The forgotten son Chapter I: The seeds are sown
Author: chouRan: family/hurt/ angst/
A cold winter's sun had been well apex for hours when the band of twenty plus soldiers, and their horses finally broke through the lush sodden forest three days of rain had ended and the clouds had parted by first mornings light, leaving clear skies and though the air Had a heavy chill too it, the rays of the sun allowed the weary men to continue the last leg of their journey homeward in relative comfort.
In the distant the alabaster towers of the citadel of the western gleamed like a white beacon against the pale blue sky, with a heavy march he and men could be home in little over a day. 'It will be good to be home agin; three months was for too long to be away from my family' the venerable general mused. He pictures his wife and 2 sons in his mind hoping that they fared will in his absence. He was well aware of his mate's ability to protect their home, but he still worried when he was away.
'But home will have to wait a little longer.' He decides.
His men needed rest. They had been on the move for two days stopping only long enough to wounded and water their mounts. Takashi wanted tobe clear of the by night fall, now they were in area and good place to stop for the night the general knew there was a stream nearby where the animals could be watered, raising his left arm he signals his men stop "We will make camp for the evening here" he commands without looking back. Then dismounts his warhorse, he motions for his two aids to come forward, one was burly fox demon named Isamu who had served the general in many campaigns, Takashi turns to Isamu "I want a report on the injured also send a hunting party out I want the men well fed and rested they deserve it, we will leave a first light" he orders
He bows "Hai, Takashi-sama" and departs to carry out his orders
Takashi then addresses his other aid named Takao who mainly served as a messenger; the thin youkai bows in reverence and waits for his commanders orders
"Take Moui and ride to the castle, inform lord Inutaisho of what has transpired and of our arrival in a day's time"
There was a look of fear in the aid's eyes; who did not know which to fear more facing the sovereign Inutaisho or riding the general's horse. Takao like most others in the squad feared Moui, not only was he a temperamental beast that refused to let anyone but the General ride him, he was also a demon a horse of thunderstorms and rumored to dine on flesh of those that he tossed from a great height after they dared try to hide it. "H-hai, Takashi-sama" Takao replies not taking his eyes off the surly beast
Takashi smiles knowing of Moui's well deserved reputation, he strokes the side of the demon horse's face "do not worry Moui will behave himself, isn't that correct, my old friend?" the light grey war-horse looks at the scrawny fox demon and snorted as if in disgust then nodes and allows Takao to slip on to its back.
Before dismissing the man Takashi glances over to the youngest member of his troop a silvered hair boy of 15 as he stood struggling under the weight ill-fitting armor that designed for adult, waiting to receive orders from second in comment. And debated whether sending another message, but thought better of it, was not his place to become involved in royal matters
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He turns his attention back to his aid. "Make sure Moui is well fed and rub down when you get there. Or he wont be happy with you" giving the horse a gentle slap on the rump , and with that the horse and rider where off, Takashi watched in amusement as the Takao held on for dear life on the saddle as the two across the sky a boiling grey storm cloud followed in their wake. Turning his attention back to his men and watches as they settle in for the evening most had removed their armor and the cooking fires begun and wounded being tended to. His thoughts went to the skirmish of four days before. They were patrolling the eastern border when they came across a group youkai returning from a raid on a village inside the western border such raids on the border villages had become more bolder of late striking fast then disappear back over the border, with hardly a trace. That was until he and his men was fortunate enough to intercept them
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The two groups were quickly engaged in battle and it became clear that these were no simple raiders; they fought like well-trained soldiers. These raiders were good but his men even better. Although outnumbered two to one he and his soldiers decimated the enemy only four escaped, with only loss of two of their own. Takashi was proud of his men, he would see to it that Lord Inutaisho knows of how well they all fought bravely but none more the boy, his grace, precision in battle was like a dance than a battle; more his share of the enemy fell and his hands, a warrior such as he came only once in a generation. At at first shocked Takashi when the king commanded him to include the prince on their such a potentially dangerous mission, granted the child had trained how to fight since he was able to pick up a sword. Takashi himself helped in the prince's training, but a three-month patrol on the outer most borders was no place for as young as Sesshomaru and Takashi chafed at the idea of being a baby sitter . But his lords wished would be obeyed, and he pledge to Inutaisho that he would protect son, but his lord told there would be no need of that, and if they came across any trouble the prince would have to prove his merit as his son saying he refuses to have a weakling for a son and order that the prince get no special treatment. And received none the general treated him has he would one of his other men, for his part the prince never question the orders given to him. The boy fought well that day; Takashi stops himself he could no longer call the prince a boy he had proved himself as a skilled warrior and be thought of as an adult, and given a few more seasons Sesshomaru would be great commander of an army in his own right. He was defiantly his father's son unfortunately he doubted that lord Inutaisho would ever admit this.
Having served his king for sometime Takashi knew well the goings on in the inner court, and of lord Inutaisho's treatment of the young prince, and having a sons himself it pained him to watch the lonely life of the prince after his father rejection of him. But things were different between father and son before Queen Masami left and returned to her people; Inutaisho although not overly affectionate with the child he did spend time with the prince. But that changed after a violent argument between the king causing his wife the leave the next day abandoning both father and son.
Lord Inutaisho took the betrayal of his wife out on his son when the king wasn't treating the boy with disdain about his training and his weakness as a fighter he completely ignored him while he was growing up leaving the staff to care for him. Then finally when the prince reach the age 10 his father move had him moved to another wing of the castle, cutting all physical contact with prince and inquiring about his training though Sesshomaru's instructors and through the retainer Jakkan, one of Inutaisho servants . And followed the prince constantly instructing him the on the proper behavior of a member of the royal family, reporting any infraction made by the prince's to his father. Takashi had misfortune meeting the retainer once and it was to the prince credit he had not gotten rid of the kappa already.
Hearing his men cheer brought Takashi out his contemplations and smiles as he sees Sesshomaru and two of his other men return to camp grappling a large boar demon between, the hunt had been good and there was food enough for all. The three men had a pleased look on their faces, even Sesshomaru smiled it was one of the few times Takashi could remember the prince being so at ease and happy speaking freely with his comrades; unfortunately he knew it would not last and soon would be replaced by the silent driven youkai who haunted the castle. Looking back up at the now castle now a golden red as it reflected the setting sun 'Ah I fear the seeds that you have sown with your son lord Inutaisho will bare you nothing but bitter fruit,' He muse then l shakes his head and turns and joins his men for their meal.
Thank you for reading the first chapter of my story and I apologize for any grammatical errors I don't have a beta yet.
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