Chap 30

Happy Birthday Inuyasha, part 3: A little history lesson

Time: 2297

Place: Keiko and Steven's house in Canada

Instructions for the party were passed out to all family members. Each section was to plan something nice for Inuyasha. Somewhere in the time leading up to the party "The Musketeers" asked Keiko, "Why didn't Grandpa Inu want a party like Grandfather's? What was so wrong with it?"

Keiko paused and took in a deep breath. "Let's sit down next to the tree. This might take a while."

After the boys had arranged themselves around their mother, Keiko began.

"It wasn't Grandfather's party so much as the memories that surrounded it. According to Uncle Shippo, Grandpa only attended the party for a few moments."

"My parents had been mated for thirty years at the time of Grandfather's one thousandth birthday. That's not very long for demons but it's long for humans. Grandpa wanted to do something special for Grandfather because that's what their wives had done. Do you remember both Grandpa and Grandfather had been married to human women?" Keiko asked her boys.

They nodded.

"Grandpa is half human and had been brought up with human customs and courtesies which are a bit different from ours. They do something special for birthdays and anniversaries."

"Yeh, humans aren't like us. For example, humans can't marry their siblings," said the oldest with a knowledgeable tone.

"We wouldn't exist if Dad and Mom hadn't mated," answered the second.

"Whoa, that's bad," said the youngest, realization flashing on his face. "We have to exist – We're "The Three Musketeers!" Mom would miss us if we weren't here." He looked to his mother, concern on his face.

Keiko took in the innocent faces of her boys. "That's right. You must exist! My Wonderful Boys! I would be so sad without you!" She hugged them all.

"Aw, Mom," but the complaint had no force behind it and all three boys basked in their mother's attention.

Steven rode up on his bicycle just then.

"What did I miss?" Steven looked over his family as he sniffed the air.

"Just started a story Koi," Keiko smiled. She patted the ground next to her. "Come join us."

"I'd be delighted to, My Princess." As Steven sat down he gently kissed his mate. "What's the story?"

"I was going to tell them about Grandfather's birthday."

Steven's eyebrows rose. "I'm glad I got home in time. I've only heard this once before." He slid around so he was next to his boys in a semicircle facing Keiko.

Keiko smiled. Her four men. Her mind drifted for a second until their oldest spoke.

"Mom? You said Grandpa Inu wanted to do something special for Grandfather, right?"

Keiko nodded. "It was a little more than a week before Grandfather's party. Grandpa saw a part of the castle gardens that had gone to weed and he wanted to clean it up as a surprise to Grandfather."

"Didn't they have gardeners for that?" one asked.

"Yes, but Grandpa wanted to do it himself. He felt it would mean more if he did it."

The two youngest scratched their heads, not understanding. Steven nodded. Their oldest followed his lead. Keiko hid her amusement but was going to tell Steven later.

Keiko continued, "However, just about that time Grandpa injured his back in sword practice. It was bad enough it would take a few days to heal. Grandfather forbid him from doing any work during that time and even carried him from their third-floor bedroom to the first-floor study daily because he didn't want Grandpa to hurt from walking up and down the stairs. Initially Grandpa complained but after trying to walk up the stairs he realized his mate knew best. He never admitted it though."

"Plus, he knew Uncle Shippo was coming to visit and could help with the garden so he could afford to wait," added Steven.

Keiko nodded.

"Grandpa would stare for hours out the window in the office to the overgrown garden. He told Uncle Shippo that he was planning what he would do and in what order. But all Grandfather saw was his mate pining at the window. On the second day of Grandpa's mandatory rest, Grandfather had had enough of seeing his mate stare out the window. He thought Grandpa was sulking and that made him angry. So, he grabbed him and took him to the garden."

"'We're here!' he complained. 'Now what do you want done?'"

"Grandpa was caught off guard by the abruptness and stuttered."

"'No-no-nothing, Sesshomaru,' he replied meekly."

"'Nonsense!' Grandfather commanded. 'You've been moping at the window for two days and I'm tired of it. I'll do whatever you want. You just stand there and tell me what to do.'"

"Grandpa was speechless. He didn't want any help especially because it was for his mate. He was just waiting to heal to work on the project."

"'I don't want help, Sesshomaru. I'm following your orders and resting. Anything else can wait until Shippo gets here. He can help me. Besides I really don't know what I want done yet.' Grandpa told Uncle Shippo he was still calm at this time but he was starting to get flustered."

"That news hit Grandfather hard. It upset him that Grandpa would rather rely on Uncle Shippo than just tell him what to do. 'Tell me what needs done,' Grandfather commanded."

"Grandpa still didn't know what all needed done with the land so when Grandfather demanded what needed done, Grandpa heed and hawed indecisively. That's when Grandpa even bent and tried to look at the plants closely. Grandfather scolded him for bending."

"Grandpa got angry and started yelling at him."

"Grandfather was shocked. He thought he was being a "good mate" and he wanted to fix whatever Grandpa needed."

"The situation escalated. Grandpa kept yelling."

"Grandfather got mad and told him they were going in."

"But instead of going in, Grandpa started walking around the plot to see what was there. It was the first time he had gotten a good look at the garden and his curiosity got the best of him."

"Grandfather thought he was being disobeyed. That made Grandfather really mad and he started using his "commanding" voice. 'You will tell me what you need!' he demanded."

Steven cringed visibly at that.

The boys looked at him curiously.

"Yeh, be grateful you haven't heard that tone," Steven looked meaningfully at Keiko. She nodded her agreement.

Their oldest turned to his younger brothers. "Must be the tone Dad uses on us when we're really bad."

Keiko closed her lips tight, even curling them in to keep the laughter from blurting out. She glanced at Steven. Startled with the revelation, he was studying his boys for the truth in their statement.

Keiko struggling to keep her composure resumed the tale.

"Grandpa didn't respond well to the "commanding voice". Instead, he yelled even louder at Grandfather. 'I don't want your help! I want to do it myself! I'll just wait until I'm healed!' He told Uncle Shippo later he should have just taken a deep breath, bowed, and said that he didn't know what needed done yet, but he didn't."

"Grandfather was shocked that anyone would have yelled at him. Honestly I think he was just confused and hurt. Up until then they had been very loving with each other. They had never had an argument or raised their voices at each other. It's what humans would call the "honeymoon period". According to Uncle Shippo that was the moment "the honeymoon was over". Grandpa told Uncle Shippo he regretted losing his temper and yelling at Grandfather but he was so frustrated that he couldn't think right. He just stomped back into the castle and went to the library."

"Grandfather stared after him and then flew off in his sphere of light. He didn't come back until dark and Uncle Jaken said he smelled like blood. Grandfather did tell me once that he used to blow off steam by fighting demons. I don't know for certain but I bet that's where he went."

"They didn't sleep in their bedroom together that night or for the next week. Both were really mad. They avoided each other too. They stopped eating together or taking walks. When Uncle Shippo showed up Grandpa took him straight to the garden and they started working. They even slept in the garden. It took a week to clear the weeds and during that week Grandpa spoke to Uncle Shippo. Uncle Shippo calmed him down and talked "some sense" into him."

"Grandfather didn't have anyone to talk to. His anger simmered. Every little thing started getting larger in his mind. In the week that Grandpa cooled off, Grandfather got angrier."

"On the day of Grandfather's birthday, Grandpa had completed cleaning the garden and to his delight had found Grandfather's favorite berry. To be honest with you I haven't seen it grown in centuries because of the climate changes. But at the time it was your grandfather's favorite fruit. That day Grandpa picked a whole basket of these berries to present to him as his birthday present. He had no idea that Grandfather had been getting madder the whole time he was absent.

In the party room, Grandfather was surrounded by simpering nobles and citizens kowtowing to his every whelm. Servants anticipated his every desire. A drink, a plate of food were always within his reach. He wanted for nothing. He nodded his approval. This was how a king was supposed to be treated! His mind reflected on his recent argument with Grandpa. He lashed out.

Grandfather told everybody that Grandpa was a horrible mate, an unworthy half breed, and that he had no respect for him. Speaking poorly about his mate made him feel bad but he kept complaining. The nobles in attendance were surprised. Everyone in the room became quiet as Grandfather criticized his mate. Uncle Jaken had been talking with Uncle Shippo. They both heard the caustic words. They couldn't believe it! Uncle Jaken was so dumbstruck that he dropped the staff of two heads."

"Grandpa had just walked happily into the room carrying his present. He was sure his mate would love it. But he heard the disparaging comments. His ears drooped. His face dropped. The berries spilled all over the floor. When the staff hit the floor, Grandfather looked toward Uncle Jaken. Uncle Jaken was not looking at him though. He was looking at Grandpa. Grandfather followed his line of sight and his eyes moved from the staff and Uncle Jaken to see Grandpa. Their eyes made contact. Grandpa's eyes were full of tears and he turned and ran."

"Suddenly everything came into focus for Grandfather; the garden, the surprise of the berries, Grandpa's reactions, even his own caustic words. He was embarrassed. Grandfather was at a loss. He commanded everyone leave, so they all left the castle that moment. Then he kneeled on the floor next to the berries and picked them up individually, dusting them off and putting them back in the basket. I think he did that because he was in shock and just wasn't sure what to do. As he was picking up the last berry, Uncle Shippo approached him."

"Uncle Shippo said he was shaking in fear but he knew he needed to help his parents. 'Father?' he whispered. 'Dad was just trying to make a surprise for you because that's what Rin or Kagome would have done. He's been talking to me all week and I know he's sad and sorry that the two of you had a fight. He was going to apologize to you. But he heard your painful comments. Father, do you really mean all those mean things you said?' Uncle Shippo said he was holding his breath."

"Grandfather's eyes welled. He looked at Uncle Shippo and whimpered, 'Oh no. What can I do? I miss my mate so much.'"

"Uncle Shippo answered softly but with certainty, 'Go. Get him.'"

"Uncle Shippo said Grandfather moved faster than he had ever seen anyone."

Keiko stopped her tale and looked at her audience. All four of her menfolk were glued to her every word.

"Well, that's all I know," Keiko ended.

"What!" Steven was startled. "How did it end?"

"I guess "happily ever after," Keiko shrugged her shoulders. "I mean they are still mated and we are all here. I really don't know what happened and how they got together again. But they did. And that's why they aren't fond of talking about Grandfather's birthday party. There are some bad memories attached to it."

"But we have a great opportunity to make Grandpa Inu's birthday party full of good memories. So, let's do that, ok boys?" Keiko smiled warmly.

"YAY!" they all cheered.

"I'm going to draw a picture," one called out.

"I'm going to make a collage of happy photos," said another.

"I want to help," called the youngest.

The boys rushed into their house to grab their art supplies and get started on their projects leaving their parents under the tree.

Time: 1597-Sesshomaru's 1000th birthday

After running blindly for a distance, Inuyasha sat in a tree crying. He was so lost in his misery he missed the smell of the strong demon who was hunting him.

"Hanyou, if your life is so bad why don't you just come out of that tree and let me eat you."

Inuyasha startled. He looked at the ground. An ugly demon paced under the tree ready to pounce on him. Instinctively Inuyasha grabbed for his sword.

Tessaiga wasn't there. It was hanging on the wall of the throne room.

For a second he considered using his claws. But then he replayed the scene that caused him to run away without it. Sesshomaru, his mate, his lover, his brother, telling his audience that Inuyasha was unworthy, disrespectful, hateful… Inuyasha wanted to get mad, but his mind traveled back to their private mating ceremony. The time when Sesshomaru promised he would love him no matter what. Inuyasha's tears started anew. He had made the same vow and when he did he had completely and wholeheartedly believed Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru had his heart and he just witnessed his love stomp on it.

Negative thoughts flooded his mind. Why should he fight for his own life? The one he loved, his mate and only family member, despised him. His life wasn't worth it. All the people that loved him were dead. Kagome was gone. Miroku and Sango were gone. Shippo was mated. He was alone. He replayed the words he heard Sesshomaru spew. He wasn't wanted. He was unworthy.

He hung onto the tree branch his will to life fading as the predator took up the barrage on his character. They were the same things Sesshomaru had said all his life.

"Give up you worthless hanyou."

"You probably don't even taste good."

"Let me put you out of your misery."

"You aren't worthy."

"Half breed"

"You are a waste of breath."

"You aren't worth my time."

As the predator droned on, Inuyasha's grip on the tree loosen. He felt his will power drain. He was ready to end it all. He let loose of the tree.

As he dropped to the ground he barely lifted his head. "Just end it," he muttered.

"NO!" screamed Sesshomaru. The dog demon rushed in front of his mate just as the predator made a swipe with a horrendous clawed hand.

Sesshomaru had saved Inuyasha from death but took severe damage to his torso. He fell at his mate's feet. "Inuyasha, I'm so sorry. Mate, I love you." Sesshomaru passed out.

Inuyasha was shocked into action. He grabbed his mate's sword and attacked the predator with a vengeance. He slashed and slashed. The predator realized the hanyou was easily overpowering him. He attempted to escape but Inuyasha flipped over him and trapped him. A sword thrust to the belly, a thrust to each thigh, a kick to the torso and the demon fell. Inuyasha jumped on him, his eyes red with anger. He thrust the sword into the demon's heart and twisted it. The demon shuttered once and died. But Inuyasha's anger wasn't sated and he continued to cut and disfigured the body, eventually beheading the demon.

When he was sure the demon was dead, he turned and rushed back to Sesshomaru. The dog demon was breathing shallow painful breaths.

"Sesshomaru! Don't die!" Kneeling at his side he moved his hands over his mate checking for other injuries and assuring himself that Sesshomaru was breathing. Tears poured down his face and onto his mate. He curled protectively around his mate's head and shoulders, the personification of a guard dog.

They stayed like that for several hours as Sesshomaru healed. When the wounds had healed Sesshomaru woke. He felt the body heat of his mate surrounding his head and shoulders. He started to move.

Inuyasha had been keeping watch over his mate, protecting his mate from any would be scavengers or curious onlookers. The second his breathing pattern had changed Inuyasha held his breath. When Sesshomaru moved Inuyasha spoke.

"Thank the Kami you are alive!" Inuyasha started to embrace his mate but stopped abruptly. The two males sat in silence, staring at each other, both of them reliving the events that brought them to this place. Inuyasha looked into his mate's eyes. "Do you mean it? Are you sorry?"

Sesshomaru moved into a better position to communicate with his mate. "I am very sorry. I was confused and hurt and I took it out on you. I thought you needed Shippo more than you needed me."

It was Inuyasha's turn to be surprised. "Never Sesshomaru. I need you. I just wanted to give you a present. I didn't want you to have to do any work. I'm sorry I didn't explain it to you. Sesshomaru, I need you so much. You are the air I breathe. I have no reason to live if you don't need me."

"Inuyasha, I need you. I love you. Come home with me. Take walks with me. Eat at our table with me. Bathe with me. Allow me to wash your back and you mine. Sleep with me in our bed. Let us return to our castle. Tell me you love me too," Sesshomaru looked longingly at his mate.

Inuyasha stood and offered his mate a hand. The tall demon rose from the ground he had been resting on, his blood still soaking the surface. He stumbled a little. Inuyasha braced him tightly. "Sesshomaru. I love you." The inuhanyou embraced his mate and placed a delicate kiss on his lips.

Sesshomaru returned the kiss and deepened it. The lovers remained entangled until Sesshomaru moaned in pain, Inuyasha having touched a healing wound. Inuyasha backed away.

"Let us walk slowly home and enjoy the remainder of your birthday together privately. I don't want to share you with anyone else. When we get home let us eat together, bathe together and rest together in our bed."

Sesshomaru nodded as he leaned on his love. They commenced the walk home.

Time skip: 2297

Place: Keiko and Steven's home in Canada.

Keiko and Steven watched as the boys raced into the house, purpose in their steps.

"Was that really the end?" Steven whispered.

"Uncle Shippo didn't know what happened, just that the next day they came home together and life returned to normal only with a few more arguments," Keiko answered. "I imagine they had a heart-to-heart talk and sorted it out in some kind of fist fight or wrestling match. That's how Kenichi and Ryuu used to settle their arguments and even our boys go at it sometimes. They seem happier afterwards. What do you think Sweetheart?"

Steven scratched his chin as he thought about what he had heard. His background as a psychiatrist opened his mind to a multitude of possible scenarios, each worse than the one before. He noticed his beautiful princess looking at him and decided he'd just keep those thoughts to himself. "Yeah, Keiko. You are probably right. They probably just had a good tussle and sorted it all out." But inside he was thanking his grandfather and grandmother for watching over his parents. 'Grandmother, Grandfather, thank you for watching over Dad and Father. I suspect it was only your intervention that saved them.'

Keiko cuddled into Steven's side, secure in her mate's arms.

On the Elysian Fields, Toga hugged Izayoi tight and kissed the top of her head.

"What are you thinking about now Darling?" Izayoi queried.

"Our boys and their kids. I'm so grateful for them."

"Oh, you just heard Steven's prayer too?" Izayoi looked into his eyes.

"Yes. I can't take credit for that save though," Toga replied pensively.

Izayoi twirled away from her mate. "Well, he did pray to both of us…" she pointed out.

Toga stared. "How—What—When?"

"A woman's got to have her secrets now, dear," Izayoi battered her eyes and winked conspiratorially. "You aren't the only one that meddles in our children's lives." She turned gracefully and walked toward a lone inu female that was waiting for her. "I need to spend a little time with Kagome before we return her to the boys. She's such a darling. No wonder Inuyasha married her. She'll make a wonderful daughter too. We're going to talk about hair and fashion. Don't wait for us." Izayoi reached out to grab Kagome's hand and the two women started talking and giggling like teenagers.

"Kami," Toga muttered.

"Yes, son?" The Kami replied.

"Do you understand women?" Toga asked.

"Not at all. But we do enjoy their company."

Toga nodded affirmatively as he scratched his head.

"Do you know how Izayoi helped the boys?" Toga directed his question to the nearest Kami.

"Which time, son?"

Toga stood quietly contemplating the kami's words.

"Never mind. I just want to thank you."

"Of course, Toga. Our privilege.

Toga walked away from the kami, his mind a twirl. 'How busy was his mate anyway?'