Chapter 26 Surprises

By the time Inuyasha, Mama and Souta got to the village, they found that Sango and Miroku had gone on ahead riding Kirara, as they hadn't wanted to spoil Mama's surprise entrance. Kaede of course had waited for them, as she was to be a passenger on Ah-Un. She was most eager to be introduced to Kagome's mother and in very short time the two women were talking like very old friends. It was then decided to leave in the morning after breakfast because if they left now it would be much too late by the time they reached the Palace.

In the morning they didn't take long to saddle the dragon and it was just as well, Inuyasha was eager to be off and was fussing grumpily as usual. He felt strange; on the one hand he didn't like being away from Kagome, but on the other, he definitely wasn't looking forward to seeing Sesshoumaru. Mama sensed Inuyasha's discomfort and looked across at him to give him a warm smile; she alone in this time understood his new dilemma and his vulnerability. Going to him as he stood stiffly waiting for Kaede, Mama grabbed him and pulled him into a hug.

"Everything will be fine Inuyasha, you'll see. You'll know the right thing to say when you see him, Sesshoumaru needs to be shown love right now just as you do; remember that and you won't go wrong. Now stop worrying or you'll say something you'll regret; especially if I hear you." Mama warned, knowing well how Inuyasha was prone to bad language if he felt cornered.

"Feh! Mama." Was all he said though as his body relaxed and he returned her embrace and leaned his head on her shoulder. Kaede who had come out of the hut noticed from the corner of her eye the interaction of the two and was surprised to feel a twinge of jealousy over the easy way Mama had in managing the often unruly, but lovable hanyou. Then she chided herself, there had been times when on the hunt for the jewel shards that she and Inuyasha had been the only ones of the group left in the village.

Sometimes when Kagome had gone home and the other's had taken the opportunity to do their own thing elsewhere, at the slayer's village or visiting the old monk Mushin, Inuyasha had no other place to go and rather than be alone he would stay and keep Kaede company. They were really quite good friends and would reminisce together; sometimes Inuyasha would feel safe enough to smile with her and would even share confidences. However he would never know that sometimes in the glow of firelight Kaede would pretend she was a lot younger again and that his smile was for her and her alone in a more romantic way. The handsome young hanyou who captured not only her sister's heart, but with his gruff kindnesses to the little maimed sister; had stolen her's as well.

There were even times when she had been able to hold him or put her arms round him, on rare times when he had needed reassurance. Even so it had never been with the ease with which Lady Higurashi had done; and then she heard him call her 'Mama' and everything fell back into its right place. Inuyasha was still only a young and orphaned boy who had been blessed with a substitute mother courtesy of his soon to be mate. This was an experienced mother who was not intimidated by the insecure grumblings of a child in need; whereas Kaede was an older, but childless woman who was remembering dreams that were as fresh as they could be with the subject of them still in front of her. Kaede saw the absurdity of her thoughts and laughed at herself, before she walked out of the hut with her baggage, ready for the journey to the Western Lands.

Souta meanwhile had been outside all the time, he was totally fascinated with the dragon and had had to be told in no uncertain terms and on pain of Inuyasha's wrath, that he was not to go off in the search of any Youkai. He would see enough of them soon enough. Kaede and Mama were soon settled on Ah-Un with directions that if they were nervous of the flying, they'd have to get used to it because Inuyasha couldn't carry them all and it would be too slow to walk. The journey should have been uneventful, but true to form, something was not pleasing to Inuyasha. Souta riding high on his back would not keep from squealing in his puppy ears; so after the fourth warning Inuyasha stopped and dumped him on the ground glaring daggers at the boy.

"I can't concentrate with my ears ringing brat." Inuyasha growled, the high pitch of the boy's voice actually caused pain to Inuyasha's sensitive ears. Mama grinned sympathetically at her soon to be son-in-law.

"Inuyasha darling, would you rather one of us swapped with Souta?"

"Feh! I don't care, as long as you don't screech when I run and jump."

"I think either of us can just about cope with you lovey. You've kept my children safe, I'm not afraid and I'm sure Lady Kaede is not scared of you either."

"Well you choose; I'm just going to take a break." He said short tempered; then he was gone, leaving the two ladies to decide which of them would go with Inuyasha.

"Ye should go Lady Higurashi; I'm heavier than ye are, I would only slow him down. Not that he'd admit it and not out of gallantry to me either. Inuyasha will not admit anything lessens his strength. Plus he looks to ye as a mother figure now does he not? I am sure that he would like to show off to his real mother, allow him to do so through you."

"I would love to fly with my son Lady Kaede; my daughter says it is a treat to do so and my other son was obviously enjoying himself." They laughed together, and Inuyasha who had just caught the end of the chat was choked. 'She said I was her son when I wasn't there, she called me son just like Souta,' he thought, and he had to blink several times until his vision cleared and then to cover up he said;

"Well, have you decided who comes with me? Let's hurry I want to get there before lunch" 'or my stupid brother will go hungry again.' he added to himself, remembering that the future Sesshoumaru had mentioned that he was neither eating nor drinking in the past.

Mama thought it was a great way to travel and she didn't squeal; well not much and only so she could smile sweetly at Inuyasha when he turned his head to her with an annoyed expression. They arrived at the Palace in good time and without too much strain; Souta's eyes were round as saucers and so were Mama's, everything was so new and exciting. Inuyasha got Souta and Kaede down from off Ah-Un and the dragon was taken by the same Youkai who had readied him for Inuyasha the day before. Then Inuyasha led them to Kagome who had been waiting at the door for Inuyasha and Kaede.

"Hello darling, you do look well; are you going to introduce me to all your friends?" Mama said as if meeting her daughter in a feudal era Youkai Palace was a common occurrence. Kagome was speechless and overjoyed to see her family and couldn't wait to show them around, after giving a big hug and thank you to Inuyasha for arranging the surprise. She also pulled him aside to tell him about Sesshoumaru, Mama joined them, and throwing her arms round them both she spoke to Inuyasha;

"Go to your brother dear, he really needs you now. You know what could happen if you do not repair this misunderstanding, and remember he's learned a hard lesson." Then Mama kissed him and distracted the by now puzzled Kagome by asking to meet to other friends. Inuyasha nodded and set off in search of his brother while Kagome introduced Mama and Souta and entertained them for the rest of the afternoon. He didn't hurry, purely because he didn't know what to do for, or how Sesshoumaru would receive him. One thing for sure he thought, Sessh would be cold and aloof because he would feel that Inuyasha had deserted him and what would be worse in his eyes nearly rejected the marvellous opportunity he had been given.

Inuyasha fought against the natural feeling of being guilty about the things he'd said to Sesshoumaru on the day before, he was entitled to feel that way and say those things, and he didn't regret any of it. He also didn't deny that he was pleased he had been able to hurt Sesshoumaru, although he hadn't set out to do that, not even realising that he could do so. But what should he say now? Sesshoumaru had had plenty of time to regain his composure and build his walls back tenfold, and Inuyasha wasn't looking forward to this.

Inuyasha didn't want to apologise to his brother, mainly because he was not a liar and was not sorry, but realistically he knew that in some way Sesshoumaru would make him pay heavily. He had got under the Ice King's skin and would be humbled yet again, until his brother felt magnanimous and received him back. Oh well, if it gave Inuyasha the brother of the future he would probably crawl. Perhaps if he went in and bared his mark, Sesshoumaru would understand and not hurt him too much; but then Inuyasha rebelled, he was not a naughty pup and he would not behave as such. No, Inuyasha was tired of always being blamed; the one in the wrong. He would go in and ignore Sesshoumaru until the Youkai Prince acknowledged him.

Inuyasha would then say he was willing to accept him as a brother again and to let the past lay in the past, dead and buried. He would be dignified and adult about the whole situation and leave the decision to accept him to Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha would not go to his brother as if craving his touch and love anymore, he would not wish for anything Sessh was unable to give him yet. Sesshoumaru was not the type of brother that Inuyasha could just run up to and embrace; his brother was the one who bestowed. Inuyasha suddenly thought of what to say, he would go straight to Sesshoumaru, look up into his brother's icy gold eyes set in that frightening, yet beautiful face and calmly say:

'I forgive you the past Sesshoumaru and will never bring it up again, let us go forward from here in the way brothers should be.' Yes that would do, Inuyasha was proud of that; it was a mature thing to say and it was something that would satisfy the pride of both. He just wished he had a similar height and beauty to Sesshoumaru; he was always at a disadvantage without it because one thing his brother definitely knew was how to use his considerable presence.

Inuyasha though was stopped from entering the corridor to Sesshoumaru's rooms by Jaken who was prostrated right in his path. Thinking the little imp had fainted or something, Inuyasha bent down to check him over and tried to pick him up. He didn't like his brother's obsequious little lackey but there was no one around at the moment to see him show concern, however Jaken was flustered by the efforts of Inuyasha making the hanyou exasperated with his attempts to bow in front of him again.

"Oy Jaken, what's all this about? You never bow to me, get up you stupid old thing."

"No! My Lord Inuyasha, you are now the second lord and I have only just found out that I could have stopped certain things from happening in your past, but I didn't know. I must apologise."

"Oh get up, you look ridiculous, besides I know what you really think of me and if you didn't know you couldn't have stopped it could you? Anyway, I am forgetting the whole past thing so don't worry, alright." Inuyasha said roughly, he was vaguely embarrassed by the unusual homage; Jaken understood him though, and got up and picked up a tray he'd put to the side and Inuyasha saw the glass of wine.

"Is that for his Lordship, get me one too and I'll take it in. Does he know I am here?" Inuyasha thought that a glass of wine might give him some extra bravado, considering he rarely had the stuff.

"Yes, he will do, My Lord always knows when we have arrivals. Lord Sesshoumaru's senses are second to none." Jaken said proudly, pulling himself up to his full insignificant height before toddling off to fetch another glass. When he came back Inuyasha swallowed his wine quickly and held the empty glass out for a refill from the disapproving Jaken then took the tray and went to visit his brother. He opened the shoji to the suite and went in closing it again behind him. Sesshoumaru was not to be seen, so placing the tray on a small table Inuyasha went in search.

Inuyasha had just reached one of the dark inner rooms in time to see that his brother was coming back in from the gardens; he could see Sesshoumaru's silhouette seat itself in a chair and pick up a book to read. Inuyasha smirked to himself, his brother knew he was there, but just like before he was going to deal with Inuyasha whilst reading a book not to make it too personal. Inuyasha felt at once like the little child again, but then he rallied his spirit; 'I know your games now Sesshoumaru, you will never intimidate me this way again.' He thought, but he spoke aloud;

"I have come back my Lord Sesshoumaru and I have brought us wine." Inuyasha spoke gently, respectfully and without aggression, but his voice tailed off a bit towards the end as he was almost certain he saw his brother flinch. He walked towards the older youkai now with more confidence and the silhouetted shape of his brother took on colour as Inuyasha came nearer to the light from the garden window. What he saw stopped Inuyasha in his tracks.

The seated Prince looked positively unkempt, at least for the normally immaculate Sesshoumaru. His hair was mussed as if he had not brushed or groomed it that morning and his clothes were still in deshabille as though he had slept in them; but the bed had not been used that night. Jaken had told Inuyasha that Sesshoumaru had not permitted any to enter or attend him. The hand that was holding the book had a slight tremor, and Inuyasha's heart twisted in his chest sending all of his carefully prepared words from his head. Approaching softly he called quietly in a dismayed voice;

"Oh Sesshoumaru, my brother." Inuyasha whispered, completely forgetting that he had ever disowned said brother. He watched in dismay as Sesshoumaru put his head down, covering his face with his hand and a faint shudder ran through his body. Then, not being able to stand it anymore, the younger one came to his brother and took the hand that was hesitatingly outstretched towards him. As he knelt in front of the distressed youkai, Inuyasha kissed Sesshoumaru's hand and held on to it. Hearing a strangled whimper coming from his normally strong brother upset the hanyou but it also motivated him and suddenly Inuyasha did know what to do. He drew his brother into a strong hug and held him tight, stroking his hair and reassuring him that it would be alright.

"Sessh, Sesshy, shush it's okay now, I'm back home. I promise it's all in the past this time, and that's where we will leave it for ever."

"Forgive me...Please?" Sesshoumaru said in the quietest voice Inuyasha had ever heard his brother use. There was no way this could not be genuine remorse; the proud and haughty Lord of the Western Lands would never pretend all of this just to torment his brother; besides Inuyasha would scent the lies. And all Inuyasha could smell was the salt of tears and distress from the Taiyoukai; he tightened his grip on Sesshoumaru and rested his head on top of his brother's before he too succumbed to tears.

"I love you Sessh, I would do almost anything for you; of course I forgive you, if you'll forgive me all this pain." Inuyasha's words lightened his brother's heart, they had found consolation in one another and their grief was cathartic. Later when Jaken crept in with some tea and refreshment for them both, he saw and knew that there was harmony between them and his prayers had been answered.

Sesshoumaru went to bathe and make himself respectable; he had guests and was failing in his duty and that would never do. When he'd finished, he had the tea Jaken brought while Inuyasha also bathed and changed, ridding himself of the grime of his journey. Sesshoumaru lent him some kimono of his own and was flattered when Inuyasha chose one that matched his. He hoped that Inuyasha would not remind him constantly of his momentary lapse of self-control or his grief of the previous day; he was not used to such display and hadn't been so open since he was a pup.

However while he considered the implications of his recent overwhelming feelings, he was amazed that he felt no shame over them and he reassured himself that would never betray his brother's trust again. Clean and somewhat refreshed, the two boys walked together shoulder to shoulder to greet the guests; only two needed a formal introduction and these two were the only ones in Inuyasha's rooms, the others would be greeted at dinner. Souta was in immediate awe of the tall imperious youkai who was so totally different to his favoured Inuyasha and Inuyasha found it ironic that even though he could still see the traces of the tears so recently shed by his brother, the youkai was still able to inspire such reverential respect.

Mama too noticed and was glad to see them together; she realised they had sorted out their problems and bowing low to the Lord, she smiled and as her eyes twinkled her natural caring nature shone and Sesshoumaru felt warmed by her presence. Kagome remained silent until she took Inuyasha aside, she had hardly seen him since early the day before and she missed him so much. It was apparent to her, as she knew her hanyou very well, that Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru had reached an understanding and she fervently hoped this time it was permanent.

Sesshoumaru bowed and smiled at them before taking his leave recognising that the family had a lot of catching up to do. He kissed Kagome on the hand and Inuyasha on the forehead feeling a strange sense of loss in leaving his brother and all the others; he'd never really felt lonely before, but now...Mama noticed his wistful expression and made a request.

"Do you have to leave My Lord, could you not find some time to come with us and show us around your fine gardens; I believe your little Rin would be most happy to see you. She was saying how much she was missing you earlier." Mama's tones were warm and Sesshoumaru considered; he did not have to be anywhere else at the moment, and yes it would be pleasant to spend time in the gardens and if Rin would be happy then so would he.

TBC