Problems with Youkai

Before his mother married Makoto, Inuyasha had been warned that his mama's scent would change when the human came to live with her. Inu no Taishou knew how important the mother's scent was for a pup, normally the baby would learn the mated scent from birth. But this was obviously not the case here, and it was likely to upset a young pup to find such an important change.

At first it seemed that Inuyasha had adapted very well, apart from a few whiny moments when his mother was busy or tired as her pregnancy progressed. Then one day it was just him and Izayoi, playing with his toys and learning his letters and numbers; he felt happier and more settled than he had for a long time in her presence and soon he wanted to snuggle against her to take a nap. As he curled on her lap with his head resting on the still small bump, Inuyasha noticed that her soothing scent was different.

He had got used to her new mated scent, but now it seemed to be more heavily Makoto and Izayoi, as opposed to Mama and Inuyasha with a hint of Makoto. It made Inuyasha feel growly but his mother heard his rumbles and stroked his hair and calmed him. She told him that her scent was different because of the new baby and not because she was no longer his Mama. She loved him very much and that would never change.

Inuyasha was placated for a while and Izayoi kept up the gentle teasing around his ears with her fingers as her son slept. Later in the afternoon, the pair were painting before tea time and laughing at each other as they had both had painted faces. Makoto came home in time for tea and he too smiled to see mother and child enjoying themselves in the carefree atmosphere. As soon as she saw her husband Izayoi got up to go to him and he embraced her while holding her hand over the bump that housed their baby.

Inuyasha felt very hot in his head, his mother had left him immediately to go to her husband, as if her son suddenly didn't exist. He started growling again, very softly and Makoto went over to him and patted his head saying hello to the pup. But before he knew what had happened, Inuyasha lashed out with his claws and scored four bleeding gashes to his foster father's arm.

There was a gasp from Izayoi and a hiss of pain from Makoto; she rang the bell for the healer while he held cloth to his injury and all the while Inuyasha looked angrily from under his fringe breathing heavily. Inuyasha was still standing apart when the healer came and dealt with the cuts, cleaning them and pulling them tight with strips of cloth to bandage them. After giving Makoto painkilling herbs and reassuring Izayoi that the cuts were so sharp that they would heal with little or no scarring; she left.

They were not alone for long when there was a knock on the door and Izayoi opened the screen to admit Inu no Taishou. He took in the scene at a glance and sharpened his senses when it came to his statue like small son. He could smell Makoto's blood on Inuyasha's claws and went to examine the man's arm. He could tell by scent that there were four gashes but they were not infected and would heal well.

"I apologise for my son's behaviour Makoto; he will be disciplined."

"Sire, he is just a small boy and shows a protective jealousy for his mother; please be lenient, I understand his feelings."

"Will you still understand them if they are ever directed at your child? Inuyasha must learn." He looked to Izayoi and saw the understanding in her eyes."

"Inuyasha, go with your Papa." She understood the danger inherent with having a very strong pup around humans. His mother could see that Inuyasha was challenging Makoto and he had to be shown he was not to do that. To Izayoi it was obvious, her little hanyou was still just standing quietly whereas a full human child would probably have burst into tears, full of apology once the adrenalin had dissipated.

"Go to my study Inuyasha and wait there until I come. Do not touch anything." He heard the screen open and close and the little footprints heavily trudge up the corridor, then he turned back to Makoto.

"I appreciate your concern for my son, Makoto; but he is my son and I am a fair father. Inuyasha has shown the first signs of his youkai possessiveness and needs training in that as well. It is imperative that he learn as his youki is very strong and could overwhelm him if ignored, or tolerated or excused." Inu no Taishou checked that Izayoi had no questions and left them with;

"Inuyasha will not be harmed." before he followed his small son to the study. On the way he ran into both Sesshoumaru and his Lady, briefly telling them what had occurred and indicating that the boy's youkai was now alert. "He will want you Sesshoumaru, when we are finished; you can help explain to him. Wait in the antechamber of my study."

"Yes Papa." Sesshoumaru obeyed immediately before his father had opened the door to his study. Inuyasha was waiting as he'd been told and his father could tell that the pup was unafraid of him which was good. He didn't want his son in a state where he was unable to listen, even though the boy was only five and a half, he could understand right and wrong. But he could also tell that the boy's youkai was close to the surface and this would have to be addressed first.

At any other time the little growls would have made the father smile and he remembered when Sesshoumaru had also tested his strength for the first time. But Inuyasha had caused harm and at the moment was unrepentant; therefore he also needed to be shown his transgression.

"Come here Inuyasha; look at your father." The pup looked up and Inu no Taishou was pleased because even though he could see a swirl of red in the golden eyes, Inuyasha had obeyed him without a fight.

"Why did you hurt Makoto?"

"I don't know."

"Yes you do Inuyasha, and I insist you tell me."

"I got hot...cross."

"Why did you get cross? You like Makoto don't you?" He waited for Inuyasha to nod. "You know he is your Mama's mate. Did he hurt you or your Mama?" This time there was a shake of the pup's head."

"Answer me Inuyasha; did he hurt or frighten you or your Mama in anyway?"

"No."

"But something he did made you cross enough to scratch him. You must tell me what it was."

"I don't know."

"That is not good enough Inuyasha; why did you hurt Makoto?" Inu no Taishou knew he was pushing his son as the pup's eyes were getting redder, but Inuyasha needed to start to fight so that he could be shown his youkai's boundaries by his alpha.

"He was touching MY Mama; she smells like him and not me anymore. Mama is mine." He shouted at his father and at that point when his youkai was likely to lash out again, Inu no Taishou growled deep and low. It was a menacing sound and filled the study rumbling off the walls, his eyes turned red and he came to loom over his tiny son.

Inuyasha stared at his father before averting his eyes and Inu no Taishou felt the youkai leave the boy and was impressed at how long the youngster had held out; the boy was very strong. Now though Inuyasha had to learn why he wasn't to act as he had.

"You are wrong my son; your Mama is also Makoto's mate. She is still your Mama but you must now share her. She will always be there for you as well and she is going to have Makoto's baby, your little brother. You said you were looking forward to this."

"I am and my new little sister."

"You are going to have to find another way if you get cross again. You must find me or Sesshoumaru, do you understand?"

"Yes Papa." Inuyasha said, but sulkily again; he had liked to feel Makoto's fear and pain, it made him feel strong. His father knew what was going on in his son's mind, youkai children all had to learn this lesson.

"You must also say sorry to Makoto and tell him you will never do such a thing again."

"No." Inuyasha defied his father and stood with his little fists clenched tightly by his side. The General came close to his son and put his lengthened claw in front of Inuyasha's angry face so that the pup could see the deadly weapon, and without a word he ran it gently down the boy's cheek leaving a fine line of blood.

"We never use our claws or teeth against those weaker than us unless they are attacking. It is very, very bad and cowardly, that means not brave. Humans are not as strong or as big as we are, and Makoto has done nothing to deserve your anger. He looks after your mother and I trust him with you. You abused your position Inuyasha and you will say sorry to Makoto and your mother."

Inu no Taishou was proud that Inuyasha had shown not the slightest fear of his father's display although the blood was still on his cheek. But the boy also had human stubbornness and was still defying his father in small cheeky ways. The father didn't want to break that spirit; properly trained Inuyasha would prove to be a worthy son and able to hold his own against any who spoke ill of hanyou. He then gripped his son's hands and made the pup sniff his claws and was pleased at the boy's wince from the smell of human blood.

"That scent should never be found on your claws again, not just Makoto's but any human's; do you fully understand me."

"Makoto is weak..." Before he could finish whatever he was going to say he was upside down over his father's knees, quick as a flash, and receiving six hearty swats to his bared bottom. Inuyasha screeched and the fight went out of him, especially when his father told him Makoto's history.

"There is a time and place for all sorts of behaviour Inuyasha; but not your disrespect for your elders and those who look after you. There is strength in lots of other ways not just the physical and your mother and her mate are strong people, which you do not have the right to criticize. Am I making myself clear to you now?"

"Yeeees," Inuyasha wailed.

"Good, if I have to do this again Inuyasha, it will be with my slipper."

"Noooooo,"

"Alright, it is over and you will say sorry." Inu no Taishou now cuddled his subdued son.

"Yes, where is Sesshoumaruuuuu?"

"I am here naughty Little Brother. Come and wash your claws from that bad smell." Sesshoumaru took Inuyasha to the baths and let him play in the water for a while, which helped the sting somewhat; but when the pup was dry, he also had a stern warning for the boy.

"You do not want to make a mistake again Inuyasha, next time it might be one of the babies. Be warned if father has to spank you again because of your temper then I will also discipline you after father. I will not speak to, or play with a rude and uncivilised brother." Sesshoumaru's threat had the desired effect and a tearful Inuyasha went and apologised properly to his mother and Makoto.

Inu no Taishou sighed, he was relieved, due to Inuyasha's heritage he didn't want the boy growing up with his two separate natures warring against each other; everybody had to fight their nature at some time but for Inuyasha the danger of a personality split was very real. But once his youkai was under his full control the child would grow straight and tall.

IYQ June2009 Week 3

Everybody's at war with different things... I'm at war with my own heart sometimes. - Tupac Shakur