meant to remain with the lead alpha?"
"As I said, the rules vary between packs. Taking a betas first time is a way for an alpha to affirm his status in the clan, and means that even if another alpha mates with the same beta, they won't be anymore of a threat to the lead…"
He flinched and cut off as Inuyasha's grip on the wooden deck tightened, making it crack.
"So…is that really all I am…? A trophy?"
"Inuyasha…" Baku spoke, and the firmness in his voice forced the hanyou to look around, "…you should well and truly know by now that you mean much more than that to Takehiko. And understand that affirming the lead alpha is far more important than you realise. Do you remember the first night you were here, and your beta blood peeked? Kunio and the other alphas were practically put through torture by your smell."
"I noticed. What about it?"
Baku gave him a scolding frown, as if telling off a child.
"To put it bluntly Inuyasha, the effects of alpha blood…be they good or bad…are just as powerful as that of beta blood. Just as a beta cannot help but to submit, an alpha cannot help but to try to dominate. It is…to a large degree…out of their control."
Inuyasha's ears twitched, showing the guilt he tried to hide.
"So it's true that…alphas would fight with each other?"
"It still happens. Youkai packs need a leader, and that includes members with alpha blood…in fact it maybe even more important for them. If there's no clear leader, their instincts will more than likely take over. Blood has often been spilt because of alphas clashing, and even our pack isn't completely clean of conflict. You probably don't…but did you know that Kunio once fought Takehiko?"
"Kunio? No way, he's dead loyal to Takehiko!"
"And just why do you think that is?" Baku answered with a dry smirk, "Unlike beta blood, which has a gradual onset, alpha blood takes effect very suddenly, like something triggers it. Takehiko was giving an order to the guards one day, and Kunio was uncertain about it. I don't think he meant any offence when he questioned it, but when Takehiko became firm, Kunio just…snapped…the scariest part was just how quickly he lashed out at alpha."
"But what happened?"
"Well naturally alpha was caught off guard, but it wasn't the first time he'd had to deal with alphas. He may be a gentle giant, but he's still the strongest in the pack, so Kunio was quickly put in his place."
He gave an awkward frown.
"That can also be pretty scary. I hope you don't have to see something like that."
"Not calling you a liar or anything, but Kunio? It just doesn't…"
"Seem right? I know. Kunio's loyalty has been to Takehiko ever since he lost a childhood friend because of Masanori's cruel ways. His friend's sister was born with silver hair, and so the whole family was forced to leave."
"If that happened when he was a kid, do you think maybe that's why he picked on Fuyu?"
The youkai chuckled.
"I thought the same thing when I first heard about it. I don't know for sure, but I think it's very likely. In any case, it's because of that, that Kunio felt so ashamed of his actions. He went as far as to isolate himself for almost two days…and heck…you'd be surprised by who eventually coaxed him out."
"Takehiko?"
"Nope. It was my sister."
"Fuyu? But I thought they hated each other?"
"Apparently not…at least not since that point. I don't know what she said to him, but if it hadn't worked, I think we would've been forced to literally drag him out."
Inuyasha tried not to snicker, but the image of Kunio kicking and screaming was too funny.
Thankfully Baku didn't reprimand him for it.
"Naturally, Takehiko was very compassionate about it, and once he'd suppressed Kunio's alpha blood, there were never any problems between them again."
"How'd he do that? Suppress the alpha blood I mean?"
Baku flushed, as if someone had just asked him the most awkward question they could think of.
"I should probably get back…it won't be too long before the kids start waking up, and it'll be straight back to lessons." He said and stood.
"What're you teaching them today?" Inuyasha also stood.
"More scent practise, but this time they'll be working in teams. As you know, we put big emphasis on working together, so we try to teach them as early as possible."
"No offence, but that doesn't sound very exciting…good luck with that."
"Non taken, since you're right. I've taught team work in the past…oh boy I'm not looking forward to it…I think I'd rather be in a pit of real crazy monkeys that those tiny apes when it comes to team work."
Inuyasha couldn't help but laugh, and Baku was quick to join him.
The youkai's body shifted, and he stepped sideways.
Inuyasha opened his eyes again when the sunlight on his face was blocked, and the laughter died unexpectedly when both realised how close Baku had suddenly come to Inuyasha.
The hanyou just looked caught off guard, but he watched as Baku leant back, his eyes wide in shock.
"Baku?"
The youkai suddenly laughed again, but his voice was nervous now.
"Sorry about that, I almost stumbled…that could've been awkward."
He darted past the confused hanyou, passing a wave over his shoulder.
"Catch you later, have fun when Haru wakes up!"
"Uhh…sure…"
Inuyasha stood there blinking a bit, before slowly turning around.
'That was odd.'
He stopped mid step as a familiar scent slid past his nose. He looked around, but no one else was close by. However, he could hear the guards training again somewhere.
"Must've drifted through on the breeze."
He gave a shrug and walked away, smirking slightly as he was certain he could hear a familiar little voice calling from somewhere in the castle.
"Stop encouraging her!"
"Oh let them have their fun Fuyu."
"You remember what happened last time she did this?"
"Ok ok, I suppose mum wouldn't approve either. Please stop the game now kawaii puppy."
Inuyasha looked to Aki, his cheeks swollen.
Next to him, Haru also sat with her cheeks puffed out, making her face even rounder.
"Haru, mother told you not to play with your food, if you put anymore rice in your mouth, you'll choke!" Fuyu scolded.
Haru struggled to pout with a full mouth, but not wanting a fight to break out, Inuyasha began to chew his own food, and the child was quick to copy him.
"I keep hearing about your mother, but why doesn't she sit with you all at dinner?" He asked once he'd swallowed.
"Even though she's youkai, our mother gets sick pretty easily. She's usually fine, but she's been almost completely bed ridden for awhile now." Natsu answered, and the hanyou was shocked by the sad expression he saw…not that it wasn't understandable…it just seemed out of place on the happy go lucky girl.
"Uuhh…sorry…" He muttered.
"Don't be Inuyasha, she's doing a lot better now…in fact she should be ready for visitors very soon…"Aki gave a playful look, "…She's been eager to meet the hanyou who got her youngest daughter talking."
"Say, speaking of missing family members, has anyone seen Baku? I haven't seen him since this morning?" Natsu asked, looking around the room.
Inuyasha copied her, and frowned when he couldn't see the older youkai either.
"He's eating alone tonight, he had work to focus on." Fuyu answered bluntly.
"Baku often has work to do, but he never misses dinner with the family, in fact he pushes almost anything else aside to make sure he's here with us." Aki replied, giving a thoughtful look.
"Baku Niisan?" Haru mumbled, catching on to what the others were talking about.
"Don't worry Haru, we'll go see him after dinner." Inuyasha comforted her.
He ruffled her hair, doing his best to avoid the lovely flowers that had been scattered through the pink locks.
"You can't."
The hanyou met Fuyu's firm gaze.
"No one…is to go near him tonight…he's to be left alone."
"Is that an order from Baku himself?"
"From alpha, actually."
Inuyasha looked taken back, and his eyes shifted to Takehiko. The leader appeared calm as always…or at least mostly. It seemed like the alpha was focused on something deeply, rather than enjoying the company of his family as always.
After dinner, Inuyasha spent some time playing with Haru and talking to her sisters. He was happy to see that even Fuyu sat with them, though she remained silent.
After Haru was carried off to bed, the hanyou decided to go for a walk before he himself hit the sack. He watched as parents coaxed their children to bed, whilst Kunio and the guards were on their usual last minute laps over the roofs before the night watch began.
He chuckled when a laughing child ran past, his mother close behind, telling him off.
'It still feels strange that at least most here have accepted me now. It's not forced like it was when Takehiko first ordered then to be nice to me…'
A very faint blush passed over his cheeks as he allowed a small smile.
The youkai really was a wonderful being. He'd be a great alpha to any beta…
The hanyou flinched as he thought that, and heaved a sigh.
'I don't need to question whether or not Takehiko would accept me as a beta…but could I accept him as an alpha? I'm not…even entirely sure how I feel about him…'
He rubbed his face, feeling it heat up a bit, but groaned when he realised it wasn't the blush that was warming his cheeks.
"Damn beta blood…"
He turned to face the direction he knew Takehiko's room to be in.
'Should I…?'
Takehiko had said he'd always help him if he needed, and he didn't really feel like letting his beta blood get to the point where he couldn't ignore it.
He shifted his hand lightly over his shoulder, tensing.
'Tell me Inuyasha, who's hand feels better to you?'
"Teme…get out of my head…" He growled quietly, knocking his fists against his head, "It doesn't matter who's touch has more effect on me, what matters is who I WANT to touch me!"
Behind his eyelids, Sesshomaru's face flashed, and his body twinged as he was reminded of what Baku had told him;
For them to have gotten so close to going all the way, Inuyasha had to have wanted Sesshomaru to take him.
"GAH! It's not true, it's not true!"
'But wait…what about Sesshomaru? He said he would never mate with me, but he looked just as shocked as I was. Baku said alpha's blood can be over powering, but with Sesshomaru? Was it just that…or did he…could he have maybe…?'
Did he dare believe the possibility?
'Matte…MATTE!'
He shook his head fiercely and growled.
"If there is an alpha I want, then it's the one who's never let me down!"
He jumped to the rooftops, and ran as lightly as he could across them, knowing others were already asleep.
"Hanyou!"
He paused to look at Kunio.
"You're not heading to Takehiko's room are you?"
"Yeah, why?"
"What're you thinking? I mean I know you're still kinda new to the whole alpha - beta thing, but even you should know better..."
Kunio sounded like he'd just heard something crazy as he approached.
"What're you talking about? Look, Takehiko said I could go see him whenever I wanted, and you should know that's it's probably best I don't wait, right?"
"Yeah, but you really want to go TONIGHT?"
"What's wrong with that?"
"…Wait…alpha didn't tell you…? Oh…" Kunio looked down very awkwardly, "…L-look…just trust me! You can't go there tonight. You'll be alright to hold off until morning right?"
Inuyasha frowned at the youkai.
"First Fuyu says I can't go see Baku, and now you're saying I can't go see Takehiko. What's going on Kunio?"
Right on cue, a loud growl broke through the air. Inuyasha flinched hard, and he noticed Kunio grit his fangs like something was hurting him. He didn't recognise the growl, though the one that quickly followed after it was all too familiar.
"Takehiko!"
"STOP!" Kunio yelled when the hanyou went to run, "Alpha's not in any danger, but you can't go there!"
"How about you tell me why?" Inuyasha growled impatiently.
"You don't want to know!"
"That's where you're wrong. If you want me to stop, then try making me!"
The hanyou darted away across the roof.
"NO!"
Kunio ran after him, but stumbled to a stop after only a few metres. He looked around frantically, before jumping down from the roof.
"Fuyu! Fuyu!"
Inuyasha knew he should've stopped; Kunio wouldn't be acting this way without a good reason.
But he was just too stubborn.
Another growl made the roof shake, and Inuyasha almost choked as two different alpha scents slapped him in the face.
"Alright my ass, he's fighting with another alpha!"
He finally reached the room and jumped down to the doors.
"Takehiko!" He called as he threw the door open.
He breathed in sharply, but couldn't exhale.
He watched as Takehiko forcefully pushed a snarling Baku to the floor, and growled dangerously in his face.
His fangs were bared, and his eyes a deadly shade of purple.
Inuyasha had never felt more terrified than he did right then.
They were both half dressed, and Takehiko was grinding against Baku as he kept him pinned, despite the males furious struggles.
'No…this can't be…he wouldn't…'
"Takehiko…?"
He barely heard his own voice, but the growling quietened, and Takehiko's gaze turned to him.
Somewhere through the animalistic fury, the hanyou could see horror.
"Inuyasha?"
The hanyou's emotions were swirling around in his chest too fast to grasp any particular one. His mouth hung open ready to speak, but his attention was diverted when he realised Baku was staring at him.
The young males gaze was unmoving, as if he'd forgotten about Takehiko and could only see Inuyasha, like he was some curious thing he'd never seen before.
"Baku?"
At hearing his name, the youkai's eyes flashed a pale yellow, and his jaws stretched in a loud snarl.
Inuyasha gasped and stepped back as the youkai tried to claw his way towards him.
"Inuyasha run!" Takehiko growled loudly, his eyes flashing again as he crushed his body down on Baku's.
The hanyou tried to obey, but he was caught in his own fear. He stepped back a bit, but yelped as he stumbled off the walk way. As he pushed himself up, he jumped back when Baku's face appeared above him on the walkway.
He could barely recognise the usually kind face.
Takehiko grabbed Baku by the shoulders and threw him to the ground. Before the smaller male could recover, he pounced on him, and sunk his fangs into his shoulder.
Inuyasha felt himself draw a shaky breath, his hand moving to his own shoulder, as he recalled how many times Sesshomaru had bitten him there.
"GO!"
He could barely hear Takehiko's yells. The alpha was struggling not just to restrain Baku, but himself as well.
"Do as he says you fool!"
The new voice was followed by a kick to his face, and he finally snapped out of his fearful daze and looked to Fuyu as she pulled him up.
"Get out of here now!" She ordered, and pushed him away.
He climbed back onto the walk way, but paused to watch as Fuyu used an attack he recalled from the incident with the mountain lions. Snow flakes began flittering out as she blew through her cupped hand, and circled around the wrestling alphas. Their movements began to slow a bit, but when Baku's still fierce eyes turned in Inuyasha's direction, he couldn't take it anymore.
He finally did as he'd been told and ran.
But he didn't stop, not even when he stepped out of the castle grounds, and raced off into the darkness of the mountains.
'Okasan…what am I supposed to think about anything anymore?'
*yawns* Oh boy am I tired...straight to bed for me!
I know I should've waited until morning at least to post this, but really, I just didn't want to wait...hope I didn't miss any big spelling or grammar mistakes (anymore than usual at least ^^').
Hope you enjoyed, will update asap.
Reviews are loved.