Eventful Weekend

Before the weekend that would see Inuyasha going to the family farm, there was some sad news for the class; the three girls, two sisters and their cousin would be leaving. Their families had decided it was time now for them to have private tutors for the lessons in the more traditional feminine pursuits. The Lady of the West had huffed in derision at the decision, saying to her mate that the girls had plenty of time ahead of them for the more delicate lessons, and it was a shame that they were not to be allowed to carry on with their classes as next year would be the start of sword practice.

Inu no Taishou agreed but said they could not stop the girls' parents from taking them home and the opportunities they'd had would always stand them in good stead. As it was he had already got other children waiting for a space in the school, so there would be new pupils and new friends for Inuyasha after the long winter holiday. The children were all subdued before the weekend, the fact that they were girls didn't matter, they were friends and at the moment equals. Puberty was a long way off yet and didn't interfere, so as all the young youkai were strong, the boys were sorry to see them go.

But all these things didn't affect the young hanyou overly; he was going to see his Mama and family, laden down with gifts of his own choosing from a pedlar who had visited the Palace. Sesshoumaru took him to the farm to deliver him safely to his humans, and the ever present guard carried the presents. After the ritual invite for the elder brother to stay for a meal was refused graciously, Sesshoumaru left; his commission of the boy's handover from one family to the other discharged.

As usual now though, the older brother waited at the forest edge until the small red arrow shot with silver came running up to say good-bye. Inuyasha always greeted his family immediately and then rushed to his brother for the fond farewell. Sesshoumaru picked him up and held him close, snuffling in the pup's hair and grumbling deeply in his chest, allowing his youkai to be mollified at leaving the boy among humans alone. Then with a tweak to Inuyasha's ears, Sesshoumaru left on his youki cloud letting the pup ran back to his Mother.

This was Inuyasha's coveted time, when just he and Izayoi were together. After he had greeted the rest of the family and handed out his presents, and before the midday meal, his mother would always call him to her so that they could catch up on what was happening in his life. It was not favouritism on her behalf, but she didn't see Inuyasha as much as she did her other children and she missed her cheerful and loving eldest son. The boy was unable to climb into her lap as he liked to do because she was so heavily pregnant, so he knelt down and put his head to her stomach and listened to the baby's heartbeat allowing his mother to stroke his hair and pet his ears.

It was at times like these that Inuyasha could really open up without fear that he would be taken for a baby, his mother understood in a way that his brother and father just couldn't quite grasp, because Izayoi had no expectations of him. So with her he could always be himself, although Izayoi did help him explain the circumstances of the boar hunt with a couple of tender but firm pats to his bottom. She wanted to know how he fared from his own mouth, of course she knew about what had happened, Inu no Taishou had come personally to explain and invite her to the Palace but she had been unwell in bed and was promised that her boy was not in danger.

So Inuyasha told her everything from the thrill of the hunt and how brave and skilful Shu was in catching the boar. He told her of the excitement that became trepidation and the fact that he couldn't remember being tossed which he thought was a shame. His mother sighed at that horrific thought, but she knew what boys were like and that her little hanyou was not at all bothered by the broken rib bones that had healed as easily as a bruise for him. But Inuyasha only told her how he had felt; he didn't betray Shu even to his mother.

No, it was for him alone that Shu had entered his room and woken him with the gentle but insistent snuffling at his hair, reassuring himself that the little brother was not in any danger or pain. Only Inuyasha heard the whimpered heartfelt apology and the strange sobbing quality to his brother's breath. Sesshoumaru had humbled himself to come to lay his fault in front of Inuyasha and ask for forgiveness and even though the hanyou pup was very young, he was sensible of the offering. He knew that Shu had needed to feel Inuyasha's little arms around his neck pulling his older sibling's head down on the small shoulder, just as he knew that Shu needed the hug bestowed as he brought up his tail to wrap around them both.

Inuyasha also felt the relief of the chastened Sesshoumaru, when Papa embraced them both and completely took away any further burden of responsibility from the older brother's shoulders, reminding them both that Sesshoumaru was only a pup still. Inuyasha didn't understand all of these things intellectually yet, but he could feel them in the relief of their shared tears and Papa's strong youki keeping them safe and comforted. The welcome kiss Papa gave each of them as he told them to rest until dinner spoke of his love, as he waited for them both to close their eyes and nap, Sesshoumaru too lying down as it was still uncomfortable to sit. All of these things were just between them and Inuyasha would never speak of them to anyone.

Inuyasha's time alone with his mother sped by however and soon the midday meal was ready. It was a noisy and happy affair with everyone talking at once and then it was off to play with his brothers and sister as he re-explored the farm and spoke to his favourite animals. The weekend went well and the four children had found a hide in the undergrowth of hedgerow where they spent most of the day in and out, getting old leaves and twigs in their hair, while eating blackberries and nuts in secret. As they walked back in time for tea, they carried hedgerow treasure with them for their parents, more fruits and nuts and flowers.

On approaching the house the children noticed that there seemed to be a lot of activity and wondered if they had visitors. But before they got to the fence, Makoto came out to them and told them to wait in the barn as Izayoi had gone into premature labour. He had already asked Inuyasha's guard to watch over them all and as he spoke, both Inu no Taishou and Sesshoumaru landed at the edge of the property and asked if Makoto would prefer it if they took the children back to the Palace for the time. They had been informed of the impending birth by Izayoi's guard who had taken it upon himself to notify them.

Makoto looked relieved and nodded gratefully, before going to each child and whispering that they could all come back immediately the baby was born. So the children found themselves whisked away to the Palace and quick as a flash they were bathed, fed and put to bed in the nursery, Inuyasha amongst them. Of course they didn't go to sleep, they were worried about their Mama and the baby and soon all four were wailing. It was a long night for Inu no Taishou who was designated story teller and baby sitter until the morning.

As he watched over them all he wondered if he should have taken Inuyasha away from his mother to send him to school. The pup was very young still and he realised he had not taken Inuyasha's humanity into account when he made the decision; the time that was suitable for pure youkai offspring might be different for the young hanyou. Then he remembered how much Inuyasha himself wanted to stay at the school and it wasn't as if the boy didn't see Izayoi a lot, holidays were frequent for the pup and it looked as though this one would be extended too as she would wish for Inuyasha to stay and get used to the new pup...baby.

In the morning, Izayoi's guard was back and spoke privately with Inu no Taishou before the children were taken back to see their mother and their new sister. There was great excitement as they all crowded in to see the new arrival; she was tiny and not very beautiful, but she was cute, her face resembling a little marmoset. Inuyasha was enchanted with her and gave his mother a lovely smile as he gently stroked the tiny head, the baby too seemed mesmerised with his golden eyes and hers followed him when he moved.

Trouble however was not far away, as the day progressed it became clear to the experienced midwife that something was not quite right and the baby was not ever going to develop as she should; that and her premature birth was going to cause lifelong problems. There was no strength at all in the child's body, she was as limp as a rag doll, hardly moving her limbs at all and was finding it difficult to feed for the amount of time she needed. In a quiet voice, so as not to overly upset the new mother, the midwife recommended to Makoto that the child be taken away and smothered quickly.

But Izayoi was no fool and knew her child was disadvantaged, she also knew the danger the baby was in, even if she hadn't seen the shocked and horrified look on Inuyasha's face as he could easily hear every word spoken on the other side of the door. His great golden eyes filled with tears as he turned to Izayoi and saw how upset she was as she rocked the infant cuddled close to her, and in that instant his mind was made up. He went and took Hanako from Izayoi and wrapped her tightly putting her inside his kimono top and sat down nearby. If anyone came to reach for the baby, his claws would be ready, he would protect his sister.

When Makoto came back in to his wife and new daughter, he could see the determination on Inuyasha's face as he risked their great displeasure by growling and cracking his claws at his step father and the midwife. Makoto just smiled not attempting to approach and cautioned the midwife that she would do so at her peril. The midwife was wary; she could see the challenge in Inuyasha's eyes and knew she had no chance. For now Hanako was safe.

IYQ March 2010; Week 3, Week #3: Do you feel lucky, punk? -Dirty Harry