Ch 11 Jaken's Mistake

Sesshoumaru couldn't help but feel that he had forgotton something important and it irked him; he prided himself on always having at his fingertips important and relevant information. He and Kagura were to be mated the following day and everything was in order for the event; the banquet followed by four days of seclusion and then on to a new life with his ready made little family. The two younger members of the family knew what to expect and that the newly mated pair would not be around for a few days, but they were not worried; Kaede, Setsuzentaru and other trusted servants would be responsible for their wellbeing.

There had been no further news from Sango on those who attacked Inuyasha; she still thought that they were just a small group of opportunists, who were cashing in on the aftermath of Naraku and playing on the fears of nervous villagers. But so far, they had drawn a blank; but had sent out for further information. Kagura told him to stop worrying over what it was that he had forgotton and just to relax, as they took the children out for play and a picnic. She had thought that it might help Rin and Inuyasha, not to miss the couple so much for the few days; if they were given a lot of their time beforehand, especially Inuyasha who had been a bit clingy after his bad experience.

The afternoon was a great success for all concerned; but especially Sesshoumaru, who gained a great sense of well being watching his family. It seemed to him that he had known Kagura for a lot longer than he had and he realised that she had been thrown in the deep end with his brother and had coped marvellously. The experience had bonded them far more quickly, than a longer traditional courtship could have done. Kagura lightened his heart and he found great pleasure that afternoon, as he watched her take the children on her feather; wheeling higher and higher over the trees as the younger pair laughed, no hint of fear or concern from either of them.

That too was satisfying to him; because it meant that both Rin and Inuyasha who both had a prior claim on his affections and consideration, accepted the Wind Youkai for themselves and there should be no difficulty in her integration in their lives. As they brought their afternoon to a close and sauntered back to the Palace; once again Sesshoumaru felt satisfied, as he and Kagura shared a look of total understanding and contentment. Both Rin and Inuyasha had been tired by the end of the day and relaxed by their baths and soon the adults were left once again with a peaceful evening, their last as solitary souls.

Later that night, Inuyasha woke up; he was thirsty and quite awake as although he was mentally a small child, his body was that of the young adult hanyou who did not require so much rest. Normally when he woke, he would play for some time quietly on his own; with the toys that Sesshoumaru had regained from the boy's former suite, that he'd shared with his mother. As most were made of wood or leather, it took no time at all, for his artisans to repaint or stitch whatever was needed. This had the added bonus of making the toys smell newer just as they were when Inuyasha was first given them.

Inuyasha did not like the dark and all the shadows that loomed out of the corners at him and so he had a few nightlights lit all night to chase the shadows away. He knew he was not to touch the candles and he never did; he knew what dangers fires brought, as he'd seen Sesshoumaru light a big bonfire with a little spark before now. Deciding that his thirst was not going to go away, he got up and slid the shoji door ajar just enough for him to squeeze out and then he went on a hunt for someone to get him a drink. He was feeling very brave, but he saw a small light down the corridor and headed for it.

"Hello fwog." Inuyasha greeted Jaken; unfortunately making him jump and land on his backside with a shriek. Inuyasha moved silently when he walked at night and Jaken had not heard him come in.

"You stupid boy, what are you doing creeping up on me anyway?"

"Inasa's sorry you fell. I's firsty."

"Well go and get a drink."

"Sessoru said I's no loud to go on my's oan." Inuyasha started to whine and all the resentment that Jaken harboured for the boy; from getting him into trouble , surfaced.

"You may be fooling your guilt conscious brother, hanyou; but you don't fool me, you are nothing but trouble for this family."

"Ot Inasa do? I's not trouble." Inuyasha didn't know why Jaken was so cross with him and he didn't understand all the imp had implied; but he could pick up the tone of the accusation.

"You are, you disgusting creature. Everyone wishes that you'd been killed with your wretched mother." The words came out with all Jaken's pent up fury and before he could bite them back. His anger died the moment he saw Inuyasha's face and Jaken knew then and without doubt, that the hanyou had not been deceiving anyone and he felt immense shame. No one could mimic the terrible look of childish heartbreak, that was Inuyasha's face at the moment. Jaken took a step towards him holding out his tiny hand, wishing that he could take back what he had said, but it was far too late and Inuyasha turned and jumped out of the open window.

He ran and ran through the gardens trying to distance himself from the dreadful words, but they would not be outrun; they bounced back and forth throughout his brain and eventually nature took pity on him and he fell, shaking from shock into blissful unconsciousness. He was still shaking when Sesshoumaru gathered him into his arms and sat down with him; waiting for the tremors to stop and for Inuyasha to wake. The night was warm and dry, but Sesshoumaru still wrapped his tail around his brother, because Inuyasha was icy to the touch.

When Inuyasha jumped from the window, Jaken had known that there was only one course of action to be taken and that was to grovel at his master's feet, while he tried to explain. He walked to his master's chambers trying to formulate his words, when Sesshoumaru's voice came softly to him;

"Did Inuyasha find you Jaken?"

"My Lord?"

"He left his room in search of someone. As he did not come here I assumed he needed a servant and therefore he was either hungry or thirsty. You are here now and I am presuming he found you, as he would not have gone too far in the dark and on his own."

"He found me my Lord and...I need to apologise...to you both." Jaken finished in a whisper.

"Explain." The command was deceptively mild, but the result was not. Jaken knew he had to relay his conversation with Inuyasha to Sesshoumaru and he did so; verbatim. The next thing Jaken was aware of was a horrendous growl and his master's red eyes, before he was thrown from the window with tremendous force and against a tree; where he felt and heard various of his bones, crack and break.

Counting himself lucky that he was not yet dead, Jaken knew that there would be no assistance for him; his youkai healing would have to come to the fore if he was to survive and he hoped that nothing would come and eat him, before it did so. Jaken would have plenty of time to feel genuine remorse for his cruel words to his master's brother. Never would he forget the child's face, Jaken was thoughtless and oftentimes stupid, but he was not completely heartless; he had after all, grown fond of Rin.

Kagura met Sesshoumaru as he carried his unaware brother back into the Palace, she took one look at both of them and turned back to call their healer. By the time that Inuyasha was placed back on his bed the healer was ready. She efficiently undressed him and placed him under the sheet and then she checked his reflexes and vital signs. While she did so, Sesshoumaru filled Kagura in on what had happened between Inuyasha and Jaken and what he had done to the Kappa in return. The healer had listened to this as well and shook her head. no wonder that Inuyasha didn't want to come around.

Suddenly Sesshoumaru turned to the bed and spoke;

"Are you feeling better Inuyasha?" Sesshoumaru knew that his question was inadequate but he wished to tell Inuyasha that he knew he was awake and he wanted to give the boy the opening to talk to them. Inuyasha's voice was a bit nervous when he replied, his eyes dilated and his breath harsh; but that was not what was surprising;

"Sesshoumaru? I'm sorry, why am I here brother? I didn't mean to come here, I won't bother you; I...I don't remember getting here."

"Inuyasha?"

"Please I'll go now, my mama, she's dead; they killed her and chased me, I'm sorry, I didn't know I came here, I was just running. I must go, they were trying to kill me too, I must find my mama. Mama's dead Sesshoumaru; she's dead, what am I going to do? I must go, I must go." At this point Inuyasha passed out again. Kagura looked down at the unconscious boy with tears glistening on her cheeks.

"How old is he now?" Kagura whispered; it being evident that Inuyasha was now older than four in his mind.

"Eight. I was not there when his mother passed, she had taken him away because she was afraid for his safety; to my shame. I didn't know for several months that he was alone. Kagura, I must be here when he wakes..."

"Of course you must and so must I. If we need to postpone our mating then so be it." She smiled at her love and was rewarded by his blush and the love that shone in his eyes. When Inuyasha woke again, Setsuzentaru was sitting on the bed, having just taken advantage of the hanyou's sleep to take a quick look into his mind. What he saw gave him optimism that Inuyasha was not completely lost in his past; but he would have to say this to Sesshoumaru later. Right now he wished for some answers of his own. Inuyasha was sitting up now; looking around very apprehensively and they could all scent his fear and misery.

Sesshoumaru could barely look at him, to feel so despised and unwanted at such a tender age was oppressing his young brother; it was positively rolling off the boy in waves. Sesshoumaru's own shame was apparent to the older youkai present as he watched his brother's anxiety escalate, he wanted to comfort the boy but he saw fear flash through Inuyasha's eyes whenever he moved; so he stayed far enough away to not seem an immediate threat. Setsuzentaru took charge;

"Inuyasha, do you remember me?"

"I think so, Setsu...something?"

"Well done, do you remember how you came here yet?"

"No, I was being chased, I thought I was running to the forest; not here." His voice was low as it trailed off and he looked through his fringe, at his ferocious older brother.

"What do you remember about the last time I saw you Inuyasha?"

"I used to play on a feather with a little girl and a big dog. I was happy then, but the frog said I should be dead and I ran away; I think. I don't remember. I didn't mean to be any trouble. I don't know where to go now." Inuyasha was trying hard not to cry and Setsuzentaru had a horrid thought.

"Inuyasha, when did your mama die?"

"This afternoon."

"Oh my boy, I'm so sorry and here we are asking lots of silly questions." Setsuzentaru looked across at Sesshoumaru; who came over to his brother.

"I'm very sorry Inuyasha, I didn't realise that it happened so recently; you don't have to run any more, no one will hurt you here."

"Thank you brother, can I go to bed?" Inuyasha was on autopilot and was very confused.

"Of course, I will take you to your room." Sesshoumaru did so and once the boy was re-settled in the bed he had only vacated a couple of hours ago; he went to seek out Setsuzentaru again.

"Do not worry Sesshoumaru, I think that his memories will settle down again; but they are jumbled, do not press him for answers." Setsuzentaru excused himself and so did Kagura. As Sesshoumaru paced the corridors he was strangely saddened; Inuyasha didn't seem to remember completely, the happy playtimes that they recently shared. He did not have long to ponder however, he could hear the heart broken cries of the bereft hanyou.

For Inuyasha, his mother had just died and he'd had no time to grieve as he felt he'd been running for his life for hours on end as he relived his vivid memories. But now , alone in his room he could let go. Sesshoumaru went and held him as he wept, determined to be the tender brother that Inuyasha needed right now and hoping to put right, the wrong that Inuyasha had suffered the first time.

TBC