Subject Line: Week #313- Role Call

Title: Legacy
Author: DawningAurora
Genre: Family, Angst

Rating: K
 Word Count: 367
Character(s): Sesshomaru, InuPapa

Warnings: None of consequence..

Summary: Of fathers and sons.. The Inu no Taisho asks Sesshomaru to respond to the call of duty.

*The traditional ritual journey is one they undertake after an engagement but before settling down into marriage. It allows the youkai to wander to their hearts content before settling down to marriage.

Sesshomaru stands in the thrall of an ebony moon as he polishes his sword, as one of the Inu no Taisho's attendants obsequiously requests his presence before his father. He does not reply but complies anyway.

He makes his way through the sleeping castle to his father's quarters.

Father is waiting with two cups of sake and a beaming smile.

Sesshomaru does not smile back.

"What is it that you require of me, Father" he speaks, a fine layer of contempt coating his words. The smile dims considerably but does not falter.

A soft sigh escapes him and his eyes are lined by fine lines of worry. Ryuukotsusei is still worrying him. He bade Sesshomaru to sit.

Sesshomaru feels a slight softening for him then.

"There is a reason why I summoned you now Sesshomaru," he spoke gently, "You are my first-born. The inheritor of all that is mine."

Sesshomaru noted the careful blend of fact and flattery. This was not going to be pretty.

"As my firstborn," he continued, "It is your duty to find a wife."

The denial coated his lips and almost darted from his tongue. He could not accept the fact that his father was already attempting to install him on the throne. To him it was an act of resignation. He knew his father felt he would not survive the coming battle.

Marriage could not be denied but perhaps delayed?

He requested to take the traditional ritual journey.*

His father acquiesced with a defeated sigh.

Hope you enjoyed it.

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Posted on 6th March 2013.

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