(Inuyasha's POV)
"Ugh...how much longer is it going to be?"
"Shush!"
"He's been on the phone for like hooooouurs now." The young boy pouts for what feels like the hundredth time that afternoon.
"Sssh you little brat!" Jaken shushes once again. "And besides..." He adds on sheepishly. "He has only been on the phone for one hour."
"Pssh, whatever." The silver haired youth rolls his eyes and brings his attention back to the man in question. Sesshomaru is currently pacing back and forth, like he has been for the past hour, talking on the phone to someone, apparently, important. Inuyasha could not care less about what the other person needs to discuss with his aniki. He is HIS aniki God damn it.
"Yes. Of course...my subordinate Jakotsu will be sure to handle that appropriately...yes..." The elder's voice fades into more meaningless chitter chatter and Inuyasha starts to wonder if his conversation will ever end. In actuality, he should not be complaining. Just two weeks ago, he would have found himself locked in that gloomy black room for hours on end. Ever since the incident with Akago, Sesshomaru-sama has been pretty lenient with him—scratch that, VERY LENIENT in comparison to the beginning of his stay there. Inuyasha no longer has to stay in his room unless he wants to or until Sesshomaru gets tired of dealing with him and decides it is his bedtime anyway. The Yakuza lord also acknowledges him now-a-days. Even going as far as participating in his jokes. Granted the stoic man never laughs at any of them and does not hold back in telling the young boy that he sounds like an imbecile. Although he does allow him to tell the punch line. All these recent changes have made the naive boy grow attached to the cold man, so at times like these he cannot help but let out another exasperated groan.
"Uuuuuuuuuuugh!" To his astonishment the young lord stops mid stride to stare at him. Inuyasha covers his mouth with both of his tiny hands and tries his hardest to melt into the velvet couch he is currently slouched on. He cannot tell if his brother is in the middle of a glare or trying not to smile. He will just assume it is not the later.
"Yes...right...okay. That would be acceptable. Farewell." Click! Finally! Although he is not too sure if he should be relieved or worried. "Now Inuyasha..." The boy's gulp is followed by Jaken's snicker, but the Yakuza man ignores them both to ask, "What could possibly be ailing you, hm?"
"Umm n-nothing at all."
"Are you sure?"
"Mhm." He nods hoping to get off easy. "I didn't mean to be so loud..."
"Hn." Judging by the way, the man's arms are crossed, and the unwavering stern look he is giving him, Inuyasha can tell he is not satisfied with that sheepish answer. "Why were you begin so obnoxious in the first place? You sounded like the ape I always believed you were."
"Uh!" There is another thing Inuyasha has noticed; his aniki actually makes jokes quite often. Granted his jokes are more on the insulting side, but they are jokes, nonetheless. That is how he knows the young lord is not actually angry—just curious more than anything. "Well to be honest I just wanted your attention." He pouts in the best "cute" voice he could muster.
"Huuuh?"
He jumps off the couch and looks up, as sweetly as possible, at his older brother. "Well, you know, today's my birthday—"
"Oh do I know that?" He interrupts with a smirk causing the youngster's face to fall.
"Yes! Today I'm ten years old! I told you that ten zillion times this week. You should know—"
"Hey you insolent brat!" Jaken cuts in suddenly. "You do not tell Master Sesshomaru what he should and shouldn't know!"
"Aaaw shut it you kiss-ass."
"Why you—"
"Jaken."
"Y-yes mi 'lord? " The imp flinches at his master's chill glare.
"You are dismissed. Go do something useful."
"Uh-uh-uh-uh-uh!"
Inuyasha snickers as the midget stands there stuttering with his mouth agape. "You heard him greeny."
"I'll kill you, you little brat!" The short man gives chase when the youngling runs away and latches onto to his older brother's pant leg.
"Jaken! Useful! Now!" Jaken immediately freezes with a stiff bow and scurries out of the room when Sesshomaru takes the child's side.
"Hahahahaahaha-"
"Inuyasha stop cackling like an idiot."
"Hmpt." He pouts dismissively and holds onto his leg tighter. "What did you get me for my birthday?"
"Haven't I told you not to ask foolish questions? It goes without saying that This Sesshomaru got you nothing."
His mouth falls open at that. "Are you kidding?!"
"I don't kid." He points out bluntly.
"Aaw man, you mean you really got me nothing?!" Sesshomaru can see the disappointment written all over the kid's face, but he cannot understand why he seems so surprised.
"Of course."
"Oh okay..." Sesshomaru continues to stare down at his look alike with a blank expression as he lets go of him and takes his place back on the couch. "Never mind then. Sorry I interrupted your work."
Inuyasha peeks through his bangs when he hears his brother's heavy sigh. "Inuyasha what is it that you want?"
He instantly jumps back down to the floor and runs up to his unamused aniki. "Well since you asked..." Countless selfish thoughts run through his mind as it would for any ten-year-old on their birthday, but his grin quickly changes into a concerned frown. Something has been plaguing his mind every day for the past two weeks and this might be the perfect opportunity to clear his conscience. "Well actually, um...back at Akago-niichan's house-"
"DO NOT call him that."
"Oh sorry..." Inuyasha has found it hard not to notice that every time he mentions Akago, Sesshomaru seems to tense up and become grouchier than usual. On three different occasions the Yakuza lord tried to ask him what happened while he was at Akago's place but each time, before he could even start, Sesshomaru would change his mind. Which is fine with him since he really does not want to talk or think about it. "But Sesshomaru-sama, at his house I met a boy there around my age and he said he's been there for three years and..."
"And?"
"And...I um was wondering if there was any way we could help him."
"...No."
"But—" He tries to insist but is abruptly shut down.
"No Inuyasha. Forget about him."
"I can't! His own parents sold him for a loaf of bread! And to make matters worse, he got sold to a creep like Akago! He makes him dress up and entertain him and pleasure him at night—"
"Did he make you—never mind, just drop it. There is nothing I can do about that."
"But—"
"Do not argue with me." He does not raise his voice but the look in his eyes makes it evident that the boy should stop while he is ahead.
"Okay..."
After a moment of silence, Sesshomaru shoves his hands into his pocket and leans against the wall before asking. "Is there anything else that you wanted?"
There is honestly one thing that stands out above all the toys he could ask for and even his desire to rescue Koga. "Is it possible...for me to spend the day with you?"
"...Just don't get in my way."
And just like that his grin is back. "Okay I promise!"
"I will be in the limo within the next five minutes. After five minutes I will be gone." With that he exists the room, leaving the little boy in a panic since he is still in his Pjs!
"Rin-chan!" His call resonates down the hall as he climbs the stairs as quickly as his short legs can muster.
"Haiii?" She calls from Sesshomaru's bedroom; most likely making his bed.
"Get me some clothes! Quick!"
"Huh?"
"Hurry!"
"Okay, okay!"
(Sesshomaru's POV)
"Sir it has been eight minutes, shall I proceed?" The silver-haired youth ignores his driver and continues to drum his finger on his crossed arm. This child truly does test his patience. But even more infuriating is the fact that he is playing into it. Why is he waiting? Why did he allow him to tag along as a burden in the first place? Is it honestly because he gives a damn about his birthday and the child's feelings? Two weeks ago, he would have scoffed at himself for such foolish thoughts but now…now he is not too sure.
"I'm here! Sesshomaru-sama don't leave, I'm here!" He ignores the little obnoxious voice until the boy opens the car door and hops inside in a panic.
"You are late."
"Gomenasai—"
"You may leave now." He interrupts, directing his attention to his driver. Within minutes they are on the freeway and Inuyasha starts going on and on about Kami knows what. However, to be honest, the superfluous chatter is not bugging him. In fact, it is a bit calming in a way. Maybe he has just gotten too used to the little brat.
"What do you think Sesshomaru-sama?"
His name brings him out of his thoughts, and he redirects his attention from the car window to the excited boy at his side. "What do I think about what?"
"Nani? Don't tell me you weren't even listening!"
"…"
"Hmpt. This time I'll make sure you're paying attention to our conversation."
"How are you going to do that, hn?"
"We're going to talk about you instead of me!" All he can do is scoff at that. "What's your favorite color?"
"I don't have one."
"Come on! Everyone has a favorite color!" He frowns, scooting closer to the lord.
"You are so damn persistent. Let's just say purple."
"That's a girl color." One dour look and they boy starts cracking up. "I'm just kidding! But umm speaking of girls…"
His eyebrow arches at that. "What?"
"Do you…well yah' know…do you have a girlfriend?"
"No."
"Really?" Sesshomaru notices that he scoots closer, and his eyebrow raises even higher.
"Really."
"It's not Miss Kagura then?"
"No." He growls.
Inuyasha giggles as the outrage flashes in his narrow halcyon eyes. "And not Rin-chan either?"
"What kind of absurd shi—"They both look down as his cellphone goes off. After holding up a finger to ensure that the child remains silent, he answers the phone and watches as Inuyasha sinks down into the vinyl seat. The lord cannot help noticing that whenever he gets on the phone or goes out for a long time the brat actually seems down. Could he be growing attached to him? Why?
For the remainder of the car drive he stays on the phone with his client and watches the bored child with mild interest. Throughout the day, for the most part, he ignores the kid as they travel from client to client and check on important business that the kid would know nothing about. In a lot of cases, he made him stay in the limo, especially if there was a possibility of violence being used. At around six pm he is finally done taking care of work and he gives the boy a good look over since first leaving the estate. He looks completely depressed. "Are you hungry?"
"Hai!" On his instruction, the driver pulls into a nice café where they sit to order food. To the Yakuza member's amazement, Inuyasha already looks happy as can be. A far cry from his previously despondent mood.
"Why are you grinning like that?"
"Because this is the first time you and I went out and did anything together."
"Hn. Don't get used to it."
"Why not?"
"As you can see, I am very a busy man."
"Oh…well I guess you're right." There he goes looking sad again. Spoiled brat.
"What kind of cake do you want?"
"Huh?"
He pinches the bridge of his nose as he stares into the idiot's confused face. "Isn't that what people do on their birthday?"
"Oh yeah! I forgot all about what today was."
"…So do you want one or not?"
"Chocolate please!"
"Hn." He puts in the order for a birthday cake with the waitress as Inuyasha finishes his food.
"What do you do on your birthday Sesshomaru-sama?"
"Work."
"Gee, I didn't see that one coming." The kid almost makes him smile as he rolls his eyes sarcastically. "What did you used to do? You know when you were a kid with dad and your mom."
"…Not much…my mother would order me a cake and sing me a song." Truthfully, it is the few semi-nice memories he has of his "dear" mother.
"And tosan?"
"Father…would buy whatever the hell it is I asked for."
"You didn't have a party?"
"…I didn't have any friends, not that I do now."
"What? How come? I would think someone like you would have a lot of friends." He mumbles, clearly thinking out loud. "You're good looking and rich and cool and yes you're very mean and have no sense of humor, but even jerks have friends—"
"Inuyasha let's go."
"Huh okay." The Yakuza lord ignores the vain pulsing in his temple and places the cake in the brat's hands. Once in the car Inuyasha, sits right next to the man with barely an inch of space between them. Sesshomaru chooses to ignore it and stare out the window per usual. A few minutes pass in silence before he feels something warm against his arm. A quick glance reveals that the look alike is fast asleep, using his arm as a pillow. He was going to push the kid away from his personal space but something about his innocent sleeping face changed his mind. For the remainder of the ride, he found it hard to keep his eyes off his serene face. When they get back to the mansion Jaken is surprised to meet his lord with the object of his annoyance sleeping peacefully in the mafia lord's arms.
"S-Sesshomaru-sama?"
"Jaken, go get Rin."
"Yes sir." With a quick bow the midget disappears and soon the teenage girl is skipping down the hall towards her lord.
"Welcome home lord Sesshomaru! I hope everything went well for you. How may I serve you?"
"Here, take Inuyasha and get him ready for bed."
"Yes sir." She smiles as he places the still sleeping child in her arms.
Lately, he has been completely exhausted so since he has the opportunity, he is going to retire early. As he makes his way to his bedroom, he cannot help but wonder if Inuyasha is worth all this trouble. The day when Myjoga came to his home with news of his father's death and ludicrous request seems so far away. Is he really supposed to somehow take care of him until he is at least eighteen years to twenty years old? He is lucky that Akago has not told Naraku about his plans! He has told all the other lords, though no one has confronted him on the topic yet. He will admit that he has been keeping under the radar ever since he left Akago's mansion. As long as Akago does not tell his uncle, the chance of survival is somewhat probable. He can take the other members. His own team amazed him when they told him that they have their lord's back no matter what. Well all except Renkotsu. He may be a problem. There is a chance that he will tell Naraku as well. He will just have to see how this one plays out. When he walks into his bathroom, he can see that a bubble bath had been drawn for him, most likely Rin's doing, and gets in to soak his worries away—if only for a moment. But of course, nothing as frivolous as peace lasts too long.
"Lord Sesshomaru."
"What is it Jaken?" He responds, hoping the little minion can feel his scorn through the closed door.
"Telephone."
"Come in." His face remains blank as the blushing old man scurries in, presses the speaker button on the phone, places it on the edge of the Greek style bathtub, and scurries back out as if he has never seen a naked man before. "Hello."
"Hello there Sesshomaru-senpai."
"Akago…"
"I heard that you are in the tub. What a sexy thought heehee~"
"What the hell do you want?" He can already feel his blood boiling.
"I'm just curious; what have you been doing with yourself lately?"
"Taking care of my business per usual."
"Oho, not nervous at all? Are you that arrogant?"
"No use being nervous. If you wanted me dead, I would be already. You are just a foolish child who loves playing games, but I will let you know this: I rather die than play any game you have in store for me."
"Wonderful, the more resilient my playthings are the better."
"I am going to kill you." He states with such cool bluntness, it would be naïve to believe that it is an empty threat.
"I am sure Sesshomaru-senpai. I just wanted you to know that I may not make a move at all for days, months, or even years—so be on your toes. While you are out having fun in little cafes, be careful."
"…" Did he have someone following them?
"Oh and tell the little cutie I say hi and that Akago-nichan can't wait to have some more fun with him, hehheheheh." Click! After calming himself down to a point where he will not harm the very next person he sees, he steps out of the tub and slips into his robe. He decides not to even think too much about the situation and crawls under his blanket to disappear into the relentless darkness known as sleep. Just when his eyes begin to close, he hears the faintest of knocks on his door.
"What the fuck is it now?" They know when the door is closed, and the lights are off it is do not disturb time.
"U-Um Sesshomaru-sama?"
He sits up at the sound of a familiar childish voice and cocks his head to the side curiously. "Enter." As if debating his words, there is a pause before the huge oak door slowly creaks open. Standing there, in his long gray night gown, rubbing his honey-colored eye, is his otouto. "What is it Inuyasha? When this door is closed, you are not to disturb me." It is not as if he has done it before. He did not even know that the child knew where his bedroom was.
"S-Sorry, I was just wondering…" His words get lost in his sleepy mumble and Sesshomaru squints, even more curious than before. What is so important that he woke up and came all the way here?
"Wondering what? Speak up."
"I was wondering if I-I could sleep here with you…tonight?"
"…" His face remains blank as the child blushes madly and looks at everything in the room besides his older brother.
"I know that's um probably foolish of me to ask but I've never spent my birthday alone before. I usually sleep in the bed with mom and dad."
"…" He offers no verbal response but pulls his heavy silk blanket back to signify he will allow it. Inuyasha wastes no time in crawling under the huge blanket with his aniki and smiles when the teen scoots over to allow him access to the pillows. His body tenses up as the kid lays his head on top his toned chest and holds onto his arm as if he is hanging on for dear life.
"Thank you for letting me tag along with you today. I hope I wasn't a burden."
"…"
"Can I ask you something Sesshomaru-sama?"
"What is it…"
"What me and Akago-nii—um I mean Akago-san, were doing is wrong right?"
He takes a moment to consider that and decide whether he really wants to know or not. "Inuyasha…what did he do to you?"
"He made me uh t-touch—" He waits patiently as the boy snuggles further into his chest. "Touch his private parts and he told me to lick on it and…I think he was going to tell me to suck it, but his phone rang." Unmistakable anger runs through him but also a sense of relief. Akago did not have the opportunity to do his worst. "But the only thing I could think about was you."
"What do you mean?"
"What scared me more than what he was doing, was that everyone kept saying you abandoned me, and you weren't coming back to g-get m-me…" He can tell by the waver in his voice that he is starting to cry, but Sesshomaru allows it without comment this time. "I really started to believe everyone, and I thought maybe I should just do whatever Akago-san said since he actually wanted me around."
The Yakuza lord allows his hand to reach up and stroke the child's hair as he mulls over his story. Why is he so attached to him? And why is he even encouraging it? Is he that narcissistic that he enjoys the clinginess of a little look alike? Or does he actually care about the child? Could it be both? That would be absurd…wouldn't it? "Inuyasha calm down…I said forever, didn't I?"
The youngster looks up at him with big wet puppy gold eyes and a cute enough smile to make even the stoic teen's heart flutter. "Y-yeah! Forever and ever." Inuyasha catches his brother off guard by planting a huge kiss on his cold lips and laying back down as if it were not something out of the ordinary.
This is going to be an interesting forever…
