InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ One More Try at the Big "L" ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
::Beginning of chapter four::
~Two weeks after chapter 3~
“Hello everyone, and thank you all for coming,” Sesshomaru said, a fake smile—schooled to reach his eyes—gracing his features. It was his coronation day, and this was his “acceptance” speech—or so everyone except Naraku, Inuyasha, and Izayoi thought. “Due to a few unfortunate events in the recent past, my father has given up his position as emperor, leaving me to rule this beautiful country. Though I have known since I was old enough to comprehend that one day I would succeed my father, I never imagined it would be so soon. I know that many of you are worried about me stepping up to rule—do I really have enough experience? Right now, then, I'll answer that question. No. I most certainly do not, and I will not even try to pretend I do.” Gasps flew thick and fast.
“My lord, if you are not to take the throne—” and icy glare from Sesshomaru cut him off.
“I never said I wasn't going to take the throne. I just said I wasn't prepared to take the throne. Assumptions will get you killed one day, if you don't watch it. And interrupting the emperor will as well, so don't do it again.
“If you had waited for me to continue, I would have said that since I am not fit to be the emperor, I pass that duty on to my younger brother, Inuyasha. The favored son, he spent far more time in the presence of my father and the court officials. He knows how things are done and has even participated in the past. As I have said it, so let it be: I formally resign from my post as emperor, and pass the responsibility on to Inuyasha.” He held out a hand to Inuyasha, who grabbed it and pulled himself up onto the stage next to his elder brother. He nodded to Inuyasha, who stepped up to make his OWN acceptance speech.
“We are all shocked by what Sesshomaru has said. I suppose I'm probably the most pleased by what he's said—” Inuyasha said, earning himself a laugh, “but believe me, I am surprised. He is right—it is a rare thing indeed for him to grace the court with his presence, and rarer still for him to speak an opinion. Perhaps he was more out-spoken as a toddler and infant of four years and younger, in the time when I was not alive. However, seeing as I wasn't alive, I wouldn't really know now would I?” he got another laugh.
“On the other hand, I participate regularly. I know all the nobles by name and I have a decent knowledge of requirements of law. As I say it, so let it be: I formally accept the most honored position of emperor.”
Applause broke out, Sesshomaru and Inuyasha shook hands and then gave each other a formal bow, and Izayoi took the mic and said, “My sons will now take your questions.”
Many reporters waved their hands in the air, trying to get Izayoi to call on them. She picked a young girl who wasn't being quite so loud as the rest. “Matsuri Kiri, seven o' clock news. Question for Lord Sesshomaru,” she said. He took the mic and nodded. “We all know that the former emperor, your father,” she added, to be clear—technically Sesshomaru was the former emperor now, “is at court charged with the attempted murder of you—how did you find out about his intentions?”
Sesshomaru smiled grimly—his eyes darted towards Naraku, then back to the reporter. “I was talking with a friend of mine over coffee, and the subject of Jakotsu's death came up. I suddenly realized that the day my father's driver had hit him was his day off—he should have been playing with Inuyasha, not driving around `to the market, to get strawberries' as he said. A number of other things clicked also, and I went to confront him and he confessed.”
“So he actually said he tried to murder you?” the first reporter asked.
“You still seem to have the problem of speaking out of turn,” Sesshomaru reminded him coldly. He gulped. “But yes, my father did say that he tried to have me killed—though only after trying to say he saved me by taking credit for Inuyasha's work.”
Sesshomaru handed the mic back to Izayoi. She pointed to an old man with a cameraperson behind him. “Hagiri Naoya, Asahi News. Question for Inuyasha.” Inuyasha stood forward, taking the mic. “Did you and your brother arrange this as a publicity scam? Him giving you the throne, I mean?”
It was all Inuyasha could do to avoid bursting out laughing. “No, we didn't thank you. We have quite enough publicity as it is, thank you—no need for any more.” He chuckled. “It always amazes me how you don't seem to realize that with being of royal blood, we have people watching everything we do. It's very stressful, not being able to so much as wiggle a toe in our sleep without someone documenting it. And yet, every time we do something like this, you immediately think we want people doing even MORE imposing. Ah, but I suppose it would give you a field day if we had done this on purpose, now wouldn't it?”
Sesshomaru motioned for Inuyasha to pass him the mic. “Speaking of field days, you will be getting one soon. All I can say is that there will be a ceremony. No more questions will be taken on this subject.”
Inuyasha looked at Sesshomaru reproachfully. Sesshomaru just grinned meanly at him. The questions continued, boring things like “how do you feel?” and “what are your plans for the future?” The boys answered as best they could, trying to sound interested, but when Izayoi said “No more questions, please,” they couldn't help but sigh with relief.
Kagome ran up to them as they headed towards the limos, trying to get past the reporters. Inuyasha noticed her and growled at everyone to let her through. He grabbed her arm as soon as she was close enough and pulled her with him and Sesshomaru to the limo. Sesshomaru was scanning the crowd, looking for Naraku. He saw him up ahead near the limo, trying in vain to get past the body guard. “Let him in,” Sesshomaru called, moving forward so slowly. Naraku flashed him a grin and hopped in to wait. Immediately it seemed a million people were asking Sesshomaru the same thing, “Who is he? Is he your new boyfriend?” Sesshomaru kept his face completely blank and said nothing until the limo door shut behind him, Kagome, Izayoi, and Inuyasha.
Inuyasha sighed. “Media bastards,” he said, shaking his head.
“I guess I cant chastise you for swearing now that you're the emperor, huh?” Izayoi said.
Sesshomaru shook his head. “Not true. He's still fifteen, and you're his legal guardian. You can still whip him if you want,” he said, grinning.
Izayoi laughed, and Inuyasha glared at him. “She can not!”
Sesshomaru shrugged. “Dad still got smacked when he was fifteen.”
Izayoi looked at him. “He did not!”
“He did. All the way till he was eighteen and allowed to leave—not that he did. He just didn't get spanked anymore, or if he did it was done somewhere soundproof without cameras. I found out from one of the maids who used to be his nurse, that's how I know.”
“Now why would a nurse go an say a thing like that?” Jaken asked from the front. “Did she intend to get fired?”
“No, it was like last week. She was telling me so I would know how to deal with Puppy if he got out of hand.”
“I wanna know the name of this maid!” Inuyasha growled.
“Certainly not. You cant punish her for being honest!”
“I can and I will!”
Sesshomaru rolled his eyes, then put an arm around Naraku's shoulders. “Hey!” Kagome yelled, “that's right! You never told us what the media's gonna get a field break on.”
“Actually, I would like to know,” Naraku asked. Izayoi stayed silent, and Inuyasha glared at his brother.
“Sorry Kagome, I can't tell you. I'll tell you later, Naraku.”
“HOW COME I CANT KNOW?!”
“You'll find out. Just not from me. If you really must know, ask Inuyasha.”
“I'm not going to tell you, Kagome,” he said as she opened her mouth.
“Darn!” she said. “Oh hey, by the way you never answered the media people,” she said, turning to Sesshomaru again. “Is he your boyfriend?” she asked, pointing to Naraku.
“It's impolite to point, Kagome,” Sesshomaru said. “But if you really must know, yes, he is.”
“About time!” Inuyasha said. “I was beginning to think you were never going to get over Jakotsu!”
“Yeah, well…”
“So how'd you two meet?” Kagome asked.
Sesshomaru gave her an odd look. “You really don't pay attention to what's going on with me, do you? You didn't know I was with Jakotsu until two years after he died. You didn't notice his face plastered over all the news, apparently.”
“Come to think of it, I do vaguely remember his face…” Kagome said. “What was he on the news for?”
“Saving Fluffy's ass from drowning, Kags. Remember when we went to see him at the hospital and then Sango got mad at me?”
“OH RIGHT!!! So Sesshomaru, do you date every one who saves your life?”
“Well, considering Puppy was the one who ordered the butler to knock down my door that one time when I was in comatose, no. I can legitimately say I have never dated Inuyasha. Though I did seriously consider the butler until I found out he already had a boyfriend.”
“He's gay?”
“You didn't know?”
“Nope.”
“Hn.”
“Uh-oh,” Izayoi said, looking at the castle. “Prepare to duck and run, kids…the media's beaten us here.”
Jaken pulled up right in front of the stairs leading inside. As soon as people figured out where was going on they swarmed to the car. “Okay people, buddy system. Grab a hand and don't let go and we'll get through this,” Sesshomaru said, grabbing Naraku's hand on one side and Izayoi's on the other. Izayoi grabbed Inuyasha and he grabbed Kagome.
“One, two, three, GO!” Naraku said, flung opened the door and ran towards the door, leading a people string behind him. Kagome barely managed to close the door before Inuyasha started pulling her towards the castle. When they were all inside the door slammed shut and they leaned against the wall, panting.
“Someone remind me why I married into this family,” Izayoi gasped.
“No clue, seeing how Inutaishou turned out,” Naraku said. “Meaning no disrespect, of course.”
“Food, anyone?” Sesshomaru asked. Everyone agreed and they all headed off to the kitchens.
“Kagome, you should probably call home,” Inuyasha said. “You'll be staying here a few days—until most of the mob gets off our doorstep.”
“Right, thanks,” Kagome said, as Izayoi led her to a phone.
Sesshomaru winked at Inuyasha. “Planning something dirty with her, Puppy?” he asked, grinning.
“Impudence. I most certainly am not.”
“That's not how I see it…”
“Oh, and what about you?! Are you two going to do something tonight?”
“It wouldn't be a first if we did. You're the virgin.”
“HEY!!!”
Naraku laughed lightly. “A word of advise, don't let his teasing get to you.”
“Yeah Puppy, you'd think you'd know that by now. It's been fifteen years, right? Naraku's only been around me for a couple of weeks, and he already knows me better than you. You should pay less attention.”
“LESS ATTENTION?!”
“Yeah, you always read too far into things. Just let it flow. Oh, your girl's back. We're gonna go. See you at dinner,” Sesshomaru said, then took Naraku's hand and led him off on a tour of the palace.
“Guest room, guest room, guest room…actually, this is the guest wing—everything here is extra for anyone who's staying or anything.”
“So am I going to sleep here?”
“Depends.”
“On what?”
“Do you want to sleep in here, or with me?”
Naraku grinned. “I see your point.”
“No, really. Do you want to sleep here or with me? Cause if you want to sleep here I'll have someone prepare a room for you…”
“No, thanks. I'll stick with you.”
“Lovely. Now, this is where my Father's study is, and the classic room, and the library.”
“What's a classic room?”
“It's the room we show to the media people whenever they come to take pictures and stuff. Most of the parties we have center in there as well. There's a grand piano, but no one's played it since my mother.”
“You don't play, then? You look like you would be good at piano.”
“I've never actually tried. Anyway, that's the classic room. Then we come to the rose gardens…”
“Those don't look like roses,” Jakotsu said, pointing at a small patch of ground near the kitchens.
“That's squash and tomatoes and beans and stuff—cooking ingredients. We plant as much as we can ourselves to keep prices down.”
“As if you're short on money.”
Sesshomaru grinned. “There's actually a story about that.”
“You have a story about how rich you are?”
“No, we have a story about a man who was rich and used all his money and couldn't feed his family and they all starved, except one who made a pact with a demon and got out of debt, paid off the demon, and became emperor. I could go into more detail, but I can see you're bored.”
“Hmm? No I'm not.” God I love the sound of his voice…
“Your eyes were glazing over. You looked bored to me.”
“No, I just spaced out for a second.”
“Oh?” Sesshomaru asked with interest. “Care to share your thoughts?”
Naraku blushed. “Not really.”
Sesshomaru laughed. “C'mon, please?!”
“Fine. I was just thinking how I love the sound of your voice.”
Sesshomaru blinked. “What?”
“See, that's why I didn't tell you. Now you think I'm messed up.”
“NO! No, I don't.”
“Uh huh. Sure…”
“I think you're really nice, to say something like that,” Sesshomaru said, and leaned in to kiss him.
“HEY LOVEBIRDS ITS DINNER TIME!!!” Inuyasha yelled.
Sesshomaru broke the kiss and glared daggers at Inuyasha. “Has anyone ever told you that you have the worst timing ever?”
“No. But really, it's not like you were having sex or anything. It was just a kiss—you do it all the time. One kiss cut short for food is hardly going to kill you. Besides, I was always told that people should drop everything and give absolute attention to the emperor whenever he's present. Sucking face with someone else doesn't count as absolute attention.”
“I'm exempt from protocol as I am your elder and better.”
“He's not,” Inuyasha said, pointing at Naraku.
“He doesn't need to be; he's with me.”
“Argh. I don't give a rat's ass, just come inside for dinner!”
“I didn't realize you had a rat's ass to give…is it still attached to the rat, or no?”
“SHUT THE FUCK UP FLUFFY!!!!”
“Inuyasha!” Izayoi yelled.
Inuyasha growled. “Now look, you've gone and gotten me in trouble with mom!”
“I never told you to swear.”
“That's right, he didn't. Now, Inuyasha, shut up. Sesshomaru and Naraku, please come in for dinner. Izayoi, please come inside; it's freezing out there,” Kagome said.
Everyone trudged inside. “Kagome,” Izayoi asked. “How come I would be the only one to be affected by the cold?”
“Well, Sesshomaru is a demon, Inuyasha is a hanyou. I guess I just figured they'd be more able to cope than a human, I guess.”
“What about Naraku?”
“He's” Kagome and Sesshomaru said; Naraku said, “I'm” at the same time, “a hanyou.” The three looked at each other.
“How did you know?” Sesshomaru asked Kagome.
“How did you know?” She asked back.
“How did either of you know?!” Naraku asked.
“How come I didn't know?!” Inuyasha yelled.
“I'm a Miko. I can tell things like that,” was Kagome's explanation.
“I'm a dog demon—I smelled it all over him.”
“I'm the person in question—I was told by my parents,” Naraku said, just for the hell of it. “And Inuyasha didn't know because he never paid enough attention, I guess.”
“Sesshomaru, this is your fault!” Inuyasha yelled.
“I didn't realize it was something to be faulted over. Please explain, then. How is this MY fault?”
“YOU'RE THE ONE WHO TOLD ME TO PAY LESS ATTENTION!!!”
“You should know by now not to listen to me.”
“ENOUGH.” Izayoi said. “I will not have you two bickering over dinner. Sesshomaru and Inuyasha may not talk until they find something pleasant to say. To each other,” she added as an after thought, as Inuyasha turned to Kagome to complement her.
“…”
“…”
“…”
“…”
“…”
“Sesshomaru, you're an awesome older brother and I know some of what you're doing will benefit me, and I'm sorry I'm such a… ah… annoying little brother,” Inuyasha said.
Sesshomaru grinned. “I'm glad to see you can insult yourself without swearing. I accept your apology, and I apologize myself for baiting you. Mom, may we speak to others now?”
Izayoi sighed. “I suppose…”
Kagome started to talk to Inuyasha about an oncoming school event. Sesshomaru listened for a while, then turned when Naraku started saying something to him. “Hmm?”
“Do I have to wait for a certain time to be excused?” he whispered. Sesshomaru doubted he would have heard if he wasn't a demon sitting right next to him.
“I don't think so…it looks like everyone is done,” he whispered back, a little louder than Naraku had been. “Inuyasha, may we be excused?” he asked.
Inuyasha looked confused. “What are you asking me for?”
“Before, I would always ask Father. He's not here anymore. In the past few weeks, I have asked Izayoi. Now I would excuse myself, but I gave the title of emperor to you, making you the head authority at dinner. You do, of course, have to listen to your mother because you are underage. However, I need permission from you to leave. Is permission granted, oh holiness?”
“Yeah, yeah, go ahead.”
::End of Chapter Four::
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