Hunting

Sesshoumaru watched over his brother as the boy slept curled against his side, with his head resting on his leg. He was still petting the pup's ears and running his fingers through the silver hair teasing out the tangles that had accumulated during the hunt. He smiled in remembrance, calling what Inuyasha had done a hunt was charitable. The pup had virtually bounced everywhere in his excitement and as for stealth, it had been a laugh, Inuyasha had yipped and woofed anywhere he could find a scent.

Any game that had been around was in no danger from the exuberant child whose own ears had flashed the warning he was there. The sparkling white triangles perked on top of Inuyasha's head had swivelled and turned in all directions at every sound, and had alerted the prey with as much success as the hind end of a deer. But over the last couple of days Inuyasha had learned quite a lot; and so had Sesshoumaru.

The Taiyoukai had to admit that his first thoughts on having a hanyou half brother had changed drastically. They had been through so much together and although Inuyasha wouldn't remember the details of their past and early days, his youkai knew they were bonded. Sesshoumaru was also aware of how much trust the boy had in him and he silently promised never to abuse that or cause him undue pain.

He also had time to wonder at the intensity of the love he held for Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru knew he loved his parents deeply, especially his father; even if he rarely allowed the expression to cross his face as he was stoic by nature. He also fiercely loved his young sister who was growing very like him in demeanour, but he got a great deal of joy from Inuyasha that no one else was able to give. The child was so open with him which was a gift for the older brother.

Suddenly Sesshoumaru knew with certainty that it was Inuyasha's unswerving devotion that was the most important thing to him personally; the pup could be trusted with the older brother's feelings and momentary weaknesses, without feeling superior or making use of his knowledge. The child was loyal and adored his brother. Plus who else other than Inuyasha made those delightful giggling and playful sounds when he was tickled, he was so uninhibited at times; Sesshoumaru thought it must be the human in him.

Michiko was already too much of a prissy miss to play for long with her older brother when he wanted some diversion and she also knew how to get her own way; she was learning to be manipulative, which was something Inuyasha was not. The small hanyou brother belonged to Sesshoumaru just as surely as if he was the boy's father and the older brother had no intention of letting him forget it. In fact the passing thought that someone might dispute his claim caused the youkai to pull his sibling onto his lap and curl his tail protectively round the boy even more.

Concealed and masked high in a tree, Inu no Taishou watched over his sons; he had come to check on them. It was not that he didn't trust Sesshoumaru to care for the younger one, but the youth was not experienced in childcare in the forest. He smiled to see the boys settled and was satisfied, he knew how possessive his eldest was, the boy had been an only pup for a long time and was spoiled; he didn't require much to be satisfied, but he was used to being obeyed.

But the father was very proud of his eldest, he had adapted well to his younger siblings and was very protective, which was a relief to Inu no Taishou. As he had told Sesshoumaru before Inuyasha was born, the small hanyou would not have an easy time when he grew and met the prejudices of the world. Inuyasha had faced some already but there would undoubtedly be more, the older youkai sighed knowing that Inuyasha would need someone to protect him for many years to come.

He slipped away before Sesshoumaru would be alerted to his presence; the boy would safeguard the area soon by allowing his youki to flare and mark his temporary position, warning any that he was not to be approached. Sesshoumaru's pride would be upset with certainty if he felt that his father was checking up on him; he valued his father's trust and was not yet mature enough to fully understand the father's motives.

As Inuyasha snuggled further down and into the familiar scented warmth that secured him, he fell deeper into restful sleep; the petting stopped too, as the older boy sought rest. In the morning Sesshoumaru awoke to find Inuyasha impatiently watching him, the hanyou had not been able to escape the constricting tail and the youkai laughed at the pup's disgruntled face. It was not funny to Inuyasha though, he was desperate to relieve himself and then start the hunt all over again.

Sesshoumaru released him and allowed him to go and do whatever was necessary before quickly catching a rabbit for the child's breakfast. Inuyasha was very hungry, the good sleep following the exercise of the day before had made him ravenous, but he didn't forget to thank Sesshoumaru. He climbed once more on his brother's crossed legs and hugged him tightly round his neck before planting a kiss on his cheek and then growling in the curve of his neck.

Sesshoumaru responded with a growl and then it was time for more lessons. Inuyasha was eager to start and tried really hard to keep stealthy, but it was difficult for him. Sesshoumaru smiled as the boy ran all over the areas previously scouted, but it was all the youkai could do not to laugh and wound the child's pride when Inuyasha stopped with his nose to the ground and his bottom stuck up wiggling in the air.

Inuyasha was ready to pounce on something, but he looked so like a domestic puppy playing with a slipper, and if he'd had a tail it would be wagging. At the rate he was going however Sesshoumaru despaired of Inuyasha bringing home his first kill. But he was only a little pup at the hunt and nobody expected him to do much this time; it was enough that he learned a bit about the forest and animal habitats.

That night as they settled down once more before a camp fire and fish this time for supper, Sesshoumaru was encouraging to the pup, whose ears were such a tell tale of his disappointment. Inuyasha had had high hopes of providing their evening meal and could barely eat his fish in his tearful frustration. He tried hard to swallow but finally gave up when Sesshoumaru opened his arms to allow Inuyasha to crawl on his lap where he wrapped his tail around them both.

"You should be aware Inuyasha that only you expected to catch something on your first hunt."

"Inuyasha bets Shu catched his first hunt." The baby talk was back and it annoyed the older brother, even as he preened that the younger thought so highly of him.

"I refuse to talk to you if you are going to be a baby Inuyasha, but if you must know I was older than you are for my first hunt."

"Did you bring your catch home?" Was the sulky question; but he had taken notice of the baby talk comment, as the last thing he needed now was one of Sesshoumaru's lectures. Inuyasha might adore his brother but he could be boring when he kept on and on, like he had when Inuyasha had recovered from removing his fangs. Inuyasha didn't think Sesshoumaru knew the meaning of 'alright I won't do it again.'

"Yes, I brought my first hunt home; Papa had it prepared and we ate it that night for our meal. But...my first fishing trip was not so successful and I was your age when that occured."

"What happened?"

"I fell in the stream and got soaked, Papa laughed until he was rolling on the ground. It took a long time to dry off by a camp fire. I was not best pleased I remember."

"How did you fall Shu, was it deep?"

"No, Papa wouldn't have let me go in the deep water back then. I was chasing the fish instead of waiting patiently for them to swim close enough and I over reached."

"I think it would have made me cry if Papa laughed." Inuyasha said quietly in an undertone, a touch of shame in his aura as he honestly admitted this to Sesshoumaru. The older boy smiled at his brother, noting the already red rimmed eyes from the tears born of his failure to catch anything so far. The little hanyou was at many disadvantages already in a Palace of full blooded Youkai; the evidences of his human heart were more easily seen.

Sesshoumaru decided that he could afford to admit to some weakness for this little one who had already seen him at his lowest. No harm would come to him from Inuyasha; he would always look up to the older brother and he didn't want the pup to think he was some sort of freak for showing emotion.

"Truthfully Inuyasha...I did shed tears, I had tried so hard to catch a fish and I was wet and miserable, but I hoped I had hidden my sadness in the water that was already running off me. I did not fool Papa though and he stopped laughing and held me like I am holding you now, he also told me that he had done the same thing, so remember we are only following our family tradition."

Inuyasha felt better after Sesshoumaru's confession and his appetite returned and the older brother handed him another fish which the pup ate with gusto. Then, tired out after his long day, Inuyasha fell asleep quickly; and once again, the older brother kept watch over the younger.

IYQ Community;May 2009Week 2: "Swallow your pride occasionally, it's non-fattening!" - anonymous