I do not own InuYasha or any of the characters created by Rumiko Takahashi
Unexpected Company
Atae had been playing in the yard, building a fortress out of wood chips and scraps while InuYasha chopped firewood when suddenly a great, one eyed bull dropped out of the sky. On his back was a stinky, old youkai with big, bulbous eyes and gray hair. Startled, he now hid behind his father's legs, clinging to the loose fabric of the firerat hakama. Bit by bit, as he sensed his father's annoyance but no fear, he peeked around to look at the strange person standing in front of them.
"What in the hells are you doing here, Toutousai?" InuYasha asked, resting his hand on his son's head.
"It's been too quiet. Neither you or your brother is causing any mayhem lately, so I came to see if everything was all right. Your brother's not around, is he?" the old smith asked, turning his head around as he searched the grounds around them. But there was nothing there but the garden, the laundry hanging up to dry and the woodpile.
"Heck if I know." InuYasha scooped his son up into arms. "He pops in and out whenever he feels like it."
"Still keeping an eye on that young'un, I bet." Toutousai chuckled. "He's more like his father than he'd ever admit."
"Feh." InuYasha, frowned and rubbed his jaw, as if in memory of past tooth extractions. "I dare you to say that to his face."
"I might be forgetful these days," Toutousai said. "But I'm not suicidal." He leaned forward to get a better look at Atae, lifting a finger and almost touching his nose. Atae's ears flattened, and he began a soft, nervous growl. "Now that's a mighty nice looking young'un of your own you have there. Myouga was right. Looks like you when you were just a sprout."
"Daddy?" Atae said, looking up at his father.
"It's okay, little guy. This is the guy who made my sword." He ruffed his son's hair, scratching a little behind his ears.
"He did?" the boy replied. He looked unconvinced.
"Yeah. But since he doesn't seem to have any reason for being here, he'll be going on his way in a little bit."
The door to the little house opened up, and Kagome stepped out.
"Toutousai! What a surprise!" she said, smiling. "What brings you here? You have to stay for dinner!"
As Kagome ushered the old smith into the house, InuYasha put Atae down, sighing. "Tell your mama I've gone hunting."
"Why, Daddy?" the boy asked.
"I just want to make sure that we get to eat, too." And with that, he dashed off into the forest.
