Title: Aisoku (Beloved Son)
Author: Noubunka
Summary: I am the Daiyoukai. In the hierarchy of demon society, I sit at the peak. Demons fear my strength and many cower at my feet. However, there is one who can bring me to my knees with a single glance from those doe-like eyes … My son.
Pairings: None at the moment.
Warnings: AU, implied Non-Con.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Chapter One: Tentative beginnings
Author's note: Those who are expecting Inuyasha to have similar character to what is portrayed in cannon, please be warned. That is not going to happen. As Inuyasha is going to be raised by Sesshoumaru, he will be educated, more composed, better skilled than cannon Inuyasha.
.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.
Pain greeted him good morning as consciousness returned to him. Inuyasha groaned sleepily, trying to understand why it was hurting so much. He buried his nose at the hard pillow beside him, which was the source of a comforting scent that eased him somewhat.
Watery amber eyes opened slowly and he stayed still, knowing that moving caused more pain. He focused his blurry vision in front of him and frowned when he saw that he was been nuzzling something that was most definitely not a pillow.
Suddenly, his face flamed and he squeaked. He would have moved onto his back abruptly if it had not been for the stern hand that was on the back of his neck to keep him in place. "Stay still Inuyasha."
The child swallowed in nervousness when he realized that he had just been sleeping cuddled into his father's side. He slowly looked up at the older demon to see that his father was observing him with the same half-amused half-intrigued look in his eyes. Inuyasha did not know how to react to his father; he had never encountered anyone like him, someone who made him feel so exposed with a single glance yet someone he knew would never let anyone or anything hurt him.
Inuyasha did not know where his sudden boldness came from as he closed his eyes and snuggled back into his father's side, a part of him insisting that this was his father and he had every right to derive comfort from him.
He failed to see the contemplative look in Sesshoumaru's eyes as he looked at him. The Daiyoukai was pondering over his need to keep the child close, he felt decidedly uneasy to let the boy out of his sight and Sesshoumaru knew that that particular instinct would hinder him in his work.
The conversation he had with his mother had been enlightening and it explored the aspects of fatherhood that he had not been aware of, aspects that made him realize why he reacted to Inuyasha's presence so strongly.
xoxox
"How is my grandson?" She asked as she entered the room gracefully and settled on the bed, looking at Inuyasha with an assessing look in her eyes.
His child was certainly beautiful and his mother had always held admiration for things of great beauty. He recognized that appreciative gleam in her eyes instantly and subconsciously, his hand rose to stoke his son's wild snow like hair in a gesture he recognized as protective.
"He will take time to recover." Sesshoumaru replied calmly, "I imagine that the Izayoi-hime's spell has done more damage than initially apparent, his recovery will be slow."
His mother looked at him in the eye, "And how do you feel?"
Sesshoumaru raised a brow, "I beg your pardon?"
"We should have had this conversation when you first entered heat and your father should be the one to train you in such things." She frowned, a rare expression on her usually composed features, "Alas, your father is not here to teach you about parental instincts."
Sesshoumaru raised a brow again, glancing down at his sleeping son when she gestured towards him, "Keep your eyes on him as I speak." She suggested and the Daiyoukai complied, curious.
"You must have sensed his presence when he was born… your father told me that he sensed your birth keenly, as though someone had placed you in his arms. That is the first bond that a child forms with its father, the first of three. The connection between the mother and her child takes place when the child is still growing in her womb, the moment it is born; it calls for its father. Inuyasha must have summoned you and you, because your father neglected to teach you of fatherhood, could not understand that call."
Sesshoumaru frowned. "Because you did not return the call, the child grew weaker therefore it was very easy for Izayoi to cast that spell on him, she would not have succeeded otherwise."
"Unfortunate as it is, in the demon world every child born is the possession of its father and the mother has little right over it. Had Izayoi been alive, you had the right to send her to her death as punishment." She looked at the picture her son and grandson made. In the demon society, it was believed that the bond between father and child was much more tangible than the bond between mother and her child.
"You have already made the first bond after the spell was removed." She smirked when she watched her son narrow his eyes when Inuyasha gave a small whimper of pain in his sleep. "This has made you naturally protective of your child. To you, until he comes of age, he will be an extension of your own self. You will sense him when you concentrate enough and you will be aware of his needs very keenly." She reached forward to touch Inuyasha but her hand was caught in a vice-like grip even before it would come close to touching the child.
She smirked again, "You will also be unreasonably possessive. Not willing to let anyone touch him. You will become irritable if you find someone else's scent on him. Of course, as I am your mother, you will allow me more liberty with him than to most. As of now, you feel as though everyone but you is out to harm your child. It will take a while for that instinct to settle because you do not have a mate to curb it."
Sesshoumaru nodded and released his grip on her hand.
She leaned back, massaging her delicate looking wrist, "The second bond you form is when you guide his hand to write his name on our family tapestry. That is when he becomes your heir." She watched him frown contemplatively, "The third bond takes years to from and that is the only bond that will last forever. It is the same bond that caused you that indescribable pain when your father died."
"Sesshoumaru, look at me." The Daiyoukai looked up at his mother impassively. "You must keep your temper and instincts in check. With the child, you will have to be extremely careful. He is weak now, both physically and emotionally. If you want him to be worthy to rule the West then you have to make certain that the child does not shy away from you."
Sesshoumaru simply nodded.
xoxox
"Do you feel any pain, Inuyasha?" Sesshoumaru asked as he looking down at the child. His little fingers were fisted in Sesshoumaru's yukata and that clearly indicated that the child was in pain.
"Hai." Inuyasha whispered, pouting unknowingly, "Something feels weird."
Sesshoumaru raised a brow, "Weird?"
"I do not know…" the boy shook his head, biting his lower lip in confusion, "Everything seems different."
The Daiyoukai narrowed his eyes and observed his child. He was rubbing his eyes with his free hand, blinking rapidly and Sesshoumaru understood. "The spell suppressed your senses as well. It would be wise to assume that your eyesight and has improved to a great extent as well as your sense of smell." His eyes landed on Inuyasha's elf-like ears with a frown, "Your ears will function better as well. Are you experiencing any head-ache, musuko?"
Inuyasha frowned and concentrated. It was difficult for him to distinguish which part of him was aching more. His entire body felt as though it was one big bruise. "It… it would seem so…" He trailed off hesitantly and Sesshoumaru looked down at the child, mildly amused. Inuyasha glared petulantly at that look, "How am I supposed to know! Everything hurts!"
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed and Inuyasha instantly stiffened. If he had shown similar disrespect to any of his mother's relatives, they would have beaten him with sticks until he was half-dead as punishment. He wondered, trembling slightly, if his father's reaction would be the same.
Sesshoumaru frowned at the sudden scent of fear that tickled his youkai awake. Such a reaction was suspicious however, considering the fact that Inuyasha was a hanyou for most of his life, the Daiyoukai had no doubt that he paid the price for it.
"You were supposed to heal faster than this, musuko." Sesshoumaru informed the child with a scowl. "Your wounds should not cause you too much pain."
Doe-like amber eyes looked up at him warily and Sesshoumaru raised a brow, "Do you have something to say?"
Inuyasha looked away and shook his head, "Nothing." He mumbled. He wished that movement was not so painful for then he could have moved away from his father. Suddenly, he felt very insecure. He had never trusted any adult in his life aside from his mother and his mother had betrayed that trust too.
There was a slight knock on the door and Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes. He saw a shadow in the shape of a woman sitting just outside the shoji doors. Her posture was perfectly submissive and her scent was that of herbs.
"Lady Chikako." He greeted the healer.
"Forgive me for interrupting, my lord. I have some potions with me that would ease some of ouji-sama's pain." She explained. "I have with me, the family tapestry as well, my lord."
"Very well." Sesshoumaru looked down at Inuyasha, "Enter."
The elegantly dressed woman opened the door and walked in. She bowed to her lord, the family tapestry held forwards reverently in her hands.
Carefully, he shifted Inuyasha so he could lie on his stomach before he stood and took the tapestry from the healer's hands. With an elegant flick of his wrist, he unfurled the scroll before arriving to the very bottom of it. His name was written there, the calligraphy barely passable. Sesshoumaru grimaced; he was a child when his father had guided his hand to write his name on the tapestry.
He spread out the scroll on his desk, "Administer the potions, Lady Chikako." He ordered as he set about preparing the ink.
The healer approached the child on the bed carefully, "Ouji-sama, I understand that you feel pain every time you move, however to drink these potions, you will have you sit up." She explained softly, "I will be as gentle as I can be, however, you will still feel pain."
Inuyasha nodded and let her move him to a sitting position. A sob of pain tore past his lips and her lord's youkai flared threateningly in response. "Be careful with him, Chikako." He warned, inciting a flinch from the healer.
"H… hai… Sesshoumaru-sama." The healer trembled as the oppressive aura of her lord eased a little. She looked at the child in front of her who was now looking at Sesshoumaru with admiration written clearly on his face.
"Sugoi…" the pup whispered. Chikako brought her dainty hand to her lips to stifle a giggle as her lord looked at his son in clear amusement. "Drink those potions, musuko." The Daiyoukai commanded, "They will ease your pain enough for me to show you around the castle."
Innocent amber eyes brightened visible at the prospect and he obediently turned to the healer, going as far as opening his mouth cutely, waiting for her to give him the potion. Chikako smiled and held his face in her hand, knowing that the taste of the potion was something awful, she would have to make him swallow.
As predicted, the child tried to spit the potion out but Chikako forced him to swallow, watching in sympathy as those beautiful amber eyes watered. "Gomen nasai, ouji-sama, but that is the worst tasting potion. The rest are actually quite pleasant." The child glared at her petulantly.
Nevertheless, he took the potions and only grimaced at the all-too-sweet taste.
After administering the potions, Chikako backed away, knowing that she was not permitted to touch the child more than necessary. She bowed to Sesshoumaru and silently left the room
Sesshoumaru glanced at Inuyasha and beckoned him with a raised hand, "Come here, Inuyasha."
Inuyasha hesitated and tried moving. When he felt little to no amount of pain, he moved slowly. He got off the bed and walked towards his father, stumbling along the way. When he was sure that he would fall, the Daiyoukai's arms caught him and placed him in his lap. "Look at the tapestry Inuyasha and take pride in being a part of such a grand legacy." Sesshoumaru said, "The West has been under our rule longer than we have written records of. No one knows how the Inu-youkai gained control of it and no one knows where our clan originated from."
Inuyasha looked down at the list of names in intrigue. His father's name was last and just before it was his grandfather's name. "Only the heir of the clan has his name written in this tapestry. There is another that includes all members of our clan."
"Obaa-sama's name isn't written here." The child pointed out and Sesshoumaru nodded. "The mates of the lords and their other children are not included."
Sesshoumaru dipped a brush in the ink he had prepared before offering it to Inuyasha. Once the child had a proper grip on the brush, Sesshoumaru's long, artistic fingers surrounded Inuyasha's and he guided the child to write his name.
Inuyasha, Son and Heir of Lord Sesshoumaru of the Royal Inu-youkai clan
Inuyasha watched, fascinated as the brush moved. He knew somehow that the simple act of writing his name on the scroll meant much more than it seemed.
Inuyasha did not know the rosy glow of power that surrounded him, but Sesshoumaru did. Steadily, over the years, the land of West will make her own connection with her heir. She will protect him until it was his turn to protect her. Since the spirit of their land could only gain access to his child through him, Sesshoumaru could feel her trying to reach out to Inuyasha, longing to embrace her new heir.
The Daiyoukai smirked and permitted it.
Inuyasha gasped, his eyes widened and he curled into his father's arms in fright, "Chichi-ue…"
"Hmm, let her feel you, musuko…" Sesshoumaru murmured, his eyes amused, "She will not harm you."
Inuyasha tentatively nodded, forcing his body to relax. He looked around with curiosity. "There is no one here." He pouted. He shuddered when he felt invisible fingers combing through his hair. "This is… odd."
"The Spirit of our lands does not have a physical shape but she is a being of great power and you must learn to respect her." Sesshoumaru frowned, feeling a certain amount of anger originating from the spirit. "She seems to be upset…"
"Maybe she doesn't like me… her touch is cold." Inuyasha asked softly.
"Preposterous." Sesshoumaru said dismissively. "She is merely angry that you are wounded." The Daiyoukai looked down at the scroll, satisfied to see Inuyasha's name written on it.
"Come." He commanded as he stood, setting the child on his feet. He knew the effects of the potions would only last for a few hours. Sesshoumaru intended to ensure that his son was asleep by then. "I will introduce you to certain people." The Daiyoukai let his eyes roam over his child, noting the simple yukata with a grimace.
For now, it will have to do.
He gestured Inuyasha to follow him as he spoke softly, for his son's ears only, "Remember child, you are my son and therefore everyone in this castle except your grandmother and I are ranked below you. There are many who would try to make you feel as though you are weak and that you are supposed to obey them, most of them are the untrustworthy nobles who serve me. " Impassive gold looked down at wide, curious eyes, "They will try to intimidate you and as you are a child, you must be wary but not frightened. They cannot harm you, I will not permit it."
Inuyasha frowned, biting his lower lip, "They won't hit me with sticks?"
Sesshoumaru stilled and narrowed his eyes at his son, "Sticks?"
The child winced in remembrance and rubbed his upper arm, "Kaa-san's relatives hit me when I disrespected them…" he frowned, "I don't think I did but…" he shrugged helplessly. "Maybe I did, Kaa-san never seemed to object so I suspected I deserved it…" He frowned, "But you haven't yet… and I snapped at you." His tone held a little amount of disbelief.
The Daiyoukai's lips thinned in displeasure, "We will discuss what sort of misbehavior warrants punishment but rest assured, I am the only one who is to touch you. If anyone so dares to even raise their hand against you, I will cut that limb off."
Inuyasha's eyes widened, "You can do that?"
Sesshoumaru raised a brow, "But of course, musuko. I am the ruler of this land."
"Sugoi." The child whispered, his big eyes looking at Sesshoumaru with awe.
Sesshoumaru's lips twitched and he placed a clawed hand on his child's little head, "Come, we must finish this before your potions cease being effective."
Inuyasha nodded and followed Sesshoumaru, his eyes wandering to take in his surroundings while his ears tracked his father's nearly soundless footsteps. It was a castle, much more elaborate and finely furnished than his previous manor. His mother was a princess but Inuyasha was not entitled to her property.
All he wealth went to his distant cousin but Inuyasha did not mind.
He would not have met his father if he had not been chased out of his previous village.
A tap on his head brought his curious eyes back towards his father's amused gaze. "You will see more of your new home later, now I must introduce you to certain people. There are a few things you need to know before we enter this chamber." He gestured at the shoji doors before them.
Inuyasha nodded, paying his full attention to Sesshoumaru.
"You must sit on my right-hand side, which is your position for all formal meetings as you are my heir. They will bow to you but you must only nod in return, any show of submission towards your inferiors is unacceptable, you are their Prince and when the time comes, you will be their Lord." Inuyasha nodded, silently stating that he understood. "That, however, does not mean that you are permitted to disrespect them. As you do not know the ways of the court and because you are so young, it would be preferable if you stayed silent and observed the proceedings. However, I am not asking you to refrain from speaking; you may, if you have something intelligent to contribute."
Inuyasha nodded again, deciding (quite wisely) to stay silent and observe. Sesshoumaru slid the shoji door open and walked through them leisurely, narrowing his eyes at the demons in the room. Inuyasha walked silently by his side, looking at the assembled people with curiosity.
All those demons bowed respectfully to his father but Inuyasha could sense several eyes on him, and more than a few were unwelcoming.
The boy scowled at them, remembering his father's words. He must not show submission or fear to them. Besides, his father did say that no one was permitted to touch him. He sat silently by his father's side, and although he could not pull of his father's intimidating posture, he was certain that he had managed to keep his face impassive. He was aware that his duty was to sit beside Sesshoumaru and be silently; letting the Daiyoukai introduce him to people, he considered important enough to meet his son.
He was introduced to many odd demons, the females smiled affectionately at him but most of them had eyes like chips of ice. Some were genuinely pleased to see him but Inuyasha still could not bring himself to trust any of them.
There seemed to be a metaphorical bubble around him that no one would penetrate, whoever tried faced his father's icy stare.
He also met his future tutors and all of them seemed genuinely pleased to meet him. They asked peculiar questions, some that had no particular relevance to their conversation at that point of time. Whenever he answered their questions, they seemed pleased.
Inuyasha let his eyes wonder when the introductions were over; he could barely understand what his father was discussing with those other demons.
In a shadowed part of the room, he found his grandmother and smiled tentatively when she smiled dotingly at him.
His grandmother was very pretty, not old and wrinkly at all. She was prettier than his mother was and that is saying something. She gestured him to come to her and Inuyasha bit his lower-lip, turning to look at his father for permission.
Feeling Inuyasha's gaze on him, the Daiyoukai raised a brow in silent question at his son. Inuyasha's eyes drifted towards his grandmother pointedly and Sesshoumaru smirked lightly before nudging Inuyasha towards her.
The child walked towards his grandmother, thankful to get away from those boring demons and their constant complaints. He glanced back at the tall, prominent figure of the Lord of the Western lands, wondering how his father found the patience to listen to their inane chatter.
"There's my cute little grandson." Inuyasha blushed and looked up at his grandmother through his lashes, "Hello, obaa-sama."
He squeaked when she effortlessly lifted his off his feet and placed him on her lap. "How are you feeling, Inuyasha-kun? Any pain?"
Inuyasha shook his head, leaned back against her, tracing the floral patterns on her kimono. "Good, now, did you write you name down on the tapestry?"
"Uh-huh…" he answered with a nod and a shudder, "It was really weird."
His grandmother's lips curled into an indulgent smile, "Was it? I believe the spirit of our lands tried to contact you?"
"Yes, her touch was cold; chichi-ue said that she was angry that I was hurt." Inuyasha supplied information dutifully. He scanned the crowds again and pouted, "They don't like me."
She laughed, leaning down to place her chin on his head, her golden eyes amused, "They are just jealous, little one." She raised an elegant hand to point discretely towards a few females. "You see those women?" she asked slyly and Inuyasha nodded. "They wished to be our father's mate… they wished to provide him with an heir."
The child's eyes widened and he looked up at his grandmother uncertainly, "Will Chichi-ue take one of them as a mate?"
She smirked, "He already has an heir does he not?"
Inuyasha bit his lips, suddenly looking uncertain, "But what if I am bad?"
His grandmother laughed, "By birth, by blood and by right, you are the first Prince of the Western lands. You are Sesshoumaru's first child and nothing can replace you." She smirked and pointed at those women again, "They know this, which is why they are glaring at you like little children who lost their toy." Inuyasha raised a brow at her, looking startlingly like Sesshoumaru, making her smile in pleasure. "Besides, my Sesshoumaru doesn't need such useless girls to procure him an heir anymore. He has you and you are perfect, my precious little grandson."
"Are you finished corrupting my son?"
Inuyasha started and looked up at his father with wide eyes while his grandmother seemed unfazed. "I did nothing of that sort. Your servants are making him feel insecure."
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes but did not comment. He reached down and lifted Inuyasha off his mother's lap, observing the child for any hint of pain. "Are you feeling any pain, Inuyasha? Any discomfort or weakness?"
Inuyasha frowned, "I feel sleepy…" he commented, "And the room spins once in a while… if I shake my head too hard."
"Hn." Sesshoumaru murmured, pressing his palm against Inuyasha's forehead. "You are sweating. It is best if you returned to my chambers to get some rest." He looked at his mother with a raised brow and she nodded.
With a frown, the Daiyoukai handed the child back to his mother, "Lady Chikako will have another batch of potions ready for you in the morning. It is best that you go to sleep before the potions you have consumed stop being effective."
Inuyasha pouted, "I wanted to see the castle."
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes, "You will go to my chamber and take rest. Exploring the castle can wait until you are feeling better." He commanded, "If you wish to recover swiftly, you must let your body gain appropriate amount of rest, Inuyasha."
Inuyasha sulked. "I will find you asleep when I return, will I not?" Sesshoumaru asked pointedly.
"Hai, Chichi-ue."
Sesshoumaru's mother smirked at her son. He was being rather stern but she did not expect anything else from Sesshoumaru. He was not someone who would coddle his children.
His servants would do that for him.
It would be interesting to see how Inuyasha would grow up to be.
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
"Did you see him?" A young woman whispered urgently as she chopped vegetables.
Her companion giggled and nodded, excited flush gracing her tanned skin. "He is so adorable and he takes after Sesshoumaru-sama in his looks."
An old woman laughed as she skillfully rolled cooked rice into rice balls. "That he does. He certainly had gotten our Lord's impassive expression down to the minutest detail." She looked amused, "Our young prince had inherited Sesshoumaru-sama's explosive temper as well."
The two young women assisting her in cooking frowned in confusion, "Temper? Surely you jest Sayaka-san. Our Lord had never shown even the slightest hint of temper. He is always calm."
The old women scoffed, "He is now, and he has excellent control over himself. However, when he was young, his rants were some of the most spectacular I have ever witnessed. Sesshoumaru-sama's father had to start his combat training earlier than he had planned to channel that explosive temper of his."
"But ouji-sama looked so shy and sweet." One of the cooks whispered with a fond smile, "He looked so adorable, trying to hide himself in our Lord's arms."
"Just you wait," the older woman said teasingly, "Let him adjust to this new environment and then we shall see just how shy and sweet our little prince can be. I can assure you that he will be a right menace, just like his father was."
"A…ano…" A tentative voice caught their attention. They all turned and paled slightly when they saw the object of their discussion.
Inuyasha looked at him with slightly wide eyes; it was obvious that he had heard them. "Ouji-sama!" one of the younger cooks exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, forgive us for our impudence, ouji-sama, just ignore us, we were just gossiping." She looked incredibly flustered.
The child just narrowed his flashing gold eyes, "Hn." He spun on his heal and was about to walk off but an old voice halted him.
"Inuyasha-sama…" He paused and looked at the old woman over his shoulder, a brow raised questioningly. "Is there something you wanted? It is much obvious that Sesshoumaru-sama does not allow you to venture out of your rooms." Her voice was somewhat stern.
The boy frowned, "Chichi-ue did not tell me how to summon servants to his chambers. I was hungry; I had no choice but to venture out of the rooms." He informed bluntly.
The old woman's eyes widened, "Oh my! But Inuyasha-sama should have personal maids assigned to him to assist him."
Inuyasha did not say anything, he simply raised a brow, looking unimpressed before turning on his heal and walking away.
One of the younger cooks let out a breath of relief, "So young and he has the same oppressive presence of his father."
The oldest of the cooks shook her head, "Sesshoumaru-sama has already started training the child."
"Surely not!" one of the younger women gasped. "He has not yet recovered from his injuries."
"That will not stop Sesshoumaru-sama from starting on lessons that do not require physical effort on ouji-sama's behalf." The old woman pointed out. "In my opinion, the sooner the child starts the learn, the better. Really…" she scowled, "Izayoi-hime was too much, trying to deprive Sesshoumaru-sama of his fatherly rights. A young woman's fickle, reckless emotions can never be trusted."
The young women squirmed, flinching when Lady Sayaka's disapproving eyes landed on them. They would never think of committing such a blasphemy but they still felt themselves flushing under her stern gaze. "And poor Ouji-sama, spending his life as a distasteful hanyou." She shook her head as she set about preparing their prince's food.
Meanwhile, Inuyasha walked back towards his father's chambers with a frown. As promised, the lord had taken him on a tour of his new home when he woke up in the morning.
However, the orders from the healer were clear. He was still weak and it would be unwise to do anything stressful while he was still healing.
"Inuyasha-sama." A firm voice halted him in his tracks. He turned about to face the person who had called him and found himself looking at a kneeling man. "Sesshoumaru-sama requests your presence in the dojo, ouji-sama." He said politely.
Inuyasha nodded and gestured the soldier to rise and lead the way. It took a matter of minutes to reach the dojo.
The regal figure of his father stood, dominating the room. In comparison to his brilliance, the old, ugly looking man standing in front of his father, frowning at him
"Chichi-ue?" he asked, his voice holding a note of confusion.
Sesshoumaru glanced at him, before he gestured towards the old man, "This, Inuyasha, is Totosai; he has been the sword-smith of our family for a long time." He stated by way of introduction.
Under the force of his father's narrowed eyes, the old man bowed, "Ouji-sama."
Inuyasha nodded back, observing the man with narrowed eyes as well. He had the audacity of frowning at his father. The mere fact that the Daiyoukai had not slain him where he stood informed the child that the odd-looking old man was someone of importance, of at least, of use, to his father.
The man, despite his courteous greeting seemed to disapprove of him and Inuyasha wondered whether this Totosai found him lacking, whether the man was of the opinion that he was an unworthy heir to his father.
"My father commissioned two swords. Each made from his fang. One of the swords is Tetsusaiga, which is lost to me." The Daiyoukai said with a hint of irritation in his voice, "And the other," he gestured towards a plain looking katana, "is Tensaiga. This is my inheritance. Both these swords were drafted by Totosai, musuko."
Inuyasha observed the sword keenly, despite its normal appearance, it gave off a rather powerful feeling… but… but somehow, his father's own aura was trying to suppress it.
It was as though the sword was calling out to its master and the master was disgusted by it.
The thought brought a frown of concern on his young face. Guided by instincts that he could not understand or ever hope to comprehend, he walked forward and reached out to caress the sheath with tender, appreciative fingers.
The sword sang under his touch.
Without a doubt, his father felt it too because the very next moment, the Daiyoukai had drawn the sword, watching the glowing blade with narrowed eyes. "The sword… the sword seems to crave your attention, chichi-ue…" Inuyasha whispered hesitantly and nearly flinched with his father's icy gaze came to rest on him.
"The power of this sword is of no use to me, Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru stated, "It is a sword that can save lives, bring people back if they are dead. Such power is of no use to me."
Inuyasha's eyes widened. Ignoring the old man who was to be credited for creating such a magnificent sword, he looked up at those chilling eyes and knew, instinctively, that his father was very disappointed with his inheritance. "Does that not mean that you are able to command death to halt, chichi-ue?"
"Not at all," Totosai croaked, "The Tensaiga has a mind of its own, only a few can be resurrected using its power. Death will still reign supreme. Sesshoumaru-sama needs to cherish someone enough to feel the need to protect him or her. That will bring out the swords true power."
Inuyasha tilted his head to the side and looked at the sword thoughtfully, "But, chichi-ue cherishes me, does he not? I heard one of my aunts mentioning it to my uncle once… it was the father's duty to protect his children."
Sesshoumaru raised a brow, looking amused while Totosai shook his head, "Ideally, yes. However… Sesshoumaru-sam..." Totosai was silenced with a pointed stare from Sesshoumaru.
The Daiyoukai sheathed the sword, "I will not allow such an occasion to occur." He said curtly, "My child will never know death." He stated with the conviction of someone who was powerful enough to ensure that his words held true.
Tensaiga sang once again and Inuyasha withheld a secretive smile. His father's response may have been a little discouraging, but he was confident that he had elevated the sword's worth in the Daiyoukai's eyes, even if it was to a small extent.
"Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru called to gain his son's attention. Those doe-like eyes looked up again, "I wish to commission a sword for you. Something that will be on par with my father's swords." He turned his attention towards the silent but shocked Totosai, "This time, you will be using my fang."
Totosai was just about to deny the commission but Inuyasha leaned forward, an eager look on his childish face, "Hontou ni? Will I really get a sword like yours chichi-ue?"
The old man sighed and observed Inuyasha, "Your sword will be different of course." He stated, "Your sword will need to have the ability to cause harm, if I am not mistaken." He looked at Sesshoumaru questioningly. The Daiyoukai only nodded in response. "If I am not wrong, judging by the darkness of your demon markings," he gestured towards his face, dark, blackish red markings standing out starkly against the pale, translucent skin. "You will need a sword that would have the ability to grow with you. Without a doubt, you will be as powerful as your father… if not more so."
Inuyasha's eyes widened, "Sugoi."
"Totosai," Sesshoumaru started, "You will work on this sword with all your dedication and skills. If I find anything lacking, I will dispose of you, do you understand?"
Totosai paled and nodded. He did not approve that Sesshoumaru hid the fact that he had shared his bed with Izayoi-hime from his father. However, he did not dare to risk his life by angering the young lord.
Inuyasha would possess and wield the best sword ever made, the Daiyoukai would make certain of it.