All characters and named weapons borrowed from Inuyasha are not my own, but belong to Takahashi-dono.

"Father's Legacy"

After parting ways with Tsubaki, Shako decided to make a final security check along the outer wall of the village. He didn't do this every night – normally Niban or one of the other Slayers took care of such things – but he needed time to think.

"I just wish there was a way to know… to be absolutely certain that I'm doing the right thing by marrying her," he murmured to himself, for about the fifteenth time.

He almost didn't see the crouching figure hidden within the moon shadow of the wall until he had almost passed it.

"Is that you, Inuyasha?"

"… How'd you see me?"

"I almost didn't. But I know this village almost too well, and that part of the wall looked a little off tonight. Plus, there's my keen demon-detecting senses, honed to perfection through years of training."

Inuyasha grunted noncommittally.

"That… and I saw one of your ears twitch." Shako grinned as Inuyasha let out a definitively resigned sigh. "Hey, mind if I join you?"

"Whatever."

Shako leaned back against the wall a respectful distance from the hanyou, and slowly slid down until his rear rested on the ground. A quiet minute passed, and the moon crawled slowly across the sky. Shako glanced at his taciturn companion. Well… now what? He doesn't exactly look in the mood for conversation. He looks… pensive. I imagine I look much the same. Shako cleared his throat and was about to stand and leave when Inuyasha spoke.

"Shako…"

"Hm, yes?"

"What was your father like?"

"Eh?" Where did that come from? "What do you mean?"

"I have no memory of my father."

"None at all?"

"My mother said he died not long after I was born. I don't know exactly how, but whenever she spoke of it, she became very sad."

"I… see. And he was your demon parent?"

Inuyasha nodded.

"So what you're saying is, you'd like to tell me what it's like to have a father?"

"… I guess."

Shako sighed, and stretched his arms above his head. "That, my friend, is a long, complicated explanation. Each person is different, therefore, each father is different. Even the same father can be very different to his different children."

Inuyasha's ears perked up upon hearing this. Other than that sole betrayal, he gave no indication of his sudden increase in attention. But Shako caught it.

"I take it you were not an only child?"

"Yes and no. I was my mother's only child."

"But your father had other children."

"Yeah."

"Mine did too. All by my mother, though. He never remarried when she died."

Inuyasha shook his head and clenched the sheathed sword in his lap. "My father's wife is still very much alive, and their son. And marriage in the demon world is quite permanent… always until death."

So was the relationship with his mother simply a dalliance? Shako's eyes widened imperceptibly. Better not ask about that – at least not yet. His voice softens when he speaks of his mother… he clearly loved her. "I had two brothers… and a sister. Unfortunately, my older and younger brothers both died in combat with a demon before my father passed. That's why I was left in charge of the village… and the family business, so to speak."

"And what of your sister?"

"She died along with my mother."

"… I'm sorry."

"It's all right now. It was a long time ago."

"Mm."

"My father… he was a strong warrior, but he had a kind heart. He taught my brothers and I how to fight not only demons, but humans too. He knew too well the dangers we might encounter from bandits and the like while traveling between jobs. Plus, there was always the risk of being set upon by those who hired us. 'Always mind your manners, and keep your wits about you,' he said.

"He cried for days when my brothers died. It was so hard on all of us, but especially on him. He blamed himself for their deaths, saying he should have been able to save them. I don't think he was ever quite the same again. The deaths of my mother and sister later that year finished him… he just seemed to lose the will to live after that. He died the next spring. I was seventeen."

Not much older than I was when Mother died… thought Inuyasha. And he had the village to support and protect!

"Fortunately, I had everyone in the village to support me. Without them, I don't think I could have made it the first month! Plus, the old man left me something that kept me safe in other ways." Shako glanced at Inuyasha. "You know my weapon, the Hiraikotsu?"

"Yeah. What about it?"

"My father made it out of the bones of the first 108 demons he killed. It's the only weapon of its kind I've ever seen. He said that the night he slew the 108th demon, he had a dream of a crescent moon spinning as it crossed the sky. When he woke up, he set to work on forging the bones together, and after many weeks of labor, the Hiraikotsu was the result. He said the work was actually quite easy, almost as though the bones wanted to take that shape."

"He called 'many weeks of labor' easy?"

Shako cocked his head. "Inuyasha, it takes a good deal of time and energy to create even a normal, mortal weapon… at least, if you want it to be one of good quality. To make the Hiraikotsu, the demon bones had to be slowly, painstakingly compressed into extremely dense semi-metallic fibers, then interwoven, and finally compressed and solidified into its ultimate shape. I suspect that your sword was made much the same way." He glanced at the blade resting in the hanyou's lap. "You said it was made from your father's fang, right?"

"Mm-hm. Other than my robe, it's the only thing he left to me. Everything else of his rather sizeable estate went to his wife or to my older, full-demon brother, Sesshomaru." He practically spat out the name like it left a bad taste in his mouth.

Shako waited a while to see if anything more would come of that, but Inuyasha said nothing more of his brother. Well, if nothing else, it's clear that his father loved his mother… and loved Inuyasha. A demon, especially one of the nobility, would never give anything of value to a half-demon offspring if it was unwanted.

"May I see it? The sword, I mean."

Inuyasha hesitated a moment before drawing out the blade. He flipped the sword around, and allowed Shako to grasp the handle. He reluctantly relinquished control of the heirloom.

Shako ran his finger along the dinted flat of the blade. "Doesn't look like much, does it? I could hardly feel it while it was in the sheath, but I can feel absolutely immense demonic power coursing through this weapon now. By any chance… does it take on another form?"

Inuyasha's left eyebrow arced in shock. "How did you know that? Did Risa or someone tell you?"

Shako snorted. "It's pretty obvious. First, you obviously wouldn't be able to fight very will with such an old, beat-up sword, as it appears to be at the moment. Second, a weapon such as this would serve no practical purpose beyond fighting, and you seem to be a very practical – yet also quite emotional – person. Third, despite your emotions, you don't seem to be the type of person who would hold onto something for purely sentimental reasons. Fourth, if powerful demons can change their form and appearance, perhaps their dismembered body parts can do the same? And finally, I heard a strange noise shortly after you showed up to help us in Midoriko's cave. I assume that it was the sword's transformation?"

"Yeah."

Shako offered him the Tetsusaiga's hilt. "Mind showing me?"

"Well, that's a bit of a problem." Inuyasha grasped the hilt of his sword, then jabbed the tip towards a random star. He sighted down the length of the blade. For the first time, he noticed that although the blade seemed quite pitted, its line was perfectly straight. He smirked, and returned it to its sheath. "See, it only transforms when I really need it to, not really on command."

"Ah. That must be annoying."

"A bit. It's never yet failed to transform when I need it to."

Shako stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I suspect that may be a clue as to why your father left it to you… and not to your brother."

"Eh?"

"From the way you speak of him, I doubt your brother cares much for humans?"

Inuyasha snorted. "That's putting it mildly."

"Yet your father cared."

"What makes you think that?"

"I don't think any father would leave such a fine outfit, and a mighty weapon forged from his own body, to the son he made with a woman he didn't love. Think, Inuyasha! Why do you suppose he gave you that robe?"

"Protection, I guess."

"Exactly. He clearly didn't want you to suffer harm or perish. What father does? But then, why the sword? You obviously don't need it to protect yourself: with your speed, claws, sturdy constitution, and the robe, you need fear very little in this world."

Except during the new moon… Inuyasha thought wistfully.

Shako continued. "But that's only safety for your body, Inuyasha. What can you do with this sword that you could not do without it?"

"Kill some demons easier."

"Exactly. But not wantonly: you said that you cannot command the sword to transform at will… or at least not yet. So, the question then becomes, under what conditions does it transform?"

"Well, the first time was right after it popped out of my eye…"

"Say what?"

Inuyasha sighed, quickly told the strange tale of how he had obtained the sword, and then began describing the times the Tetsusaiga had successfully transformed for him. Shako interjected at a few points, asking for additional details. As Inuyasha wrapped up with the final time in Midoriko's cave, Shako closed his eyes and rubbed his brow.

"I think I see a pattern, Inuyasha."

"Oh?"

"Yes. It seems that each time the Tetsusaiga transformed for you, you were in a position where you had a need for it." Shako shrugged and patted his knees. "I can't think of any other common thread, at any rate. But I am rather tired, and my mind isn't as sharp as it normally would be," he admitted.

Inuyasha thought back over the stories he had just related. "I think you're half-right," he said slowly and deliberately. "It only seems to transform when I need to protect humans… or when I strongly feel the need to, at any rate. My mother always said that she knew beyond any doubt that my father cared for her… and for me. I never really believed her, but… well, if it's true, then it makes sense that my father would leave this sword to me so I could protect humans – just as he did until he died."

Ah, good… Shako smiled to himself. He came to the logical conclusion on his own. It's better that way: he'll be more likely to accept it as the truth. He arched his back, preparing to stand.

"I'll assume, then, Shako, that the uncertainty I smell all over you is not relevant to my sword's purpose?"

"Erm… no, not really." He grinned bashfully. "I am certain about your father's love for you. I'm just not so certain about my own emotions."

Inuyasha snorted. "Like emotions have anything to do with it. You see the girl, you want her, you take her. That's what you humans do, right?" His teeth bared ever so slightly.

Shako was startled by Inuyasha's sudden change in demeanor. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear his eyes were glaring at an enemy, not an ally… He bowed his head. "Some of us, yes… but me? I'm just not certain if I can be everything she needs me to be for her – not while fulfilling my duty to the village."

"Ah." The glowering eyes relaxed, and the fangs hid themselves behind the once-more tightened lips.

"Can I be a good husband, a warrior, and a leader to my people? I dare not even think about adding needing to be a good father on top of all that!"

"Well, you'll have some time before that happens, at least."

Shako raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

"It's easy to tell the two of you haven't mated yet." He wrinkled his nose. "The stench of desire the two of you give off when you're near each other is stifling!"

"Eh heh… that obvious, huh?"

"Duh."

They sat in silence a moment more. Then Inuyasha stood and silently threaded his sheathed sword through his sash. "Shako."

"Yeah?"

"From everything I've seen of you, you're a good man. I haven't seen many truly good men, but I have seen that a truly good man is good at all he does – war, peace, even love. I'd even say especially love. So you'll do just fine."

He took a step, paused, and turned. "But if you mistreat her, Shako, I swear I will rip you to pieces with my bare hands!"

Shako stood and dusted off his tush. "Inuyasha… thank you. I'll hold you to that." He smiled, bowed, and strolled off.

Inuyasha stared after him, dumbfounded. I threaten him, and he just smiles? Gutsy guy. Not that I think he really would do anything to hurt her. What in the world came over me, anyway? It's none of my business what he does… He shook his head and meandered back to his assigned quarters.

XXXXX

Shako prayed fervently as he meandered through the village. Ancestors, give me strength! Great-grandmother Rindou… Mother… Father!

He found himself outside Risa's window. Might as well do it now… "Risa, my love!" he called softly.

"Shako!" Her head popped over the sill. "What are you doing here? Our wedding is tomorrow morning!" she hissed. "These old fogies I'm staying with will kill you if they see you here now!"

"I just wanted to see you," he confessed. "I needed to tell you that I'm sorry."

"Whatever for?" She paused, and her face darkened. "Don't tell me you're getting cold feet…"

"Oh, no no!" He waved his hands frantically. "Nothing of the sort - the exact opposite, in fact! I'm apologizing for not being sure enough of myself before now."

"Huh?"

"It's… a guy thing." He knew it sounded lame, but there was no easy way he could explain something he didn't even halfway understand.

"Right…" He could practically hear her eyes rolling. "Can I go back to sleep now?"

"Of course. Good night, my dear!"

"Good night, you silly man. Sometimes, I don't know why I love you." She grinned, stuck out her tongue, and vanished from sight.

"As long as you do," Shako whispered to the night breeze, "that's all that matters." As long as you're with me, we can handle anything!