InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ In the Beginning... ❯ The Gift ( Chapter 1 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

~*A/N: Ok, so Sesshomaru isn't necessarily my favorite character, but I do have respect for him. He always stays calm and cool, and I can't help but ask myself what happened in his life to make him this way, while Inu-Yasha is more controlled by his emotions. Other than the obvious, of course, which is that Sesshomaru is full demon, while Inu-Yasha is only half, and Sesshomaru had parents throughout his childhood, while Inu-Yasha did not. Since we don't get much history on the half-brothers, I thought I would provide my own explanation. Enjoy!*~

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Inu-Yasha or any of its characters. Those rights belong to the talented Rumiko Takahashi.


Chapter One: The Gift

My 14th Birthday

Today is the day of my birth, my age in human years is 14. This morning, my father was the one to awaken me. I opened my eyes to see him sitting over me, his eyes locking with mine when I awoke. "Sesshomaru," he spoke. "Happy birthday, my son." I was surprised, as we have never celebrated the anniversary of anyone's birth in our family before. I was aware of it as a human custom from my studies with Jaken. He then produced a package wrapped in blue silk, and placed it next to my futon. Still half-asleep, I watched as he stood and exited the room. After the door slid shut, I rolled over and picked up the package. After sitting up and unwrapping it, I was surprised to find a book. Opening the cover, I saw that the pages were all blank, save the first, on which my father had written a note. It read: 'Sesshomaru, this book is for you on the fourteenth anniversary of your birth. Upon turning fourteen, human boys are believed to become men. You are now old enough for you to begin training to take over as Lord of the Westernlands should anything ever happen to me. As part of that responsibility, you will begin to keep a log of your life, starting today. Every entry should give a brief description of the current situation of your life, as well as your thoughts on these things. It is for your sole benefit, and will be passed down to your son, as I will pass mine down onto you. It will give you an advantage over your opponents, being able to go back and recall past motivations, to find solace in happier times when you are in strife, and to allow you to analyze situations better. Document your activites well, my son.' I closed the book then, and examined the black leather cover. It is well made, and will last many years. So begins the first entry of the log of my life.
My name is Sesshomaru, the only son of two inu-youkai. My father is the Great Lord of the Westernlands. My mother is his mate, a great and strong warrior. We all live together in my father's house, a castle of a cave in the greatest mountain of the west. My personal servant, Jaken, has been with me since my birth, instructing me in many things throughout my childhood. It is still difficult to think of myself as a man in my father's eyes, despite the fact that youkai age faster than mortals. My father's weapons-master, Gendo, has been training me in the ways of war since I was able to stand. He insists I learn how to fight with any weapon, as well as hand-to-hand. He explains that my father wishes me to be able to defend myself if necessary. I have a feeling that my training will only intensify now that I am of age. Jaken has just left my room, informing me that breakfast is ready and that I am expected in the dining hall. I will have to continue this later.

It has been an eventful day. Following breakfast, I went to my usual morning lessons with Jaken. He teaches me many things, such as plants, animals, medicinal herbs, reading, writing, politics, ettiquette, cultures, other demons, and humans. Today's subject took me quite by surprise. He seemed almost nervous about the subject, and it took him quite some time to put his thoughts into words. I could smell the anxiety on him, and detected a fine sheen of sweat on his brow. As he began to broach the subject, I understood why. He detailed mating procedures among my kind, and explained how "men my age" often started to search for a mate. At this I turned up my nose. I have no desire to take a mate at this young age. My parents were many years older than I before they became mates. But ever the apt pupil, I listened carefully to his ministrations, absorbing all of the knowledge he imparted to me. When he finished, he sighed with relief. I could tell that he was uncomfortable, so I smiled at him. He then returned to yesterday's topic, demons who ruled the lands surrounding us, and the territories of the land surrounding us. When the lesson was exhausted, he excused me to lunch.
Following lunch is weapons training, and I arrived at the dojo promptly to find my father speaking with Gendo. He watched our exercises today, and I exerted myself more than usual trying to prove myself to my father. I so want him to think of me as strong. Gendo praised my ability, and excused me to rest. I went to the hot spring within our cave to wash away the sweat of my exertions. As I was sitting there, the warm water easing the tension from my muscles, a young handmaiden entered the room. I smelt her long before she stood in the chamber. A neko-hanyou. For someone with human blood in her veins, she moved surprisingly stealthily. I did not turn around or open my eyes, speaking softly to acknowledge her presence. I could smell the tension radiating off of her. I wondered what about me frightened her so. I turned my head and opened my eyes as she approached the edge of the spring a few feet to my right. She nervously stripped herself of her kimonos, giving me a good view of her nude body before she slipped into the spring beside me. She approached slowly, a soft smile on her face, her eyes shining seductively. I inwardly chuckled, understanding dawning. She had been sent to offer herself to me. She offered to wash me, and I curiously accepted. My father apparently thought that Jaken's lessons weren't quite enough, and had sent this young neko to further instruct me. I closed my eyes and enjoyed her caresses. She, unlike I, was well instructed in the ways in which to pleasure a man, and pleasure me she did. When I felt empty and satiated, she smiled, kissed my cheek, dried herself, got dressed and left. I leaned against the edge of the pool, now sleepy. I slowly left and dressed myself, heading towards the smell of dinner.
At dinner, my mother and father exchanged knowing glances as the same handmaiden served me. I now realize that I never asked her name. Oh, well, not that it's that important anyways. After finishing dinner, I went to excuse myself, but my father stopped me. He wanted me to sit in on a meeting with his council. I would have rather gone to the garden to meditate with my mother, but I understood that this was important. The council was boring, and I wondered how I had been so eager to listen in when I was younger. I never was allowed, of course, but I tried many times, caught and chastised each time by Jaken. In the past few years, my interest in my father's councils had waned, and now that I was there, I was bored. They discussed movements of mortal clans, as well as demonic foes. I listened and digested all that was said, as was expected of me, but when it was over and I was excused to my quarters, I was relieved. I bid my father and his council goodnight, and here I am. I am still unsure if I agree with father's opinion of you, but wait, did I just refer to you as a person? But you're just a book! Perhaps I am beginning to understand...

~*A/N: So, wha'dya think? Good, bad, or indifferent? FYI I'm using the spelling of character's names as they are spelt in the translated English manga. Gendo and the neko-hanyou are characters of my own making, as will a few others to follow in the story. Since I am unsure of the names of Sesshomaru's parents (they haven't been given in English manga or anime anyways), and since it's first-person, I won't be giving them. I think that's all, so for now I'll just say r&r! Sayonara!*~