Chapter 21
Inumouru was getting very good with his bamboo sword. He could fend of most of Sesshoumaru's blows. Sesshoumaru was not using his full abilities of course but enough to challenge the boy to try hard.
As Inumouru's training progressed they discovered that he could generate poison like his father. Also he was very strong like his uncle Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru was convinced that he would have no trouble handling the sword when it came.
Inuyasha had the boys also do physical chores around the house to help build strength. They chopped wood, carried water and scrubbed pots. The last one was just to get back at them for all the dirty tricks they used to play on him.
Sugumi was younger than his cousin and although he was very enthusiastic he didn't have the strength yet to wield the heavy bamboo rod his uncle had gotten him. Inuyasha, got the boy a smaller rod, and worked with him on dodging and jumping. In Inuyasha's opinion these skills were more important that sword play.
"Staying out of the reach of your opponents sword gives you more chance of getting your own cuts in."
That night at the dinner table the boys related all the things they had learned from their training to their mothers.
"You should have seen me momma. I was able to fight with father and I almost won too." Inumouru beamed. "Father says I will be able to start with a real sword as soon as the sword master brings it here.
Sugumi was also full stories. "I jumped almost as high as daddy, he even said so." The little boy was so excited he was having a hard time eating his supper.
"Will you sit still and eat. You can talk after." Kagome was trying to calm down her son.
"Oh let him be Kagome." Katame was smiling. "At least they are having fun with out getting into trouble."
She was feeding Samotoyame. He was gobbling up his fish and rice with both hands. He was turning out to be a beautiful boy. He had long silver hair like his father and ears like his brother. But instead of deep yellow gold eyes, his eyes were a unusual shade silvery gold. He was growing strong and would start walking soon.
He didn't growl when he ate like his brother did, but heaven help the unfortunate soul who tried to get in between him and his food. Kagome once went to take his dish away, thinking that he was done. He snarled and almost bit her.
Sesshoumaru was not pleased about that and the little demon got another smack for his efforts.
Sesshoumaru was a real stickler for proper behavior an his newest son was a trial on his patience. Samotoyame was always trying to bite someone. Katame could be quite fierce when she growled but it didn't have much effect on him.
One evening a strange three eyed bull arrived pulling a cart. It was the sword master. He had brought the swords for the boys. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha went out to meet the master.
"As you requested lord Sesshoumaru. Here is your son's sword. It is a variation of the sword your own father had made for Inuyasha. I call it kirokatana it has a spell on it as you desired.
The sword will keep Inumouru from becoming a truly evil demon so long as he uses it in defense of others. The sword will blast through the magic of his foes.
He needs to swing the sword high above his head and bring it down level with his foe's head and shout out 'magic energy destroyer'. A blast of energy will erupt from the tip of the blade destroying his enemy. However should Inumouru become a full demon his sword will transform into an ordinary sword losing all it's magic.
Sesshoumaru tested the blade. It was perfectly balanced and as sharp as a razor's edge. He smiled. "This will do nicely, sword master."
Inuyasha stepped up and received his son's sword.
"Lord Inuyasha. Here is the tokir-robe. It also has the spells you requested. Because your son is a man-demon. He is especially vulnerable to evil inclinations. His sword will only be truly strong so long as his intentions are good.
He must fight in defense of humans. The power of this sword is thunder and lightening. To release the power of the sword he must bring it down on his foe and call out 'fire blast shielder'. The lightening and thunder will be activated and smash his opponent.
But he must be careful not to use this unless there is no other choice. For the lightening will be able to level an entire village. If he uses the tokir-robe against humans for evil purposes it will loose its magic.
Inuyasha admired the craftsmanship of the sword. He swung the blade. It sang as it cut the air. "This is nice. But, Sugumi will have to grow some more before he will fit this blade." He returned it to it's sheath. "You did well sword master." Inuyasha bowed and thanked him.
The sword master took his leave with one final warning. "Make sure you teach them well, how to use their wits and natural strength. The swords are just tools and not the only means to an end."
The next day it was Inuyasha who put the boys through their paces. The brothers had decided to wait until the boys were older before giving them their swords. Sesshoumaru sat with Samotoyame on his knee. The babe was enthralled with the mock battles being played out in front of him.
Sesshoumaru was calling out advice as Inumouru was trying to jump and swing his bamboo rod at the same time. Inuyasha was a excellent fighter. He had great strength and stamina. He was teaching Inumouru to jump and leap and use his environment in a battle.
"You may have to battle on stairs or in a forest. You never know what you'll find, so if you are prepared, you can use your surroundings to your advantage." He demonstrated by leaping from branch to branch up to the top of the huge tree by the far wall. He jumped down. "Now you try."
Inumouru did his best to jump and leap as his uncle did but only made it a third of the way before he lost his footing and fell. Inuyasha caught him in mid air.
Inumouru was discouraged. "Oh I'm never going to be able to do that as good as you, Uncle Inuyasha."
Inuyasha just set him down and said. "Don't worry kid. You'll get it sooner or later. Just keep on practicing." He ruffled the boy's hair.
"Lunch is ready come inside and eat. You boys remember to wash your hands I'll have no dirty paws at the table." Katame called out. She had already taken Samotoyame from his father and was heading in to change him when her son Inumouru suddenly appeared in front of her.
"Eeeep. Inu! Don't you scare me like that you bad pup. Get inside this instant."
Sesshoumaru laughed quietly and said under his breath to his brother. "He'll leap if it means playing a trick on someone, the little rip."
Time was going on. Inumouru and Sugumi were progressing nicely. They could leap out of Inuyasha's way and fend off most blows that Sesshoumaru would give with his own bamboo rod.
It was time Inumouru received his sword. Sugumi was still not quite big enough yet. His father promised that as soon as he was, he too would receive a sword.
Sesshoumaru took Inumouru out into the forest above the palace. He sat and talked at length with his son concerning the sword the spells and the limits that were placed on it as well as the limits placed on Inumouru.
The lad did his best to understand but magic was something of a mystery to him. He would ask many questions of his father, listening intently to the answers. He loved his father and wanted to be just like him.
"My son, the sword will be a great power in your hand, but you must remember what your uncle and I have been teaching you. You must use your wits and cunning more than your sword. A sword can break or be taken but your wits and your skill cannot. Always keep your enemy under control by keeping yourself under control."
When Sesshoumaru finished speaking he gave him the sword and showed him how to use it. Warning his of the dangers in having such a powerful weapon.
They stayed in the forest one week. Practicing and talking. When they finally returned they were both very tired and more than a little dirty.
Katame had a bath made ready. She washed husband and son and got them soaking in the tub.
"I was beginning to think you two had abandoned us to go and find some war to fight." Katame complained, smiling. "I was left here to fend for myself with that terrible Inuyasha."
She wasn't getting any sympathy. Inumouru was too excited and Sesshoumaru was feeling that old familiar urge again. He told his son it was time for bed then hopped from the tub himself grabbing the clean clothes laid out for him. After he dressed took Katame and headed for his own room. That night neither of them got any sleep. It always was that way with Sesshoumaru when he spent any length of time in the forest.