Author's Note: I promised you the story would get darker. And I always keep my promises.
Time had passed by quickly, for Time has never been anybody's friend in the first place. Sesshoumaru had grown older, his mother's affections deepening for her child, as Inutaishou seemed to get colder. Sasame's words had lingered in his brain, never once giving Inutaishou rest. It was an autumn evening in the Western Lands, the castle in high spirits for they had just celebrated Sesshoumaru's birthday, marking him eight years old. He had received wonderful gifts, several new outfits his mother had made especially for him, a new pair of boots, and too much candy for his own good. But the gift he treasured the most, the one thing that he loved, was the single gift he had been given to by his father. It was a long, slender bamboo-training sword. Light weight and easy to handle for Sesshoumaru, it was the perfect gift, and oh, how the boy cherished it.
"Father! This is wonderful! Domo arigato!" The child beamed, embracing his father with the sword held tightly in his palms. Inutaishou gave a soft smile but then pushed his son away.
"Now don't get too excited. You won't be able to fall asleep tonight. You'll have to wake up extra early tomorrow for your first day of training. Do you understand, Sesshoumaru?" Inutaishou said firmly, looking down at the youkai child.
"Hai! Of course!" His amber eyes were dancing with joy, clutching the training sword to his chest tightly, never wanting to let go of the gift. He had never been this happy in his whole life. Sesshoumaru was finally going to start training, a dream he had had since he first saw his father's sword, the Sou'unga, draped about his back. The Western Lord shook his head, giving a sigh as he looked over to his wife. Achika smiled warmly, watching her son in his happiness. She wanted only the best for her only child and was glad to see Sesshoumaru in a good mood.
"Achika, I'm going to bed. Make sure Sesshoumaru doesn't stay up too late," he teased softly, kissing her cheek. Turning to the boy clutching his leg, Inutaishou ruffled Sesshoumaru's silver hair.
"Happy Birthday, my son," Inutaishou said quietly, before prying the child off and pulling the boy to his chest in an embrace. Inside, the Western Lord's heart was breaking. Here his son was about to wet his pants from excitement and Inutaishou would be the one to ruin Sesshoumaru's fantasies. "Just remember training isn't all the fun its made out to be," The father reminded his offspring before setting him down on his mother's lap and heading up to bed. These words didn't seem to faze Sesshoumaru, as he was as overjoyed as ever.
"Oh, Mother, I can't wait till tomorrow! And I'll wear the new haori you made for me," Sesshoumaru was practically bouncing, so excited he was for the next day. Achika clutched the boy to her breast, holding him tightly.
"I'm so glad to see you this way Sesshoumaru. It seems you'll never get to sleep from all this excitement. And I don't suppose all that sugar you ate is going to help you either," She laughed, still embracing the child as she stood, walking over to the fireplace that crackled in good spirits. The woman knew she would have to do something to calm her son's nerves. Sitting down in front of the warm fire, she put her son beside her, who indeed was still thrilled about his new sword. Shaking her head, she pulled out a book, a gift that had been quickly set aside by Sesshoumaru once he discovered his bamboo sword. Achika opened the pages, trying to find a story that would bore her son to tears, so that he might actually fall asleep. "All right, Sesshoumaru. I need you to calm down while I read, can you do that?" He nodded, placing his head in his mother's lap, spreading out his body as he watched the fire. Achika flipped open to a story, holding the book with one hand as she ran her fingers through Sesshoumaru's hair with the other.
"Once there was a beautiful princess who...." The demoness began, Sesshoumaru listening intently for only a while, taking more interest in the sword he clasped so tightly in his arms. His mother's melodic voice soothed his ears, her tender touch lulling him to sleep. Soon, the boy was out cold, and his mother recognized this by his soft breathing and the loosening of his death grip upon the treasured weapon. Closing the book, she put it atop the fireplace mantle and gently pulled the boy into her arms. Taking him to bed, she tucked the sheets around him snuggly, slowly taking the sword he held so close from his tiny palms. After she had put it on a table by his bedside, she kissed the crescent moon on Sesshoumaru's forehead, a marking that both she and her son shared. Cooing in his sleep, the child turned to his side, never once disturbed from his slumber. Achika smiled at this as well, standing up as she went to the doorway, closing the door quietly. She had no earthly idea that that was her son's last day of innocence.
Sesshoumaru had woken up early, almost too early, so excited was the boy. Slipping out of his clothing, he put on the newest garments his mother had made for him. Tying the blue obi around the white hakama and haori, he admired the silk material for a moment before turning to the wooden sword on the table. Grabbing it, he cradled the treasured blade, before tucking it in to his obi. A grin was plastered on his face, one that didn't seem possible to take off. He ran down stairs, had a quick breakfast, and then waited patiently (well, not really, he was rather impatient) for his father to take him to train. Inutaishou finally appeared, after what seemed like two eternities to Sesshoumaru, his father also holding a bamboo sword. Sesshoumaru couldn't help giggle at this. Here was one of the most powerful youkai in Japan, his father, holding a sword meant for children who were training. His father raised a brow, waiting for his offspring to speak.
"Father, why are you using that?" Sesshoumaru just thought it looked so funny, this strong man holding a wooden blade. His father shook his head, giving a wry smile.
"Trust me, Sesshoumaru, you'll be glad the blade I'm using is made of wood and not metal after you complete your training for the day," Inutaishou responded, which confused his son. What was that supposed to mean? Shaking this off, Sesshoumaru's thoughts were interrupted when his mother kissed his head.
"Now, you be careful Sesshoumaru," Achika reminded the child, "I just can't believe he's growing up this fast," The mother said, her voice somewhat melancholic as she hugged her husband's arm. Concerned suddenly with his mother's tone, the boy reassured her.
"Mother, I'll be fine," He promised, as his father pushed his clinging wife away.
"Achika, he has to grow up some time. Stop being such a maudlin idiot," His wife's mawkish ways irked him at certain points, yet he never came out and insulted her like that. Taken aback, the demoness looked at her husband's cold eyes, her own amber eyes trying to search for an answer. When he said nothing, she turned away, giving a weak smile at her son before walking to the kitchen. Sesshoumaru watched this, trying to comprehend what had just happened.
"Father? Are you mad at Mother?" He asked timidly, while Inutaishou grabbed his arm tightly, forcing him to walk along with him.
"Come boy, today we begin your training as a warlord," Inutaishou said, ice frozen to his words.
Dry leaves crackled under the two youkai's feet, Sesshoumaru trying to figure out his father's sudden mood. Yet, there wasn't much time for this for as soon as they were a good distance from the castle, Inutaishou let go of his son's arm, thrusting the boy back a ways.
"All right, Sesshoumaru, take out your sword," The warlord ordered, no emotions leaving his mouth. The child complied, a smile finding its way back to Sesshoumaru's lips. "Now, we're going to start with a basic downward swing. It's good for striking down enemies before they have chance to react," With this, Inutaishou took his wooden training sword, performing a perfect swing with the blade. Nodding to his son to do the same, Sesshoumaru pulled the sword behind his head, yet when he was about to come down, the bamboo blade was thrown behind him. Laughing at his own mistake, Sesshoumaru turned around, getting down on his hands and knees to find the blade in the tall, dead reed-like grass.
"I'm sorry, Father. Just give me a minute to---" Sesshoumaru heard a large snapping noise, then felt unbearable pain begin to creep up his backside. The force was so immense that it sent the child to the ground, making Sesshoumaru take in a mouthful of dirt. It suddenly occurred to the boy what had happened as he began to spit out the earth in his mouth. For as he tried to stand up, with his found blade in hand, he looked around to see cold acid eyes looking back at him. Tears began to well inside Sesshoumaru's eyes, the pain still throbbing.
"F-f-father?"
"Never let your guard down, boy. Otherwise, you'll be receiving a lot more pain than what I just gave you. Now, try it again," The taiyoukai said in his deep voice, sending shivers down his son's spine. Sesshoumaru wiped the tears that threatened to fall from his eyes, steadying his sword again and doing his best to ignore the pain. This time, he kept hold of his sword, striking downward with his blade, yet it was off to the right a little. Again, he was met with pain as his father struck him in the side with his own bamboo sword. Sesshoumaru winced, tears beginning to leak.
"Again," Was the only word his father spoke. And Sesshoumaru did, only he was off to the left, which resulted in being struck in his stomach. Over and over this process repeated, until Sesshoumaru finally got the attack correct, tears streaming down his cheeks in pain and frustration, yet his father did not strike him the last time. Realizing that he must have succeeded, Sesshoumaru looked up for encouragement from his father, but only received a scolding.
"There. Do you understand now that your attacks must be perfect? If you screw up once, Sesshoumaru, you will be left with more pain. Do not mess up. And do not let me see your salty tears again. Warlords don't cry," Inutaishou said harshly, ignoring the whimpering that came from his son. "We'll stop here. I don't think you can handle any more training for the day," With this said, the taiyoukai began walking back to his castle, with his son's sniffling the only noise present. Sesshoumaru had his head hung low, stepping in each footprint his father left behind. Why was he so weak? He shouldn't be crying like this! He was letting his father down! Sesshoumaru inwardly scolded himself, telling himself that he shouldn't be such a baby. After a good deal of walking, the father and son finally entered the Western Castle, Achika welcoming them in. She only received a cold look from her husband, and the downward glance of Sesshoumaru as he marched up to his bed.
"Should I bring him something to eat?" Achika asked, her eyes hopeful.
"Only something to get him by. No more sweets or cakes. He's got to learn that training isn't fun and neither is life," Inutaishou hissed sharply, going off to his office to check the latest on his papers. His wife just stood there, not understanding this transformation. Her husband was ruthless and her son was painfully quiet. She didn't see any of the large bruises that had formed on Sesshoumaru and Inutaishou had hit him so that the boy wouldn't bleed. So Achika patiently accepted her son's training, thinking that he and his father were only exhausted from a day's work. Months went by and Achika's patience waned. The demoness was tired of the routine of her husband coming in mad, never wishing to kiss her or hold her, and her son silent, never speaking more than a "Yes" or "No" to his mother. She hoped things would get better, but after nearly a year of watching the two men she loved the most pulling further and further away, her optimism was consumed by ever-present fear.
One day, while Achika was carrying up food to Sesshoumaru, she thought she heard sobbing from the boy's room before she knocked. Confused, the demoness went ahead and knocked, calling softly to the boy.
"Sesshoumaru? I brought you something to eat. May I come in?" She asked, waiting to here a response. A few minutes passed by until Sesshoumaru responded.
"Yes, Mother, you may," Achika adjusted the tray in her hands, and then opened the door with a small creak. The room was pretty dark, yet this didn't matter to the woman's keen demon sight. Setting the tray down on the bedside table, she sat down herself, looking at the nine-year-old boy who was looking blankly back at her. There was no love in that boy's eyes, only fear. It was clear he had been crying for his eyes were puffy, yet the tears had been wiped away from his striped cheeks, leaving only wet stains.
"I brought you some sushi and some green tea. It should fill you right up," Achika said softly, looking over at her son, who blinked in response. "It's your favorite, Sesshoumaru. Aren't you going to eat some?" She prodded; hoping to get a smile or a nod from her son, yet there was nothing, only a stoic mask. "Sesshoumaru, are you well? You've been acting strangely for quite a long time now," Still nothing. "Has your training something to do with your coldness toward your own mother?" Sesshoumaru looked over, then suddenly embraced his mother, clutching to her.
"Oh, Mother, I can't...I'm just...Father thinks I'm weak. I can't continue with his training. My body is in pain all the time. I'm so sick of it all!" He wept into her kimono top, Achika surprised as she wrapped her arms around the boy, enfolding him close to her. "But I can't cry. If I cry, he'll punish me more," The boy still sobbed, clinging to his mother. Achika shook her head, confused by this.
"What do you mean in pain? Sesshoumaru, your body will be sore after any exercise. It's just getting used to it, that's all," The demoness said softly, rubbing her hand up and down her child's back, until she felt swollen skin. This confounded her more so. Why would Sesshoumaru's back be so swollen? After a moment, she spoke quietly, "Sesshoumaru, take off your haori," Her words were solemn and quiet as her son pulled away. Listening to his mother's wishes, the boy undid his top, letting it fall to his bed. What his mother discovered made her gasp. His body was scarred and bruised horribly so, more wounds than even some older demons. The bruises weren't serious, but their was such an abundance of the wounds, that Achika found this hard to believe this was her nine-year-old son she was looking at. Sesshoumaru's little chest was swollen with all sorts of cuts and other wounds, which made his mother's heart break.
"Sesshoumaru, where did you get all these wounds? Have you been fighting with other demon children?" She asked, not rebuking him, but her voice was firm. Yet, something told her this wasn't the case. Sesshoumaru choked, his eyes so remorseful, that Achika fought back tears.
"No, it's from Father. He punishes me every time I cannot swing my blade correctly. Or I don't have the right posture. Or I don't breathe correctly. Or that I cry when he strikes me," Sesshoumaru said quickly, for if he stayed on one topic too long, he knew he would start weeping once more. "My legs hurt as well, Mother. Am I weak? Am I not meant to be Father's son?" The boy looked to his mother, so much hurt with held in his amber eyes.
"Oh, my dear Sesshoumaru. You are not weak and you are meant to be the great Inutaishou-sama's son. I don't know why he has hurt you, but I'm sure it's because he wants you to learn. I don't think he understands the severity of your wounds. After all, you are a child still, and he is an adult. He may not be able to tell he is hurting you," Achika tried to comfort the boy, holding him close once more, letting him weep. Once he was done crying, she pulled away, looking at the boy in front of her. "I will go to your father right now and discuss this with him. I'm sure that once I point out your pain, he will understand. Your father is a good man," Achika promised.
"Mother, no! He will only hurt me more for speaking ill of him. Please, don't," Sesshoumaru pleaded, while his mother shook her head.
"Sesshoumaru, this is something that has to be dealt with. You will become colder and colder if I do not address the situation. Now, you eat your food and get some rest. I will talk to Inutaishou-sama. Do not be frightened any longer," She whispered to him, hugging him once more. He nodded, yet was concerned that a confrontation between his mother and father would erupt. His pride as well as his body was bruised; having his mother defend him made him feel even more powerless. But Sesshoumaru knew he couldn't get Achika to change her mind, so he just ate his food, letting the nourishing meal sink in. It was the largest amount of food he had had during the past year.
"Inutaishou-sama," Achika called, entering her husband's office. He was currently reading the reports of the villages located in his lands when his wife entered.
"What Achika? Can't you see there are important matters to tend to?" Inutaishou said shortly, gesturing to the scrolls scattered about his desk.
"Yes, that's why I came to talk to you. That is, if you consider your son an important matter. Inutaishou-sama, I don't think I like how this training is going. Sesshoumaru is in pain and fears you more than the devil himself. I don't understand, your training has taken the life out of our boy. When I look into his eyes, I see nothing but sorrow and hate. He seems to be only a hollow shell. Dear gods, Inutaishou, he is nine. Nine years old and he has less emotion than a rock. What have you done with my child? What has happened to the boy that I cradled in my arms, the boy that you and I had together? The son we loved so dearly? He is not the same boy I knew. And what has happened to you, Inutaishou? You are not the same man I fell in love with, the same man that vowed his love for me," Achika finished, her body visibly shaking, her eyes on the verge of tears. Inutaishou looked at her, studying her current condition as he let her words seep in. Then he spoke.
"First off, Sesshoumaru is fine. He is just learning that life is painful. He must learn this if he wishes to carry on. Secondly, you need to stay out of these affairs. You are a woman and would not understand the hardships of raising a warlord. And lastly, I refuse to let our child grow up to be some spoiled son of a bitch, who can't take the slightest bit of pain. Stop trying to think you can stop his growing up. I don't want to deal with your emotional filth. Do not question my word, Achika," Inutaishou hissed darkly, his eyes lowered. Achika was stunned, tears leaking now.
"Oh, so that's all I am. Just a bitch. Some demoness you picked up to have your child. Am I nothing to you, Inutaishou? Do my desires mean nothing to you?" The female dog demoness yelled. She was sobbing now, yet her husband showed no emotion or sympathy for her.
"Achika, don't give me your tears. Crying solves nothing. Spare me your mawkish ways. I have to raise Sesshoumaru to defend the Lands when I am gone and to defend you when I am unable to do so," He snapped.
"Inutaishou, that boy loves you dearly. He wants to be just like you. He wants you to accept him and to love him. Have you ever given him a word of encouragement? He doesn't know what to expect from you, only that you will give him pain. Sesshoumaru will become whatever you make him, don't you see? You are failing both your son and your wife." Inutaishou rose, pushing away his chair. Angrily he strode towards Achika, striking his wife vehemently across the face. Horrified, Achika gasped, placing her hand unbelievingly to her now swollen cheek.
"Insolent wench! I am going to make him a warlord whether you agree with it or not. There are matters you do not understand, so do not make judgment when you are ignorant to all the information," His thoughts lingered to Sasame's words, then went back to his sobbing wife.
"You dare to strike me, Inutaishou? Is this how you demonstrate your love for me? You demean me just as you have demeaned our son." Achika said suddenly, turning away from her husband.
"I am sorry that I struck you, Achika, but you cannot change what is imminent; our son will be a warlord; he will be a killer; I must prepare him accordingly," Inutaishou curtly explained. "I love you, but you must accept this truth."
Looking up at him with forlorn amber eyes, Achika questioned humbly, "Do you honestly love me?"
Inutaishou paused, studying the woman before speaking. "Yes, Achika. I love you. My heart dies to see you so sad. But I cannot forsake Sesshoumaru's training. It is something that must be done. Can you trust me, Achika? Put a little faith in me? Trust me as you've always done, and I promise you Sesshoumaru will be fine," he whispered, holding the woman close. She wept for a little longer before responding.
"I trust you, Inutaishou-sama. I know you will never leave me," Achika said softly, placing her head to the man's chest. Yet, despite their unspoken forgiveness of one another, Achika had been wounded, a wound that would never heal up completely.