Inuyasha; A Feudal Fairy Tale – The Sesshoumaru Blues

Chapter Four – Forbidden Union

Zayane pressed the young Inuyasha against her leg. He cried, grasping onto Zayane's kimono.

"Why did mama die?" Inuyasha managed to say through his tears.

"I can't tell you, Lord Inuyasha." Zayane couldn't bear to hear Inuyasha speak that way. It was breaking her heart. They were planted outside Lady Izayoi's humble tombstone. Zayane sighed, her eyes wandering to the bamboo grove behind the grave. She could see him. Zayane could see Sesshoumaru watching her with cold eyes.

"Mama, why?" Inuyasha sniffled. Zayane's leg was becoming wet with tears.

"Lord Inuyasha, it's about time you met your brother, Sesshoumaru." Zayane said, placing her hand on Inuyasha's back. She ushered him towards the bamboo grove. Sesshoumaru was alarmed. He only wanted to see Zayane, not the half demon. Zayane walked to Sesshoumaru with Inuyasha at her side.

Sesshoumaru watched them both with eyes like steel. "Hello." Sesshoumaru started the conversation. Zayane could tell he didn't want to be seen with Inuyasha or her for that matter.

"Hi, my name is Inuyasha." He was still drying his fresh tears. Inuyasha's weakness bothered Sesshoumaru. "Did you know my mother, Onii-san(1)?"

"No, he didn't, Lord Inuyasha. You have different mothers." Zayane said looking at Sesshoumaru. She was unaware who his mother was. All she cared about was what a fine specimen they had produced.

"We're half brothers?" Inuyasha questioned, going over to Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha tugged on his boa. "Onii-san, what's this?" Sesshoumaru frowned, and smacked Inuyasha upside the head. "Ow, HEY!"

"Keep your filthy little half breed hands off my boa." Sesshoumaru said harshly. Inuyasha scowled upward at Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru leered at Inuyasha and he jumped backward, fearing that Sesshoumaru would strike at him again. "What of it?" Sesshoumaru was quite the bully.

"Iron Reaver, Soul Stealer(2)!" Inuyasha cried out and tried to use the technique. There was no real effect. Inuyasha ended up flailing at Sesshoumaru's legs. Zayane smacked Inuyasha upside the head.

"I told you to practice before you used that. And don't use it on your big brother." Zayane instructed.

"I'm sorry." Inuyasha rubbed his head. He was getting wailed on today of all days. "But he started it." He stuck his tongue out at Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru was going to do it back but Zayane spoke.

"Why don't you go practice on some bamboo shoots?" Zayane said, getting eye level with Inuyasha. He seemed shy as he twisted his torso back and forth.

"Alone…?" Inuyasha asked.

"Don't worry I won't let any demon get you." Zayane smiled reassuring him. Inuyasha nodded his head and went to practice the technique on the bamboo shoots as told. Zayane watched him run off in such a way, it seemed like she was his mother. Zayane stood up to face Sesshoumaru. "You are such a meanie."

"You know how much I hate Inuyasha. He is getting served by you more often than I am." Sesshoumaru said.

"Are you jealous of a five year old?" Zayane smiled.

"No. You are my property." Sesshoumaru reminded. She was a gift but she had a deal with his father.

"You know what the contract is." Zayane said quietly.

"Would you forget about that already and just stay by my side?" Sesshoumaru said in a gentle voice.

"I didn't know you cared." Zayane said sarcastically. Sesshoumaru tried not to blush, but it was coming to the surface.

"I don't." Sesshoumaru lied. "I just think it is in my best interest if you could take care of minor demons so I wouldn't have to get my claws dirtied."

"And?" Zayane crossed her arms.

"There is nothing more."

"You'd better say it."

"Why is it that humans won't rest until they hear something…?" Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes, practically closing them.

"Say it!" Zayane pointed her finger in his face.

"Get that out of my face." Sesshoumaru started to smile.

"I will when you say it!" Zayane grinned at Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru smacked her hand out of his face. His arms pulled her close to him. He pressed her head against his soft boa to prevent her from crashing into his armor's spikes. Sesshoumaru held her close in a hug. Zayane wrapped her arms around him, enjoying his scent. She helped make it after all—she was keeping him clean and flea/lice free.

"Stay by my side because I love…"

"Zayane! Zayane!" Inuyasha's distant voice called. Zayane snapped her head around. There was an off red Cyclopes in a poorly made loin cloth headed straight for Inuyasha. It was 20 times the size of Inuyasha which caused him to be frozen with fear. "Zayane!" Inuyasha cried again.

Zayane stepped into action. Sesshoumaru looked at her with warm eyes. He didn't want her to go save Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru would hope that she'd forget about the troublesome thing and just stroke his head during a nap. That was asking too much. Zayane always kept her word and would abandon none. Her selfless chivalry drove Sesshoumaru crazy, but it was one of those qualities that made Sesshoumaru forgive her. Zayane gave a slow nod to Sesshoumaru to tell him she was going to be gone in a split second.

Zayane took a deep breath, meditating her heart from the shock of a demon actually showing up. She lifted her eye patch and opened her eye. Everything turned black and white. Zayane worked her way out of Sesshoumaru's arms which was difficult because he wasn't letting go. Zayane held Sesshoumaru's hand as he was still in color, suspended with her.

"He should learn to defend himself." Sesshoumaru suggested.

"You know I can't do that…" Zayane smiled letting their fingers slide away from each other. Sesshoumaru became part of time. Zayane loathed being a Mistress of Time, but this would be a time where her craft would truly be needed. Zayane ran anyways, even though she could walk and still get there before anyone's heart could pulse. She leaped into the air, closing her eye and pulling down her eye patch.

From Inuyasha's perspective, it seemed like Zayane warped before his eyes as soon as he called her name. He was awed by her speed and technique.

"IRON REAVER…" Zayane called out reaching back her right arm, ready for a big one. "SOUL STEALER!" Zayane threw down her hand and tore the beast into nothingness. It was a powerful attack when performed by Zayane. It left claw shaped craters in the ground for a quarter of a mile. Zayane had over done it, but she knew it'd impress Inuyasha and motivate him to work on the technique. She seemed to float to the ground in Inuyasha's eyes. Zayane looked over Inuyasha on the way down to make sure he wasn't hurt.

She still had to ask. "Inuyasha, are you okay?" Zayane asked, pressing her feet against the ground. Inuyasha just stared at her with big eyes.

"That was so cool! Teach me how to do it that way!" Inuyasha bounced around her. Zayane smiled and grabbed him by one of his ears. Inuyasha settled down as Zayane began massaging his ears.

"First you must learn endurance and self control. Then you'll be closer to mastering the technique."

"Okay, how do I do that?" Inuyasha had stopped bouncing around, his ears his weak spot.

"By being a good boy and taking a nap." Zayane said, picking up Inuyasha under the shoulders. She holstered Inuyasha on her hip to support his weight. "Goodness, you are getting big, Lord Inuyasha!"

"That's because I'm healthy!" Inuyasha boasted, trying to flex his little muscles. Zayane smiled like she had never seen them before.

"Wow! You're a strong Hanyou(3)!" Zayane teased. Inuyasha smiled big at her. "Let's say good by to your mother one more time before we go."

"'kay." Inuyasha said as Zayane began walking Inuyasha towards the tombstone. Zayane's eye followed Sesshoumaru's figure. The bamboo shoots in the forest obscured Zayane's vision temporally of Sesshoumaru. But it was a key opportunity for Sesshoumaru to take his leave. When Zayane passed a bamboo shoot that blocked her view of Sesshoumaru and she went to look at him once more—Sesshoumaru was gone.

BLUES

It was night fall and Inuyasha was fast asleep in his mother's old bed room. He was tucked under blankets with his little two piece kimono folded neatly beside him. Zayane watched him like a hawk; more protective of him now—than ever. Sesshoumaru made himself known as he threw a rock on the wooden deck. Zayane turned her head.

"Want to come and play tonight?" Sesshoumaru asked.

"No, my lord. But I would like to pet you." Zayane wanted to the edge of the deck. Her feet still hung over the edge. It was only a few inch gap. Sesshoumaru climbed up and put his head in her lap and she stroked his head. It almost caused Sesshoumaru to go to sleep. He always let his guard down when Zayane petting him.

"You seem tense." Sesshoumaru said with his eyes closed. He was in a state of ecstasy, but it didn't cause him to be insensitive to Zayane—well at least—not anymore.

"Lord Sesshoumaru… I don't know how to tell you this." Zayane's hands stopped stroking him.

"Oh, no. Dun stop…" Sesshoumaru's speech slurred. "Keep petting me."

Zayane was silent for a moment. She came forward. "I'm pregnant." Sesshoumaru sat up, quickly.

"By who? Not me!" Sesshoumaru wanted to eliminate himself from the standings. But who was he kidding? Sesshoumaru knew Zayane was loyal till the last drop of blood.

"Yes you! Don't deny your child!" Zayane didn't raise her voice.

"You're going to have to get rid of it." Sesshoumaru said, crossing his arms. Zayane frowned.

"I'm not going to kill my child." Zayane said, putting a hand on her tummy. She wasn't showing yet.

"I can't have a half-demon, half-witch, child!" Sesshoumaru said.

"Why not?" A reason wouldn't keep Zayane from having the baby, but she wanted Sesshoumaru to justify his hate.

"It's just wrong. Humans and demons are supposed to stay on their sides. A human and demon conceiving a child commemorates a forbidden union! You know that very well. You know that's why I hate Inuyasha!" Sesshoumaru scolded. "Get rid of the child or I'll do it for you!"

"Lord Sesshoumaru! You cannot have all the fun and joy of love making if you aren't willing to take responsibility for what happens! I can understand that you don't want everyone to know about what you've done with a servant, but I can't understand why you'd want to kill your off spring. I mean, we're decent looking people—he wouldn't be all that hideous looking…" Zayane's words faded.

"It would damage my reputation!" Sesshoumaru said.

"No one has to know. I just wanted you to know before I started showing and you accusing me of sleeping around! I keep my scrolls straight and you're the only person that I've ever—you know 'ed with." Zayane put her hands to her face.

"No, Zayane. You can't have it your way this time!" Sesshoumaru stood up. He was enraged by Zayane not obeying him. She was his servant; she was supposed to do what he said.

"You'll have to kill me, Sesshoumaru! I'm not letting you harm my child. And you know damn well you can't fight me." Zayane pointed out. All she had to do was open her eye and she could ripe Sesshoumaru a new one. She choose not to because Zayane didn't want her feelings to control her power. She'd loose control of herself that way. And Zayane's power unchecked would mean she'd Iron Reaver Mt. Fuji, demolishing it with no concern about how much people love it. Sesshoumaru turned his back.

"I won't have anything to do with you, if you keep that child." Sesshoumaru was cold to her. Zayane didn't care because she sincerely loved Sesshoumaru and no matter what he did, she would never stop. But if he wanted to play the, "I don't wanna be the father" game, Zayane would have the child with, or without him.

"I told you I'm having the child. I don't care if you leave me." Zayane said and Sesshoumaru was already carrying it out. "Hey, wait! Where the hell are you going?" Zayane asked, walking behind him a bit.

"You said you don't care if I leave you, and that's exactly what I'm doing!" Sesshoumaru shouted to her. Zayane stopped in her tracks.

"Oh yeah? Well, I should have got it on with a wolf demon(4)! At least they mate for life!" Zayane cursed at his back side. Sesshoumaru kept walking. Zayane's hands fell to her side, limp. The tears rolling up in her eye. "I can't believe he'd actually leave me because I'm human." Zayane turned her face up to the moon. "You asked me to stay by your side, remember?" She screamed at the sky. Those words caught Sesshoumaru's ear in the distance. It was enough to cause him to pause because those were his words to her earlier that day. Sesshoumaru kept walking.

"And you're the one that is going to keep the child. You cannot have all the fun and joy of having a child if you aren't willing to take responsibility for what happens…" Sesshoumaru flipped her words around to suit his situation.

BLUES

Zayane had the child in the same room that Lady Izayoi gave birth to Inuyasha. A midwife helped Zayane calm herself during the labor, and helped in delivering the child. Inuyasha was in the room as well, being allowed to see the miracle of child birth.

"Common! One more biiiiiiiiig push!" The midwife instructed. Zayane was holding her hand, wishing it was Sesshoumaru's hand she was holding. Zayane closed her eye tightly, the sweat on her face from labor and extreme pushing. She gave a mighty roar and sighed, feeling that her child was freed from her womb and was in the world. Inuyasha watched the child slid onto the arms of the midwife. He gave Zayane a queasy look and fainted.

"What is it?" Zayane puffed. She had her fingers crossed for a beautiful girl.

"It's a… It's a… It's a BOY!" Zayane would have turned pale in that instant as if death kissed her in the mouth.

Zayane bellowed at the top of her lungs. "SONNOVABITCH!" Her voice echoed.

Sesshoumaru was in ear shot. He was actually sitting on the roof of the building. Even though Sesshoumaru claimed he wanted nothing to do with the birth of his illegitimate son, some part of him urged him to at least be in the area. That part of him that told him to come was the part that still cared for Zayane and couldn't leave her and his child for dead. It was the kindness that his father hoped to instill in him by giving him Zayane. Zayane was managing to allow Sesshoumaru's father to live beyond the grave and teach him that lesson of kindness. But even Sesshoumaru's father didn't think it'd go this far.

The midwife and other servants had cleaned up Zayane's baby boy. Zayane was pissed off. Her face seemed to be permanently frozen in a look of shock. The midwife wrapped her child in a haori, similar to the way Inuyasha was wrapped up. The haori was white with pink sakura petals. The midwife handed Zayane her child, who was screaming up a storm from the trauma of being born.

Zayane's anger faded. She looked at her son who resembled Sesshoumaru so much. On each of his cheeks, there was a single claw mark that was electric blue. Zayane thought of Sesshoumaru's face and how he had two magenta ones on each of his cheeks. It made Zayane smile. She checked his little hands and as sure as the sky is blue, the child had one blue claw mark—on each of his wrist. Sesshoumaru had two on each of his wrist, magenta as well. It was bringing tears to Zayane's eyes to see that her son was looking like his father. Zayane checked the child's forehead to see if he had gotten the crescent moon. He didn't have it on his head but Zayane was shocked at his hair color. Her son had gotten her raven black hair color and that was about it. He was pale as the moon and looked like his father. Zayane narrowed her eyes.

Perfect, he is going to end up like his father, she thought—agitated. Zayane wondered what color his eyes were.

"Did anyone catch the color of his eyes?" Zayane asked, a bit out of breath.

"Um… Yellow, I do believe." The midwife said. Zayane gave herself a 'yes' in victory. She loved Sesshoumaru's eyes. Her son had gotten the best of both worlds, for that she was thankful. Now she just had to keep his father's identity a secret to avoid Sesshoumaru coming after her and the child.

"Do you have a name for the boy?" A servant eagerly asked. Faces started to surround Zayane, curious as to what the gaijin(5) was going to name her child of Japanese origins. Zayane sighed. She had a name in mind if it was a boy, but she had her heart set on a girl so she had a handful of girl names verses one boy name. Zayane was so cross that she basically was carrying a child that looked barely like her and it was a boy. But that was the gamble of keeping the child.

"リッキ丸(6), Rikkimaru is his name." Zayane said.

Sesshoumaru heard the name and gave a big grin. He knew that Zayane had him in mind and chances are, she always had him in mind.

つづく(Tsuzuku)

Author's notes/Translation notes:

(1)Onii-san is formal for, "Big brother."

(2)Just so ya'll know the Japanese version is, "Sankontessho" So cute when Inu says it.

(3)Hanyou is the Japanese technical term; half demon.

(4)Heheh, that was a reference towards Kouga, whom I adore, too.

(5)Gaijin is Japanese for foreigner. It's practically used for everyone that doesn't look Asian. I know they don't mean it to be like a racial slur because gaijins are just that, foreigners but they throw it around at little too much.

(6)Don't get too caught up in Rikkimaru's name. Assuming if you can see the Japanese text, the first part of his name, Rikki, is just gibberish. It's Katakana-ized so it doesn't have meaning other than to 'look kewl'. The second half, maru is the kanji taken from Sesshoumaru's name. It over all means round, circle, a flow of some sort, the bond symbolized by a circle—all that yummy stuff. Still taking the maru from Sesshoumaru's name makes Rikkimaru a—Sesshoumaru Jr. But with more originality!

Ugh, Children. Could this story get anymore corny? Please endure!