Home Again
"Welcome home, Lord Sesshomaru."
"Nice to see you again, young lord."
"Lord Sesshomaru, she's beautiful."
"What a little darling, our young lady."
"Your lady mother awaits you in the garden."
He nodded vaguely to the last statement, lost in his thoughts.
He'd known it, he'd just known it. They all thought that Rin was his daughter. True, he'd promised his mother a granddaughter once, long ago. But that didn't mean all the servants had to automatically assume Rin was that promised child. He'd all but forgotten that promise. And now he'd gotten himself into a situation where he'd almost have to confess that fact to his mother.
Contrary to popular belief, there was one thing Sesshomaru was afraid of. But most children fear their mother in some respect at some point in their lives, so it wasn't unusual. Rhianwen was an honest demon, promises were meant to be kept. And her own son had nearly forgotten one. Suddenly Sesshomaru had a vague understanding of what Jaken must feel when he himself was angry. A sense of impending something. What exactly, Sesshomaru wasn't quite sure, but it wasn't good.
"Lord Sesshomaru?"
Rin's oddly uncertain voice broke through his thoughts. Apparently she'd found her voice once past all of the servants.
"What is it?"
"Why are we here? And, where exactly is here?"
Sesshomaru sighed. He loved the girl far more than he cared to admit, but sometimes...
"This is where I was raised Rin, and we're here because my mother wishes to meet you."
'And I'm afraid what she'll do if I don't comply.' But he added that silently.
"Oh." A pause. Then, "is your mother nice like you, Lord Sesshomaru?"
Sesshomaru paused in the hall leading to the garden's entrance. Rin thought he was 'nice?' Well, he supposed he'd never really shown her anything violent he did. Or rather, anything more violent than hitting Jaken.
"She's even nicer."
'Except when she's mad.'
They stepped out into the garden, and there she was. Sitting beneath the cherry tree, just as she always seemed to be.
"Mother!"
A young child ran to where his mother sat beneath a blossoming cherry tree. She glanced up and smiled warmly, golden eyes gleaming as she pulled her pup into a hug as soon as he was close enough.
No. Don't think about it. Don't remember how things were. That was a long time ago. Things would never be so warm between them again, he felt sure. But he also felt a small twinge of guilt, that maybe it was his fault the loving relationship had gone cold. Just like those eyes. That was what really hurt him the most. Where had those incredible golden eyes he'd so loved gone?
"Mother."
Dull bronze eyes found his own golden ones and brightened slightly. He so wanted to turn away in that very moment. What had happened to her? But he knew. He knew what had happened to her. This was why he truly hated Inuyasha. That, that half-breed's mother had taken his own mother's love. How quickly she'd seemed to get old after father had left.
Half-breed. Hmph. He'd need to get a better insult. It wouldn't be an insult anymore if Inuyasha ever found out what Sesshomaru himself was. Both brothers were half-breeds, in different senses of the word. Their father had been a dog demon. Inuyasha's mother was a human. The woman before Sesshomaru now, his mother, beneath the old cherry tree, was a wolf.
And he was slowly killing her it seemed. Her eyes were far duller than they had been a few short years ago. She was far worse than when his father had left. As much as he disliked being home, he'd have to come back more often. She wouldn't die brokenhearted because of him. He wouldn't allow it.
"Sesshomaru. You've come back."
"Yes mother. I have."
xcxcxcxcxcxcxcxcxcxc
Did that make sense? I hope that made sense. I think it did.Sesshy's not done musing yet so expect more of that for another chapter or two. And possibly (only maybe, I assure you) an argument with his mother.
Diana Artemis Silvermoon: Update? Of course. I love Sesshy bunches, but he probably won't be happy with me at different times throughout this fic. Thankies for reviewing.
Fantasy Freak: Little Sesshy is adorable. Or at least I think so.
"Eh? Who's her son?" Yees! This is exactly the reaction I was going for with the first chapter. Thank you! xglompsx
I mentioned in chapter 1 that a couple barely noticeable bits of Rhianwen came from Moro of Princess Mononoke. Example: Rhia has two tails. You don't see terribly many wolves with two tails. Or I haven't anyway. (I'm assuming you all know what I mean by their tails but if I'm wrong tell me and I'll explain.) But Sesshy does look bunches like his mommy. :)
dragon-of-the-dungeon: Hi! I make things far more interesting than they have to be? Is that a compliment? Maybe I'm just not reading it right. Oh well, thankies for reviewing.
Mrs.Fluffy: I updated! I couldn't not write this idea when I came up with it. Even though I had (and still have) a bunch of other chapter fics that need finished. Anyways, here's the next chapter. Enjoy.