Letter
The Lady on hearing the whimpered and shy 'Papa' from her grandson and scenting the slight tang of salt in the air, quietly left the father and son to their privacy and went to find the pups. Once she had ascertained that they were still happily playing in the care of their nursemaids and under a watchful guard, she returned to her rooms to send a messenger to her own home.
There would be no going back for either Sesshoumaru or Inuyasha now; once the hanyou gave his heart it was complete, his loyalty was unwavering, which was why he could never have abandoned Kikyou even though it hurt Kagome. He had known that Kikyou was no longer real but what did that matter when she still had a part of her betrayed soul and he had loved her. True he had loved her out of a childish loneliness, but it was still a friendship he would not deny and he had done all he possibly could to help and save her.
Now years later, his heart and soul was back where it should always have been, in his father's keeping until he was of an age to leave; and in normal youkai standards that would not have been for a few more centuries. Despite all that he had lived through and done with his life so far, his youkai had always wanted and pined for the Daiyoukai for all of that life and was now content, safe in his father's arms.
For Sesshoumaru the feeling of having his son safe and accepting in his embrace was more than he could ever have believed possible. Involuntarily he tightened his grip on the hanyou almost to the point of causing pain, but Inuyasha was not going to complain; he had longed for this for far too long to want it to stop, he belonged in his family again and it was wonderful. But almost as precious to him was to hear;
"My son, my Pup, My Inuyasha," uttered with such love as he had never dreamed possible. For such a potentially long lived creature, Inuyasha's greatest dread had always been living his long, long life alone away from any contact. Although he knew in reality it probably wouldn't have happened; even if nothing had outright killed him, he would have died of loneliness, literally. But now he was home and as Sesshoumaru held him, Inuyasha's youkai recognised his alpha and was accepted in turn.
It was some time later that the pair emerged and were immediately swamped by the pups that could not be held back; they had sensed the emotions surrounding them and could also scent the tears which caused them to worry. Then to everyone's surprise one of the twins started dancing in positive glee;
"You got spanked by Grandpapa didn't you Papa; that's why you is crying? Ha-ha, bad Papa; what did you do?" His words caused all the pups to look curiously at their father as if waiting for his answer. But it was Sesshoumaru who replied.
"Your Papa has not been disciplined but if you do not personally wish to find out how I would do so, you will stop harassing him; now I believe it is time for dinner, have you all washed?" He smiled as they ran off, their attention diverted at the promise of food. Before the older father and son had got far however, there was an announcement from the guard that Totousai had arrived and was waiting for them in the dining hall.
"Better hurry if anyone else wants dinner today, he'll eat the lot." Inuyasha muttered.
"Indeed, but we always keep food on hand for our unexpected visitors, especially those with voracious appetites; he will find it hard to tax our kitchens. Come let us see what he wants." Sesshoumaru led the way and they found the Master Smith already half through a roasted boar with all the trimmings.
"To what do we owe the honour of this visit Totousai?"
"Ah, Sesshoumaru; I need one of your fangs of course, why else would I be here."
"Why, I have not ordered a sword from you."
"You and Inu-pup here have accepted each other finally as father and son, haven't you? He needs a new seal." The reason was clear as day to the smith.
"Inuyasha has Tessaiga, you know this besides how do you know of Inuyasha's acceptance, it has only just happened?"
"The General told me to get your fang at the proper time and that was when you were accepted as the Pup's true father. That time is now, so here I am and I want your fang." Totousai would never explain further how he knew just when to call, it was always his mystery. But Inuyasha had to reiterate part of Sesshoumaru's question.
"But I have Tessaiga, to seal my youkai."
"Yeah, and it's doing a great job but you are only a young pup; as you get older you'll need a stronger seal and that can only come from your father."
"But my Father was stronger than me, at least until I reach his age." Sesshoumaru reminded the smith.
"True, but he was only Inuyasha's grandfather and could only give some of his youkai powers to the sword; but the pup's youkai will fully recognise the seal from your fang as it contains elements of you, that is your father and mother combined. It is more in tune with your son's blood as he too contains elements of your mother which your father alone could not contribute. There is no break in the blood line from you to your pup."
"But I don't…Tessaiga is my sword…" Inuyasha said, worried that he might lose his heirloom.
"Yes, nobody is suggesting otherwise."
"But…"
"Nobody said the seal had to be in a sword. Tessaiga is also a weapon, and you don't need another weapon. I can replace some of the beads on your rosary if you wish, make them from your father's fang. It would work well."
"You may have my fang after our dinner Totousai; I will need it before, so I can eat." Sesshoumaru ignored the self satisfied smirk on the smith's face…for now. But he did not ignore the wave of despondency and sullen expression of Inuyasha; this time he knew the direction of his pup's thoughts and he stroked the boy's ears to cheer him up.
"All is well Inuyasha, I shall train your youkai in any case and he is far more malleable now that he has a place in the family and is accepted by his father and alpha. You will not lose yourself to him again."
"Nor would you have done before if this had been done years ago." Totousai said grimly.
"Well, why was it not done when I stopped being aggressive to my son; long before Naraku's death? I would have donated my fang willingly and you know it Totousai." Sesshoumaru was angry but the smith was irritated with him too;
"Humph, that would have done no good; Pup also had to know, the fang can only calm a willing youkai effectively. The General's fang was far better than yours while Inuyasha was ignorant of his true sire." Having got the final word, Totousai wisely shut up and continued his meal until he was greeted by the Lady who had just entered with Inuyasha's pups. They were fascinated by the old man who rode a three eyed cow and they congregated around him staring before anyone could chide them for their rudeness.
"Come away brats; leave Totousai to enjoy his dinner." Inuyasha rebuked.
"Hey, leave 'em be; not doing any harm. Hee hee hee, I could tell you such stories about these two, pups…"
"Thank you Totousai but I believe you will need to be getting back after you have my fang." Interrupted Sesshoumaru as Totousai grinned.
"When I return then, I'll not be in such a hurry." He smiled conspiratorially at the now eager pups and then started to converse with the Lady to stop any retribution from the Lord of the West and his hot tempered son. Despite the very slight tension, dinner was a cheerful affair especially when Totousai seemed to space out and forget why he had come after dinner was finished. The pups thought he was great and all wanted to get a clear view of him pulling grandpapa's fang which he was happy to oblige.
He then took the rosary from Inuyasha and departed on his cow watched by the adoring pups that then ran off and proceeded to play a new game; Totousai and the pulling of the Fang. Sesshoumaru just watched them as each pup took turns to be the smith and their grandfather, although he was not amused at the grunts, groans and screeches that came from the various little Sesshoumarus, he knew he had been most dignified and had not made a sound.
However when he saw the happy smirk on Inuyasha's face as he too watched their play, Sesshoumaru endured it; because while his son was being distracted from the need for the fang, he was not feeling inadequate or ashamed. The pups played until their bath and bedtimes, when Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru strolled around the gardens until it was time to say goodnight to the youngsters; then they went to the Lord's study for a glass of wine and to wait on the Lady who had a letter for them.
She handed the letter which was wrapped in a soft leather scroll over to her son who stared at the names on the outside that were embossed in gilt; Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru ran his finger delicately over their names and could feel an enchantment send tingles through his arm. He looked to his mother who smiled and said;
"In unison you both need to touch the other one's name and at the same time speak your own name while allowing your youki to pass through the gold in order to open the barrier."
"This is from Father, I can scent him within the barrier; but why such an elaborate key to open it?"
"The contents of the letter will explain it to you my son."
"Inuyasha come let us open the letter and read it together."
"I…I can't."
"It is addressed to both of us Pup; you are entitled to hear your Grandfather's words to you."
"No, I mean…I only had some learning from Mama…my reading isn't all that good."
"That is something we will rectify immediately but for now I will read for both of us."
"My Sesshoumaru, my beloved son,
This letter pains me to write as I know that if you are reading it then I am no longer living and can no longer embrace you or my dearest soul mate, your mother. But my pup, I am so very, very proud of you; you stand beside my grandson at last and you are united as Father and Child.
I know this because the seal would not have been broken in any other situation; your youkai's have accepted each other in this role. However difficult this journey has been for you, you will now find out the truth your mother and I tried to show you at the beginning, parenthood is very worthwhile.
Maybe you already know this, perhaps you have other pups but it matters not if you have one hundred pups, if one is missing your soul is incomplete. I always miss you and your mother if I am away, the emptiness never leaves you and you will find it is the same with your children now your firstborn is part of your family.
Obviously I do not know all that has happened to bring you both to this point but here I have a word for my Grandson.
Inuyasha, I am going to presume that that is still your name; your father offered your name before your birth and the seal works on your youkai and intent, you also make me proud. I know you cannot have had an easy life, the very nature of a hanyou is often in conflict within itself apart from the way others will view you; I also know that your father is not always the easiest of beings to deal with and I obviously do not know how much time has passed to allow him to grow up himself.
But that he will become a worthy man I have absolutely no doubt; he is strong and honourable and I also have no doubt that you too have inherited these qualities. Together you are far stronger than apart and Inuyasha, if you have siblings, remember you and they are your father's sons equally in blood and within the family.
But that brings me to another point and this one is of our laws. Inuyasha cannot inherit from you Sesshoumaru, unless you have mated with Izayoi and I doubt that you have. Only your eldest pup from a full mating can do so, unless you have no other issue than Inuyasha. Knowing this I have secured a portion of land that is now ceded to the West and that belonged to Izayoi's family, it would be her dowry portion and becomes your son's inheritance along with an adjoining area I have bequeathed.
I have a steward overseeing this land and laws in place to assure that it will become Inuyasha's land when he attains his majority. This would happen whether or not you were reconciled however; this is his birthright from both of his parents. But the land is not completely independent of the West, it pays its allegiance to you and in turn you provide for defence even though it currently falls under your mother's jurisdiction.
I think and hope that that time is still a long way off; I am sure that you are only a young pup Inuyasha as Sesshoumaru has too much honour to deny you for too long. Perhaps I come to know you well my child and you will know me as a very fond Grandpapa; I hope so because I already love you very much now.
So my beloved boys, I end this letter wishing I could have held you both and kept you safe for far longer than I did do and I know there is a lot of learning to do for you both; but persevere with each other and you will reap the joys I have known with my family. May the blessings of your Father and Grandfather be on you both forever and my everlasting love to my dearest mate, who is watching me now as I pen these words and who will give you this letter at the appropriate times."
Neither Inuyasha nor Sesshoumaru were unaffected by this letter and the Lady went to replenish their glasses of wine. Inuyasha was amazed at the fact that he would be a landowner and was touched by his Grandfather's foresight and generosity, it was not so much for him but it would mean a legitimate position for his pups; but more than that, the sheer love that came from the letter for him brought tears to his eyes.
Sesshoumaru had moved to stand by the fire still holding the letter which he kept bringing to his nose to find the elusive scent of his father; his mother came up behind him and put her hand on his shoulder and offered him a silk square handkerchief which he used to wipe his eyes. The words of his father meant a great deal to him; the General had known this day would come and had made sure that Sesshoumaru knew how much he was believed in and how proud his father was of him.
Suddenly realising that Inuyasha was holding back uncertainly from mother and son, Sesshoumaru held his hand out to the boy and pulled him in close to them. Inuyasha then pushed his nose under his father's chin and whined until Sesshoumaru growled comfortingly back; they stood for a while in the warmth of the fire sipping their wine and pondering on the letter.
When the Lady went to sit down, both boys sat near her on cushions and she told them both stories of the Great General until it was time for bed. Sesshoumaru was able to appreciate his father's ways and deeds better now that he too was fully grown and had been Lord for some time; far more than when he had been about Inuyasha's age and his father was still someone to be youthfully challenged.
It made him smile ruefully when he considered how Inuyasha annoyed him intensely when he did it to Sesshoumaru; a father had to be very patient with young Inu posturing. But he was glad he now had been given the opportunity to see it in its rightful light; any disobedient streak Inuyasha showed was now just going to be a form of stretching his limits rather than deliberate rebellion. Sesshoumaru also took the opportunity to say that he would not revoke his gifts to his grandchildren even in the light of Inuyasha's inheritance; they were his personal gifts to them.
It had been yet another long day as it turned out, full of drama and yet once again they had come through without too much problem which boded well for the future.
TBC