InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Bastard's Gift ❯ Chapter 1

Bastard's Gift

Days of travel had worn Inuyasha out. He wasn't as fit as he used to be travelling with his group, and his current state didn't help any at all. It wouldn't be much trouble if it was one or the other, but he had technically been travelling with two children.

Inuyasha sat down on a flat surfaced rock next to the river that was wide enough to look like a lake. A waterfall churned the water across from him, causing ripples to extend out towards his side. The sun was shining beautifully and the temperature was warm with a light breeze. He rubbed his somewhat extended belly, mentally soothing to moving child within him.

A small distance away, his first born was frolicking in the grass, pouncing on butterflies and dragonflies, or at least trying to.

Inuyasha gave a sad smile as he watched the red clad child leap several times into the air, black locks of hair flowing out. Even from this distance, he could see that at least Katsutoshi inherited the White Inu Clan's markings on his face, a crescent moon on his forehead, and two stripes down each side of his face, so similar to Sesshomaru. Inuyasha could only suppose his son was born a full demon, increasing his chances of leading a better life as he grew older. And maybe well enough to be accepted by Sesshomaru as a ward, although Inuyasha was certain his brother may just as quickly reject the boy for being tainted.

He let out a sigh as he felt the pup in him move once more, and briefly he wondered if it would be a son or daughter. "If you're a girl, I'm sure you're gonna be a handful," Inuyasha stated, rubbing his belly once more. "Either way, Kouga would have been very proud of you. I can tell you're gonna be strong no matter what."

Inuyasha felt his eyes burn at the thought of Kouga. Seven years with the wolf demon went by too fast. And had it not been for the sake of the children, Inuyasha knew he would have been seeking revenge against Naraku for once again stealing something precious from him.

At the same time, if it weren't for the children, Inuyasha would probably have broken from the despair.

He barely recovered the massacre of his group, as well as the treatment he suffered while in Naraku's clutches. Both Kouga and Sesshomaru saved him, but only Kouga stayed by his side.

Blinking away the tears, Inuyasha tried to think of something else. He couldn't help but wonder if his new pup would be born with white hair or black. Glancing over at Katsutoshi who was still occupied, Inuyasha hoped that the child would look more like Kouga to honor his fallen mate.

That hope pushed the tears out of his eyes.

A moment later, he felt a gentle hand on his knee.

"Papa?" he heard Katsutoshi ask. "Why are you crying? Is it because of Kouga again?"

Inuyasha pulled the pup towards him, nuzzling his head. "Yes," he responded.

"I miss him, too," the child said solemnly.

Inuyasha stroked the black locks underneath him, wondering if that came from his human side. It was a bit of a reach, but he strongly hope that this was the case.

"But why did all the uncles and aunts ask us to leave?"

Inuyasha pulled back to look at his son. This was a question he did not want to answer at all. And so he spoke with a partial truth.

"They wanted me to mate with another."

"Why didn't you?"

"Because at that time I didn't know you were going to have a baby brother or sister."

Katsutoshi put his hand on Inuyasha's stomach. "You mean in here?"

Inuyasha nodded as he felt movement once more.

Katsutoshi grinned. "I'll be the best brother in the world!"

"I'm sure you will."

Inuyasha couldn't help but wish there were more moments like this. And he hoped once Sesshomaru saw how different Katsutoshi was, he would forget his demands for Inuyasha to "cull the brat" when it was born.

Sure there were moments in which Katsutoshi scared him when he became thoughtful, his face serious and there were times in which his actions were borderline malicious with smaller creatures. But then there were moments such as now that Inuyasha could look past those eyes that took after Katsutoshi's father, and see love shining instead of hate.

Katsutoshi's red eyes sparkled like jewels as he let out a childish giggle.

Naraku may have left him with an unwanted gift, but Inuyasha would be damned if he allowed the wretched creature to take him back. Katsutoshi was his.

tbc..