The Bow that Breaks

I don't own Inuyasha

Chapter 2

Satomi watched from a window as Taisho playfully sparred with Sesshoumaru occasionally picking him up and tossing him to the air only to catch him again. Sesshoumaru seemed thrilled to hunt Taisho amongst the trees or shift between forms quickly to make their games more interesting. Taisho maintained this for a few hours seemingly making up for lost time. Satomi sneered feeling the jealousy rise in her. She didn't know why it would effect her. She'd already accepted that Sesshoumaru wasn't hers but to see him interact so willingly, so easily with Taisho not for a few moments but for hours without so much as a small issue left her feeling bitter.

Taisho kissed her as he joined her in their room. Satomi did her best to hide the jealously but Taisho could always see when something was wrong. He often paid more attention to her than she wanted to give him credit. Despite her initial disinterest in the dog general when they first became mates she'd grown accustomed to him. He took care of her as he'd promised her father. She never had to ask for anything as Taisho tended to give willingly and she could find no fault in him for that.

"Something wrong Satomi?"

"No." She faked a quick smile. She knew better than to tell him the truth. The dog general may have been a giving demon but he was stubborn and lacked in understanding.

"You seem troubled."

"Everything is fine, I assure you."

"Hmph. You assure me? Everything is going fine with you and Sesshoumaru as well then?"

Satomi swallowed and clenched her fangs nervously turning her attention to the vanity mirror as she picked up the brush and gently ran it through her hair feigning calm disinterest.

"Yes."

"Would you tell me otherwise?"

"There is nothing to tell."

Taisho kept his gaze locked on her but she avoided him until he placed his hand on hers to stop her actions and bring her attention to him.

"Can you explain to me why he doesn't see his own mother?"

"Wh…what are you talking about?"

"The servants have quite the schedule for him. When exactly are you with him?"

She laughed off the nerves building, "The schedule is not set in stone Taisho. There is always time."

"When?"

Satomi felt every lie digging her deeper with her mate but she was in too far and at least she would not have to lie about her most recent attempt at spending time with Sesshoumaru.

"Just yesterday we went for a walk along the forest of the grounds. Sesshoumaru enjoyed very much giving me a bit of a chase."

"A walk?...Anything else?"

Satomi suddenly felt out of breath, "...That takes time Taisho."

"Sesshoumaru says the servants' names more than he does yours. I suppose that's more understandable now."

Satomi laughed beside herself. She rarely heard Sesshoumaru say a thing yet with his father words came forward?

"So he talks to you?"

"Only a few words and I'm not sure which is more concerning, the fact that he talks so little, or the fact that you're not there."

"Sesshoumaru receives the care he needs..."

"From the servants."

"…not always…"

"You're his mother!"

She'd known it was only a matter of time before Taisho erupted and she would respond accordingly.

"And you his father! I am not responsible for teaching him only what his father can."

Satomi could not keep from raising her voice. She knew she should not have but Taisho would never understand what it was like to constantly feel under attack by his own son or to feel like his role in this family already meant nothing.

"I have responsibilities to this land as well as our family. You know that! Your responsibility is to our son, my heir! Why is he not with you?!"

"I…" There was no way for her to explain that she didn't know what to do with Sesshoumaru, that even after being taught, no one once prepared her to handle a child like him. He existed by the servants' hands and she'd been somewhat grateful that Taisho hadn't been there to witness her shortcomings.

"I want him in your sight at all times not constantly in some servant's hands when I am gone is that clear?!"

"…"

"Satomi!"

"Yes my lord."

"It would not hurt to teach him a few more words either. You could at least do that."

"He talks when he wants."

"How would you know?"

Satomi looked away from him trying to distance herself from his fury, too ashamed to make a return before he left the room.

…

Satomi's growls filled the morning air as she threw herself into a roll in the damp grass. Her long ears playing around her as she shook the dew from her white fur and laid among the flowers. She didn't want to think about her argument with Taisho yesterday or having to deal with his horrible child. Although Sesshoumaru hadn't been with her at all times she had other responsibilities that stretched in Taisho's absence. She may not have been able to make final decisions or give orders but she was his place holder and made sure orders were at least carried through. She was the face of the West, the façade of calm when her lord was at war. How long had it been since she was able to spare a moment to herself without worry, breathe in the fresh air outside of the stifling castle or stretch her legs with a run that might take her anywhere? She wanted to forget her responsibilities and lay there forever. The sun warmed her as it peaked over the horizon. She enjoyed it momentarily before she huffed a sigh and stood. She wished that a sight so beautiful wasn't her signal to leave and return to the place that she called home. But she had to go. Her lord would be worried to find her missing if only for the fear of raising Sesshoumaru alone.

She returned to find her lord already awake. It was not unlike him but the otherwise typical silence of their room was broken by the pacing of his footsteps. The wood of the floors creaked with every harsh movement. It was surprising that he'd yet to wear a path into the floor.

"Taisho?"

"Satomi, where have you been?"

"Just getting fresh air. Is there something wrong?"

"Hachi brings word early this morning. He will return with more news shortly"

Satomi stepped forward, narrowing her eyes as Taisho's pacing ended.

"What are you saying?"

"It would seem things are more unsettled in the East…"

"But you just got back."

"It doesn't look like I have a choice."

"What about Sesshoumaru? You promised him. He won't understand Taisho!"

"He'll be fine."

"Then you underestimate him greatly."

"No, but it seems that I may be overestimating you."

"I have tried with him. There is no reasoning."

"He's a child. I suggest you try harder."

Taisho watched her struggle with her emotions. Maybe the words had come out too harshly but so many battles hadn't broken out in centuries; these were not peaceful times and in his absence Satomi and Sesshoumaru were more vulnerable to attack.

Satomi looked away from him. Taisho's leaving was not as much of a concern to her as to how Sesshoumaru would react. Taisho had only been back two days and Sesshoumaru was starting to get used to the thought of his father being at home. She couldn't have been more angry when Taisho returned and promised he would stay for a while knowing that it was a promise he had no control over keeping.

"He hates me…"

Taisho frowned hearing the words.

"He cannot hate you. You are his mother."

Satomi batted the tears away, disbelieving the words. Sesshoumaru's actions were so clear that it hurt to think on them.

"Sesshoumaru only wants you and he makes it painfully clear."

She laid her hand in his as she pulled the sleeve to show him the healing scars.

His tone became quiet.

"Do you pretend to be so powerless woman? I did not choose a lady unworthy of me to raise my heir. You mean just as much and more to him as you do to me. He may not understand that now, but he will. He is our son and you will raise him as such in my absence. Show him who you are and do not lend yourself to be forgotten."

Satomi nodded as Hachi returned in a panic.

"What is it?!"

"My lord we need you immediately! The boundaries have been crossed and our forces are failing. We need your power to drive them back!"

"Taisho?"

"I must go. Tell Sesshoumaru that I'm sorry. This could not be helped."

"Of course."

Satomi calmed as Taisho lifted her chin and kissed her. She made no attempt to follow them out instead she found herself at the doorway of Sesshoumaru's room. The child was still asleep and she wondered if he was dreaming of the short time he'd had with his father maybe the days ahead. That future would have to be put on hold again. She shook her head, feeling the increasing weight of having to tell Sesshoumaru that his father was gone again and no amount of power would make that easier.

A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing :)