Chap 9
Always Learning
On one of the occasions Kyo and Yuki were home visiting, Sesshomaru decided to take Kyo to work with him. Sesshomaru just told Inuyasha he wanted a chance to spend some more time with Kyo.
Inuyasha laughed. "You're just trying your hand at matchmaking. Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me." The Inuhanyou bounced off to spend time with his girls.
However, as Sesshomaru and Kyo were leaving Suzy had a bit of a temper tantrum. She wanted to go with Father too. Sesshomaru raised his head slowly. All the other children including baby Rin and Inuyasha recognized the move as a prelude to something worse. So Inuyasha grabbed Suzy and took her aside to deal with the tantrum. Yuki grabbed Rin and they scrammed with Dolly close behind.
Kyo stood still. 'Great. Here I am with an angry Father.' A whimper was dying to escape his mouth but he held his breath.
Sesshomaru looked about. 'Everyone was gone except Kyo. No issues to deal with. Good, just time with Kyo.' Not noticing that his son was petrified with fear, Sesshomaru turned to the door and called out, "Come, Kyo."
Kyo followed.
The clinic was super busy and Sesshomaru didn't find any time to talk to Kyo. Kyo sat properly on the sofa in his father's office quietly keeping out of the way. It was not the interchange Sesshomaru had dreamed off and he couldn't figure out what when wrong.
Meanwhile Inuyasha spent time with Suzy and deduced that she needed a nap. As he attempted to get her to nap, Yuki was left alone with Rin and Dolly.
"Finally, I get to talk to you alone." She looked deep in the baby's eyes. She wanted to connect with the old soul, the Rin of the feudal area.
"I need to know so much. And I know you know it. Help me Rin."
Yuki talked about insecurities, unrequited love, trouble at work not being able to please everyone.
She talked about loving flying.
She talked about loving Kyo but never telling him because she was afraid he wouldn't love her.
On and on she talked.
Unknown to her Inuyasha stood outside the door listening. He was waiting for the right time to enter the conversation.
Yuki stopped.
Then in a whisper Yuki asked, "Why won't you answer? Why won't you give me the answer? Uncle Jaken, Father and Dad used to say all sorts of wonderful things about you. You must have been perfect. You must have figured it all out. Rin, I need your help."
The beautiful dog demoness sobbed.
The baby cooed softly as if trying to comfort her big sister.
Inuyasha took that as his cue to enter.
"Come here baby," Inuyasha spoke softly as he stepped into the room.
"Here she is, Daddy," Yuki replied eyes casted downward lifting Rin to her Dad.
"Wrong baby, Baby. Come here Yuki," Inuyasha's arms were open wide.
His daughter threw herself in her daddy's arms, sobbing. The trio dropped to the floor in a heap.
Rin looked at her Daddy and her sister and cooed a happy baby sound.
Inuyasha kissed her brow and then turned to Yuki.
"Yuki, The Rin of the feudal age knew a lot but she didn't have all the answers. She was just a human woman, a very wonderful human woman but not an omniscient god. She introduced your Father to the concept of love and she cared for her friends."
"One of our psychological scientists once said we usually remember our loved ones in the best (im)possible light. That's because our memories are flawed. The poet Maya Angelou said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
"Rin made us all feel loved then and now. Look at your sister Yuki. She's trying to help you in her own way."
Inuyasha smiled at his girls.
"Sometimes Baby, we just have to find the answers ourselves. I wish I could help you and all your siblings but you have to make your way. Your Father and I are just guideposts along the way. You are never alone. You are loved, my precious Yuki."
Yuki had been looking back and forth between Rin and Inuyasha. A small smile returned to her face and she glomped on to her dad and Rin. The tears dried and just as the trio broke apart, a four year old voice was heard from the door.
"I smelled tears. Yuki? Are you okay? Can I give you a hug too? I love you. I want to make the bad things go away too."
Yuki's smile radiated. "Come here Suzy. I can't get enough of your hugs."
Yuki grabbed Suzy and squeezed her tight.
Dolly had sat by watching but decided now was the time to jump into the dogpile and she started licking faces. Quickly it deteriorated to a tickle fight and giggles filled the Takahashi house.
Later that evening when Sesshomaru and Inuyasha exchanged stories of the day Inuyasha inquired about the matchmaking attempt.
"Kyo was quiet the entire day. He nearly ran to the rec room when we got home. I don't get it, Inuyasha. He seemed eager to join me when I brought it up yesterday."
Inuyasha blinked at this husband. 'Was he that clueless?" Clearing his voice, Inuyasha asked, "When did you notice Kyo's attitude change?"
Sesshomaru reflected.
"I guess just after Suzy had a temper tantrum."
'Good,' the inuhanyou nodded. "And?"
"And what?"
Sesshomaru inclined his head in thought.
"Did you tell Kyo you weren't mad at him?"
"Why would I do that?"
Huffing Inuyasha rolled out of bed and grabbed a hand mirror. Patting softly from his chest of drawers to Sesshomaru's side he sat on the edge of the bed and passed his mate the mirror.
"Take a look at that handsome alpha," Inuyasha cooed. "You really are a handsome demon."
Sesshomaru took the mirror and appraised his appearance.
"I appear the same as when we lived at the castle years ago. What do I need the mirror for, Koi?"
"An experiment, love. Humor me. Can you recall the expression you started to use on Suzy this am?" Inuyasha spoke softly.
Sesshomaru's face ran through a few gyrations as he reflected.
"Yes, I believe it was this look."
Sesshomaru raised his head slowly and began to look down his nose at something in disgust.
"Gads, it's even scary tonight," Inuyasha involuntarily shuttered as he aimed the mirror for the demon to look into.
"Yes, I have perfected this look through the years," Sesshomaru evaluated his visage from different angles.
Inuyasha shook his head in disbelief. He was going to have to lead his mate through this. 'Kami, grant me patience.'
"Koi, you have perfected the look. Who did you intend to use that look on?" Breathing slowly and keeping his voice soft and smooth Inuyasha looked lovingly at his husband.
"The people of our kingdom, our soldiers, and the beings under us," Sesshomaru listed.
Inuyasha smiled. He allowed some time to pass.
"Are your children in that category?"
Sesshomaru stared at his mate as he considered the question.
"Are you telling me Kyo was afraid of me all day?" Sesshomaru laid the mirror down and took Inuyasha's hand.
"Did he smell of fear?" Inuyasha looked into his mate's eyes as he inquired.
"No, just complete submission and total obedience." Sesshomaru noted.
"Is that what you wanted?"
"No," Sesshomaru sighed. "I wanted to talk to him freely."
Inuyasha squeezed Sesshomaru's hand.
"We have to remember he is a beta male, surrounded by alphas. When he was a child he just played with all the other children but as he aged he started offering deference to his brothers and sisters. He wasn't around Barbie, our only other beta child. He's had to figure it out by himself. He'll never ask Yuki to mate him, but he has offered her his complete acquiescence. He doesn't realize he has some control. He doesn't have to offer his submission but he has. You are the top alpha and he will surrender totally to you-until you talk to him."
Inuyasha brought Sesshomaru's hand to his lips and kissed it gently.
The great dog demon shook his head, partly to clear the cobwebs and partly in resignation that someone else knew better than he.
"I am so blessed to have you as a mate." He allowed Inuyasha to pull him into his breast as the revelations sunk in.
"As am I, my dear brother, as am I." Holding his mate Inuyasha bent to kiss Sesshomaru's crown.
"Will you continue to teach me, your older brother, lessons of life?"
"As long as I have breath I will stay by your side," Inuyasha whispered.
"Father really knew best," Sesshomaru sighed.
In the Elysian Fields, a debonair dog demon smiled.
Izayoi sighed.
"You'll take credit for everything, won't you?" she said as she put her hands on her hips.
A cocky smile crossed the handsome face.
"Yep!"
