Ch.6
Shippo wandered around outside the castle where most of the soldiers were staying. He had been off traveling and training for most of the time that Kagome was gone so not many recognized him. He honestly liked it that way, he almost hated being the famous demon child adopted by the Shikon Miko. When people found out they treated him like some kind of holy man or a prince. He wandered around a tree and stopped. Hunched over restringing a bow was a fox demon. She had long red/orange hair that was in a ponytail falling to the middle of her back. She had a short red kimono on with black flowers. She had black boots on that stopped just below her knee. Her tail moved gracefully from side to side and she had fox ears on top of her head.
Suddenly she looked over feeling eyes on her. "Um hey-hi." He said walking up his tail twitching nervously. "That's a very nice bow you have." He said. She just glanced at him with her big blue eyes. When she didn't say anything he began to sweat. "Um I'm Sh-"
"Listen." She said cutting him off. "I didn't come here play games or flirt with idiotic fox demons. I came here to fight for the Lord of the West and that's all I'm going to do. Excuse me." She said bumping into him as she stormed off.
Close by a group of demons began to cackle. Shippo's face flamed red and he quickly hurried away back in the castle.
-/-
Inutaisho, Kyo, and Kazumi had just walked out into the gardens. "So this is actually one of the best gardens in all of Japan." Kazumi said with a smile. "And I know it's kinda girly but the cherry blossoms are in bloom right now. And you actually have quite a lot of trees here." He said to Inu which again made him feel uncomfortable. Never in a million years did he ever think he would be living in a castle. When they made it to the trees he saw Emiko and Fumiko playing and twirling in the Sakura blossoms. They suddenly stopped their giggling seeing the boys arrive. They both bowed to Inu. "Uh, hello prince Inutaisho."
Inu rubbed his hands through his hair frustratedly, "Please don't bow to me! This- this- ahhhhh." He screamed. "I'm not a fucking prince and this isn't my life!" He said running off faster than any of them could possibly run. He ran blindly until he collided with Inuyasha rolling across the ground a mass of limbs.
"What the fuck! Watch where the fuck you're going!" Inuyasha yelled standing up.
"Sorry..." Inutaisho mumbled sniffling.
Inuyasha looked uncomfortable, then let out a heavy sigh. "What's up with you, kid?"
Inutaisho stayed silent for a second, "It's just that yesterday I was just a normal kid going to school living in a normal house and now suddenly I'm the fucking prince of a past kingdom! Living in a god damn castle! This isn't my life!" He yelled.
"Keh, you're just like your mother." Inuyasha grumbled.
"What? How am I like her now!?"
"Your mom was dragged through the well and told she was the reincarnation of the Shikon Miko. Which she was! And she had to stay and protect the jewel because that was her fucking duty! But your mom didn't want to accept that! Kept saying she was a normal student that this wasn't her life. Well she learned she wasn't no normal student and you will too! This is your fucking life!" Inuyasha yelled at Inutaisho.
Inu became angry "Me!? You're the one who seems to be running from this place and your family!"
Inuyasha eyes narrowed, "You know nothing about me or my past. So I'd keep that mouth shut." He hissed out.
Sesshomaru walked up to them. "It would be greatly appreciated if both of you would shut your mouths."
"Where's my mom?" Inutaisho asked annoyed.
"She's sleeping, she was tired." Sesshomaru replied.
"Ugh disgusting. Would everyone in this god forsaken castle just leave me the hell alone!" Inutaisho yelled running off.
"Just stay within the castle walls. There is a war on the outside." Sesshomaru called. Inutaisho gave no response that he heard. Sesshomaru turned and walked away.
Inuyasha grumbled, "You're just going to leave."
"He just needs time to cool his head." Sesshomaru replied.
"Keh! He's freakin out Sesshomaru. He wasn't prepared for any of this at all." Inuyasha said before walking off. Sesshomaru sighed but kept walking.
-/-
About 45 minutes had passed since Inutaisho had stormed off. He was now sitting against a tree throwing rocks into the yard. Inutaisho sniffed the air and fell back into the grass with a grunt.
"A wise man listens before he reacts." Sesshomaru said as he walked up to him.
Inutaisho sat back up, "What do you want?" He said with a sigh.
Sesshomaru sat down next to him. "Since I could remember I was prince of the western lands, future Lord of the West. That's who I was; that's who I was always going to be. I was told that from the beginning. And I never wanted anything else because I knew that was my destiny... But you didn't have the same privilege and I know it'll take some time to adjust. Inutaisho I do want you to be prince of the Western Lands, heir to my throne. But not because you have to, but because you want to."
Inutaisho wasn't expecting any of that at all. He could feel Sesshomaru's intense gaze on him, but still couldn't look at him. "Why do you have such faith in me? You don't even know me, and you're trusting me with your kingdom. Why?"
"Well because you're my son and I know your mother raised you well. People keep saying you have a lot of your mother in you. I of all people think that's a good thing. Kagome is strong and kind. She can find the good in any bad situation and she never gives up. Kagome is an amazing person and I'm glad to see a lot of her in you." Inutaisho finally looked at his father speechless. Sesshomaru stood up and reached his hand down. "Come on let's go get some food." Inutaisho grabbed hold and hauled himself up.
"Thanks." Inutaisho said quietly.
"Hn." Sesshomaru replied which received a snicker. He looked over at Inu eyebrow raised. Inutaisho just gave a small smile in return. He was shocked to receive one of Sesshomaru's rare smiles. They walked in silence all the way to the dining room. But for once it was a comfortable silence.
Inutaisho was trying to get comfortable in his cushion. At home they used a western table and chairs. But here they obviously had traditional seating. He apologized to Kazumi, Emiko, and Fumiko. But they said it was unnecessary and that they understood this was difficult to adjust to. He figured Kyo had something to do with it. Suddenly Kagome came running in. "Oh, Inu I'm so sorry I fell asleep!" She turned towards Sesshomaru. "Why didn't you wake me!"
"I believe you threatened my life if I even attempted to do so." Sesshomaru replied taking a sip of his tea.
"Oh you know I didn't mean it." Kagome said waving her hand which received an eyebrow raise from Sesshomaru.
"Have you explored the castle yet?" Kagome asked Inutaisho.
"Yeah, Kazumi gave me and Kyo a tour." He replied.
"This place is ginormous!" Kyo added.
Shippo walked in and sat down moodily, "Hey." He mumbled out.
Miroku immediately began to chuckle. "Why so glum buddy? Is it because you totally got told of by a girl."
"Ugh! You heard about that!" Shippo said slamming his head on the table as the food began to come out.
"What happened?" Rin asked.
"Well I heard-" Miroku began.
"Everyone leave him alone!" Kagome said interrupting.
"Thanks, Mama." Was the muffled reply Shippo gave, his head still on the table.
"Oh come on! Buck up, Shippo. You know I got turned down a few times in my past." Miroku encouraged.
"A few times!" Shippo cackled sitting up. "Did you forget I was there!? A hundred times is more like it! Probably more than that! Plus turned down!? More like got the shit slapped out of you!" Everyone began to laugh a long.
"Do you remember when he had asked a 12 year old to bear his children!" Kagome said.
"Ugh Dad!" Fumiko yelled.
"Disgusting!" Emiko added.
"I said in the future!" Miroku tried to defend himself which only received a slap to the head from Sango.
"Thanks for bringing that up, Kagome." Miroku said as he rubbed the back of his head. Kagome just giggled.
After the meal was over Kagome stopped Inutaisho and Sesshomaru. "The Sakura blossoms are in bloom aren't they?" Kagome asked.
"Hn." Was Sesshomaru's reply.
"Good lets go then." Kagome said dragging them along. Inutaisho just went along for the ride used to his mother's enthusiasm.
-/-
Kagome wandered through the trees Sesshomaru wandering after her. Inutaisho sat lazily in one of the trees watching the sunset. He looked over as his mom giggled. Sesshomaru was not the character he pictured his mom with. And it was hard to imagine how they got together. They stayed out there way past the sunset.
"Let's go we all need rest. Especially you Inutaisho your training starts tomorrow." Inutaisho gulped and nodded his head following his parents to the castle. They walked inside towards the steps. "I have some business to attend to you go on ahead."
"Don't stay up too late." Kagome said.
"You know I don't need much sleep." Sesshomaru replied.
"I know but it's been a long time since I got to sleep with you next to me." Kagome said bash fully.
Sesshomaru gave one of his rare smiles, "I will be there soon my little miko." Inutaisho rolled his eyes.
Kagome began to ramble to Inutaisho on their walk up the stairs. Finally they stopped at his door, "Listen Inutaisho I know this is a lot and this seems crazy. But please give it a chance. Though the shrine will always be my home this is my home too and it could be your home..." She kissed him on the forehead. "I love you, Inu."
"I love you too mom." Inutaisho replied. Kagome wandered off to her own room. Inutaisho opened his door to see Kyo lounging on the floor. "Hey, Kyo... I'm sorry about earlier..."
Kyo sat up, "It's whatever. I get it. Besides you gave me alone time with the twins!" He said wiggling his eyebrows.
Inutaisho rolled his eyes, "They're 2 years older than us, Kyo."
Kyo crossed his ankles and put his hands behind his head as he leaned back. "You forget I'm from the future."
Inu laughed, "Let me know how that works for you."
"So how are you doing anyways?" Kyo asked.
"A little better I guess... This all is so weird for me. I can't even imagine how my mom and dad got together." Inutaisho said.
"Yeah I mean he is a little serious for your mom." Kyo said making a serious face. "Must have been something big to get them together." They continued to talk for a while until it began to get late. Kyo crashed on the couch. While Inutaisho crawled into the huge bed.
Inutaisho dream was a story Kagome used to tell him. "Once upon a time a great demon lord decided to get married. But he couldn't just marry anyone he had to marry someone very strong. So the demon Lord asked a very wise tree for help."
The young Inutaisho who was curled up next to his mother giggled, "A tree?"
Kagome giggled, "Yes a tree!" She said tickling him. "The great Lord asked the tree for a demon wife that would be strong enough to lead his kingdom with him. Well the tree responded, 'There is no demon great enough to lead by your side.' She said doing a wise tree voice. The Lord became enraged but the tree interrupted his tantrum, 'But there is one maiden who would be a perfect match.'
'You said there was no demon strong enough.' The Lord said.
'No demon but there is one. The Shikon Miko is very powerful.' The tree replied. The demon lord became enraged again."
"Why! He found a bride." Inutaisho asked.
"Well he was angry because the miko was a human and he thought he should only marry a demon." Kagome replied.
"That's silly!" Inutaisho giggled.
Kagome smiled, "It was very silly of him wasn't it?" Inutaisho nodded his head. She continued her story again. "Well the demon lord set off to find the Shikon Miko not to marry her, but to prove she was inferior to him. He traveled half way across Japan with his assistant and a little girl he had adopted. When he finally found her he looked down on her with disgust, he quickly decided that he was right and the tree was wrong. While he was there he realized how much his ward liked the miko so begrudgingly he decided to make regular visits. The girl needed a mother figure did she not?" She began to run her hand through Inu's hair. "Well through the visits the lord began to admit that the miko would one day be a good mother."
"Like you mommy?" Inu asked.
"You are too cute!" Kagome gushed. "Well anyways the meetings continued and soon they began having many conversations. He found she could keep up with him intellectually and was rather easy to talk to. They continued on like this him denying any possible relationship and her beginning to hope for one."
"What changed?" Young Inutaisho asked.
"Well many months passed and the miko and the lord grew closer. The demon Lord found himself up against a powerful enemy. He fought nobly and strongly but he was still losing. The miko not wanting to lose him threw herself into the battle. For the first time side by side the two fought. And boy were they a force to be reckoned with. Suddenly he realized she was also strong enough to fight beside him. This human miko was a perfect mother, a witty conversationalist, had the magic ability to make him open up, and she was strong enough to possibly rival him. And to top it all off he realized he had fallen in love with her. He couldn't believe that the old tree could be right! Or that he could fall in love with a human!"
"What did he do?" Inu asked excitedly.
"Well with a 'Hn' he was off. He flew himself directly to the wise tree leaving the miko behind. When he got there he was angry and accusatory, 'What have you done to me? You put some kind of love spell on me so I'd fall in love with that miko! That human! You set all of this up!' The demon lord claimed.
But the old tree was calm. 'I have done nothing to you, my lord. I merely suggested the best possible match for you. Any feelings you have for the miko are purely your own.'"
'You expect me to believe that!? There is no way I would ever fall for a human!' The lord claimed.
'To put it simply my lord you are a man and she is a woman, that is all that matters.' The tree replied. 'I give you my word I have done nothing to you.' Well the Lord just flew off. Refusing to believe what his heart was telling him. It was many months later when he was walking through his Sakura blossom that he began to accept what his heart was telling him. The lord sent an invitation to the miko to come to his palace. When she arrived he showered her with gifts and attention. At the end up the week he made his intentions clear. He told the miko he had fallen in love with her, and though it had been months since they'd seen each other he never stopped thinking about her. He told her he wanted to be with her forever."
"What did the miko say?!" Inu asked excitedly.
"Well the miko was shocked! Though she had fallen in love with the demon lord, she never would have thought he loved her back. Unfortunately the lord took her silence as a no and began to walk away." Inu gasped and Kagome smirked. "But the miko couldn't have that she ran to him hugging him from behind and baring her soul. He quickly turned around holding his miko close." Kagome finished.
Inutaisho sat up, "But what happens next? Did they live happily ever after? Did they have any kids? Were there any super cool battles?"
"This was supposed to help you go to sleep, not rile you up more..." Kagome sighed.
"Oh come on mom!" Inu begged.
She kissed his forehead, "You can dream up whatever happy ending you want for them while you're asleep." Inu grumbled and she giggled as she walked away. She flipped the light off, "Good night Inu."
"Goodnight mom." Inu yawned out.
Inutaisho rubbed his eyes and looked for his alarm clock only to remember where he was. He looked outside to see it was still dark out. He sat back remembering his dream. Was that really how his parents got together? Some idiot tree told them they'd make a good pair. He grumbled and fluffed his pillow lying back down.