The Book of Sorcery
By: BlackShade
Updated:8/7/12
Disclaimer: All of the Inuyasha characters are not mine, they belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I own the plot of the story and my OC's.
Beta-ed by: ShadowEntity

Sesshomaru's Decision

Sesshomaru grunted as he felt himself being lightly shoved in the shoulder. Peaking through one eye he saw the blurred vision of his mother. Screwing his eyes back shut, he yawned lightly and shook off the feeling of sleep. Without a word to his mother, he went about his morning routine.

Sacura didn't say anything about her son's rudeness. Taisho had told her last night about the conversation they had. She knew her son had much on his mind, and probably wanted to be alone. Be that as it may, it would have to wait until after the morning meal.

She waited patiently as her son got himself together. She looked idly around his room. "How plain," she muttered. She never could understand her son's taste in furniture.

Sesshomaru, with his face safely turned from his mother, rolled his eyes. Finished cleaning himself up, he brushed passed his mother. The sooner this was over, the sooner he could be alone to sort out his thoughts. He didn't know that Sacura just moments ago thought the same thing.

Sacura walked in an equal footing with her son. She knew her son didn't want to talk about what was currently occupying his mind, but she had something to say. She broke the silence tactfully.

"Have you made you decision yet, my son?"

"No." His answer was short and clipped.

"I think it would be a good idea."

Sesshomaru paused, steps faltering before he recovered and continued the stride. "Why?"

It was a few seconds before she answered. "I know that you would never hurt him. So the chance of there being training accidents would be rare," she stated matter-of-factly, earning a raised eyebrow from Sesshomaru and he opened his mouth as if to speak. She sighed and continued.

"Honestly, Sesshomaru, I believe that Inuyasha would learn much from you. He looks up to you, and searches for you approval. If you were the one to teach him," Sacura paused, "he would give nothing less than everything he's got to please you."

Sesshomaru stared at his mother, surprised. His mouth, still parted, opened into a small 'O' shape. He stood seemingly unmoving until his mother's voice brought him out of his trance.

"Come now, we're already late," she admonished good naturedly.

The pair was the last to arrive for the morning meal. Taisho didn't question his mate and son's tardiness. With everyone present, the food was served and they began eating. All except one.

Sesshomaru was quiet as he rolled his food around with his chopsticks, every once in a while putting a little in his mouth if just for show. He didn't have much of an apatite.

Looking across the table at his brother, Sesshomaru noticed how quickly Inuyasha was eating. He looked rather tired, like he had been through a tough training session. Inuyasha's appearance looked the same as it did yesterday - run down and fatigued. A knot of worry twisted in his gut for his little brother.

Inuyasha finished his breakfast quickly with very little show of decorum. He politely excused himself, saying he would be in the library for the rest of the day. Sesshomaru and Taisho shared a knowing look at the statement.

Sesshomaru waited a while before leaving, himself. He went to his room to collect his thoughts. The time passed from late morning to early afternoon. He was almost sure of his decision. Sesshomaru vacated his room, fully intent on going to the library. He figured that talking with Inuyasha might help him to make his final choice.

It was after he had reached the library that the question of whether their father had talked to Inuyasha yet slipped in his thoughts. Should he be the one to tell him? Or should ask and wait until their father brought it up?

Sesshomaru sauntered into the library only to find a sleeping Inuyasha. He reached a hand out, paused, and then withdrew it slowly. He smiled at the sight before turning on his heel. For now the question could be put on hold.

Sesshomaru stalked into an open room adjacent to the place Inuyasha was napping. He was careful to not wake the sleeping hanyou. As his eyes darted around the room, it was then that he saw what his father was talking about. On the table were stacks of books and scrolls on various fighting styles, stacked and compiled in a half-hazard manner. It was nearly impossible to even make out the type of table, so thoroughly covered.

"Maybe training you would be a good idea," he whispered, gold eyes scanning the multitude of information.

It was clear that Inuyasha was interested in learning the more complex fighting styles, Sesshomaru realized judging by the books. Most of which the heir was well practiced in. Pushing the doubts to the back of his mind and grabbing hold of his confidence, Sesshomaru made his decision. He quickly left the library to find his father after throwing one last furtive glance behind him.

Izayoi was sitting in the garden. For once, she didn't have too many things on her mind. The only thing to occupy her thoughts was her son.

Taisho had talked with her earlier in the day about Inuyasha, and she had agreed with him. It would be best for Inuyasha to learn more complex fighting styles.

"Especially since he'll have to learn the art of Dark Magic soon," Izayoi thought sadly. She knew the day would come soon. She had just hoped it wouldn't be this soon.

To help lessen her worry she decided to let Sakini and Katosagi train Inuyasha in Dark Magic. Just in case something was to happen, they would be able to handle it better than her. She jumped slightly when she heard a voice behind her.

"Izayoi?" She turned to come face to face with her step-son. She had to squint, the sun in her eyes, to see him. "Yes?"

"Have you seen Chichue? He wasn't in his study."

"Made up your mind?" asked Izayoi, already knowing the answer.

"Yes," Sesshomaru said shortly, giving her a brisk nod.

"I'm not sure where your father is," Izayoi told him sadly, chewing on the inside of her check.

Sesshomaru's concern was sparked. "Is something the matter Lady Izayoi?"

"No, everything is fine." Sesshomaru paused and searched her eyes. She quickly diverted hers to the chair across from her.

Sesshomaru, knowing full well she wasn't 'fine', wanted to question her more but was also very aware that he wouldn't get much out of Izayoi. She was just like Inuyasha in that regard.

"Would you like some company, Izayoi?" Sesshomaru's eyes flicked to the place opposite her.

Izayoi's narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously. When she spoke it was almost cold. "Why?"

"What do you mean?" asked Sesshomaru, confused. He watched her curiously.

"We don't exactly spend much time together," she stated sardonically. Continuing bluntly, she asked, "Why are you offering now?"

"You are upset." He hesitated. "Though most don't admit it, it's very nice to have someone to talk to when they're upset."

Izayoi remained silent, but didn't object when her step-son sat down next to her.

"You will train Inuyasha?" She asked into the silence that was growing slowly uncomfortable.

"Yes," said Sesshomaru, without looking at her. His eyes were fixated on an obscure point in the distance and Izayoi mimicked him by looking there too.

"That's good. He'll learn much from you."

"Mother said the same thing," Sesshomaru murmured more to himself than Izayoi.

Izayoi smiled softly at the thought of her friend, which didn't go unnoticed by the western heir.

Sesshomaru shifted his gaze to the trees ahead. He knew his step-mother wanted to ask him something. He knew that the silence would be broken soon, as it always was.

"Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru tilted his head back and eyed Izayoi curiously. He nodded.

"Would you accept Inuyasha if you found out he was... different from everyone else?" Izayoi struggled to ask. She fidgeted with her dress and refused to look into Sesshomaru's too bright eyes.

Puzzled by the question, Sesshomaru leaned back and replied truthfully. "Inuyasha is my brother. I have accepted him for what he is and who he is, and nothing will change that." He shrugged and his lips twitched into a small smile.

Izayoi positively beamed at Sesshomaru. The sincerity in her stepson's voice calmed her enormously. "Thank you, Sesshomaru."

"What for?" Sesshomaru was now completely confused.

It must have shown on his face because Izayoi chuckled softly. She didn't say anything, though, just tossed her eyes to the surrounding forest. Sesshomaru didn't comment when her hand reached out to grab his. He gave her hand a comforting squeeze and soft but absolutely sincere smile.

Inutaisho watched the heart-warming scene from the balcony. This was a special moment for thedaiyoukai, such an interaction between his eldest and second mate was rare. It was a moment he would cherish for many years to come.

Silently he leaped from the balcony to the garden, feet landing silently on the ground below. He quietly walked up behind the pair. As much as he didn't want to interrupt the moment, he had to speak to his son. He cleared his throat loudly.

The two barely moved from their positions at the sound. They simply turned their heads to face thedaiyoukai.

"Sesshomaru," he addressed. "I must speak with you."

The youkai in question stood, gave a slight nod in Izayoi's direction, and followed after his sire. Izayoi watched as the two walked off until they were gone from sight. "Maybe," she whispered to herself.

Inuyasha was studying over the scrolls he had found about the ninja-assassin fighting style.

He couldn't believe he had fallen asleep again! He didn't have any time to waste if he were to complete his mission. He had to study and train as much as possible.

He was so focused in his thoughts he didn't notice Shiori enter the library, and was startled when she spoke.

"Inuyasha?"

Glancing in her direction, he gave a small wave. He turned his attention back to the scroll.

"Wow," she said sarcastically. "Not even a word, just a glance and wave."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Not now, Shiori."

"And what, pray tell, is so important?" she snapped. Her arms fastened over her chest, lips pursed, and burning eyes made her one scary sight, but Inuyasha wisely, or unwisely, didn't look up.

"I have something to do," was all he said. He made an obscure gesture with his hands, eyes flicking side to side as he read.

She scoffed and glared heatedly at the back of the fellow hanyou's head. Inuyasha could feel her eyes burning into the back of his skull and resisted the urge to make sure she hadn't somehow gotten laser vision and burned a hole in his head.

"You always have something to do…" Shiori's voice seemed to wilt as she trailed off. Her angry tone was replaced by a bitter and defeated one.

Inuyasha felt a familiar pang of guilt. Before he could stop himself, he stood from his chair abruptly and turned – so fast all she could do was blink – and pulled his friend into a tight hug. "I'm sorry. I know I've been ignoring you guys lately, but... there's something I have to do, I wish I could tell you but I can't."

Shiori embraced her friend back, patting reassuringly at his back. Although it wasn't an explanation, she accepted it. "We're worried about you."

Inuyasha didn't say anything but embraced her even tighter. They stayed like that for a few more minutes before Shiori broke the silence and pulled back to look at him.

"The rest of us are in the garden, care to join us?"

Inuyasha looked from the books to his friend. With a mental 'to hell with it' he said honestly, "I would love to."

The two met up with the rest of their friends, who were surprised at the slight of their other hanyoufriend.

The rest of the day was spent as it used to be, with everyone laughing, talking and joking around with good friends.

"This feels nice," Inuyasha thought as he looked at the setting sun.

Yay Sesshy is gonna train Inu! I hope that turns out well.

Hint To Next Chapter: Sesshomaru's and Inuyasha's first training session.

~BlackShade~