The Bow that Breaks

I don't own Inuyasha

Chapter 11

"Sesshoumaru!"

Satomi stomped through the hall attempting to find her elusive pup. He'd been content playing with Koji while she and Atsana had caught up on the most recent events. He'd been getting along well with his cousin since the first incident and his behavior toward Koji was no longer what concerned her. As soon as Atsana decided the games were over and it was time for a bath, Koji had followed his mother without complaint but as Satomi had locked eyes with Sesshoumaru he'd backed away slowly before bolting out the door faster than she'd anticipated. Now she was on a trying hunt to get Sesshoumaru to water and the pup had no intentions of giving in, leading her on an adventure from room to room. Satomi grew tired of this new challenge and tried to keep her temper about her. She decided that Sesshoumaru could have reacted in a much worse way than simply trying to escape her. She still felt the occasional pangs of nervousness shoot through her whenever she was at odds with her child. Sesshoumaru's incident with Koji and Atsana reminded her that as much as she wanted to believe that Sesshoumaru wouldn't try to use his claws against her again, he was still only two and apologies and the memory of them could be short lived. Still, she reminded herself that if she could stand up to three bear demons at once she could certainly hold her ground with her own stubborn child.

Sesshoumaru's scent lingered in hall before getting stronger as she entered her room. Satomi raised a brow with the quirk of her lip as she crept closer to the lump underneath her covers.

"I've got you!"

Satomi pulled the covers, baffled by her catch as she held up a pillow. She pursed her lips at the cleverness of Sesshoumaru's little trick. She kept her footsteps quiet as she peaked behind the vases. The portraits and tapestries would certainly lend her no luck. The room seemed empty yet she knew her nose would not deceive her. Satomi looked toward the ceiling as she tried to figure out her child's whereabouts. A few lanterns near a corner of the room swayed gently from the ceiling but otherwise looked undisturbed. Satomi studied them for a moment, sure that Sesshoumaru could not hold flight for the amount of time she'd been in the room. Still, she knew not to put anything past Sesshoumaru. Between Taisho's strength and her will, Sesshoumaru was a little force all his own. Satomi smiled but kept quiet as she got closer, noticing small clawed fingers holding onto the frame of one of the back lanterns. His eyes were closed and she wondered if that helped her seem less present or maybe made him feel more invisible. Satomi adjusted her aim as she swung the pillow back and forth in her hand before she threw it. The pillow made contact and a startled bark escaped from the pup as he let go of the lantern and landed in his mother's arms.

Satomi took a startled breath at the prick of claws that vanished quickly as Sesshoumaru adjusted his arms around her neck to rest his head against her shoulder

"You almost got away from me…almost."

Sesshoumaru pouted quietly and Satomi noticed him turning on the big sad eyes.

"Not dirty, mama."

"You need a bath."

"Every day?"

"Every day."

"Two days?", Sesshoumaru nodded as he put up two fingers, counting them in the process.

Satomi tried not to smile as she shook her head and folded down one of his fingers.

"One and another?"

"No Sesshoumaru."

"One…one more?"

"…"

"Three?"

"…"

"Awwww, mamaaaa." Sesshoumaru buried his head back into his mother's shoulder, defeated by her silence and unyielding trek towards the baths. He didn't understand this constant need to be submerged in warm scented water. His mother seemed to think of it as some joyous occasion but to him it only meant the end of the day and no more play. It was so unnecessary.

Satomi noticed one of Atsana's soldiers hasten past them in the hall. For a moment he'd met her eyes, bowing quickly and passing nearly running. She'd paused trying to understand the odd sight. To see any of the soldiers moving at such rapid pace was strange unless something was wrong. Satomi suddenly felt a pinch in her gut, her heart starting to race and she hastened her steps. The hall suddenly seemed much longer now and she was vaguely aware of Sesshoumaru's newfound unease with her actions as he traded glances between her and the direction in which the soldier had disappeared.

Entering the baths, her suspicions were confirmed as she caught the sight of her sister. Atsana looked defeated, staring off as she sat with a letter in her hand. Koji sat next to his mother attempting to get her to attend to him as he pushed at her arm, unsure of why she seemed so distraught.

"Atsana what's wrong?!"

Her sister's expression was haggard. Un-shed tears hung in her eyes anticipating the first blink that might release them yet she continued to push them backward, fighting for the appearance of a strong mate even in the face of family.

"Ichiro…"

"What happened?!"

"Our forces are headed back this way. Taisho thinks Ichiro's wounds may be fatal. They're returning home at his request."

"…The healers can help him. In the least they are returning..."

"That's not it…"

Satomi tried to understand what her sister meant. Was her sister still trying to mask her concern for her mate?

"I don't understand. Do you not want Ichiro to come home?"

"Of course I do. But we don't have enough force…"

Atsana looked at her sister. A tear finally escaping as she swallowed the rest.

"What are you talking about?"

"They're taking the chance to come back with Ichiro but the enemy forces will be following them. I know that Taisho is making this decision for Ichiro's sake, not because Ichiro wanted it. He would never risk the danger to our family."

"Taisho must have a plan. Maybe he thinks they're close to ending the war. Maybe..."

"What plan could he possibly have? The West had exponentially more force than we do. We don't have enough men left here to make a difference. He must know that. He has to know that."

Satomi nodded in agreement. She didn't know for sure if Taisho did have a plan. It wasn't unlike him to get sudden urges to act on the heart rather than on his head. If Taisho truly believed that Ichiro was going to die and his wish was to see his mate and his son one last time, he would do everything in his power to make it happen. She knew that was what Taisho himself would want too no matter how crazy she thought him to be for risking everything. If Taisho was acting on a whim then she knew that they would have no choice but to do one thing.

"We have to be prepared to fight."

"Satomi, we know nothing of fighting. We have no skills for that."

"Yes, we do."

Satomi closed her eyes as she leaned her forehead against Sesshoumaru's taking in the scent of him and attempting to calm his restlessness as she thought about the short life he'd lived and how much more was ahead of him. Putting him on his feet, she looked to Atsana again.

"It's natural for us to want to protect our children and that should be what drives us. There is no skill required in that."

"Our sons need us for their future. Who will guide them if something happens to us?"

"Our sons won't have a future if we don't try to fight! We will be dead and so will they. There is no where else to run and I know that we've never had to put our strength to use but it is there. I know that now."

Atsana took a breath as she looked at their sons and Satomi's gaze followed. Despite the bad news a small smile pulled at Satomi. Sesshoumaru's restlessness was well justified as he'd gone over to comfort Koji and was hugging him. The sight of them made her more sure that she was right about what she and her sister would have to do to keep them safe even if it meant sacrificing themselves. She had to believe that Taisho was right when he said he'd chosen a strong mate.

A/N: Thanks for hanging in there everyone! I hope everyone's holiday season is going well so far!