Once the movie had finished and he noticed that most of them were asleep, Sesshoumaru left, taking the chair with him. Kagome's eyes watched him from across the room but he ignored her. He slid silently up the stairs like a ghost and disappeared down the hall.
He closed the door behind him instinctively, but paused after. He twisted the knob and let the door slide open an inch or so. Then he went to his desk and sat down.
A blinking light and the sound of a slight vibration got his attention before he even opened a book. He picked up his cellphone and flipped it open.
How is he doing?
He snapped the phone shut, scowling, opening it again just a few seconds later. He typed in a few fast words and sent it.
His friends are sleeping over.
Hoping that would be the last that she asked, he stuck his phone back on the stand and pulled down a textbook. But it vibrated again. He knew that she wouldn't have let it end there, but had still held out for a chance anyway. He sighed and put the book back, took his phone, and slid into bed. He turned the lamp off and flipped open the phone again to speak to his mother.
Are you behaving?
He's being temperamental.
I meant, are you behaving, my son.
He closed his eyes and counted to ten before answering her.
Yes.
Your hesitation leaves something to be desired.
He's an idiot, he replied, giving up. He speaks before he thinks.
Sesshoumaru. And you're no different?
At least I sound intelligent.
So you admit to being slightly similar, albeit more educated.
She'd caught him there. A low growl left his throat.
His phone vibrated again before he could say anything.
Please be more kind to him. That's what he needs from you.
I didn't ask for this.
No. But you need it, too.
His mother was so cryptic. Speaking in tongues and sounding like she knew what she was talking about. For all he knew, she probably did, having to deal with his grandfather and great-grandfather everyday. She'd also studied human behavior and psychology.
Don't be so selfish, she continued. Live for someone besides yourself. That is what makes life worth living.
Like you did for father? The one who left you?
He almost regretted the words after he hit the send button.
There was no reply for a few seconds.
Then his phone vibrated once more. But it wasn't a text. It was a call.
He hesitantly answered it.
"There are some people," she said, right off the bat, "That you invest a lot of time into, and it doesn't work out. It happens."
"You took your vows," Sesshoumaru replied.
"Words are words. Hearts are hearts. Speak with your heart, not with your tongue."
He sat up in bed, silent, opening and closing his mouth. He was aggravated.
"Don't be mad at me, Sesshoumaru. And don't be mad at your father. We loved each other in our own ways."
"He broke his promise."
"Yes, he did."
There was no malice in her voice. It was nothing but acceptance. Silence reigned for a moment or two.
"Sesshoumaru, he is hurting. A lot more than you realize."
"I know."
"Do you really?"
He tsked.
"Your words hurt him the most, my son."
"Mine? Why?"
"Oh, my love, you must find that out for yourself. Don't look with your eyes. Look with your heart. Good night."
Before he could reply, she hung up. He tossed the phone into the corner of the room where it landed in the hamper.
Heart this, heart that.
He'd closed his heart long ago. That was one of the first things he'd been taught. Especially after the betrayal of his father.
Suddenly he remembered that feeling he'd had in his chest when he'd talked with Inuyasha earlier that day. When his brother had said "Please" for the first time.
And not too long ago when he'd admitted a few of his faults. In front of strangers, no less.
His brows furrowed.
No matter how strict the training, no matter how long it had been, a heart was still inside of him. Beating, ever beating. A melancholic drum, so easy to dismiss, so easy to fall into the rhythm, so easy to forget that it was still there...