InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Tamatebako ❯ Chapter 3

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Inuyasha © Takahashi Rumiko

Chapter 3

Afterward, Sesshoumaru wasn't sure why he had done it. Only that he realized that that had been his intention all along. He told himself that he was only going into the house to compare the child's scent to that of the scarf that Inuyasha had entrusted to him. He didn't trust that Inuyasha wouldn't leave the palace if he didn't return it soon.

But then he picked her up. Why had he done that? He didn't need to do that to confirm the scent. He didn't particularly care about this child, only in the necessity of her continued existence. And then he'd buried his nose in her soft, wrinkled neck. He tried not to think about that part. But then he'd spoken to the mother. If he'd taken no oaths before, he'd certainly bound himself now. And the way in which he'd done it, not only binding himself but tying his entire family to the girl.

Sesshoumaru took to the sky, returning to his mother's castle. That had been one of his prime motivations, the ability to return to the earth once more. He'd been in the castle for centuries. Between the tedious company of his mother and Inuyasha, any reason to leave had been sufficient. While he hadn't been able to range as far and wide as he once had being tied to the girl's protection, and that range was about to decrease once more now that the child had been born, it was still more freedom than he'd had in hundreds of years. The world had grown tiresome, too big, too loud, too human and the castle was a retreat. But with a clearly defined purpose, it had become possible to bear walking upon the earth once again.

Before the birth he'd been able to wander, spending less and less time at the palace and more and more in the world, but those days were ending. The threats to the girl would increase as the power of the Jewel grew. He would need to stay close to her now, patrol more readily for threats. But for now, he needed to return once more to the castle, if only briefly.

Sesshoumaru landed at the bottom of the steps and started making slow, unhurried progress to his mother's throne at the top. Why she spent so much time here, he had no idea. The castle more or less ran itself and there were few conflicts between its occupants that would demand her attention, despite the increase in their numbers and kind, and Inuyasha. Granted, even Sesshoumaru had noticed the change in his demeanor due that he attributed to Kagome's influence. He'd grown much more calm and introspective after her departure and subsequent return and her loss once again. However, he'd grown more excitable and argumentative as the time of Kagome's birth neared.

He reached the throne, his mother wasn't looking at him as she spoke, “She's the one then?” she asked.

“She is,” he answered.

“I don't suppose we'll be seeing much of you until she goes down the well.”

“It would not be safe.”

“Better return that and get back then,” she warned, but Sesshoumaru was already walking past her towards the upper rooms of the castle.

“Sesshoumaru,” she called back to him, “don't get too attached.”

Ridiculous, he thought, but he did not turn nor acknowledge her aloud.

As he approached the castle, Inuyasha burst forth from the doors and whatever he was about to say died on his lips as Sesshoumaru paused in surprise at the arrested look on Inuyasha's face.

Inuyasha grabbed Sesshoumaru's wrist. In his shock at the sudden violation, he didn't immediately realize he had grabbed his empty hand and not the one holding the box. He watched in stupefaction as his arm was brought up to Inuyasha's nose as he inhaled deeply.

Inuyasha's face rotated through a variety of emotions at a speed that Sesshoumaru would not have believed possible if had he not been witnessing it firsthand. He watched as first hope, then longing, and finally anger settled on Inuyasha's face.

"You touched her! Held her! I didn't say you could do that! What were you thinking!

Sesshoumaru balled his fist and sent Inuyasha flying across the steps without even pulling back his arm. Inuyasha fell halfway down the stairs before he was able to right himself.

"She doesn't belong to you, asshole."

"You can't change what happened," he replied, throwing the box back at him. Inuyasha caught it, cradling it like the child herself.

Sesshoumaru turned around and went back down the stairs. He was annoyed that Inuyasha had noticed, having forgotten that he would be able to tell. Then his mother must have noticed as well. Perhaps that had been the meaning of her comment.

“Is that all you came back for?” his mother asked as he passed. She sighed, “One of the few things you have in common with your father is your complete inability to stay in one place any longer than absolutely necessary.”

“Do something about him.”

“If I do will you stay for a bit?”

“Don't be contrary.”

“I can't let him leave. You know that.”

“I could remove his legs and cut out his tongue.”

“Oi! Sesshoumaru! Just because I can't get involved, doesn't mean that you can either. Don't touch her again.” Inuyasha called after him.

“Unfortunately, he is correct this time.” His mother added. “You shouldn't go in that house again. Did anyone see you?”

“The mother.”

“What!” Inuyasha bellowed. His mother looked at him disapprovingly.

“It was necessary.”

“To confirm her scent! We all know your nose is better than that,” Inuyasha said.

“What were you thinking Sesshoumaru?” said his mother.

“I ensured that when the time comes the mother will not hold her back.”

“You spoke to her?”

“I only told her the girl would be protected.”

His mother paused at that, pondering the possible outcomes of this new development. Rather than chastising him further she changed the subject, “I'll send guards around to relieve you periodically.”

“That won't be necessary.”

“Even you need to rest sometimes, Sesshoumaru. And there may come times when I need to speak with you in person.”

“Do as you wish.”

“Aren't you going to visit her before you leave?”

“No.”

“You may not have another chance for a while.”

“She has made her wishes clear.”

“Can you blame her?”

“She was warned not to come. She made her choice.”

“She didn't truly understand what she was choosing.”

“Do you want me to send her back? You know what that would mean. It is too late.”

“You two are going to have a very long time together. You should find some way to make it up to her.”

“Don't say that like you had nothing to do with it. This was your suggestion.” Sesshoumaru's anger was surfacing.

“I know,” his mother sighed, “but I can only do so much. It is not me she resents. She has become too much like us. Too fixed. Too unchanging.”

“You have said it yourself. Talking to her would be useless.”

“She still loves you. She misses you even though she says otherwise.”

“If her anger has cooled, I will visit her the next time I return.”

She knew he would say no more. She watched him as he swept down the stairs. He would not return for many years.