The Bow that Breaks
Chapter 4
I don't own Inuyasha
Sesshoumaru stretched himself lazily among the cushions on the floor next to the table as he watched a servant pour tea and lay out pastries. His attention was drawn back to his mother as she discussed an annual dinner and the progression of the war with one of her advisors. Most of their conversation he didn't understand aside from when his father was mentioned.
Satomi huffed as the advisor spoke on going through with the dinner to be held that night. She knew it would make no sense to do it with Taisho at war. The celebration was meant for him and meant to bring positive news and plans for the future of his rule. But there was nothing positive to speak on this year. Everyone knew that Taisho had been at war for far too long with no end in sight. Yet she was agreeing to this dinner in an effort to keep the court from entering into a state of concern and panic.
"My lady our lord needs you to do your best at bringing positive information to the table."
"So you want me to lie to them?"
Satomi watched the advisor's demeanor become morose.
"Lady Satomi, I am not asking you to lie…"
"Then what are you asking me to do?"
"The Sakura trees are in peak form this year my lady…"
Satomi did her best to fix the twist of her mouth as she pointed toward the window. The wind was blowing at dangerous speeds and sleet was coming down in sheets. The Sakura trees were bending in angles never meant to be formed. It didn't help Koro's argument as Satomi saw Sesshoumaru look up at the window she was gesturing to, only to shake off a shiver as he crawled under one of the cushions.
"How about Sesshoumaru's coming of age then…?"
"That is your suggestion?"
"Three will be a big age for him my lady! One step closer to ruling the West."
Satomi stared at Koro trying not to show her disgust at his overly enthusiastic displays. The advisor was digging too hard for the insignificant. The Sakura trees would be lucky to blossom on time this year and there was hardly anything celebratory about Sesshoumaru reaching three. They would have a usual celebration but nothing more.
Satomi waved her hand in an effort to allay Koro's concern.
"Don't worry Koro, I will find something positive to say."
"Just remember to try and smile my lady."
Satomi faked a momentary smile. She already knew that she would have to choose her words wisely with the court although she was sure she could give them more intellectual credit than to believe every word she spoke. The advisor seemed satisfied with this as he bowed and left her.
Satomi settled at the table. Picking up her tea she noted Sesshoumaru's stillness. For the last few days Sesshoumaru had attempted less to use his claws against her which was progress but it was overshadowed by his silence. His behavior becoming more peculiar. He'd followed her around aloof, sitting or laying wherever she stopped as he was doing currently. Even now she wasn't sure if he was really focused on anything instead simply staring blankly in her direction.
"What's wrong Sesshoumaru?"
"…"
Sesshoumaru met her gaze pointedly but remained quiet.
"Will you not say anything at all?"
"…"
"I supposed you find delight in your silence with me?"
"..."
Satomi sneered shaking her head as she took another sip of her tea leaving Sesshoumaru to his mood for now as she turned her concentration toward what she might say at the dinner. She'd told Koro she would think of something but in truth she had nothing. She'd just wanted the advisor to leave her alone. She'd always depended so heavily on Taisho to make the speeches. Her place had always been to stand beside him, poised with grace, smile and support with the occasional nod. She repeated different welcomes in her head as they eventually started to come out in a whisper.
"Good evening…Welcome everyone…of course you know…Taisho is unable to join us…he's still at war...ugh…this is ridiculous!"
Satomi curled her fingers into fists in her lap as she began to feel panicked imagining the number of faces staring at her as she struggled to find words to even welcome them in a way that didn't seem like a slap in the face. They would think she thought them stupid to bring them to dinner only to remind them of their state. It was the equivalent of reciting the names of every casualty at the hands of their enemies.
"Daddy?"
Satomi's concentration was broken by the rare sound of Sesshoumaru's voice but she could only frown as she responded.
"No, your father is not returning yet."
"When?"
"I don't know."
"When?!"
"Sesshoumaru I told you I don't know. Do not ask it again!"
Sesshoumaru seemed to be the shadow of anger at the moment and Satomi immediately scolded herself over her tone. But, it was Sesshoumaru's preference for Taisho that always reminded her of her station and she knew she shouldn't feel that way.
"I didn't mean it...that way. I want Taisho home as much as you do."
Satomi attempted to bring Sesshoumaru to sit next to her. Instead, he took a swipe at her hands narrowly missing before attempting to bury himself deeper into the cushions.
Even if she had wanted to comfort him, he would not let her. Satomi sighed unwilling to fight. She could not understand what it was that Taisho had done that was so special to him? In the last few months Sesshoumaru rarely even saw his father. Taisho had come home two days and then left without even saying so much as a good-bye. She couldn't understand why Sesshoumaru wasn't angry with Taisho for leaving. It didn't make any sense to her. Was it that Taisho could do no wrong in Sesshoumaru's eyes? If there was any anger, the regard that Sesshoumaru held for his father surpassed it, unwavering in his adoration.
"Your father loves you very much Sesshoumaru. He's fighting his hardest to come back to us. So, we must be patient for him…"
Satomi felt hopeful as Sesshoumaru turned to face her again. His eyes inquisitive as she continued to talk about Taisho.
"Your father is the strongest demon I know but it makes him stronger when he knows we have faith in him. You know, he's never lost a battle. He certainly didn't lose the one with my father."
Satomi rolled her eyes and smirked to herself thinking it was silly to even bring it up. Sesshoumaru wouldn't understand it and probably didn't need to. She felt the pressure of a small hand at her side as Sesshoumaru ducked underneath her arm. He hesitated searching her eyes, maybe unsure if she would accept him being there. Satomi tucked her arm underneath him bringing him to rest on her lap. She could sense Sesshoumaru's initial unease, uncertainty of their interaction. Taking one of the pastries from the table she split it keeping one half as she handed him the other.
"Your father has many good qualities."
"…?"
"He's very brave, smart from a tactical sense against his enemies…"
"Fun!"
Satomi raised her brows as Sesshoumaru chimed in. He seemed completely at ease now.
"Yes, I've seen you and your father play in the courtyard. What else is your father like?"
Sesshoumaru thought about it for some time before responding again.
"Fast."
Satomi nodded as Sesshoumaru proudly announced the next adjective.
"Fluffy!"
"…!" Satomi immediately placed her hand over her mouth in an effort to keep any other noise from escaping as she attempted to compose herself. She didn't want to discourage Sesshoumaru from talking but something about imagining Taisho described in such a way tickled her deeply and she was having a hard time shaking the feeling.
Sesshoumaru looked up at his mother feeling her body tremble. He could not understand why his mother seemed to be crying as her shoulders bobbed and she wiped away a few tears.
"Momma?"
"I'm alright Sesshoumaru. I quite like fluffy. Please go on."
As Sesshoumaru continued to do his best at describing his father, Satomi became more sure of exactly what she would talk about at the dinner. Sesshoumaru had unknowingly both prompted her and had been her perfect audience. The things that she'd said about Taisho were both true and what the court would happily hear without finding fault. Taisho was a strong ruler but there was something deeply charming and loveable about him and that was what Sesshoumaru saw.
Confident in her decision Satomi reached for another pastry only to find an empty plate. She was sure there were three left.
"Sesshoumaru!"
Sesshoumaru quickly ate the last one before looking up at her innocently; the crumbs on his cheeks were still trying to find their way home as he chewed.
"More?"
Satomi sighed as she allowed herself to let it go. The little demon did have a knack for being cute when he wanted.
A/N: Again, my thanks for reading and reviewing. More to come soon!