Visiting Family

Inuyasha had been very contrite when he had apologised to Makoto and Izayoi; his youkai had subsided and Inu no Taishou had corrected his lack of respect. Now he was ashamed when he smelled the blood through the bandages on his foster father's arm, as the man held him standing between his legs. Makoto was sitting and this brought Inuyasha face to face with the human who looked firm, but not unkind.

"I need your attention Inuyasha, are you willing to listen to me?"

"Yes Uncle Makoto."

"Your Papa insists that you are brought up to be polite as befits a Prince and he has asked that your mother and myself help you in that, so that we all have the same rules and you don't get confused. Do you understand me so far?"

"Yes." Inuyasha's voice was a bit wobbly as he was sure he wouldn't like this at all.

"It will mean you cannot run to your mother or brother if you think we are unfair to you and expect them to get you out of trouble."

"Alright."

"Now I know you are normally a very good boy and aren't rude, but if you forget to be polite you will have a choice. If I hear you being rude or insulting to anyone, including the servants, your Papa has given me this to smack your hands." Makoto indicated a fine willow wand standing by his desk. Inuyasha looked down and hid his face behind his hair. "It would either be that or being sent to your Papa and he would be cross that you were disobedient to me."

Makoto was serious, he realised the danger now that was inherent in his wife's son but he was not a cruel or harsh man and would never take advantage of the boy. The pup's training to control his youkai was his father's domain; but common courtesy also was needed and his human 'uncle' was being trusted to help show a united front. But Inuyasha was a bit afraid now, he was old enough to learn and accept a painful punishment, but that hopefully was the deterrent.

"Inuyasha, I will never harm you and if you think I have been unfair you can tell me or anyone else if you wish. Do we have an understanding?" Makoto heard the pup sniff tearfully as Inuyasha nodded his head, unable to speak at the moment; and for the first time, the human picked up his foster son and comforted him, happy when the boy's small arms went round his neck. He felt truly accepted by Inuyasha for the first time.

Then when Izayoi came in they found that Inuyasha had fallen asleep, so Makoto carried the pup to his futon and tucked him up, letting him nap until the evening meal was ready. During the rest of the two ladies pregnancies there was no more trouble from Inuyasha, he was genuinely excited about the expected births of his half siblings, his mother's new son and his 'Aunt's' new daughter. Inuyasha had been told what to expect, that the new little brother would need a lot of his Mama's time and that he was the big brother now, like Sesshoumaru.

It worked a treat, being likened to his idolised brother was a great incentive for good behaviour and Inuyasha learned to think a bit before he did, or said anything that might be seen as something only a little boy might do. He even practiced holding a baby using a large doll that Izayoi made for him; one half of the doll's head had black hair and the other white with one brown eye and the other gold. Inuyasha loved it.

One day the little family went to visit Makoto's mother and siblings on the farm they owned. This was a new treat for Inuyasha, he hadn't often been outside the Palace boundary and he was on his best behaviour. The extended family was having a celebration and Inuyasha was very excited as he'd never seen so many humans before. They looked different to youkai; because there were different ages and Inuyasha had never seen someone who looked so wrinkly before.

It led to a misunderstanding of course; Inuyasha asked Makoto's mother why her skin was too big for her face because it was lined and sagging. This did not go down too well and the lady complained to her son and daughter-in-law about the rude child who had no manners. She hoped that her new grandson would be properly brought up in the youkai household with respect for his elders.

Inuyasha was mortified, he had not meant to be rude and now he would be punished and his father and Sesshoumaru would be disappointed in him. He couldn't help whimpering, but Makoto picked him up and cuddled him, saying that he understood. Inuyasha had not meant to be rude but he had never seen someone who looked aged, the boy was just curious. His mother was not convinced but told the pup to go out into the garden and occupy himself out there.

Inuyasha was happy again, the worry of discipline over, he was quite willing to go out to the gardens and courtyards to play. He had the ball his mother had given him and was tossing it around when he saw lots of adults playing with another small ball. He rushed over to join in and even chased the ball when it ran away, but when he tried to give it back, all the people had gone.

He had heard them speaking in whispers as they stared at him, obviously not knowing or caring that he could hear them, but he didn't understand the word, he knew they meant him but not what they were saying. Then he heard Makoto's mother scolding her son;

"He's a hanyou, a hanyou, what use is such an abomination to you? He won't make any good contribution to your life. Make him go back to his father and bring Izayoi and your son to live here, she is a lovely thing and will soon forget the mistake she made. I saw the scars on your arm: I know claw marks when I see them; he is too dangerous around my grandson."

"Inuyasha is a dear child and very loving; of course he makes mistakes, but then so do all children. I would not dream of attempting to separate mother and child."

"You are harbouring a killer animal and you are not being fair to your true son." Were her parting words, as she left Makoto and went to see to the evening meal. Meanwhile Inuyasha had heard enough, he hadn't fully understood who they were talking about, or what was said, he was a bit far away. Besides the meaning was over his head; but he knew the new word hanyou wasn't nice because of the way it was said, and he went to ask Izayoi what it meant.

Makoto found both Izayoi and Inuyasha in tears, the mother because she could guess what was being said about her son and the son because he had made his mother cry. Inuyasha promised himself that he wouldn't do that again and if he heard things he didn't like he would wait till he was older and then perhaps he would understand. But he wouldn't upset Izayoi again with his harmful questions.

As it happened, the rest of the visit went very well, Inuyasha was a model boy and politeness itself which enabled the others to relax a little, or just ignore him if they wanted. Inuyasha though said nothing out of turn but he could tell that everyone was on edge, for instance Makoto's mother was smiling but she scented of bitterness, others at the table as well were similar. The pup knew he didn't understand grownups properly yet and so put it to the back of his mind.

When they got home to the Palace, they reported that they had been well received and had had a good time. Inuyasha agreed that it had been fun, he had enjoyed the ball and the gardens, there was a part of the terrace that was good to bounce the ball all round and leap up to try to catch it again. Inu no Taishou was pleased that the visit went well, he had had his doubts, but it seemed they were unfounded.

Inuyasha was about six when his mother gave birth successfully to his new little brother. The happy parents named the boy Yori; he was healthy and hungry just as Inuyasha had been, but this birth was a far happier time with no traumatic after events. For a gift, Inu no Taishou presented a parcel of land to Makoto, where if they wanted, they could live; it was large enough to support a few staff and he had also provided these from his own human servants. It was near to the land already owned by his family and within youkai distance of the Western Palace so that Inuyasha could come to stay or visit.

Izayoi would still have her own guard and Inuyasha would also have his own personal guard, so Makoto would not need to feel he was inadequately equipped to protect his family. It was a generous gift and very well received, because although they were both grateful to the youkai family, it would be nice to live among humans and family again.

A few weeks later, the Lady of the West was safely delivered of her daughter; the proud parents gave the gift of naming the pup to her elder brother and he chose Michiko. Inuyasha was overjoyed, he had a new brother and a new sister and he thought they were beautiful babies.

IYQ Community; June 2009, Week 4. Black sheep, black sheep, have you any wool? – Nursery Rhyme