Daydreaming

Several years passed without much change in the youkai household; routines were established for school and visits from the human family without a problem. The children of Inuyasha's class had by now all settled down and displays for dominance were mainly a thing of the past, they were a close knit group that promised to be allied for all their lives. Inu no Taishou was most pleased with the way it had worked out for his hanyou son, but he would remain cautious, these were early days still and the small ones had at least a couple of centuries of formal education ahead of them.

Lessons would change in style or format, but for such long lived races it would always remain important to know the histories of the various youkai and the young were like sponges soaking it all in. Of course it was not all book study, there were many other activities that young youkai needed to learn and in a few years individual tutors would also be needed to teach the youths about their own special skills as they became apparent.

For the most part, the youngsters were good and attentive, their families impressing upon them the honour and value of their education; especially for the opportunity to learn in the class of the second son of Inu no Taishou. They were all still too young to understand most of the advantages to their situation and didn't know yet which of their classmates the boy was. This was because it hadn't ever really come to their attention and they didn't care anyway; the only one privy to the information, Kouga, had heard the warning in the Lord of the West's tone when he told him to keep silent on the matter.

However there was only so much history and culture of any of the youkai races that a child could take and Inuyasha was distracted. The morning had proved to be sparkling, clear and freshly autumnal, which had his senses in a spin; the new scents in the air were almost irresistible. Coupled with that, he could hear a rodent scrabbling under the new leaf fall causing the leaves to rustle enticingly. Soon he was following every step of the rat or whatever it was, as it as it foraged for food or lining material for it's winter nest.

Unfortunately his mind didn't stay with the rat but started to wander to further afield, namely the forest nearby. Sesshoumaru had only been able to take him hunting a couple of times since the rabbit incident, but each time had been memorable and Inuyasha had learned a lot. It didn't take long before the pup was daydreaming and far away from his school work.

The leaves especially reminded him of the most exciting time he'd had in his life, well, it had seemed so at the time, as the brothers were silent and waiting behind some tall bushes. Sesshoumaru had impressed upon Inuyasha that the quarry they were hunting was highly dangerous and that Inuyasha must do as he was told. Of course no one could build up the shivery anticipation like an older brother, but Sesshoumaru was correct and Inuyasha was a captive audience.

The pup found it difficult to keep quiet and still as he was full of nervous tension, being as he was on the ground level with the dangerous prey. Inuyasha knew of course that Sesshoumaru would keep him safe but he couldn't help the frisson running up his spine. They seemed to have to be patient for a long time before Inuyasha heard a rustling in the leaves as the creature ambled along and rooted round for food. The hanyou glanced at his brother and saw the predatory smile on Sesshoumaru's face as he returned the look with his finger to his lips to caution Inuyasha to silence.

That was as far as Inuyasha wanted to go on that occasion, after the build up, the entire episode was one that he would prefer to forget. Then as he turned his mind away and tried to concentrate on his lesson, his thoughts wandered yet again, but this time he wandered to the human family farm. He loved the harvest and autumn times on the farm, the smells and tastes of the kitchen as fruits and berries were stored. In fact his mouth was watering at the thought that he would be visiting the very next weekend.

His room on the farm had a large window through which he could see the farm day start or watch the snow fall and blanket the ground all ready for him to run his bare feet through, making his mark on the pristine cover. He loved being wrapped up (although he didn't feel the cold nearly as much as his siblings) and let out to play, knowing there would be a bonfire and roasted vegetables as the accumulated rubbish of the spent seasons was burned.

There was more to look forward to as well this time, as Izayoi was due to have another baby very soon; Inuyasha would become a big brother again by the time the first snows of this winter fell. The farm was not overly large but Inuyasha was lucky, he alone had his own room, the other's all shared and already the place was set for the new one, once he or she was old enough to leave Izayoi. Inuyasha grinned to himself, a new sibling was always a joy, and he loved babies.

From the front of the class, The Tiger had noticed the inattention of his pupil; indeed it was hard not to when the sail like ears were swivelling to pick up the outside sounds. The Tiger was obviously also able to hear the rodent and he understood the desire to hunt. He smiled to himself as he watched the play of memories and dreams cross Inuyasha's mobile face. One day, he thought with regret, the pup would be taught how to hide his feelings better, in the same way that his brother was already able to do in the main. It was always a shame when his pupils grew up.

Sadly that had to start right now however, Inuyasha had to be taught to focus and not let his agile imagination carry him away at inopportune moments, like during his lessons. But it didn't have to be done in a manner that brought humiliation for the pup and The Tiger knew better than to focus attention on the ears that gave Inuyasha away more than anything else. The other children all were reading and The Tiger walked casually over to where Inuyasha was sitting, his pen dripping ink all over the floor and his cushion.

It was then that The Tiger noticed a problem that he would have to bring up with Inu no Taishou, Inuyasha hadn't noticed his approach and still stared out of the window, his mind far afield. The pup would have to be trained to make sure he recognised if he was being approached by anyone, whether or not he trusted them. Not everyone by far was hanyou friendly, whereas Inuyasha was very open and trusting by nature.

"My lesson bores you pup" He said softly for Inuyasha's hearing alone, but still the boy jumped out of his skin at the quiet disturbance. Then his face suffused with blood in a huge blush, ashamed that he'd been caught in being disrespectful. As the Prince he had been taught that everyone who served him or his family was deserving of respect and here he was taking time out of his lesson.

"Be easy child, everyone daydreams at times but I am afraid I have to recall you from your meanderings and back to your books." The Tiger smiled at Inuyasha as the boy bowed to him, his heightened colour fading, for the rest of the day it was guaranteed, the hanyou would apply himself to his learning. "At least you didn't get up and actually go to look out of the window, as your brother once did in one of my lessons." The Tiger smirked at Inuyasha's wide eyed amazement and remembered the young Sesshoumaru with fondness.

IYQ Community November 2009

Week #3:

In school, I could hear the leaves rustle and go on a journey.

-Clint Eastwood