Chapter Two Impending Storms

The next few months in the Western Palace flew by even for such creatures as long lived as the Inuyoukai. Although perhaps it wasn't so surprising as they awaited the birth of the Lord's hanyou son. Many plans had to be made to make sure the new pup and his mother would have a safe haven within the Palace.

Inu no Taishou was secure in his mate and his heir, but there were many of his advisors and associates that didn't give him the same confidence and these would have to come to agreements regarding the second prince. Therefore the General's time was spent a great deal in meetings, or in his visits to the human princedom to check that all care was being taken with Izayoi.

It was the first time in Sesshoumaru's life that he was not the centre of his father's world. Admittedly there were many times when meetings and other essentials took his father away from him, but afterwards Inu no Taishou would always have time to spar or take his son on walks and hunts and anything else that the pair found enjoyment in.

The General didn't even spend so much time anymore with Sesshoumaru's mother because he had so much to do, and that meant the welcome family atmosphere which the boy secretly cherished, was lacking. The older youkai was aware of the shortfall but he had to ask them to bear with it at least until he had the other part of his family safe.

The Lady was fairly nonplussed about her mate's absences; in their lifetime together it had happened many times that her mate was called away for long periods of time. This was something she had been brought up to know; that a Lord had many demands on his time. But for the young Prince barely out of childhood it was a terrible time.

Sesshoumaru was a hard working, very correct child who was beloved by everyone. He was a beautiful pup and so well behaved it was easy to spoil him, and he was used to getting his own way purely because there was little need to tell him no. Not only that, he was very used to his father's attention, and now it seemed that he was hardly being noticed, or so he felt.

Sesshoumaru tried to see his father's point of view but it was difficult, especially if he heard others talking about the mistake they felt the General was making. But the boy was loyal; if his father said that the hanyou was to be his brother and would make a fine Prince then he would back that up, especially since his mother agreed.

However the nearer the time came for the new pup to be born, the more Inu no Taishou was away and Sesshoumaru found that he was getting jealous and unable to fight it very well. His father was very understanding, even when the young prince had a tantrum one day because the General had to leave almost as soon as he had returned, and had to break an engagement with his son.

He took time to calm his frustrated son down and spoke with him firmly yet with love Sesshoumaru could feel and hear and which gave him sorely needed comfort.

"Soon my son you will have your brother here with you and then I shall be able to spend time with both of my pups. You have been a long time my only child Sesshoumaru, you had no litter mates and have not had to learn to share. It is important for a Lord to know when and how to do this and so this time coming will be good for both of you as you learn together.

"Your brother will depend upon you a great deal as I have said before; he will not have an easy time of it as he grows, also he will lose his mother while he is still a little pup. Do not forget that humans do not have our lifespan; Izayoi will be dead before Inuyasha is even eighty at the most. He will need you more than anyone else then."

"I understand... but I miss you Papa."

"You have not called me that for a long time Pup, it does me good to hear you. It should not be long before I have more free time and I promise that as soon as I do, we will take a holiday and do all the things you want to do with me. But it will no longer only be your mother and me as our family now, and you must get used to the idea. I will not make two families; that is the way of madness, the sooner we are all used to being together, the sooner we will be happy and united for the Western Lands.

"I am not including Izayoi; her lifetime will only be a brief stay with us, but I will not tolerate rudeness or coldness towards her; humans need company and friendship and she is the mother of my pup and the way it was done was not her fault. She is a nice little thing and I have grown fond of her. She does not seek to usurp your mother's position and has made no demands for herself even though she carries a prince."

"I still think sometimes that all this is a mistake Papa; some of your advisors and others are not in agreement with you..."

"Sesshoumaru, I can only advise you that it will be to all our benefit if you can go along with me on this matter. It will bring harmony to our house and you will enjoy having a little brother, especially when he grows up a bit and the age gap closes. Both your mother and I have siblings and although no doubt they can be annoying, neither of us would be without them.

"As I said I cannot force you to make room for your brother in your life, that will be entirely up to you; you can make or break a relationship by word or deed, but I exhort you to try hard and you will not be disappointed. If my other pup is a problem then you will know that you tried your best, but I do not foresee that will be the case.

"No one can ever take your place in title or in my heart My Sesshoumaru; you are my heir and I love you greatly, but I have plenty of room for your little brother too, as well as your mother and everyone else I love. So there is no need to feel slighted or aggrieved, just wait patiently and bide your time, use this experience to your benefit as you learn the duties becoming to a Lord."

After finishing his talk with Sesshoumaru, Inu no Taishou gave his son a hug and held on tight, his pup was still only a youth and danger was around every corner at times. He did not want to worry his boy yet, but there was disturbance in the land. It had nothing to do with the expected hanyou and everything to do with a large and greedy dragon that was starting to tyrannize the vulnerable inhabitants on the edges of the Western Lands.

IYQ August 2009 Week 2- Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands. -Anne Frank.