Discrimination

Many lessons were learned that following year; the babies developed at much the same rate on the outside and were adored in both of their respective houses. Inuyasha lived with Izayoi and Makoto on their land in easy comfort and both his human parents were happy together in their own little paradise. Inuyasha had toys and he loved the animals and was often to be found watching them and 'helping' out with chores.

Usually for some part of the day he was escorted by his guard back to the Palace to visit with his other family; here he had his old room to play in with a different set of toys, although his favourite pastime was still to be quiet near Sesshoumaru and curl up in his brother's tail for a nap if he could get away with it. He was in the main happy with the arrangements, treating the lifestyle as an adventure.

He didn't like going over to Makoto's family very much; he was sure that they didn't like him for some reason. They always smiled if they looked at him, but he could smell deceit and knew they pretended for his parent's sakes; but he could hear them talking behind his back. He could hear words like hanyou, which he now knew just meant someone who was half one thing and half another. He didn't know if that was rude or not, but he wasn't going to ask his mother again.

At least if any of them visited their farm they weren't all there at once, but it was here that he found out that he was considered an outsider to the human family. Makoto's young niece and nephew had come on a visit with his mother and Inuyasha took them out to play down by the animals. The young ones had a great time as Inuyasha showed them around and they played games all afternoon quite happily.

Makoto's mother came to look for them to tell them to bathe before the evening meal, the children saw her and called out to their Grandmother, but when Inuyasha called out as well, her face reddened with anger. Sending her grandchildren on ahead, she turned to Inuyasha and hissed that she would never be considered grandmother to a hanyou. The child had been stunned and slowly the idea formed that hanyou meant different to everyone else.

He learned too that different meant bad to some people; at tea that same day, Inuyasha's superior hearing heard baby Yori disturb for his feeding and before the boy could get distressed, his brother went to fetch him. He wrapped the baby in his blanket to keep warm and got him from the crib to bring to his mother. Inuyasha was fascinated by the small creature and nuzzled his cheek with his own nose.

Unfortunately Makoto's mother saw this before anyone else and gasped loudly saying 'the monster's got the child' under her breath. No one heard her horrified whisper, except Inuyasha; all they saw was the woman rush over and snatch the baby from the older boy's arms.

"Goodness Izayoi, you surely do not let your son touch the baby. He is likely to rend my grandson into pieces with those claws; do you forget what he did to Makoto?"

"No Mother; but Inuyasha will not do that again."

"I wouldn't hurt Yori; I am gentle with him."

"You don't know the meaning of the word; you are no better than an untamed animal."

"Mother, please don't say such things."

"Izayoi, just because you will refuse to recognise..."

"I am not an animal or a monster; you are, you ugly bitch..."

"INUYASHA!" Makoto came back into the room from outside where he had been called to deal with a problem. He came back in to hear Inuyasha. "Apologise Inuyasha; this instant."

"But she is."

"That is not the right thing to say son. Apologise."

"No, I'm not sorry."

"Very well Inuyasha, you must come with me." Makoto led Inuyasha out to his room and the hanyou learned that his foster father meant what he'd said before, as he switched him four times on each palm with the willow. The cuts stung a great deal but Inuyasha was silent and didn't cry, even though tears ran down his face. Makoto was still angry, although he wouldn't carry on the punishment beyond what had been set, just to force Inuyasha to apologise, but he would find out what had made his foster son so adamant.

However he wouldn't allow Inuyasha to stay in his room sulking, and he wouldn't have the boy go to bed hungry, so they returned to the table. Inuyasha refused to sit with his head bowed as though he was in disgrace, he felt he had been wronged and although he didn't blame Makoto for punishing his rudeness, no one had made her say sorry. But the proud little boy hadn't banked on his mother.

"I will apologise for the rudeness of my son Mother; I am ashamed of the way he acted, I had hoped that by now he would be better behaved to his elders."

"Perhaps now you will heed my warnings Izayoi, but I do not blame you and I know that my little Yori will be a model of politeness." Makoto's mother replied, but Makoto spoke.

"Now Mother, you know it is never wise to compare children; Inuyasha is normally a very good and polite boy and perhaps he felt provoked. This does not excuse him but may give a reason. Inuyasha you have eaten nothing; you may be excused when you've eaten what I have put in front of you. Use your fingers if chopsticks are not comfortable."

Inuyasha was not hungry, he didn't want to cry in front of anyone especially the old hag, but his mother's words had cut his heart. He had shamed her and made her humble herself in front of the dragon. His throat choked, but he turned his burning, stinging eyes on Makoto's mother and standing he went over to her and bowed his head.

"I apologise for my bad behaviour Lady; I should have said nothing."

"You should be beaten for your rudeness." But she acknowledged the apology.

"Inuyasha has been disciplined sufficiently Mother. Inuyasha you may take your plate and go to your room if you wish." Makoto knew that the child couldn't wait to escape and he deserved to be allowed his privacy. Inuyasha departed with alacrity but he couldn't eat even when he reached his room and he put his plate on a small table and crawled into bed burying himself under his covers and shutting out the awfulness that had happened that day.

Later when Izayoi came in to see him, she found that he had cried himself to sleep; so she stroked his hot head and started to sing a lullaby, knowing that he would realise she was there even in his sleep. When Inuyasha awoke his mother was still with him and he launched himself at her full of tearful apologies for making her ashamed of him. Izayoi assured him that she was no longer feeling that way, it had taken a brave boy to say he was sorry afterwards as he had done.

She had to contain her anger however when Inuyasha told her why he had lost his temper and later she repeated to Makoto what his mother had said. There was nothing to be done however, except to go and visit Inu no Taishou in the morning to explain what had happened. Makoto would not strike his foster son without informing his father, who always wanted an account of Inuyasha's behaviour.

When they reached the Palace, Makoto reassured Inuyasha he would not be punished again for the same incident, as the boy seemed nervous of meeting his father. This was something neither Makoto nor Inu no Taishou wanted, the pup should not feel intimidated without good cause. After greeting them, Inuyasha was sent to another room where he found Sesshoumaru, who picked him up and nuzzled his cheek in greeting.

Inuyasha showed his brother where the bruises on his hands were healing and Sesshoumaru wanted to go and gut the person who had inflicted pain on his brother's little hands. Inuyasha was immediately comforted by his brother's youki and promptly burst into tears, telling his brother everything that had happened and how he understood finally what a hanyou was. As he told his story, Sesshoumaru's youki rose in anger, but Inuyasha knew it was not at him and felt better that his brother loved him as he was.

Soon they both felt the immense youki signature of their father as he came to the room they were in. Inu no Taishou got down on his knees and held out his arms to Inuyasha who ran straight to him and digging his nose in his father's neck, started to snivel again. His father merely let him have his cry out as he soothingly stroked the white hair and puppy ears. Soon the pup was finished and felt better, so Inu no Taishou suggested he go to the kitchen and see if the cook had any treats for him.

Then he turned to his barely contained older son, who wanted to go and at the least intimidate the family of Makoto. But his father sighed and urged Sesshoumaru to consider that Inuyasha couldn't always be cocooned in the Palace where he would be protected from the harshness of the world to grow up weak.

"Bear in mind my son, the world will never be an easy place for a hanyou and the sooner Inuyasha learns to deal with the realities, the sooner he can learn and develop his own strengths and personality. He will stand on his own two feet, tall and proud of being a hanyou instead of always hiding behind you or me. I think Inuyasha has the potential to change the way many perceive someone different to them, after all he has done so for you hasn't he, My Sesshoumaru?"

"Inuyasha is my brother and as such deserves honour and respect."

"He deserves that as my son Sesshoumaru; it is unconditional love he needs from you."

IYQ Community March 2008 Week 1 "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." - Helen Keller