Disclaimer: Any and all characters mentioned in this piece are the sole property of Rumiko Takahashi.
"Cease your infernal babbling you doddering old fool." Impatience lined Sesshoumaru's voice.
"Is that any way to speak to your father? And I do not dodder."
The current taiyoukai stared evenly at the specter before him. "What is it you want apparition."
A sigh. "Can't a father just speak with his son?"
"Not this one."
The ghostly fingers reached for a striped cheek, his face a mask of sorrow. "When will I have your forgiveness?"
Sesshoumaru continued to float above the Western provinces, scouting for rogue demons. Though imperceptible to anyone else, his golden eyes floated to the wraith that looked like his sire had just before he went on a suicide mission.
Amusement flickered in the eyes so like his own. "You must be softening Sesshoumaru. Just a year ago you wouldn't even acknowledge my existence."
"Yours is not an existence. You continue to haunt this realm for no fruition. At least bother that bastard half-breed if you must haunt anyone."
"But my dear boy, I am sent to guide you –"
"I do not need guidance, father." His tightly coiled anger burst from his hand in a shower of acidic sparks.
Sesshoumaru's father continued to glide on ahead of his stationary son. Nonchalance oozed from him as he spoke his next words softly, "Look at you. Pride and disdain is all you have left. What happened to you?"
Instead of stony silence like he expected he heard a mumbled reply. "I lost."
"And now you find what you lost in the most unlikely of places."
Sesshoumaru snarled again, "you know nothing."
"Why do you think I sired Inuyasha?"
"Because a lowly human whore lured you into her bed seeking your kingdom."
Ice traveled through Sesshoumaru's veins as his statement drifted between them. "Watch your tongue, pup."
"This Sesshoumaru ceased to be your pup long ago." Flinging a cool look at his sire he glided to the looming gates of the Tiasho stronghold.
"And I lament that day Sesshoumaru."
Silences descended upon the pair as they found themselves unwittingly in the war room.
Ghostly fingers traced the heavy battle armor hanging in disarray. "You care not that this armor was forged for the first of the Tiasho clan and has been passed down for generations?"
"I find my own armor suits me well."
"Yes your bitterness and ego is very thick indeed."
The only notion Sesshoumaru gave that he heard was a slight tightening of the skin around his eyes. "Say your piece boufu so that I may retire."
"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix. But you my son have fought to remain as you are."
Smoky wisps started at Taisho's feet. "Remember this one thing if nothing else Sesshoumaru, like father like son."
As a clawed hand aimed for the disappearing apparition, it said four words that chilled him more than any others could.
"See you next year."
Sesshoumaru stood regally the next moment, striding from the room angrily. "It's never a happy day when you visit boufu. But rest assured the apple falls far from the tree."
A childish voice sounded from behind him. "Who were you talking to Sesshoumaru-sama?" Small hands latched onto his pristine hakama. He glanced at the smeared handprint and felt not even a flicker of anger.
Damn his father's ghost to hell and back.
Instead of answering her innocent question he glided from the room unhindered by the young girl's weight.
The armor clinked forgotten against its stand, unpolished and ragged.
Maybe I just wanted to hear Sesshoumaru refer to himself as an apple.. Any and all feedback is appreciated.
Ladee in Red