I do not own Inuyasha or related stuff.
Reviews rock! I haven't checked my email since I started chapter 8 last night, so I'm afraid I must be very general when I say "Thank you!".
And also thank you to my muses who have returned from vacation. Hopefully I won't exhaust them too quickly.
Also, I would like to say, the end is near. I can finally picture it… and it's taking all my self-discipline to wait until I get there to type it up. I will write down an outline soon though so I don't loose it.
Oh, and this chapter was partially inspired by a wonderful fanfic I've been reading called "Young at Heart" by WinterzForgotten. It's extremely cute, funny with a little sadness sprinkled in parts. It's a Sesshoumaru and father growing up sort of story, and I highly recommend it.
On with the chapter.
Chapter 9- A Lesson
Inuyasha was sulking. He wanted to leave. He was sick of his brother's smug face, sick of Rin and Shippo running around like psychos, sick of Sango shouting at Miroku in the small cave, and sick of Kagome saying "sit". He wanted out, he had to get out or he'd go crazy.
"Damn it I'm sick of this! We should be out searching for Naraku not shut up in a cave with-"
"Inuyasha! Sit!"
"Heh, Inuyasha's such an idiot." Muttered Shippo, who was dipping some cracker sticks in chocolate, which Kagome had brought from home.
"You wanna say that to my face, ya little-"
Fool.
"Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru said flatly.
"Huh? What do you want?"
"These pathetic creatures follow you. If you allow them to follow you so, it is your duty to look after them and set a good example. Even our father, who mated with a human, never behaved as you do."
"Hey, I don't even remember-"
"I do. And I know he would not have approved. When I was still young, he taught me how one must treat one's followers. Once…"
Flashback:
Several demon children were running around in the courtyard playing, much to the irritation of an old female inuyoukai. She was watching her ward carefully, for he was the only son of the Inu no taisho, and if anything happened to him it would mean trouble for her. She desperately wished the children would stop shrieking so but they blatantly ignored her every reprimand. After a particularly loud bark from the old woman, Sesshoumaru ran off. She chased him, but stopped as he slipped into his father's office. Fortunately for the young boy, his father was alone, and not terribly busy.
"Father, the old woman keeps barking at us, when we aren't doing anything wrong. Will you tell her to stop."
"No, Sesshoumaru. No creature acts without reason. If you wish her to stop, figure out why she is barking."
"Yes father."
Sesshoumaru left his father's office rather disappointed. He had hoped his father would make her stop. The other children had continued their rowdy game in his absence, and Sesshoumaru saw the old woman wince at a particularly loud shout.
"Oh…" whispered Sesshoumaru. She's in pain… "Why are you in pain?" He asked softly, his young eyes filled with concern. She looked at him, and her face softened.
"My ears have been damaged over the years, and are very sensitive to loud or high pitched noises. All this shouting hurts my ears."
"Oh…" And he ran off towards the other boys. Maybe I can think of a quieter game for us to play…