Later 20 Welcome Home

On approaching the Western Lands, Sesshoumaru just listened to the excited chatter of pups and the gentle laughter and chat of the women, while his brother and the monk's deeper voices provided the undertones to the non threatening sounds. The usual screech of Jaken punctuating the air as he took charge of the pups with the steady beat of Ah-Un's feet pacing the round were the only familiar travelling sounds.

But his life of solitary wanderings was to be over; never again should he ever just leave whenever he felt like it or search for something he didn't know. His pup days were truly behind him, the responsibility as Alpha to family was now his and hopefully soon it would be added too with his own offspring. The nucleus of his restored pack was now travelling to the West and their future, and Sesshoumaru found he was more complete than he had felt in centuries; in fact since he was still a boy and living with both his parents.

As they approached the gates that led to the Palace grounds, a formal guard of honour had formed an escort for the arriving party; this was something that Sesshoumaru rarely bothered with when he came home and he recognised his mother's hand. Not only that, but she was there too in person to greet them all, but especially Rin to whom she went and took by the hand after a cursory nod to her son.

Sesshoumaru likewise barely nodded back but went to bring Inuyasha forward to introduce him to the formidable Grandmother. She graciously inclined her head to him before going in search of her soon to be granddaughter and Inuyasha indicated that Sesshoumaru should go as well. Inuyasha felt awkward around these full youkai females; they were beautiful, almost ethereal, even Sesshoumaru's grandmother showed hardly any signs of her great age. The hanyou became very aware that he might be unwelcome, representing as he did, his father's indiscretion.

Sesshoumaru picked up on his brother's hesitancy and gave him a small smile, but Inuyasha didn't approach, this was his older brother's moment as he introduced his prospective mate to his family. Inuyasha was happy to see that Rin was received well by the highborn youkai and as the week went by, he saw too that the nobles and staff also greeted her with pleasure; the child had been fairly familiar at the Palace when she had travelled with her Lord.

The twinge of jealousy that he couldn't help but feel because of the differences between the receptions of the human girl and the hanyou boy weren't helped by the fact that he was still not very welcome in the Palace. At first it was a subtle distinction which he felt was probably caused by a latent paranoia, as his family was positively adored by everyone who mattered.

The adoptive grandmother was eagerly showing the pups around and her mother too was often with her, patting and petting one or another of the little ones. Kagome and Rin were as happy as could be, choosing materials and acting like the sisters they had become. Sesshoumaru was benignly overseeing everything else and had issued the mating feast invitations for the banquet to be held in the next month.

Sesshoumaru had been unable to refuse his mother and grandmother's offers to stay for at least the first year of the mating, no matter how much he wished he could. Their arguments were valid and traditional. Rin would need to be taught gently about her new position, guided in the proper etiquette and nobody would expect a young bride to do everything herself without the help of her in-laws. Besides when she was in pup she would need all the help she could get; a hanyou was a more stressful child to carry than her human body would expect.

Sesshoumaru may have been the Lord of the Western Lands but he was still a son, and fairly dutiful, besides his mother was quite formidable and his grandmother doubly so, and he would not demean himself with a fight he could not honourably win. It didn't matter, he would not be overly troubled by the pair, the Palace was big enough to avoid anyone if he wanted, and Rin would be pleased for the company and the spoiling.

Inuyasha too would be staying for longer and longer periods of with his family, prior to removing to the Palace to take up his own duties when he matured and also when his village had changed and was no longer where he wanted to stay. They had already discussed this and Kagome especially was happy that Inuyasha was to receive his rightful place as his father's son and Prince of the West. The pack would be together just as it should be.

Or at least Inuyasha had seemed pleased and contented by the offer Sesshoumaru had made, if his overly shining eyes were anything to go by and they always had been. But something was wrong with the pup; he was becoming withdrawn and sullen in company. Inuyasha was fine when he was in his chambers with his family, but it seemed he could never stay for longer than an hour after dinner with anyone else.

The Daiyoukai was an observant person by nature and he couldn't help but see that Inuyasha frowned often when he saw how well Kagome and Rin got on, or when the pups were entertained and he deduced that Inuyasha was once again jealous of the attention they all were getting. This would have to be nipped in the bud, especially as he had scented Inuyasha's tears again; although he had been unable at the time to go and calm his brother.

But it wouldn't do any one any good to allow this for any longer, Sesshoumaru's own youkai was strongly protesting that the pup was unhappy and needed the Alpha to sort him out. Therefore that evening at dinner, Sesshoumaru watched Inuyasha as he chatted to the human girls and when the ears started to flatten, he left the dining hall and was waiting until his brother emerged as he surely would do. Inuyasha was surprised to see Sesshoumaru just outside the hall, but he stopped when it was obvious that his brother wished to speak with him.

"Walk with me Inuyasha; I would like to ask you why you always leave the table and company so soon."

"It's nothing Sesshoumaru, you know I'm not used to crowds and I go to see that the pups are O.K."

"You know they are fine, they have eaten and are put to bed; you read them a story as you do every night, so why the fabrication?"

"I get a bit…I don't know, they are all fine youkai…I'm just a hanyou."

"Another evasion Inuyasha; you are my acknowledged brother and a Prince and I have never seen you cower away from anyone." Sesshoumaru sighed as Inuyasha didn't answer him; his brother's lack of self worth was understandable he knew, but the boy was not the small whelp any longer and he had pups of his own and jealousy was not healthy for any of them.

"Inuyasha, I had hoped we had gone beyond these jealous feelings you have of Rin; it is not her fault that you suffered as you did and I want us all to move forward. It will not help you either if you harbour a grudge against the future Lady of the West." Sesshoumaru felt the admonition was justified but was prepared for the harsh reply that he could expect from the volatile hanyou.

He was not prepared however for the silence, the lowered head and laid back ears, the scent of salt and the wave of sadness that rolled from his brother. Quickly he gripped the hanyou's chin and made him look at him and behind the sheen of tears, the look of betrayal was apparent in Inuyasha's eyes. Sesshoumaru thought quickly, clearly he was mistaken about Inuyasha and his brother felt hurt by his censure.

"Forgive me Inuyasha if I am mistaken, but then tell me who has wronged you?"

"No one has wronged me Sesshoumaru, you were right and I'll try to fight my ill feelings. Let me go please, I want to see my pups."

"Very well Inuyasha, but I shall be keeping an eye on you; I do not like to see you unhappy…if someone is speaking ill of you I wish to know it." He didn't miss the quick surprised look that Inuyasha couldn't hide and had his secondary suspicions confirmed. Someone had started to persecute his brother and that would not be tolerated.

Sesshoumaru kept Inuyasha as close as he could while preparations were made for the mating banquet. The hanyou would take his place as the younger brother and stand with Sesshoumaru during his mating ceremony and he felt the honour accorded him. The brothers grew even closer as they practiced and discussed the important duties that would be performed.

However Sesshoumaru couldn't always be around and Inuyasha had to be fitted for his kimono and that was when trouble found him again. Later Sesshoumaru found out that a lot of things happened quickly in succession; a tall and elegant Inu youkai met Inuyasha as he came from the tailor and pushed him roughly into an alcove, the look on the male's face was one of fury. He gripped Inuyasha by the throat and sneered in his face;

"Have you no shame or honour hanyou; why are you still here? My Lady's mother told you to keep out of sight as much as possible and now you aim to stand at the side of Lord Sesshoumaru at his mating ceremony. How dare you set yourselves above us, his friends, we who are more like brothers to him than you could ever be? We learned our lessons side by side; we have fought together and shed our blood for one another.

It should have been one of us who stood with him on his auspicious day; not some ragged pauper bastard, in borrowed plumes. You only came into being by accident because his mother couldn't keep her legs together in the presence of the late master. She should have been given over to the barracks and then our Lord wouldn't feel obligated to you, who are only by chance his brother."

With that he spat in Inuyasha's face and dropped the boy on the floor, where he sat stunned for a few seconds before getting up and rushing out of the Palace into the grounds. Neither of them noticed Jaken, who also was shocked at what he had heard and left to report to Sesshoumaru. The Daiyoukai promptly excused himself from his meeting to hunt for his brother, immediately heading out towards the forested area of the grounds.

He was met by another Inu Youkai, who was carrying Inuyasha in his arms; the boy was unconscious at best, completely limp and his face was a sickly pale hue. Immediately Sesshoumaru called for his healers and went ahead to warn Kagome that Inuyasha would be with them. She was asked to keep away for now as Sesshoumaru had things to sort out with his brother privately but she was assured that the hanyou was not seriously ill.

Sesshoumaru promised that she could see her mate later but he was sick at the moment and the healers needed to do their job. He didn't tell her that Inuyasha was sick from Dokkasou poison as yet, he had no answers as to why it was so, although he was determined to get them now. Kagome had learned to trust Sesshoumaru, besides he was Lord in his own Palace and lands and his word was law whether she liked it or not.

Sesshoumaru went back to the healers to find the Inu Youkai standing by the bedside of Inuyasha. He was taller than the Western Lord and far broader, with an expression on his face that suggested his age and wisdom were also greater than Sesshoumaru's. The other youkai in the room was female and she looked strangely at Inuyasha as if she were seeing him for the first time. Sesshoumaru waited patiently to be acknowledged by the large youkai who in turn was listening to the healers as they worked on the hanyou. Once the pup was comfortable and no more could be done for a while, the youkai turned to face Sesshoumaru who then bowed to him.

"Well Sesshoumaru, this was some welcome; why did this whelp attack me and where are his parents, they should be informed that he has been ill brought up if he would come between a mated pair?"

"I do not know why he would attack you Grandfather, but this is my brother Inuyasha."

"I did wonder if it were he; it would explain the lack of foresight, but not his instincts, which I am led to believe are excellent."

"Normally they are, I do not understand; he was in some emotional turmoil."

"I can see that Sesshoumaru, I am not so far in my dotage that I no longer recognise tears. What ails the pup?"

"Someone spoke cruel words to him; I was just on my way to find him when I saw you, I will call Jaken to attend to your comfort but I must stay here until he awakes."

"That may take some time, my Dokkasou is stronger than yours by a long way and he will not be able to throw it off as quickly. I too will stay; I wish to know what made the pup attack. What were the words spoken?"

"I was not there, it was Jaken who overheard."

"Send for him." Sesshoumaru's grandfather turned back to look at Inuyasha and stroked the hair from his face. "This pup has been through far too many sorrows when he is not much more than a whelp. Your father's demise left such emptiness for you all." There was no condemnation in his Grandsire's voice, just the stating of fact; then when Jaken arrived he took his mate's hand and led her and Sesshoumaru through to the adjoining office.

There was great anger when Jaken retold of the words that Inuyasha had endured, Sesshoumaru had not heard them when Jaken first told him that his brother had run out upset, because one of his brother's councillors had been insulting. The Daiyoukai's first concern had been to find the boy then, but now he was furious. His Grandsire had turned to his mate and asked her what had been the meaning of some of the words;

"My Mate, you asked this pup to stay away from the family, what did you mean by this?"

"I was not cruel to the boy and would never condone such behaviour."

"What did you say though My Lady Grandmother; Inuyasha has been most distant around everyone and I have known him to be upset a few times? I accused him of jealousy towards Rin but his reaction told me I was incorrect."

"I merely appealed to him not to stay in our company for longer than necessary; his presence must cause pain to your mother Sesshoumaru and whereas he has redeeming qualities in that his pups give my daughter delight, he himself cannot."

"My Mate, the indiscretions of the father are not the fault of the pup…"

"I was not blaming the pup, but do you not remember our own pup weeping in my arms when this one was found to be on the way?"

"I forget nothing, but our daughter is strong, she forgave her mate and was willing to receive him again when the human female died, and she has a love for this little one's pups. You cannot forbid the sire of the pups from the rest of the company; he is welcome now in his brother's house and is a Prince of this realm. Our daughter has not made such a request and neither should you, we are the guests not him."

"Very well, I accept your admonition; it was presumptuous of me in your house Sesshoumaru."

"You are forgiven Grandmother as far as I am concerned, whether or not you seek it of Inuyasha I shall leave to you; but know you caused him a lot of hurt by your words, as did I in my misunderstanding."

They all went back in to sit with Inuyasha who had started to awaken and the first person he saw was the imposing youkai he had tried to fight. At first he looked puzzled and then understanding dawned as he noticed the blue crescent moon adorning the male's forehead. The stern gaze was intimidating though and Inuyasha sank into the pillows and turned his head away.

"Do not turn away Inuyasha, it is disrespectful and you have already shown me enough of that this day. My poison is not to be taken lightly so I consider you punished enough for now, but I am certainly able to discipline unruly pups in other ways I assure you. Why did you suddenly come between my mate and I with your claws ready to attack?"

"I…I didn't know who you were, I'd never seen you before and I thought…"

"Yes, you thought?"

"I thought you were assaulting the Lady, she seemed to be pushing you away; she sounded like she was trying to make you leave her alone…I didn't realise…" Inuyasha turned crimson with embarrassment and the daunting youkai's eyes gentled and he smiled.

"You were prepared to fight for my mate's honour at the risk of your own life pup; that was very reckless, didn't you think of your mate and pups?"

"Inuyasha has always been impulsive Grandfather; he rarely thinks before he rushes into danger, yet he took down Naraku."

"Maybe, but now he has dependents to think about first."

"Feh! I thought she was in trouble; there was no time to think."

"You acted first and thought later, that is the way a pup thinks and acts; had you more maturity you would have called for the guards if you thought anyone in danger. Sesshoumaru, the boy needs training and you are remiss in allowing your brother too much freedom from his responsibilities. He is however far too young to take his place as your second yet, therefore I have decided that I shall assume jurisdiction of the Western Lands for the time it takes for your heir to attain his first decade."

"But Grandfather, I am the Western Lord."

"Quite true Sesshoumaru, but your father gave me the right of regency if I deemed it prudent until your heir attained his first decade. It is all legal and in writing; I do not seek to harm your lands, but you will benefit from the time to have your family and repair fully your relationship with your brother. I did the same for your own father when you were born, unfortunately he cannot do it for you."

"I had not heard of this, nowhere in my studies..."

"It is not common, but it has advantages; make the most of them, if you are anything like your father you still were up to date on everything that happened. Do not worry, I will not take over."

"But still, I don't wish to just leave my lands in someone elses charge."

"Do not fight me on this pup; I am far stronger than you and you would not win, just look foolish. I am your regent for now, all the Elder Council know this to be so; if you did not, it means they didn't want you to keep fighting it up before it became a reality. Now, show your maturity by letting things stand."

"I am not a pup…"

"That is debatable" Sesshoumaru's grandfather was firm and while he and Sesshoumaru debated the moot point, the Lady went over to Inuyasha who was bewildered by the debate and was still under the influence of the poison. For the first time, she looked at Inuyasha and smiled.

"You put your life in danger to protect my honour Inuyasha; I am thankful for the thought and yet you know I disliked you?"

"What's that got to do with anything, I thought you were in trouble and that I could help, 's,no big deal."

"You are a brave lad Inuyasha and I was wrong to ostracize you. I ask forgiveness."

"Feh! Whatever, I understood you; you're a mother."

"Well, I consider you welcome now."

"Thanks, I think I'm gonna be sick." And he was, thankfully into the bowl placed ready and the Lady had a cool flannel for his forehead and sat with him until he fell back asleep.

TBC