InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Angel ❯ The Meeting Concludes ( Chapter 54 )

Chapter Fifty-Four:

The Meeting Concludes

March

Kagome sighed in content as a cool breeze caressed her skin. It was a nice day today, and she was out in the garden with Shusui and the erhu. Shusui sat smiling at her, erhu in hand.

"Have you given up, Kagome-sama?" Shusui teased with a smirk.

The two had been practicing for about an hour before Kagome had stopped for a break.

"No way," she said, "I plan on mastering this instrument if it is the last thing I do,"

"You could sure as hell use an ass load of practice," said a voice.

Kagome glared up into the large tree at the silver haired hanyou.

"Don't you have anything better to do other than sit here like a thorn in my side?" she resorted.

InuYasha smirked, as he closed his eyes and placed his hands behind his head.

"Nope," he said smugly.

Kagome glared up at him again. With a spark of energy, she pushed the hanyou from the tree, smiling in satisfaction as he tumbled to the ground with a surprised yell.

"Kagome-sama," Shusui warned, wagging her finger, "Sesshomaru-sama said not to use your powers unless absolutely necessary, this you know, my Lady,"

Kagome giggled, "Yes, yes I know. I'm sorry,"

Shusui shook her head in amusement at the woman. She sure did not sound as though she was sorry. InuYasha stood up, grumbling as he dusted himself off.

"I think that is enough practice for today," Shusui said.

"Thank the Gods," InuYasha mumbled.

Kagome cut her eyes at the hanyou, her eyes gleaming.

InuYasha took a step back, his back landing against something solid.

"Now, now, Kagome-sama, I am sure Lord InuYasha did not mean anything by that comment," Shusui said coming over to the glaring woman and gently placing her hands on her shoulders.

InuYasha opened his mouth, intending to let both women know exactly what he meant. Narrowed brown eyes leveled on him from over Kagome's shoulder. Suddenly, InuYasha felt ten years old again. It was…..The Look.

During his childhood, he had received The Look quite often and it still scared him to this day. In The Look, there was the promise of unspeakable evils.

He felt a chill creep up his spine.

He knew that beneath that womanly persona lurked the potential to do him bodily harm. In those eyes death lurked. He clamped his mouth shut as the two women picked up their instruments and headed inside.

He breathed out a sigh of relief as the two disappeared behind the glass double doors leading inside.

Even after all these years she scared him to pieces.

"Shusui has always had a way with you," InuTaisho chuckled from behind him.

InuYasha crossed his arms.

"Keh, yeah right old man," he said to the older male.

InuTaisho chuckled again. He was glad he had come across his son. Originally, he had gone looking for Sesshomaru. A meeting with the decision of whether Sesshomaru was the Lord of the Western lands or InuTaisho was the Lord of the Western lands was scheduled to take place in about an hour, and before that decision was made, he wanted to speak to his son.

For the last few weeks, his son had successfully avoided him. Everyday, he would travel to different villages for the better part of the day, and afterward, he would spend the day with his mate, leaving no time for InuTaisho to speak to him.

InuTaisho was not so foolish as to think this coincidental. He knew it was done with the purpose of avoiding him. However, today, with the meeting only an hour away, Sesshomaru had not gone out, he knew that for a fact. Where his son was, however, he had no idea.

He was certain that he was also suppressing his demonic energy so there was no way for InuTaisho to track him down.

He sighed.

He had known this would not be easy, but he had not expected Sesshomaru to make it even harder.

Sesshomaru was very much his son.

InuTaisho himself recalled how he had made things such as this hard on his own father. Like Sesshomaru, InuTaisho had held his own father in high esteem during his childhood, and just like him, InuTaisho's father had allowed a woman and circumstances to forge a gap between their once close relationship.

Toramaru had been too young to understand back then, and even when he matured and was told the circumstances he still could not build up contempt for his sire let alone the deep rooted hatred InuTaisho had felt for the old man. Looking on it now, he knew, somehow, some God awful way, history had repeated itself.

Despite the vow he had made to himself to never allow such a thing happen to his own children.

Now he understood what his father had gone through. He had long since forgiven his father, even before he understood things as he did now, however, that forgiveness had come too late.

His father had perished before those heartfelt words could be spoken.

InuTaisho had always regretted the way things had ended between him and his father.

He didn't want Sesshomaru to grow up with that same hatred. He didn't want history to repeat its self once more with his own son. He wanted to make things right, now; while they both were still alive.

He turned his attention back to his younger son. There lay more regret. From the last few weeks he had observed his son; his wild ways, his lack of discipline and his loneliness. His son had grown up wild without his guidance. He was grateful that Toramaru had groomed the boy to the best of his abilities, but even Toramaru knew that a boy learned to become a man by watching his own father.

InuTaisho had not had the privilege of demonstrating and teaching his youngest son how to be man. Sesshomaru had learned how long before InuYasha had been born, and judging from the strained relationship between the two brothers, as well as InuYasha lack of social etiquette his eldest son had not seen fit to pass down that knowledge to his little brother.

InuTaisho had not expected him to, judging by the way he had often glared at his little brother when he had been but a pup. His hatred and disdain for the hanyou had been there, bare for the world to see.

Their relationship was something else entirely.

Despite his outward appearance of hatred and anger towards his brother, InuTaisho believe there was still a brotherly connection between the two. A connection neither one could ever sever, it was instinct and instinct to an inu was everything, even if said inu was a Inuyoukai, when it came to instinct it was all the same.

It would take time for those two to mend their relationship and become true brothers. But he would try and mend that relationship at a later date, for now, he would try and fix his son first.

"InuYasha," he said.

"Yeah dad?" InuYasha turned to face his father.

InuTaisho's heart felt ten times lighter. Dad; it seemed as though a thousand years had passed since he heard those words.

"It has come to my attention that you lack proper structure and discipline, no doubt dude to your less than traditional up bringing,"

InuYasha crossed his arms, instantly defensive.

"What of it old man?" he questioned, though he suspected he already knew where this conversation was going.

From the look in his eyes, InuTaisho knew that he knew as well.

"I am pretty sure you know what of it," InuTaisho said, "I want you to join the Western Military. You will learn honor and discipline, the things I have not been able to teach you,"

InuYasha raised a brow. He had not expected that exactly. He had thought his father would demand that he train with him or something like that, but the Western Military? What the hell was he thinking? He wasn't the type of person that the military wanted to recruit. He did not like to obey orders from anyone, nor did he think he would enjoy being a dog of the military.

"No way," he said crossing his arms, scowling at his father, "I ain't joining no Military,"

InuTaisho crossed his own arms, leveling a stern look on his hanyou son.

"I was not asking," he said.

InuYasha felt his father's resolve. It was like he was once more a child again. InuYasha sighed. What a pain in the ass.

"Come on dad! I-"

"Nay, InuYasha, I feel that this is the right decision. Stay in the Military for at least two years, and if you are really dissatisfied you may quit,"

InuYasha growled as he turned and walked away, grumbling as he headed towards the castle. InuTaisho smiled as he disappeared inside. His smile disappeared as he looked up at the sun bright in the sky. It was almost noon, he had less than a half hour to find and speak to Sesshomaru before the meeting.

Concentrating, he reached out with his energy, searching for even a glimpse of his son's energy.

After moments of searching, he found it; a small but traceable amount. He was just outside of the Western Castle gates.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sesshomaru sat beneath a tall oak tree. The hill the tree sat atop over looked the western lands. He closed his eyes. He could not and would not fool himself into thinking that he would be able to keep his lands. He knew the law as well as anyone else; had studied the law since he had been but a pup. It was ingrained into his very soul. There was naught he could do or say to change the outcome of the law.

He was not so arrogant to think he was above the law.

It would make him a hypocrite in the eyes of his people if he tried to fight this and if that happened they would lose all respect for him as their Lord. If he was to lose his lands, title and station, he would do so with the respect of his people. He would not disgrace himself.

He would step down graciously.

Even with his choice unresolved anger still bloomed brightly in his chest. Anger, violent in nature, directed towards his father and the situation. He had never known true hatred before. Now he did. It was a burning, festering living thing that coursed through his entire body like a lethal poison, smothering and burning every vein in his body.

It was all consuming.

It was almost as intense as the emotion he had felt when he found out about the relationship between his parents; almost, but not quite.

His eyes opened as the feeling intensified ten fold, his eyes tinting a light pink, his markings turning jagged. He took an inaudible breath, trying to calm his raging temper.

"Why didn't you just stay dead?" he asked the silent figure standing behind him on the other side of the tree.

InuTaisho felt his heart clench at the softly spoken words. When he had left that day to face the Evil Six he had hoped he would die, had welcomed death to escape his pain, but now,

"I would have had I died," he answered.

The two sat in silence, InuTaisho, not sure what to say, Sesshomaru having nothing to say.

"Sesshomaru," InuTaisho finally said, "I do not wish for us to continue on this way. No matter what happened in the past, despite the mistakes I made with you and with your mother, I am still your father and you are still my son,"

Sesshomaru said nothing.

"Sesshomaru, what happened with your mother was-"

"You will leave this Sesshomaru's mother out of this," he said softly, his voice laced with malice.

"I will do as I please," InuTaisho said just as softly.

InuTaisho closed his eyes and tried to control his own rising temper. He was not used to being spoken to in such a way, least of all by his own son.

Sesshomaru stood.

"Yes, you will do as you please, you are quite good at doing so," Sesshomaru said as he walked away, heading towards the Western Castle.

InuTaisho opened his eyes and watched as his son walked away, his well aimed insult hitting its mark.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The meeting began promptly at noon.

The elders and social class representatives were already seated and awaiting Lord InuTaisho as well as Lord Sesshomaru.

Toramaru sighed.

He had no idea how Sesshomaru would take this decision. Toramaru had tried to sway the other Elders but they had been resolute. Torao wanted Sesshomaru stripped of his lands and titles because in doing so, it would surely damage Sesshomaru's and InuTaisho's relationship which would in turn hurt InuTaisho even more than he already hurt.

He had not budged on that.

The wicked tiger seemed to have had it out for his nephew ever since he had taken up the title some years ago. Toramaru was aware that something had happened between the two years ago, causing the extreme dislike the two held for each other.

He had never pressed his brother for more information, feeling it was not his place to pry into his affairs; however, he was extremely curious now.

At ever chance at a compromise, Elder Torao would reject it.

Kiji had not posed much of a hindrance for he simply wished for the law to be carried out properly. He remained neutral of the entire situation which made that a blessing and a curse. He was not out to hurt neither Sesshomaru nor his brother, however, he would not favor them either.

To him, none was above the law, no matter the person's station, no matter the circumstances, the law was the law.

Toramaru agreed with that logic, however, he still wished that certain circumstance could alter those laws, but he knew that if such a stipulation was allowed others would seek to take advantage of such a thing.

He just hoped everyone was more satisfied with the decision that had been made than Torao had been.

He worried, not only for his family, but for the people of the Western lands. The Territory seemed to be shifting, taking sides; one side wanting Sesshomaru to remain Lord and the other side wanting InuTaisho to return to his position as Lord. He feared unrest with the decision would cause chaos in the Western lands and Gods knew, with members of the Evil Six on the loose, it was not something they needed right now.

All eyes turned to the double doors as they opened. InuTaisho stepped through the door, his face masked of any and all emotion but Toramaru was no fool. His big brother was clearly agitated, however he did not know which son had caused him to be so.

Had InuYasha completely refused to join the Military?

It was possible.

He was inclined to believe that his brother had put his foot down on any and all protests the hanyou might have. His young nephew liked to believe he was tough, however in the face of an authority figure such as brother he was all talk and no bite.

Or perhaps his irritation stemmed from his elder son.

InuTaisho had said he was going to speak to him before the meeting began once he found the angry youkai. Even Toramaru was surprised to see Sesshomaru was hiding from his father, though Sesshomaru would rather die than admit it.

"Gentlemen," he greeted with a bow.

"Lord InuTaisho," everyone greeted returning the bow.

InuTaisho took a seat next Toramaru.

"Were you able to find him?"

InuTaisho sighed at the question, rubbing his eyes.

"Aye, he sat atop a hill under an oak tree overlooking the lands. We exchanged words,"

Toramaru nodded; sympathy apparent in his amber eyes.

"It was nothing more than I expected from him so I am not discouraged," InuTaisho assured his brother.

"I just wish he would understand," Toramaru said as the doors opened again.

Sesshomaru walked through the doors; his face as emotionless as his father's however the slightly jagged markings on his face clearly said otherwise. Not bothering to greet anyone, Sesshomaru took a seat as far away from everyone as acceptable, though the seating was borderline rude.

"I am happy to see everyone here to today," Elder Kiji began, "This meeting shall now commence,"

With the meeting in session, Kiji picked up a scroll and unraveled it. He cleared his throat before reading.

"We, the Elders of the Western, Eastern, and Southern lands, have come to a temporary solution to the issue of the proper Lord of the Western lands. All evidence, laws and circumstances have been taken into consideration and a decision, based on the vote of all three Elders, has bee reached. On two to one vote, the temporary decision is as follows:

Lord InuTaisho and Lord Sesshomaru will become Co-Lords until The Evil Six has been eradicated or the fight against said foes exceeds fifty years. After either of these conditions has occurred, the true Lord of the Western Lands will be chosen.

It is so ordered,"

Eyes widened at the decision. Co-Lords? There had never been more than one Lord for any land in the entire history of Japan. It was unprecedented, unheard of, and borderline crazy!

"Co-Lords? I've never heard of such a thing!" Representative Hikiji exclaimed, "There is no need for such a thing! Lord InuTaisho is the rightful Lord and as such he should take his place as the Lord of the Western lands without fail!"

"Nay! Lard Sesshomaru is our Lard! We is happy ta have Lard InuTaisho back but Lard Sesshomaru is our Lard!" Representative Tikaku exclaimed.

"You have no idea what you speak of! Lord InuTaisho is the proper Lord! If you were half as intelligent as I you would see that Lord InuTaisho is the best choice here!"

"You will cease this pointless arguing in this Sesshomaru's presence,"

Both males stopped, turning to Sesshomaru whose slightly jagged markings had become distinctly jagged.

"I apologize," Hikiji said tightly.

"Me too my Lard. I am sorry," Tikaku said.

Sesshomaru said nothing as the room quieted, too busy trying to control his blistering anger that lay beneath his calm facade as Elder Kiji began to read the conditions of being Co-Lords.

"Lord Sesshomaru and Lord InuTaisho shall rule jointly, and if there are any disputes that the two cannot agree upon a meeting with the Elders shall take place with the Elders acting as arbitrators. If there are any more issue that arise from this decision it will be solved by the Elders,"

Toramaru looked at both his brother and nephew.

"Does either party wish to appeal this decision?" he asked.

"Nay," InuTaisho said.

Everyone turned to look at the silent male. InuTaisho sighed as he looked at the intense emotion burning in his son's eyes. He knew his son would not appeal this decision. He knew as well as InuTaisho did that appealing would do naught but a waste time.

"Lord Sesshomaru," Torao said, a smug look on his face, "do you wish to appeal?"

Though Torao was not happy about the decision, he was satisfied for now. Having the two work as Co-Lords would not only cause conflict between father and son but also in the Western lands, giving him the opportunity he needed to put his own plans into motion. He was sure that this decision would tear the lands apart.

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at the tiger, Torao returned the glare.

"Nay," Sesshomaru said.

"So be it," Torao said.

"This decision will go into affect immediately. Meeting is adjourned," Kiji said.

The room cleared out fast. Hikiji stomping out angrily, Tikaku left just as angry, while Likoyouu left neither angry nor satisfied. Elder Torao left with a smug smile, while Kiji left with the knowledge that the law had been upheld, leaving Toramaru, InuTaisho and Sesshomaru in the room alone.

"Sesshomaru," Toramaru started, "I know you are upset about-"

"You know nothing," Sesshomaru said softly, eyes narrowed, his jagged markings making his face look savage.

Toramaru sighed.

"This was the only decision the other Elders would agree to for now, please, do not blame your father. He did not want to take anything from you, however the law clearly states-"

"Do not tell this Sesshomaru the law. I am well aware of the law of my own land. I have not made any protests to the decision of the Elders so why do you insist this Sesshomaru must understand?" he said as he stood, "I understand the ways of the world and blames none. This issue is not a family issue; it is a legal one and nothing more,"

That said he walked out of the room, irritated with both father and uncle. Nothing could make him hate his father more or less. This legal issue had no bearing on his feelings, or lack there of, for his father. He would be Co-Lords with his father until this situation with the Evil Six was over and done with, but when the final decision was made then he would decide where to go from there.

Whatever happened after this, he wanted to be rid of his father for good.

InuTaisho and Toramaru sat quietly for long moments, each deep in their own thoughts.

"He truly does hate me does he not?" InuTaisho said with a sad smile.

"Sesshomaru and his mother had always been close. Any child would be upset by what occurred at the time of her death," Toramaru said, "I cannot pretend that Sesshomaru is not justified in his feelings, however, he cannot continue to hold this grudge. It hurts him as well as you."

"He will hold his grudge for as long as he pleases," InuTaisho said with a sigh as he stood.

"He is your son after all," Toramaru agreed, "and he is as stubborn as you yourself are,"

"Aye, this I know, however, I have no intention of giving up on my son,"

"I know you do not,"

"Being Co-Lords will give me the chance to work closely with him, I will take advantage of the close confines,"

"I figured you would," Toramaru said with a smile.

It had been Toramaru that had put the Co-Lord solution on the table. He was glad he had.

"Thank you, my brother," InuTaisho said placing a hand on the male's shoulder before leaving the meeting room in search of his younger son.

InuYasha no doubt would need more push to join the military.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kagome and Shusui put their instruments away and went to a private room in which to continue the plans for the May Day festival and await Kagura who had been joining them everyday to help with the planning. So far, everything was coming along great. They had already decided on what type of flowers would be used in the May Day festival.

As the two went over the guest list, Kagura joined the two women a few minutes later.

"Good evening, Kagome, Shusui," she said as she walked into the room.

"Good evening," Shusui said with a smile.

"Good evening Kagura," Kagome said as Kagura took a seat at the table the two women sat at.

"How are you feeling today?" Kagura asked.

Kagome rubbed her belly that, over the course of a few weeks, was beginning to show through her kimono.

"I'm fine, no morning sickness, no mood swings, no fatigue, and no weird cravings as of yet, though Shusui says that Sesshomaru's mother did not get morning sickness and mood swings until her third month of pregnancy, and fatigue and cravings her fifth month," Kagome said.

Shusui nodded.

"Aye, Kaori-sama's pregnancy was much like yours," Shusui said.

Kagome sighed.

"Which brings me to conclude that next month the morning sickness and mood swings will kick in," Kagome giggled, "and here I thought my pregnancy was going to be smooth sailing,"

Kagura looked at the way Kagome glowed, the way she lovingly stroked her swelled belly and could not help but think of Ensei and wonder what it would be like to be pregnant; to have another living being nestled in her womb, to give birth to a being that was a part of her as well as Ensei.

And with those questions came another. Could she actually get pregnant? She had not been created in the traditional sense of being birthed by a mother so could she in turn bring a life into this world?

"….do you think, Kagura?"

Hearing her name being called brought her out of her thoughts. She looked over at Kagome who looked at her inquiringly.

"Hm?" Kagura asked, "I'm sorry, I was deep in though,"

"That's okay," Kagome said with a smile.

"What was it you asked?"

"Entertainment," Kagome said, "What should we do for entertainment? I was thinking of a tournament and perhaps a few competitions,"

Kagura nodded.

"That would certainly be good; it would give everyone something to do during their stay here,"

Kagome nodded.

"That's what I was thinking," Kagome said, "Now we have to come up with what sort of competitions we will have, what sort of prizes we will be giving out and of course I will have to get permission from Sesshomaru to have the competitions and tournament. A tournament has to be cleared by the Lord of the Western lands,"

"That reminds me, is the meeting regarding that supposed to commence today?" Shusui asked Kagome.

Kagome gasped.

"That's right, the meeting had to have ended by now," Kagome said standing.

"Where are you going Kagome-sama?" Shusui asked.

"I have to find out what the decision was,"

"We'll come with you," Shusui said.

"No, you guys stay here. If it's bad news I don't think Sesshomaru will want an audience. I'll be back!" Kagome called over her shoulder as she hurried out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Kagome rushed down the hall, easily pinpointing Sesshomaru's demonic energy. Though he acted cold, aloof and untouchable, Kagome could not help but worry about him. This whole thing with his father was bigger than she thought it was and Sesshomaru's grudge a lot deeper than she had ever dreamed of.

Every time she tried to talk about his father, his anger would surface. He would not speak of his father, would not listen to anything she had to say about family, forgiveness and healing.

He would not hear any of it at all.

Kagome rushed down the stairs, lifting her kimono so she didn't trip as she did so before heading out the double doors leading to the gardens. She walked a few minutes before spotting him sitting under one of the many cherry blossom trees. His amber eyes were shinning with some emotion she could not name, the markings on his face slightly jagged.

She walked up to him.

"What do you here woman?" Sesshomaru asked as she stopped a few inches from him.

"I came to see if you were okay,"

Sesshomaru turned to look at her, a silver brow raised, though he said nothing.

"Would you mind having company?" she asked softly ignoring the raised brow look.

Was it a bad thing that she cared about his feelings? If it was, he could just get over it because she was here and she wasn't leaving until she was satisfied that he was alright.

"Do as you wish," he said, his eyes shifting back to the horizon.

Kagome took a seat on the ground next to him, laying her head on his shoulder. They sat in silence a moment before Kagome asked her question.

"How did the meeting go? Will they let you keep your lands?"

If it had been anyone else, Sesshomaru would have said nothing, but seeing as the future of the Western lands affected her directly, he decided she had a right to know.

"The Elders have decided that we are to be Co-Lords until the Evil Six has been stopped or the fight exceeds fifty years,"

"Co-Lords?" she asked.

She had wanted such a thing for her and Sesshomaru, with InuTaisho back how could she have such a thing now? She doubted that the Elders would allow her to be a Co-Lord with Sesshomaru, not after they had worked so hard to take away her Northern lands.

"That is good news then," Kagome said.

"Nay, it merely prolongs the final decision. I would have the final decision now rather than this temporary solution nonsense,"

"But you get to keep your lands,"

"For now, woman, I hold no illusions as to who the final decision will favor,"

"But they can't just take your lands and leave you with nothing," Kagome reasoned.

"Did they not do so to you, Kagome, or have you forgotten?"

Kagome sighed.

"No, I haven't forgotten," she said.

Speaking of her lands…

"What about my- I mean the Northern lands?" she asked.

"The Northern lands became apart of the Western lands the moment we mated. There are no Northern lands any more. The Northern lands are the Western lands,"

She hadn't realized that. She had thought the Northern lands would remain the Northern lands, but just be under a new ruler. With the Northern lands becoming the Western lands, the Western lands was now the largest Territory in Japan with more power and military backing to easily take over the Eastern and Southern lands.

"If they do decide to give the lands to Lord InuTaisho, what will we do?"

Kagome sat up as Sesshomaru stood and then turned to help her up as well.

"You need not worry about anything. No matter the outcome I will provide sufficient care for you and our pups,"

"I know that but-"

"There is no but, come, we will have lunch together,"

Kagome sighed. She knew he was eating lunch with her abruptly so she wouldn't ask any more questions.

She would leave it alone for now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Laters!

~Sessakag