Title: Pride and Shame
Author: Priestess Skye
Word Count: 263
Characters: InuPapa, Izayoi, baby Inu
Quote Prompt: The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock
I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker;
And I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and
snicker,
And in short, I was afraid.
Note: In no way is this an interpretation of the piece. Instead it's just what came to mind when I saw the words.
Written for InuyashaQuotes
The second time was entirely different. There was pride, but it was laced with fear. It was laced with shame. It was laced with something so indescribable he couldn't find a word to call it. There was love. That was to be expected. But searching deep, he found it was laced with hate as well.
And self-loathing, having gone against all that he was taught.
But not one to be undone by what was beneath the surface; he ignored it all as he stroked the soft, downy hair of the babe at his mother's breast. His joy. His downfall.
He didn't need to hear the murmured whispers of those who followed him to know what they were saying. He succumbed to the weakness of the flesh. For once he let his heart rule true despite knowing what a hanyou could do to him.
Hanyou. The one word that used to cause him to spit and curse was now one half of his legacy. It was a hard thought to swallow.
And yet, part of him knew he wanted this. It wouldn't have happened otherwise.
"Inuyasha." The name was spoken loud and true, making it so. Lifting his other hand, he ran it through the child's mother's hair, taking a moment to memorize the texture.
Wordlessly, he left into the night. He would face his judgment over this. And for once, he wished he didn't have to. For once, he wished he could stay by her side. One last glance at her told him everything he already knew.
He would never see them again.
