Authors note: Thank you for the reviews!
Inu-fan 24: Yes I certainly agree. Had Toga been part of Sesshomaru's life, he would have turned out much more naturally compassionate like his fafher. Let's be honest -- Inkimi was abusive. There's no other way to see it. Poor puppy-ru. I always look forward to your reviews! :3
SaltMango: Absolutely! Sesshomaru realizing that Rin is the light of his life is one thing. Admitting it, is something else entirely.
Chapter 26 - Forgotten
Unoshiro. The Cloud Castle. The most beautiful place on earth — in Sesshomaru's opinion. Though he had little exposure to anywhere else. One day, he would become a great demon like his father. He would rule over all the western lands. The young pup stood in his mother's hall, before the only mirror in the palace. They were quite rare, according to his mother, serving only for vanity… something she said with distain. Yet he found her gazing into it quite often.
Mother seemed to always be full of contradictions. She would say silly things like, he was her favorite son — even though he was her only son. And a moment later she would say that he was a spoiled ungrateful brat. Sesshomaru had grown to realize his mother had a cold heart, and did not love him. Regardless of what her lips spoke.
But father — his father was like no other. Powerful. Kind. Brave. Gentle. Loving. He was everything that Inkimi wasn't. Often his father Toga had to leave, as such was his job as Inu no Taishō over the western lands. Sesshomaru always looked eagerly forward to his father's return. A break from the monotony and coldness of his mother's presence.
Inkimi demanded strict and immediate obedience from her son. I the name of "training" him to be the lord he was destined to be. she subjected him to every sort of instructor she could find on every imaginable subject. History, geography, warfare, philosophy, strategy, aristocratic socialization, physical training… and more. Sesshomaru hated it. Sometimes, he believed that hated Inkimi too.
With a sigh, he turned away from the mirror. There wasn't much to see. It would be years yet until he was a warrior. He was but a gangly pup, eager to please his father, the heroic warrior.
The sound of raised voices drew his attention. His mothers was sharp and shrill. The other low, an attempt at soothing.
Father is back!
Eagerly Sesshomaru raced toward the palace steps, where his mother's throne sat. As he drew nearer, he slowed, then stopped behind the marble columns. Occasionally he had heard his parents argue. Usually Inkimi complaining about something, and Toga listening patiently for her to air her grievances against him. But this time was different.
"—-cannot be so cold. He is becoming a young man. He needs a mother who nurtures his soul. Not one who cuts him down at every opportunity."
Are they talking about… me?
"I am giving him the best possible life he can have. He will become the greatest demon to walk this land. He will walk the path of supreme conquest."
There was a sound, like a fist hitting something wooden.
"Damnit Kimi. Don't you see that there are more important things in this world than conquering?! You would teach him to despise all beings who are not like us. There is value in all life. There are lessons that you do not have the capability to teach him."
"And you can?" Inkimi chuckled in her demeaning way. "Come now Toga, don't be so silly. Let's go to bed. I can ease your tension, and we can discuss it tomorrow."
There were several heartbeats of silence, and the air seemed to grow colder.
"I told you Inkimi. I will not take your bed again. You cannot seduce me into acquiescence."
The silence extended longer this time. Sesshomaru knew from experience that his mother was calculating her next words.
"Then, you are no longer welcome here Toga. Leave. Immediately."
Sesshomaru felt his heart drop to his feet, against his better judgement he peered out around the marble column. His father stood facing him. Their eyes met, gold to gold.
"Not without speaking to my son."
"You have no further business with Sesshomaru. He will not be influenced by your rather unusual traits and feelings toward lower beings. I will not have his mind polluted." Inkimi swung a hand out. "Leave."
The great dog demon's eyes remained on his son.
"You can banish me Inkimi, but my son will always know my love for him. That I desire only the very best for him and his soul. Someday, despite your best efforts to taint him, he will find happiness in this world. He will be compassionate, and he will show love for those he protects." Toga's eyes shifted to Inkimi. "You, however, with your cold heart, I am sure will remain alone. Your hatred and contempt, will only push him farther away from you."
It was uncommon for Inkimi to lose her detached demeanor. With a snarling scream she lashed out, scratching Toga across the face and leaving three ragged gashes that bled. The great demon lord absorbed the blow, then sighed and cracked his neck.
"Goodbye Inkimi."
"No!" Sesshomaru raced out from his hiding place and grasped onto Togas mokomoko. "Father please do not leave!" His young voice trembled with desperation. If Toga left… who would show the young lord any kindness? No one. Toga was the only warmth in his life. Tears burned his eyes, though they did not fall. "Please!"
Compassion overwhelmed Toga's features, and he bent down to pull his young son into a hug.
"Sesshomaru, you will always be my son. I will always be thinking of you, even when we are apart. If you should ever need me, all you need to do is call. Or, you can whistle if you wish. Distance is no matter. I will come to you." The lord pulled back and cupped his son's face. "Don't neglect compassion. All beings deserve our protection."
Gritting his teeth against the pain he felt in his chest, Sesshomaru tried to focus on his fathers words.
"You will be a great lord one day Sesshomaru." Toga's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "When you gain so much power, remember to protect the ones you love. There is no more worthy cause in this world."
"I need you father… please don't go…" Sesshomaru clung to him.
Toga gently pulled away. "I love you, son."
Inkimi stood, cold and disapproving beside Sesshomaru. As soon as Toga stepped back, she placed a hand on her son's shoulder. Together, they watched as the Inu no Taishō rose into the sky and disappeared into the clouds.
"Stop crying." Her voice was sharp as a blade. "Disregard that nonsense your father spouted. He's silly and prone to being emotional."
Turning, she eyed her son, who still struggled to hold back his tears. The sharp sting of her slap on his cheek, startled him, he took a step back while placing a hand on his face where it stung.
"I said stop crying."
Looking down, he nodded in silence. Though his tears dried up, the ache in his chest had not abated.
"You must never cry again. Do you understand Sesshomaru?"
"Yes mother." A dark type of deep anger simmered in his chest. She was the reason that father wouldn't return. His eyes lifted to her face, narrowed and dangerous. He had never dared to look upon her showing such open emotion, or with such rage. "I will do as you say for as long as I am here. But know… someday, I will leave Unoshiro. On that day, I will never return."
The startled look on her face was more than enough to satisfy him. The terror spelled deep in her gold eyes filled a need that he didn't know was there. Feeling powerful, Sesshomaru turned and swept from the veranda, back toward the marble hallway. His mokomoko rippled dramatically in the wind behind him.