Restless
Katsurou peaked outside his room and down the hallway. He rubbed his tired eyes with both hands. He couldn't sleep. It was getting closer to the new moon and he was starting to feel restless. His heart raced, and his palms were sweaty. His little feet padded their way down the hallway and into the great room of the den. Curious eyes focused on the green fire blaze in the fire pit.
His intimidating uncle sat on a pile of furs with one leg drawn up, resting his arm on his knee. Large fluffy fur spilled over his shoulder and pooled around his body. Katsurou debated retreating to his room.
"Katsurou." His uncle's voice startled him in the quiet, darkness of the room.
The boy crept closer to Sesshoumaru. "Yes, Oji-sama?"
His amber eyes slid toward Katsurou. "Why are you not asleep?"
Katsurou crawled onto the thick furs toward where his uncle sat. He boldly pulled Sesshoumaru's fur up and over his shoulders.
"I couldn't sleep. It is getting closer to...when I change."
"Hn."
His small hands curled into his uncle's fur pelt, bringing it closer around him.
"Why couldn't you sleep?" Katsurou asked.
Sesshoumaru was silent for a moment. For a moment, he was reminded of Rin when she was a child. She used to sit with him like this in front of the camp fire. She would tell him about her day, and he would listen. He missed the simplicity of that life. The boy leaned over to get a better view of his face, obviously expecting an answer to his question.
"I was thinking of the impending war." He answered truthfully.
Katsurou's eyes grew big. "War?"
"There are enemies who wish to defeat this Sesshoumaru. They killed your father, and were trying to kill you as well."
"Why? What have we ever done to them?"
"Most likely nothing. Perhaps they once feuded with my father, or they simply want our land. This Sesshoumaru is unsure of their true motives."
Sesshoumaru looked down at the small boy. His body had become very still, and nervousness and anxiety came off of him in waves. He reached out and pulled the child closer against his body, keeping an arm around him.
"This Sesshoumaru will protect you and your mother."
His large round eyes looked up at him. "Rin too?"
"Always, Rin."
Katsurou curled into his uncle's side, taking comfort in his promise.
"Oji-sama, what was my grandfather like?" Katsurou asked softly against his fur.
"Hm. The great Inu no Taisho was a wise and powerful leader."
"There has to be more to him than that. Tell me a story about him."
A soft laugh rumbled through Sesshoumaru's chest. His eyes focused on the green glow of the fox fire. Memories flooded his mind as he thought back to his late father.
"There once was a powerful dog general that caught the eye of the most dangerous Lady Inuyoukai in all the land..."
Sesshoumaru's soft, deep voice filled the room as he told stories of the glory of Inu no Taisho.