InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Another Opens... ❯ The Packsecond ( Chapter 24 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Namiyo11 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.27.2008 | Pages: 5 | Words: 3.0K | Visits: 212 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.27.2008 | Pages: 5 | Words: 3.0K | Visits: 212 | Status: Completed
Chapter 24- The Packsecond
Recap: The group parts, with most going to their respective homes. Inuyasha and Kagome remain at the Keep with Sesshomaru. Kouga plots and the Panthers still lurk. What happens now? Read on!
Inuyasha was in trouble.
“There is also the matter of the guard disposition for the next month, my Lord. And there are several seeking audience with you regarding minor disputes. These,” more scrolls were placed before the dismayed hanyou, “are the troop estimates for the next season, and we have reports of the latest mortal factions to be looked over and risk assessments must be made. I also have the armory inventory and supply information for the Keep for you to examine, my Lord,” Shuji continued serenely, kneeling before him in the writing room of his and Kagome’s chambers. The slim, short Inu bowed again in his calm, understated blue kimono. He’d shown up this morning, and in ten minutes...had succeeded where little else in the world ever had.
Shuji, secretary and assistant to the Packsecond-had managed to scare the new boss. It didn’t matter to him that the Packsecond was a hanyou, Inuyasha realized. He’d served Kagome in this role before, after all, and didn’t care. Just so long as the seemingly endless pile of papers was seen to.
This had to be a joke.
“Ha ha. Tell Kagome she got me. Real funny,” he said, shoving the papers back.
“My Lord,” an offended expression crossed Shuji’s features, “I never joke. These are yours to oversee as packsecond, my Lord. Part of your duties.”
“This isn’t a joke...?” Ears went flat as Shuji just looked at him.
“No, my Lord. In fact, I have some other things for you to look over-”
***
“He’s had about ten minutes with Shuji-should I go rescue him?” Kagome asked her packleader as she poured tea for him in his own writing room.
“No. This will be instructive,” Sesshomaru answered, and both looked up at a scream.
“If he shreds Shuji-” Kagome began, and the Lord merely shrugged.
“Another secretary can be found,” a pause, “if not as talented a one as Shuji.” They both listened as two pairs of footsteps came to the doors to Sesshomaru’s chambers. One firm and fast, the other trotting behind.
They heard the guards come to attention and the door slid open.
“What the fuck is that, and who the hell sicced him on me?” Inuyasha barked, jerking a thumb behind him. Shuji. Still following him patiently.
“My Lord, we still-” He slid the door shut in Shuji’s face. Leaning against it, hands braced, Inuyasha looked rather alarmed.
“Something is wrong, packsecond?” Sesshomaru inquired. Kagome didn’t have the stoneface down, though. She giggled.
“I knew it was a damned joke! Not funny,” Inuyasha groused, and she smiled.
“Shuji never jokes,” Kagome answered honestly.
“He has been secretary to three packseconds now, I would advise retaining him in his role. Has he done something to offend you?” Sesshomaru noted gravely. Packbond was a rather useful thing. Inuyasha realized-
“How many fucking practical jokes do you pull?” he managed, pointing at Sesshomaru.
“Oh, Shuji’s no joke. And you’d better get cracking on that paperwork. That’s half the job of being packsecond, you know,” Kagome commented, smiling the grin of the no longer responsible for it.
“Damned paperwork??” he sputtered, and both of his packmates smiled.
“Did you believe the Clan runs on a hand wave?” Sesshomaru asked.
“I wish. I’m just glad I don’t have to do it anymore,” Kagome muttered, and offered tea. That was refused with a scowl.
“Pushing all the work on me, wench? Should’ve guessed!”
“Hardly. I get the harvest tallies, and the requests for marriage and mating alliances Sesshomaru doesn’t want to deal with, and disputes too, and oversee running this Keep! I had to do both before, you know! Want to trade?” she asked sweetly.
“Feh. When the hell did you have the time to go chasing after us or Naraku, Sesshomaru?” Inuyasha demanded, and his elder brother shrugged.
“Merely effective management and a good staff.”
“It does get easier once you learn it all and get used to it. I felt overwhelmed too at first, Inuyasha. There’s a lot to it,” Kagome noted soothingly.
“Who said that? If you did it, I can,” Inuyasha said bluntly, lifting his chin.
“Then I guess you don’t need any help,” Kagome commented, and his eyes widened.
“I-never said that,” he frowned.
“With my Lord Sesshomaru’s permission, of course,” she added playfully.
***
“See, it’s not so bad. These only get done every season. It’s the Guard reports you have to watch,” she sorted the last pile and grinned.
“This is crazy,” Inuyasha scowled. “I don’t do this baka crap!”
“You do now. I told you, you were welcome to it. Remember? Besides, your mom was a noble too, don’t mortal Lords do this stuff?” Kagome smiled encouragingly at him in the writing room they were currently sharing as they knelt next to the table.
“Probably,” he grumbled.
“Oh, don’t be grumpy,” she asked. A clawed hand ruffled his ears and he made a face. “Come on. I’ll help, I said.”
“Feh.”
“Feh, my foot.”
For awhile, he did look over them. It was startling. Not so much for what it was, pretty normal from what little he remembered...but that he was doing this at all. Inuyasha rose and left when it all hit him, sitting with his wife looking over Clan matters in the Keep of his Father...leaving her openmouthed.
It was too much.
The set of his shoulders and his scent...told her she shouldn’t follow. But Kagome didn’t know why. Figuring incorrectly it was just a sulk, she had no interest in chasing him.
***
‘No damned space,’ he scowled to himself. The gardens had trees-and gardeners. The whole damned place was busy. Until he smelled it. Open and empty. Behind a high wall.
Not a hard jump.
What was on the other side was just what he needed right then. It looked oddly like someone had walled up a portion of the countryside and left it as is. Finding a small grove, he leapt into a tree, clutching Tetsusaiga. Inuyasha breathed in the scents here, heard birds in the distance, and shivered. He felt very out of place here.
He was alone-at least he thought so. Until an amused voice spoke from beneath the tree.
“Not bad.” He peered down and scowled at a scared, grizzled looking Inu standing there. He looked more like a bear, really. He was tall and powerfully built, with long grey hair pulled into a tail and a massive sword slung over his shoulder. In his worn but well kept armor, he held himself with a lightness that belied his size. The old warrior looked like he could break most youkai over one knee if he wished.
“Well? Come down, boy. Have a look at you,” he instructed, and the hanyou scowled.
“Fuck off!” Inuyasha yelled. At that, the Inu drew his sword and spun in one beautiful movement. And the tree was sliced in half! It went over with a crash, and he jumped free, landing lightly as he drew Tetsusaiga.
“Slow draw. Sloppy landing. Well? Come at me, boy.”
“What the hell are you playing at? You want it, you’ve got it!” Inuyasha yelled. The scared Inu merely-fuck! He was fast! As soon as Inuyasha made a move, he was on the hanyou before he had time to unleash a kaze no kizu. Their blades met repeatedly, and the male merely frowned.
“Awkward style. Too showy. Could’ve disarmed you half dozen times now,” he said-and wasn’t breathing hard. Unlike Inuyasha.
“Screw you!” He could have, actually, and it scared the hanyou.
“Rude as well.” To Inuyasha’s shock, their blades bound-but he didn’t disarm the hanyou. Instead he shoved the hanyou onto his rump and leapt back.
“Crap.”
“Not bad overall. Needs work-but can be salvaged,” a pause. “See the claws now, boy,” the clearly insane Inu said.
“You want to see my claws, you old bastard?! Fine!” he snapped. Inuyasha sheathed the sword and dove. His first mistake. He ended up eating dirt. Stubbornly, he got up and tried again. And again. Inuyasha was furious, he was being played with and knew it. But pride wouldn’t let him give up. He’d tried not to kill him...but now-
“Come on!” the old warrior barked impatiently.
“Sankontessou!” His opponent...smiled? He deftly avoided the blow, twisting like an otter and moving almost too fast to see in a strange series of moves-but the hanyou discovered his purpose in them when he became airborne and landed in a small pond with a splash. Inuyasha wasn’t sure who this crazy warrior was-but he was good. Very good. Damn.
“Hm. Seen enough,” his opponent allowed as Inuyasha sputtered. To the hanyou’s confusion, a clawed hand was offered to him to help him out. He backed away.
“Who-”
“Musha, Armsmaster of the Clan, Packsecond,” Musha answered mildly. The hanyou shook water out of his eyes-and took the hand cautiously.
“Huh. I see why, I guess,” he allowed as he got pulled out. Shaking himself, he made a face.
“Suppose you do,” Musha said. Inuyasha did note though...this Musha neither called him ‘Lord’ or treated him like someone important. Kinda nice, really. A little normalcy.
“Well?” the hanyou panted.
“Your Father’s claws and his mouth. Izayoi’s stubbornness. You rely too much on the kaze no kizu to protect yourself, claw work’s rusty and unschooled and your footwork’s lousy. A wonder you’re still breathing, boy,” Musha commented with a head shake as Inuyasha’s eyes widened. He had the sense that Musha wasn’t being insulting, merely honest.
“How-I...who are you to speak of my Mother?” Golden eyes went hard.
“Knew her. Liked her,” Musha said with a shrug. The hanyou was astonished. “Come,” Musha gestured, and too shocked to do anything else, he followed.
He was led to a real practice hall that was set discretely in the corner of the wide expanse. He was told to sit on the wide walkway-and did so. Musha might as well have said ‘osuwari’.
The Armsmaster sat comfortably and said nothing. Inuyasha had no idea what to say. Noting this, the old Inu snorted.
“Relax, boy. Meant no harm. Wanted to test you, see what I need to fix.”
“Fix? Like-teaching me?” That got his attention. This warrior was good. Better than Sesshomaru had been when they fought. Musha just nodded, amused. The new Packsecond could order him to train him...but didn’t even think of it. Interesting. He idly wondered if Inuyasha had even realized he’d come to Musha’s domain in the Keep. Probably not.
“Sesshomaru hasn’t time now,” Musha opined.
“Feh. He never taught me anything!” Inuyasha scoffed. The Inu just looked at him.
“Didn’t he, boy? You’re alive.” Sesshomaru had tried to kill him all those times-hadn't he? Inuyasha remembered...the first time...the first time he'd been old enough to challenge him.
***
He'd been young. Not more than thirty years old and they'd met again. Hadn't seen each other since-well. It had been awhile. Inuyasha had been small last time.
"You are in my way," the lord looked coldly at the hanyou, still alive-much to Sesshomaru‘s surprise. Alive and daring to meet his gaze, refusing to give ground as he ought to. They stood at either end of a rope bridge and glared at each other.
"Well, if it isn't the high and mighty Sesshomaru. Didn't expect to see you either. Get out of my way, and maybe I won't sharpen my claws on you," he shot back, with a nervousness he locked down and hid tightly.
"Do not press your good fortune in surviving this long, little outcast." The insult stung, he'd lunged...and they'd fought each other-finally breaking apart-
He'd learned a lot from the fight, and from the ones that followed...
***
“No. He wanted me dead.” A headshake.
“If he had wanted that, he’d have killed you when you still lived with the mortals, boy,” Musha shrugged.
“How the hell do you know all this shit? I am not a boy, damn it!” Inuyasha demanded, turning to glare.
“Fight like one. Talk like one. Makes you one.”
“You want another match? Fine, you old-” he was shoved back down as he tried to get up.
“Not now. Tomorrow. Sesshomaru first in the mornings. Kagome’s next. Then you. Afternoons are for Guard classes.”
“You-spar with both of them?” Another shrug.
“Want to see the Hijinkessou tomorrow. We’ll see if you’re as lazy and bad with Inutaisho’s other weapon.” Inuyasha paled, looking at his hands.
“His...”
“Didn’t know? You got his powers. Sesshomaru got his Mother’s. But your Father’s Sankontessou was better directed. Claws and hand to hand for now. Still weak there,” he saw Inuyasha start puffing up, and fixed him with a knowing look.
“I ain’t-”
“You trust too much to the brute strength in your claws. Strength is useless without focus.”
“Have anything good to say?”
“Get used to criticism. In here, I show throat to no one, boy. You want scraping and crawling, find that imp.”
“Guess you think you’ve earned it,” Inuyasha had to admit it-he rather liked this Inu. Tough old bastard.
“I have,” Musha said flatly. A pity he hadn’t gotten to train him young. There was a lot of promise there. He’d learned much from their short duel. Inuyasha’s movements were still feral in many ways, but damn if he wasn’t good. A natural, but to be expected from a hanyou of his age. With some training, he’d be remarkable.
“Alright, I’ll be here.”
“Good. Now-I’ve work, ” Musha rose, and the hanyou hesitated.
“Wait-you said...you knew my Mother?”
“Brave woman. Liked her. Talk of her again, later. When you’ve earned it,” he said, and left the hanyou sitting there.
***
Rin was the one who found him, coming in by the gate he’d ignored. She skipped past, humming, and stopped when she saw him on the porch.
“Hello! Oh, you look sad, my Lord. I am sorry, can I help?” she offered, coming over.
“Huh? No kid. Just-thinking. And it’s Inuyasha.”
“I will leave then. I am sorry to bother you, Inuyasha,” she said politely.
“It’s alright. What are you doing here, kid?” he finally looked up as he asked.
“Master Musha lets me pick flowers here-so long as I do not bother anyone and he is not teaching. He is very strong, but very kind to Rin.”
“He does? Huh,” he looked down, and Rin smiled. To his surprise, she patted his arm gently.
“It will be well. You are home now,” she said kindly, and headed away.
“Hey, Rin?”
“Yes, Inuyasha?”“Thanks, kid.”
She smiled and trotted off. Inuyasha had come here to get away for a bit-and ended up with more questions. Home? Was this his home now? He didn’t know. Briefly, he wondered what Miroku was up to...
Author’s notes-I used a lot of Japanese in this one. Hijinkessou? That's Inuyasha's 'Blades of blood' attack in the anime. Sankontessou is ‘iron reaver soul stealer’ in the English dub as well. Say hello to Musha! He sort of showed up and insisted he be in this chapter. Shuji actually means secretary according to my online dictionary. Second to the last chapter in AO at last! Thanks for Reading!- Namiyo
Recap: The group parts, with most going to their respective homes. Inuyasha and Kagome remain at the Keep with Sesshomaru. Kouga plots and the Panthers still lurk. What happens now? Read on!
Inuyasha was in trouble.
“There is also the matter of the guard disposition for the next month, my Lord. And there are several seeking audience with you regarding minor disputes. These,” more scrolls were placed before the dismayed hanyou, “are the troop estimates for the next season, and we have reports of the latest mortal factions to be looked over and risk assessments must be made. I also have the armory inventory and supply information for the Keep for you to examine, my Lord,” Shuji continued serenely, kneeling before him in the writing room of his and Kagome’s chambers. The slim, short Inu bowed again in his calm, understated blue kimono. He’d shown up this morning, and in ten minutes...had succeeded where little else in the world ever had.
Shuji, secretary and assistant to the Packsecond-had managed to scare the new boss. It didn’t matter to him that the Packsecond was a hanyou, Inuyasha realized. He’d served Kagome in this role before, after all, and didn’t care. Just so long as the seemingly endless pile of papers was seen to.
This had to be a joke.
“Ha ha. Tell Kagome she got me. Real funny,” he said, shoving the papers back.
“My Lord,” an offended expression crossed Shuji’s features, “I never joke. These are yours to oversee as packsecond, my Lord. Part of your duties.”
“This isn’t a joke...?” Ears went flat as Shuji just looked at him.
“No, my Lord. In fact, I have some other things for you to look over-”
***
“He’s had about ten minutes with Shuji-should I go rescue him?” Kagome asked her packleader as she poured tea for him in his own writing room.
“No. This will be instructive,” Sesshomaru answered, and both looked up at a scream.
“If he shreds Shuji-” Kagome began, and the Lord merely shrugged.
“Another secretary can be found,” a pause, “if not as talented a one as Shuji.” They both listened as two pairs of footsteps came to the doors to Sesshomaru’s chambers. One firm and fast, the other trotting behind.
They heard the guards come to attention and the door slid open.
“What the fuck is that, and who the hell sicced him on me?” Inuyasha barked, jerking a thumb behind him. Shuji. Still following him patiently.
“My Lord, we still-” He slid the door shut in Shuji’s face. Leaning against it, hands braced, Inuyasha looked rather alarmed.
“Something is wrong, packsecond?” Sesshomaru inquired. Kagome didn’t have the stoneface down, though. She giggled.
“I knew it was a damned joke! Not funny,” Inuyasha groused, and she smiled.
“Shuji never jokes,” Kagome answered honestly.
“He has been secretary to three packseconds now, I would advise retaining him in his role. Has he done something to offend you?” Sesshomaru noted gravely. Packbond was a rather useful thing. Inuyasha realized-
“How many fucking practical jokes do you pull?” he managed, pointing at Sesshomaru.
“Oh, Shuji’s no joke. And you’d better get cracking on that paperwork. That’s half the job of being packsecond, you know,” Kagome commented, smiling the grin of the no longer responsible for it.
“Damned paperwork??” he sputtered, and both of his packmates smiled.
“Did you believe the Clan runs on a hand wave?” Sesshomaru asked.
“I wish. I’m just glad I don’t have to do it anymore,” Kagome muttered, and offered tea. That was refused with a scowl.
“Pushing all the work on me, wench? Should’ve guessed!”
“Hardly. I get the harvest tallies, and the requests for marriage and mating alliances Sesshomaru doesn’t want to deal with, and disputes too, and oversee running this Keep! I had to do both before, you know! Want to trade?” she asked sweetly.
“Feh. When the hell did you have the time to go chasing after us or Naraku, Sesshomaru?” Inuyasha demanded, and his elder brother shrugged.
“Merely effective management and a good staff.”
“It does get easier once you learn it all and get used to it. I felt overwhelmed too at first, Inuyasha. There’s a lot to it,” Kagome noted soothingly.
“Who said that? If you did it, I can,” Inuyasha said bluntly, lifting his chin.
“Then I guess you don’t need any help,” Kagome commented, and his eyes widened.
“I-never said that,” he frowned.
“With my Lord Sesshomaru’s permission, of course,” she added playfully.
***
“See, it’s not so bad. These only get done every season. It’s the Guard reports you have to watch,” she sorted the last pile and grinned.
“This is crazy,” Inuyasha scowled. “I don’t do this baka crap!”
“You do now. I told you, you were welcome to it. Remember? Besides, your mom was a noble too, don’t mortal Lords do this stuff?” Kagome smiled encouragingly at him in the writing room they were currently sharing as they knelt next to the table.
“Probably,” he grumbled.
“Oh, don’t be grumpy,” she asked. A clawed hand ruffled his ears and he made a face. “Come on. I’ll help, I said.”
“Feh.”
“Feh, my foot.”
For awhile, he did look over them. It was startling. Not so much for what it was, pretty normal from what little he remembered...but that he was doing this at all. Inuyasha rose and left when it all hit him, sitting with his wife looking over Clan matters in the Keep of his Father...leaving her openmouthed.
It was too much.
The set of his shoulders and his scent...told her she shouldn’t follow. But Kagome didn’t know why. Figuring incorrectly it was just a sulk, she had no interest in chasing him.
***
‘No damned space,’ he scowled to himself. The gardens had trees-and gardeners. The whole damned place was busy. Until he smelled it. Open and empty. Behind a high wall.
Not a hard jump.
What was on the other side was just what he needed right then. It looked oddly like someone had walled up a portion of the countryside and left it as is. Finding a small grove, he leapt into a tree, clutching Tetsusaiga. Inuyasha breathed in the scents here, heard birds in the distance, and shivered. He felt very out of place here.
He was alone-at least he thought so. Until an amused voice spoke from beneath the tree.
“Not bad.” He peered down and scowled at a scared, grizzled looking Inu standing there. He looked more like a bear, really. He was tall and powerfully built, with long grey hair pulled into a tail and a massive sword slung over his shoulder. In his worn but well kept armor, he held himself with a lightness that belied his size. The old warrior looked like he could break most youkai over one knee if he wished.
“Well? Come down, boy. Have a look at you,” he instructed, and the hanyou scowled.
“Fuck off!” Inuyasha yelled. At that, the Inu drew his sword and spun in one beautiful movement. And the tree was sliced in half! It went over with a crash, and he jumped free, landing lightly as he drew Tetsusaiga.
“Slow draw. Sloppy landing. Well? Come at me, boy.”
“What the hell are you playing at? You want it, you’ve got it!” Inuyasha yelled. The scared Inu merely-fuck! He was fast! As soon as Inuyasha made a move, he was on the hanyou before he had time to unleash a kaze no kizu. Their blades met repeatedly, and the male merely frowned.
“Awkward style. Too showy. Could’ve disarmed you half dozen times now,” he said-and wasn’t breathing hard. Unlike Inuyasha.
“Screw you!” He could have, actually, and it scared the hanyou.
“Rude as well.” To Inuyasha’s shock, their blades bound-but he didn’t disarm the hanyou. Instead he shoved the hanyou onto his rump and leapt back.
“Crap.”
“Not bad overall. Needs work-but can be salvaged,” a pause. “See the claws now, boy,” the clearly insane Inu said.
“You want to see my claws, you old bastard?! Fine!” he snapped. Inuyasha sheathed the sword and dove. His first mistake. He ended up eating dirt. Stubbornly, he got up and tried again. And again. Inuyasha was furious, he was being played with and knew it. But pride wouldn’t let him give up. He’d tried not to kill him...but now-
“Come on!” the old warrior barked impatiently.
“Sankontessou!” His opponent...smiled? He deftly avoided the blow, twisting like an otter and moving almost too fast to see in a strange series of moves-but the hanyou discovered his purpose in them when he became airborne and landed in a small pond with a splash. Inuyasha wasn’t sure who this crazy warrior was-but he was good. Very good. Damn.
“Hm. Seen enough,” his opponent allowed as Inuyasha sputtered. To the hanyou’s confusion, a clawed hand was offered to him to help him out. He backed away.
“Who-”
“Musha, Armsmaster of the Clan, Packsecond,” Musha answered mildly. The hanyou shook water out of his eyes-and took the hand cautiously.
“Huh. I see why, I guess,” he allowed as he got pulled out. Shaking himself, he made a face.
“Suppose you do,” Musha said. Inuyasha did note though...this Musha neither called him ‘Lord’ or treated him like someone important. Kinda nice, really. A little normalcy.
“Well?” the hanyou panted.
“Your Father’s claws and his mouth. Izayoi’s stubbornness. You rely too much on the kaze no kizu to protect yourself, claw work’s rusty and unschooled and your footwork’s lousy. A wonder you’re still breathing, boy,” Musha commented with a head shake as Inuyasha’s eyes widened. He had the sense that Musha wasn’t being insulting, merely honest.
“How-I...who are you to speak of my Mother?” Golden eyes went hard.
“Knew her. Liked her,” Musha said with a shrug. The hanyou was astonished. “Come,” Musha gestured, and too shocked to do anything else, he followed.
He was led to a real practice hall that was set discretely in the corner of the wide expanse. He was told to sit on the wide walkway-and did so. Musha might as well have said ‘osuwari’.
The Armsmaster sat comfortably and said nothing. Inuyasha had no idea what to say. Noting this, the old Inu snorted.
“Relax, boy. Meant no harm. Wanted to test you, see what I need to fix.”
“Fix? Like-teaching me?” That got his attention. This warrior was good. Better than Sesshomaru had been when they fought. Musha just nodded, amused. The new Packsecond could order him to train him...but didn’t even think of it. Interesting. He idly wondered if Inuyasha had even realized he’d come to Musha’s domain in the Keep. Probably not.
“Sesshomaru hasn’t time now,” Musha opined.
“Feh. He never taught me anything!” Inuyasha scoffed. The Inu just looked at him.
“Didn’t he, boy? You’re alive.” Sesshomaru had tried to kill him all those times-hadn't he? Inuyasha remembered...the first time...the first time he'd been old enough to challenge him.
***
He'd been young. Not more than thirty years old and they'd met again. Hadn't seen each other since-well. It had been awhile. Inuyasha had been small last time.
"You are in my way," the lord looked coldly at the hanyou, still alive-much to Sesshomaru‘s surprise. Alive and daring to meet his gaze, refusing to give ground as he ought to. They stood at either end of a rope bridge and glared at each other.
"Well, if it isn't the high and mighty Sesshomaru. Didn't expect to see you either. Get out of my way, and maybe I won't sharpen my claws on you," he shot back, with a nervousness he locked down and hid tightly.
"Do not press your good fortune in surviving this long, little outcast." The insult stung, he'd lunged...and they'd fought each other-finally breaking apart-
He'd learned a lot from the fight, and from the ones that followed...
***
“No. He wanted me dead.” A headshake.
“If he had wanted that, he’d have killed you when you still lived with the mortals, boy,” Musha shrugged.
“How the hell do you know all this shit? I am not a boy, damn it!” Inuyasha demanded, turning to glare.
“Fight like one. Talk like one. Makes you one.”
“You want another match? Fine, you old-” he was shoved back down as he tried to get up.
“Not now. Tomorrow. Sesshomaru first in the mornings. Kagome’s next. Then you. Afternoons are for Guard classes.”
“You-spar with both of them?” Another shrug.
“Want to see the Hijinkessou tomorrow. We’ll see if you’re as lazy and bad with Inutaisho’s other weapon.” Inuyasha paled, looking at his hands.
“His...”
“Didn’t know? You got his powers. Sesshomaru got his Mother’s. But your Father’s Sankontessou was better directed. Claws and hand to hand for now. Still weak there,” he saw Inuyasha start puffing up, and fixed him with a knowing look.
“I ain’t-”
“You trust too much to the brute strength in your claws. Strength is useless without focus.”
“Have anything good to say?”
“Get used to criticism. In here, I show throat to no one, boy. You want scraping and crawling, find that imp.”
“Guess you think you’ve earned it,” Inuyasha had to admit it-he rather liked this Inu. Tough old bastard.
“I have,” Musha said flatly. A pity he hadn’t gotten to train him young. There was a lot of promise there. He’d learned much from their short duel. Inuyasha’s movements were still feral in many ways, but damn if he wasn’t good. A natural, but to be expected from a hanyou of his age. With some training, he’d be remarkable.
“Alright, I’ll be here.”
“Good. Now-I’ve work, ” Musha rose, and the hanyou hesitated.
“Wait-you said...you knew my Mother?”
“Brave woman. Liked her. Talk of her again, later. When you’ve earned it,” he said, and left the hanyou sitting there.
***
Rin was the one who found him, coming in by the gate he’d ignored. She skipped past, humming, and stopped when she saw him on the porch.
“Hello! Oh, you look sad, my Lord. I am sorry, can I help?” she offered, coming over.
“Huh? No kid. Just-thinking. And it’s Inuyasha.”
“I will leave then. I am sorry to bother you, Inuyasha,” she said politely.
“It’s alright. What are you doing here, kid?” he finally looked up as he asked.
“Master Musha lets me pick flowers here-so long as I do not bother anyone and he is not teaching. He is very strong, but very kind to Rin.”
“He does? Huh,” he looked down, and Rin smiled. To his surprise, she patted his arm gently.
“It will be well. You are home now,” she said kindly, and headed away.
“Hey, Rin?”
“Yes, Inuyasha?”“Thanks, kid.”
She smiled and trotted off. Inuyasha had come here to get away for a bit-and ended up with more questions. Home? Was this his home now? He didn’t know. Briefly, he wondered what Miroku was up to...
Author’s notes-I used a lot of Japanese in this one. Hijinkessou? That's Inuyasha's 'Blades of blood' attack in the anime. Sankontessou is ‘iron reaver soul stealer’ in the English dub as well. Say hello to Musha! He sort of showed up and insisted he be in this chapter. Shuji actually means secretary according to my online dictionary. Second to the last chapter in AO at last! Thanks for Reading!- Namiyo