The forgotten sonr Chapter I: Bitter fruit

Author : chouRan family/hurt/angst/

Inuyasha and its charters do not belong to me I write this for fun

As General Takashi and his men past through high glistening gates of the castle of the west they were immediately met by their family and friends along with most of the castle residents; news of their battle had spread and they were being given a hero's welcome. The soldiers laugh as their families swarmed them. All but one joins in this reunion Sesshomaru watches impassively at the scene, his face not showing the jealousy and sadness he felt, he did not bother to scan the crowd to look for any of his kin to be at hand, knowing that the one person he longed to be there would not there.

'Most likely attending important matters of state or his latest female conquest' Sesshomaru thinks tersely, as he dismounts horse and gives the reins to a stable man. Sesshomaru knew well of his father adventures having heard the court gossip and snickers about his relations with some of 'ladies' of the court that were bandied about his father's prowess in bed not caring if Sesshomaru heard or not; one such lady asking him to call her 'mother'. If not for a quick hand holding him back and stern look from one his sensei at the time he would have torn the female youkai to shreds.

Sesshomaru sighs to himself as far he could remember he sought his father's approval and love, he did not know what he had done to displease his lord so much but at young age he became determine win his father favor back. He trained and studied hard to prove himself to his father but none of that seem to matter no matter what he did his father only looked at him in disgust. But after being banished to the farthest reaches of the castle, Sesshomaru no longer tried please his father and started to focus on making himself strong for his kingdom; he would someday take over the western lands and his people would need a strong king to protect them.

"Sesshomaru-san"

A pitched high voice breaks his train of thought

Looking down Sesshomaru sees the retainer Jakkan his father had aligned to him standing in front of him, the little kappa demon bowed to the prince "your highness, Lord Inutaisho has requested you presents in his chambers as soon as you are presentable."

Sesshomaru's face remains expressionless not betraying his curiosity.' So, his father wishes to see him after all this time, how odd.' he thought He had not spoken or seen the person who sired him in over 5 years "Very well inform my lord Inutaisho that I will join him within an hour" and continues to his rooms in the east wing of the castle .

Sesshomaru waits before the massive doors that led to his father's chambers; it had been over half an hour since his arrival his mind still pondering why his sire wanted to see him. He surely has heard of the battle and perhaps wanted to see how his son fared. The wooden doors finally open and allowed Sesshomaru to be ushered in. as he walk the hall towards his lord, he was well aware that his father scrutinize his every movement as one study someone of lower status waiting for any error in protocol.

Sesshomaru stops before his father and bows slightly "My lord"

The lord of the western land had not bothering to rise from his throne to greet his heir and only gives a curt nod of acknowledgement of his presence. The air was hung heavy with silence as the young youkai waited for the elder to speak.

Inutaisho finally stood and motions for to someone come forward. "There will be some changes royal house now on" Sesshomaru did not turn to see who he had motion only kept his attention on his father. Soon a human female flanked by two guards came into view, as the woman took her place by his father's side; Sesshomaru saw she wore his clan's colors. Sesshomaru looks to his father.

"I present to you Izayoi the new lady of the western lands" his father smile as he took the woman by the hand.

To say that he was shocked would be an understatement; his father had taken new mate, a human mate at that. Sesshomaru looks at the woman and vaguely recognized the woman she was the daughter of one of the local daimyo.

Izayoi smiles submissively and bowed "Prince Sesshomaru, it is an honor"

Sesshomaru said nothing only glares at his father.

Inutaisho stares at Sesshomaru arrogantly seeming to enjoy his son's confusion

Inutaisho turns and smiles at his new bride and kisses her hand gently "My dear, would you please excuse us I have some matters of state to speak to my son about"

"I await your return my husband it has been a pleasure to meet you prince Sesshomaru" she bows to them both and is escort to their private chambers

Inutaisho turn his attentions back to his son and answered his unspoken question "Yes, Sesshomaru she is the new lady of the west and she carries the heir to the western lands"

Sesshomaru felt his youkai flare in hurt and anger his emotions were in turmoil as he stares at his father.

"I am the heir to the west" he growls to his father menacingly

'Inutaisho laughs "You? Someone has pathetic and weak as you are not worthy of taking over the western lands. Lady Izayoi will bear me a child worthy of that title"

Any hope of reconciliation with his father died at that moment for Sesshomaru. He hated the youkai that stood before him.

"I am heir to the western lands" he repeats not backing down.

"You are what I say you are" Inutaisho roars as he back hands the youth knocking him to the floor "and I say you are not fit to be my heir you have too much of your mother in you"

Sesshomaru gets to his feet and faces his father again not bothering to wipe away the blood that trickle from side of his mouth and growls at him

Inutaisho stares down at him and smirks he could feel his son's youkai spiking 'so the pup has some back bone after all' he thinks, then with one fluid motion he quickly grabs the young youkai by the throat and lifts him up to eye level ."Don't even think you have a chance to beat me boy I have used stronger youkai than you as fodder." He drops his son, "there will be another change too, I have sent word to your mother's clan, and they have agreed to take you into their house for time being, granted I had to pay a high compensation for them to do this but do not worry you won't being going alone, I am sending Jakkan along with you. Perhaps your mother's people can find a use for you, for I certainly cannot. You leave tomorrow"

The two demons stood and face each other their inner youkai energies fought for dormancy over the other. Inutaisho smirks as he feels his son's aura push against his with minimum afford his expands his youkai and dissipates Sesshomaru's energy 'pathetic 'Inutaisho turns away from him in antipathy "As I said you leave tomorrow, now get out of my sight."

Standing on the terrace outside his private room Sesshomaru stared out at the quiet royal courtyard the half-moon cast eerie shadows making everything look like a surreal nightmare but the scene did not register him. His played back the events of earlier that evening with his father; his words echoing in his mind. The betrayal and anguish he felt in his soul cut deeper than any weapon could do, Sesshomaru cursed himself for not being stronger, for not being able fight his father and make him feel the pain he felt now. It was clear there was no place for him in his father's lands nor he doubted with his mother's clan wanted him either.

"… you are what I say you are…" came his father's voice

Sesshomaru shakes his head, dispelling the word of his father, "No, lord Inutaisho I will no longer be what you command me to be" he whispers to himself.

Sesshomaru turns and enters his room passing the tray of uneaten dinner the servants had brought him early. "From now on I will decide on who I am, and what my fate is"

Stripping out of the royal silks that bore the crest of family's clan which he once proudly wore but now they meant nothing to him; Sesshomaru looks down and touches it tenderly the crest and vows someday he would bear it with pride again. He changes into generic clothing of dark green colors and taking the one thing he could truly call his own the sword he had carried in battle Sesshomaru walks to the terrace once again

"And I have decided that I will rule the western lands someday. With or with your blessing" He gives a quick last look behind him to the place that used to be his home "For now enjoy your reign over these lands for now, lord Inutaisho, some day it will be mine." And then disappears into the night.

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