Hello loves! I'm glad you guys are continuing to enjoy this story as it progresses. I don't have much to say other than please continue to support and read this story until the end. Love you guys!
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Chapter 11
As the quiet morning settled over the castle, InuYasha found himself staring at the ceiling in his room. The conversation between him and his brother settled deep within his mind, keeping him from sleeping, which was unfortunate for him since today was the first day of his tutoring lessons. With a groan, as he sat up in bed, InuYasha could tell that this was going to be a long day. The young hanyo stretched his muscles and scratched the back of his head before he prepared himself for the day.
It was mundane task after mundane task as he neatly fixed his bed, picked out his normal Fire Rat robes, and washed and combed through his too-long hair with his claws. Since his pregnancy, his hair has grown a few inches passed his butt, gaining on Sesshomaru's length. However, knowing the protective benefits of his strong hair, InuYasha has never thought about cutting it. But he should probably do something about it getting caught and in the way all the time. Suddenly, the exciting thought of how Sesshomaru deals with his hair all the time made its way into the recesses of his mind. He quickly shooed them away and continued preparing for a servant to get him for his first lesson of the day, which didn't take too long after he was finished with his hair and getting dressed.
"Come in," he called when someone knocked on the door.
"Good morning, Lord InuYasha," a simple doe servant girl greeted with a bow. "I have come to take you to your lesson. Please follow me,"
Ready to get the day over with, InuYasha sighed as he followed her out of the room and down a couple of hallways before they reached the castle's library. Inside stood two people: a female wolf demoness and a male owl demon. The owl demon had short brown hair, deep yellow eyes, large brown and white feathered wings, wore an olive green, light brown, and white outfit with black boots, and looked to be about 70 in human years, but he was really 700 in demon years. He greeted InuYasha with a bow and a smile.
"Hello, milord. My name is Fukuro. I will be your main tutor for all things reading, writing, and demon history."
"And I am Kyoshi. I will be your tutor in etiquette," she introduced with a static face and a bow.
Kyoshi was a wolf demoness with long white hair pulled into a side, a curly ponytail, gold and blue eyes, a large white fluffy tail, and a red, black, and white kimono. InuYasha could tell from her aura that she was strict and not someone easily messed with. He would have to be wary of her.
"It's nice to meet you both," he said with a bow.
"If you do not mind, young lord, but Lord Sesshomaru wants me to assess your current knowledge and spend most of the morning going over our lessons and the critical information needed to prepare you for the coordination," Fukuro said.
"And then you will start your lesson with me tomorrow after you're finished with him. We only have a month's time to prepare you for your coronation. We hope that you will cooperate with us during this process," Kyoshi said sternly.
"Like I have a choice?" InuYasha sighed.
"That's the spirit! Now, let's get started," Fukuro smiled.
An hour into his first lesson, InuYasha wanted to pull his hair out. They started with what he knew, like his name and a few characters, which turns out was not a lot, and it only took about five minutes to find out. Afterward, Fukuro spent the remainder of the time starting over by teaching him the alphabet. Apparently, there were more characters than he realized, and some that came after he was sealed away. When he found out that part, he visibly rolled his eyes and tried his hardest not to escape. However, it was also about that time when Sesshomaru entered the library.
"Good morning, Lord Sesshomaru," both Fukuro and Kyoshi greeted.
"How is his first lesson going?" Sesshomaru asked.
"We have… a lot of work to do," Fukuro said, trying not to sound embarrassed for InuYasha.
"I'd appreciate it if you guys wouldn't talk about me as if I was not here!" InuYasha shouted as he banged his fists against the table.
"I must borrow my brother for a while. I will return him soon,"
"Of course, milord," the tutors nodded.
"Come, InuYasha," Sesshomaru commanded before exiting the library.
InuYasha wanted to argue but decided that it was best not to follow his brother instead of arguing.
It didn't take long for InuYasha to recognize that they were in the Royal Wing of the castle and quickly approaching what was supposed to be his room. But what confused him was a peacock demon standing outside of the door.
"Why are we here? Who is this?" InuYasha asked.
"This is the designer who will help redesign your room. Be sure to show him respect."
"It's an honor to meet and work with you, young lord," the peacock said with a bow.
"Yeah, yeah. It's nice to meet you, too," InuYasha waved dismissively. But the glare from Sesshomaru changed his tone. "I mean, yes, it's nice to meet you, too,"
"I'll leave you both of you to work then,"
"Wait, Sesshomaru, I need to talk with you," InuYasha said before turning to look at the peacock demon with a glare, "alone,"
"I… shall be in the room, waiting for you, young lord," the peacock bowed again before leaving.
Once they were alone, Sesshomaru said, "What is it that you want, InuYasha?"
Thoughts about their conversation from last night played in his head again. Instinctively, the hanyo swallowed a lump in his throat, along with his pride, something that was too much even for him to do. However, through sheer willpower and determination, InuYasha wanted to be the person to extend the bridge toward his brother.
"Listen, about last night," Sesshomaru raised a questioning eyebrow but remained silent as his brother sought the words he was looking for. "I gave it a lot of thought. In fact, I couldn't sleep at all last night because of it. And… maybe you were right about me… being selfish. I should have been more careful and not so reckless. I didn't mean to put myself and InuRida in danger like that. I just… I just wanted to be free… even if it was for a moment."
Silence hung between them, along with InuYasha's apology. However, when Sesshomaru didn't say anything, InuYasha crossed his arms and tapped his foot against the floor in annoyance.
"Well, ain't ya gonna say anything?"
"I accept your apology," was all Sesshomaru said before he turned away and started to leave.
"That's it?! That's all you have to say, ya bastard?!" a frustrated InuYasha yelled as he stormed after his brother in a huff. "I gave you the best apology I could, and that's all you have to say about it?"
Suddenly, Sesshomaru stopped in his tracks, forcing InuYasha to run into his back. The shocked hanyo looked up and saw his brother throw a glare over his shoulder, "What would you like me to say, InuYasha?"
Now, feeling embarrassed, the younger of the two avoided his brother's gaze as he scratched the back of his head while looking around the hallway.
"I don't know… I just thought that you'd say more than that."
"You wanted me to admit my wrongdoings in this fight, no?"
"W-what are you talking about?"
"You wanted me to admit that I was being too harsh and that I should let you and InuRida have your fun galivanting outside whenever you want, correct?"
"That's not… I don't… Forget it… It doesn't matter anymore. I apologized already, so forget it."
Sesshomaru sighed as he turned around and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"InuYasha, do you know why I'm so hard on our son? It's because he does not have the discipline needed to survive. Have you seen him train?"
"Yes. The kid's got talent."
"But he lacks discipline."
"So what? I don't have much discipline either, and I've won plenty of battles."
"And that is why you lose yourself, and I've had to save you on more than one occasion."
"Hey! There was a time or two when I saved your sorry ass, too, so don't give me that crap, Sesshomaru."
"That is beside the point. You may have bested me a time or two and managed to save me, but your lack of discipline put you in more danger than it saved your life. One wrong move or mistake can cost you your life. That is the lesson I am trying to teach our son. You, of all people, should know that."
InuYasha opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came. Realizing that he was, once again, on the losing side of the argument, InuYasha remained quiet for the first time in his life.
When Sesshomaru realized that his brother was not going to say anything, he continued, "Lord Fukushu and I have done battle the entirety of your slumber. And after every battle, his strength has grown stronger. That is why I must train. That is why our pups must train and why you must train as well. He is a crafty man who almost matches me in strength. We must be ready for anything. It would do you well to remember that. Now, be gone. Do not keep the designer waiting."
With that, Sesshomaru turned and walked away, leaving InuYasha alone in the hallway to stew over their conversation. Once again, his brother managed to make him feel low as he realized his error in judgment.
"Damn him," InuYasha cursed as he turned and walked back to his new room to consult with the designer. For the remainder of the day, Sesshomaru's words played in his head until he returned to his soon-to-be old bedroom.
Later in the day, the twins found their papa stewing on the floor of his current bedroom. The hanyo was so deep in thought that he barely sensed his pups enter his room. When he did, InuYasha greeted them with a nod of his head and a sigh.
"How were your lessons?"
"Nothing too exciting. Just the same boring stuff Father makes us learn every day. I swear there's only so much demon history you can learn day in and day out," InuRida said as he lay on the ground, using his hand to prop up his head.
"You say that all the time, Rida. But if that was the case, then why can't you pass the tests our tutor gives?" InuKanpeki teased, causing her brother to blush in embarrassment.
"Kanpeki, don't tease your brother like that. Give him time, and he'll catch up to you before you know it."
"Sorry, Papa," she said as she lowered her head.
"Thanks, Papa," InuRida said with a blush still on his cheeks.
"But she has a point. It would help if you did better in your studies and your training. You still have a lot to learn and less mistakes to make. But don't worry. I'll help you with that part, at least."
"You must have been talking with Father again," InuKanpeki said.
"Yeah, probably about how much of a failure I am," InuRida sighed.
"That's not what happened. And what would you know about me talking with that bastard anyway?" InuYasha glared.
"You were sulking when we came into your room. You almost always sulk after talking with Father," she giggled behind her hand. "What did he say this time?"
The hanyo sighed as he crossed his arms behind his head and lay on the ground in exhaustion, "Nothing other than his usual bastard-like nonsense."
"Is he still pissed about us going over the wall yesterday? He didn't sound as mad as when he found us by the time he came to talk to me this morning, which is unusual," InuRida said.
"I don't know if he's still mad or not. But he did have something to say about it when I talked to him earlier," InuYasha said.
"What did he say?" InuRida asked.
"He said that both you and I lacked discipline. Lord Fukushu is getting stronger after each battle they have, and we need to be more on our guard. Like I said, nothing besides the usual bastard-like nonsense."
"Father's right, you know," InuKanpeki said with a stern expression. "Papa, I know that you and Rida are free spirits and are… different from Father and the rest of our clan, but he has a point. Neither of us has ever fought Lord Fukushu ourselves; Father is the only one strong enough to take him. However, I think the last fight between them, the one before we came to retrieve you from the demon tree, did something to Father."
"What do you mean? He seems like the same bastard he's always been to me," said InuYasha.
"No, she's right. During that fight, Father was injured badly despite injuring Lord Fukushu and winning the fight. Afterward, he secluded himself in his room for a few days to recover. That was the most I've ever seen Father injured. I knew that he would survive, but something in him… changed that day. It wasn't long afterward that we brought you home," InuRida explained.
"Sesshomaru got hurt?" InuYasha gasped as he sat up with wide eyes.
InuKanpeki nodded before continuing, "I… had never seen him like that before. I know that Father is not invincible, but to see him injured like that was… frightening… The castle had been quieter those few days. So, I can understand why he is so overprotective of us. We're in times of war where any one of us could be lost. I don't think Father wants anything to happen to any of us. That is why we all must train to become stronger. This war must come to an end once and for all."
InuYasha didn't say anything for quite a while as he took in all of the information. The thought of Sesshomaru being injured to that degree and realizing the danger his pups were in finally set into reality. This was not Naraku or any simple danger they were facing. This was an entirely new, unknown threat to him that they were facing. And the thought that his family could be taken away at any moment frightened the hanyo to his core. However, instead of admitting this to his pups, InuYasha handled his fear the same way he always has: by hiding it.
"You sound more like Sesshomaru the more you talk," he sighed before continuing, "But you're right. I didn't realize how much of a problem this bastard has been for you. I'm so used to Sesshomaru wiping his enemies out in one fight. But if this guy is that big of a threat, then he's right about being more vigilant." It was at that moment that he turned toward his son and lowered his head in shame, "Rida, I'm sorry for putting you in so much danger. I knew that we could handle those two idiots we ran across while we were outside, but if Sesshomaru had not shown up, I'm not sure what could have happened."
"It's alright, Papa. I don't blame you. I knew the dangers but didn't talk you out of it. I should have known better. I'm sorry," he said as he bowed his head in shame, too.
"I guess we both have to do better, huh?" InuYasha chuckled.
"I think we all need to do better with our training. I will never admit this to Father because he will see it as a sign of weakness, but I was terrified when he was injured during their last fight. As you said, I'm used to him coming from fights unscathed, but those injuries were enough to force him into secluded recovery for a few days. It didn't help that he wouldn't let us assist him during the battle. I felt… useless… I don't like feeling that way," InuKanpeki said.
"Yeah. We know that Father is one of the strongest demons in the Western Lands, but if even he could be injured like that, then what hope do we have of defeating Lord Fukushu should something happen to him?"
"Rida! Don't say things like that! Lord Fukushu may be strong, but Father will never fall to that man!" InuKanpeki shouted.
"How do you know?! He's not invincible! I'm only trying to be realistic! Isn't that what you've always wanted?!"
"Alright, that's enough you two. Let's calm down," InuYasha interjected.
"Sorry, Papa," They both said in unison.
"Kanpeki, as much as I hate to admit it, your brother is right. Neither Sesshomaru nor I are invincible. We can be hurt, and we can be killed. And, should that happen, you two are next in line for the throne. You both need to be ready for when that time comes. However, that doesn't mean that we plan on dying soon. I want this bastard gone as much as the rest of you, but I'm currently not in the condition to do it. That's why, starting tomorrow, I plan on training as hard as I can to become stronger, and you both should do the same."
"Do you really think that we have what it takes to defeat Lord Fukushu?" asked InuRida.
"Of course I do! In fact, we're going to take that bastard down together! That'll show him and everyone else throughout the land not to mess with our clan!" InuYasha smirked confidently. "But Rida, that means that you need to focus more and train harder during your lessons. I will help you as best as I can, but you need to make sure that you're taking your training more seriously."
"I will do my best, Papa!"
"I will also do my best, Papa. I don't plan on losing to anyone."
"That's my pups. Starting tomorrow, we will train as hard as we can to defeat this bastard and show your father that he's not the only one in this family who can defeat Lord Fukushu!"
The twins cheered with their papa as hope filled their hearts and minds. The rest of the night, InuYasha and his pups talked about battle strategies and various new moves they wanted to create during their training sessions. Together, the three of them came up with several plans and moves to practice in their upcoming sessions with their sensei, hoping to impress both the sensei and Sesshomaru. Little did they know that said demon lurked outside of InuYasha's room, listening in on their conversation with a sense of curiosity and pride. Sesshomaru said nothing as he walked away from the door with the lingering feelings swelling in his chest.
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To Be Continued…
