InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Daimyo's Lover ❯ Daimyo's Lover 05 ( Chapter 5 )

Daimyo's Lover 05

 

 

Naota leaned back, wiping the sweat from his face. In his opinion, the little hut had been in dire need of more than a new roof for no few years. Still, he had no complaints about the work; it was remarkably satisfying for him to do such manual labor. He liked the hot sun on the back of his neck; he liked the feeling of perspiration dripping down his bare chest.

 

He even liked the way his legs were aching from holding himself upright as he repaired the old hut, carefully binding the thatch so that even in the worst part of the rainy winters, old Ushu wouldn't have to worry about dampness or cold drafts making her ill. He slid down the side, easily landing on his feet with unconscious grace. Ushu-baba was standing in her doorway, a wide pleased smile on her weathered old lips.

 

"Naota-sama," she said, coming up to him with a small bit of sweetened rice carefully wrapped in paper. "You have an old woman's gratitude for all your hard work."

 

"Aw," he said sheepishly, taking the gift. "You didn't have to give me anything. Your roof needed fixing, I'm glad to be useful."

 

"And modest," she answered, her eyes twinkling at him. "You're so exquisitely polite, Naota-sama."

 

"I thought I told you to just call me by my given name," he smiled. "I'm nobody important."

 

"Aren't you?" The old lady was known for her sharp wit. "Even if old Honshu says you're his distant cousin from the south, you can't fool this old woman. Your manners say you were raised in a gracious household and you have the face and bearing of a prince from the courts."

 

He could well blush, thinking of what human courts would think of a half-breed youkai brat being called a prince. He just bowed and smiled, not saying anything else as he took his leave. Ushu handed him his yukata and a saucy wink for good measure. "Royal or no, you're far too handsome for these isolated lands, dear boy."

 

Naota found himself liking the humans of the village, in spite of his misgivings when he'd first arrived here. He was careful to keep to the cover story, that he was a distant cousin of the village headman, Honshu. Most of the villagers accepted the story out of politeness to the headman and respected Naota's lack of forthcoming about his background.

 

Obviously there was a secret there, but the pleasant young man didn't act like any spoiled noble who'd been tossed out of his household for some trespass. Instead he was kind and friendly to everyone from the smallest child to the crankiest elder, often offering his assistance in minor chores without even being asked. It was a novel experience for him, to be so easily accepted and treated as one of the community.

 

Honshu had smiled at him when he'd first arrived, obviously very pleased that his village had been the one selected by the great Daimyo as a temporary home for his nephew. "I am very happy to have you among us, Naota-sama," the old man had said, greeting Naota as he'd approached the village for the first time.

 

Naota hid his reservations, thinking that maybe Inutaisho hadn't made it so much a request as an order. When he'd apologized for inconveniencing the headman with his presence, the old human had just laughed.

 

"It's an honor for me," he confessed. "Your uncle is a great man and has been very kind to our village over the years. I am pleased to have you live in my own home."

 

For the life of him, he didn't understand why. He would have thought this human would have been appalled at the idea to having youkai blood sleeping under his roof. Naota went to the village well to fetch a bit of water, intending to clean himself as best he could before having dinner with Honshu. Just because he was now working like a field laborer didn't mean he had to smell like one.

 

Not to mention that Honshu's daughter Yumiko would probably order him back outside for a bath if he tracked any dirt into her clean home.

 

A tug on the back of his braid made him turn around, seeing Yumiko standing there with a wide smile. "I was wondering if Ushu was going to let you go or if she'd find more chores for you to do," the girl said cheerily.

 

"No, it was just the roof today," he grinned back at her. Yumiko gave him an arch look, pushing a basket into his hands. "Good, then you don't mind helping me gather vegetables for dinner tonight."

 

"Mind?" he laughed. "With your cooking, I'd consider myself proud to help in any way I can."

 

She poked him in the ribs, liking his shy flush and the way he ducked away from her smile. "Flatterer. Ever since you joined our household I have twice as much cooking to do, I've never seen such a healthy appetite."

 

Naota smiled as he followed the girl into her garden. He liked the simple village fare, little meat but a nice variety of seasonal roots and vegetables. Yumiko was a talented cook; he could easily see her creations in high demand at the fortress. That is, if any of the demon nobles who lived there would ever touch food handled by human hands.

 

Definitely their loss, he decided. If Yumiko could make such delicious fare out of simple village foods, he had no doubt that she'd do wonders if she were let loose in the Daimyo's exotic kitchens.

 

They worked in silence for few minutes, Naota happily pulling the roots and leafy greens he was directed to. He'd have to wash his hands again, but he didn't mind. Yumiko often told him about the different varieties of herbs she used in her cooking as well as the ones that were used for medicine.

 

Some were good for fever, she explained, and some good for digestion ailments. Never having experienced either, he had to take her word for it. And it was interesting; these were things he wouldn't have learned at the fortress. Youkai healers used different concoctions in their arts, but many of the herbal remedies demons used for their various aches and pains were toxic to humans.

 

Some weren't too healthy for him either, being part human. But the fortress' infirmary would have never made a mistake with the Daimyo's nephew. Considering he had been a regular visitor to the healers as a boy, he rather thought they were probably experts in treating human wounds as well.

 

"So, Naota," a big voice boomed over them. "She's already got you doing women's chores."

 

Yumiko looked up at the tall young man. "Oh Michu," she said lazily. "You work in the fields all day long, how is that not women's work and tending my garden is?"

 

Michu laughed and leaned on the farm tools he was carrying. "The fields not only feed the entire village, they bring us extra produce that we can barter with other villages for the things we need. It's hard work, not sitting in the dirt and playing with little herbs and leaves."

 

Naota grinned, enjoying their banter. It reminded him of Jano and Namichi, the way they'd argue over everything, sometimes just for the hell of it. He missed them both dearly. Hell, he even missed Sesshomaru.

 

As comfortable as he'd become here in the human village, it just didn't feel like home to him. Home was still wherever his cousin and uncle were, both strong willed youkai and usually at odds over everything. Compared to the fortress, the village was a peaceful haven of cooperation and contentment.

 

Yumiko stood up, her basket piled high with fresh greens thanks to Naota's quick help. "I see," she smirked, giving Naota a wink. "I'll leave you men to your important duties, this mere woman has to get dinner ready to feed your manly appetites. Michu, will you be coming to eat with us tonight?"

 

He shook his head. "No, I'm taking a few of the men down to the river to check the fish traps. Something has been getting to the fish before we can catch them, either that or they've finally outsmarted us."

 

"Is that hard to do?" she asked in a taunting tone.

 

Michu waved his hand. "Off with you, woman. I'm of a mind to complain to your father for your sharp tongue. You'll never catch a husband unless you start acting more like a proper maiden."

 

She snorted and walked away. Actually, Naota thought, Yumiko shouldn't have any problems finding a husband. She was lovely, he knew full-blooded youkai women that would kill for her creamy complexion and glossy dark hair. Besides, her father was probably going to see to it that she'd marry Michu by the end of the year.

 

It was one of those things that was assumed but not spoken of. Honshu was old and Yumiko was his only daughter. He needed a strong young man to take over for him and Michu was just right for the job. Already when Honshu was asked a question regarding the running of the village, often as not he would say "Ask Michu" rather than answer on his own.

 

It was a good match, good for the village, and he suspected that much of Michu's banter was to cover up that he was already deeply in love with the headman's daughter.

 

Yumiko, on the other hand, was pretty much oblivious. She liked Michu very much, but she liked the independence of being unmarried still. She said she counted fifteen summers, and Naota thought that seemed young for marriage, although he was well aware than many human females wed at even younger ages.

 

Honshu told him that his wife had conceived very late in life with their only daughter and while she was his pride and joy, he knew he wouldn't live forever. He would have to make sure Yumiko found a good husband to give her children and provide for them.

 

Very different from youkai ways, the young hanyou mused as he walked back to the headman's home. Noble clan alliances aside, most ordinary youkai mated who they pleased and only stayed in committed relationships when there were children involved.

 

It was very different indeed, Naota knew that a love life as rambunctious as Jano's would be met with disapproval in human customs, and the girls who enjoyed his attentions would be the object of scandal without the benefit of marital bonds. He wondered about that, these humans seemed to find their family alliances every bit as important as a clanlord's political maneuvers.

 

Naota shook his head, he was here, according to his uncle, so that he could understand his human heritage and observe their customs. Inutaisho thought he needed balance; living among humans would give him the insight he needed to understand his own mixed blood.

 

oOo

 

"He did what?" Sesshomaru stared blankly at Ari as his father's bodyguard made the report. Ari sighed and folded his arms, not wanting to have to repeat the story again.

 

"He said he'd be back as soon as possible."

 

Sesshomaru was deeply annoyed. His father's unexpected absence meant that everything would be coming to him instead. And while he prided himself on being able to manage the day-to-day affairs of his father's territory with ease, he still found it troublesome that Inutaisho would abandon important business just to take a human to safety.

 

"He's cracked in the head," the young lord muttered, half forgetting that Ari was still with him.

 

The bodyguard chose his words carefully. "That might be true, but I'm of the opinion he'll at least return in a better mood."

 

He had to agree with that assessment, hoping it was correct. His father's mood as of late had been foul, partially because of the whole Barou business, but also because the court had been very restless lately. Sesshomaru liked to think of himself as above the usual rumors and gossip that floated in the air like the chill in the stones themselves.

 

Still, he'd learned to at least keep an ear on the juicier rumors, you could never know when what seemed to be an idle piece of information might become useful later.

 

"I suppose that means I need to take up the issues with the staff myself," he said at last, shaking off his irritation. Things had to be done, things that had been left specifically for today's meetings. As much as he detested the necessity of politics, he had to admit that soothing a few ruffled feathers was far preferable to mending trampled alliances later.

 

Now was no time for Inutaisho to go kiting off after a human, not that he'd ever shown the least bit of interest before in them. On the other hand, a diversion might just be what his irascible father had needed.

 

"Very well," he said at last. His eyes fell on his cousin, who was sitting nearby and picking at his claws with a sharp dagger. "Jano, go do something useful," he said, a grin starting to emerge in his voice. "I want you to get the head of staff and the captain of the guard in here. If I'm going to be dealing with the court today, I'd at least like to be well briefed on their current complaints."

 

"Got it, Sessh," Jano said, heading for the door. Sesshomaru didn't miss the faint frown Ari gave his friend. He knew Jano's father didn't think that his son took his new duties seriously enough, being far too casual on official business.

 

Sesshomaru was amused by the dark look Ari wore, but he didn't regret his decision regarding Jano's position. He trusted his friend, plain and simple, and it was up to Jano to grow into his duties as much as Sesshomaru himself. To distract the bodyguard, Sessh quietly asked if there was any new information to report from Barou's territory.

 

"It's still a mess, my lord," Ari said seriously. "I don't envy him in trying to live with what happened."

 

"He'll live just the same," Izitaki put in. The brothers met each other's eyes. "I think there very well might have been an uprising if the Daimyo hadn't accompanied him."

 

"Really?" Sesshomaru sounded disinterested but his father's men had learned that meant that he was paying attention.

 

Ari sighed. "I did not envy you and Namichi your duties, Taki. Those people were terrified."

 

"You blame them?" Izitaki answered. "I doubt if young Barou will ever be popular with his people after this. Now that his strange abilities are common knowledge, he'll have a lot to deal with regarding them. I wouldn't say that assassination is going to be far off."

 

"My father thought of that," Sesshomaru answered. "That's why he went, not only to assure the people that Barou was still in his favor, but to make sure everyone knew it wouldn't be tolerated if they turn on him."

 

"Seriously," Izitaki muttered. "I'm not without sympathy. Barou seems pleasant enough, but there's something unnerving about him. Makes the hair on your head stand up when he enters the room."

 

"The Daimyo says that will diminish after time, as he gets a better control over himself."

 

Ironically, the young lord thought, Barou wasn't the only one who needed to display a sense of self control, his father needed some if he'd really gone so far as to escort a human back to her village. That was just out of character in his son's opinion. He could perfectly well understand why his father had intervened in the matter the bandits. Garbage like that didn't deserve to continue their pathetic existence.

 

His nose wrinkled slightly, Ari and Izitaki both smelled faintly of old human blood. "I gather the human was pretty," he ventured.

 

Ari shrugged again, glancing over at his brother. "Average for their kind," he said lightly. "Very young too."

 

Izitaki chuckled, regaining his sense of humor. "You didn't even look that close, she was really quite beautiful. I noticed it myself when you picked her up. A face that would shame the flowers themselves."

 

Sesshomaru and Ari exchanged amused looks. "It's not hard to tell where Jano gets his eye for the ladies, my lord."

 

oOo

 

The large white dog stared up at the tall gates around the human village and sighed. He was really beginning to question his own motivations by now. The girl still hung limply over his back, her breathing deep and even. He felt a little guilty about that, having given her young mind a quick nudge with his own to make sure that she slept quietly.

 

He didn't even want to think about her reaction to waking up slung over the back of a dog that was running at an unnaturally quick pace across the open countryside. Definitely would have given her a scare and he rather thought she'd had enough for one day.

 

The gate was closed and no wonder, the sky was very nearly dark. At least they had some rudimentary ideas about security, bandits like those who had attacked the cart wouldn't hesitate to slip inside a village and take what they wanted.

 

Inutaisho smiled, his expression showing as a slight snarl on his muzzle. He'd done humanity a favor this day in disposing of such worthless specimens. He made a mental note to talk to the guard captains about providing more information regarding marauding humans bands like that. If they were foolish enough to stray into his territory, he had every right to make sure they strayed no more.

 

With all the unrest and fighting that took place in the human territories, it wasn't surprising that more and more bands of brigands were appearing. Deserters from human armies, angry refugees that had been forced out of their homes. If humans were peaceful, he had no problem tolerating them within his borders.

 

The villages under his protection were properly respectful of his people and tithed to pay for the protection. Not very much, there were very few finished goods that youkai were interested in made by human hands. But raw materials like grains and produce, treated wood and light metals, those weren't a problem. Inuyoukai by nature made lousy farmers and if he didn't want to have to raid other territories for what was needed, it was better to establish a good barter system.

 

No village tithed more than it could afford and he insisted on paying the humans for other things. A crate of expensive wine here, a bit of youkai crafted jewelry, and most village headmen felt lucky to have a 'relationship' with the inuyoukai of the West. Let other demons raid and terrorize, they were lowly monsters and he wouldn't tolerate such behavior.

 

Now he wondered about it, looking up at the tall gate and wondering if he should just leave her here. He couldn't be sure the fools would look outside their door before morning and the girl might wake in the night, cold and terrified. No, he'd committed himself to this course of action and honor demanded he complete it and not skulk away like a stray.

 

Perhaps he should bark for attention? Now that just seemed undignified and although Inutaisho was easygoing in private, he did not forget, even in his dog form, who he really was. Luckily, he could see the latch to the door, a simple affair of a weighted pull and wooden catch. He moved closer and delicately took the rope in his mouth and backed up to pull the weight effectively. As he'd predicted, the latch swung up and the door swung open.

 

Fools, he thought, sneering a little to himself. What was the use of a wall and a gate if you kept them unlocked and unguarded. He'd have his captains flogged if they were ever so lax about security.

 

The dog entered, looking around him with curiosity. He'd been to plenty of human villages over the years, but never in a disguised form. And they always knew when he was coming; he made sure to send word. Humans were just too jumpy around youkai to trust that they'd mind their manners when he dropped in. He couldn't really blame the creatures, youkai were dangerous, some cruel, and it was better to be cautious than to be dead.

 

His people wore livery that said there were part of his guard and attached to his household and pity those who dared to try and copy it to commit some heinous act in his name. He'd personally hunt them down and roast their guts over a fire for that and all of his clanlords knew it.

 

This wasn't much like a normal village, he decided. It was too clean and he didn't see any livestock wandering about. No, it seemed this place belonged to a local human lord, a residence more than a village. A complex of low, elegant buildings in the human style, neatly combed paths and aesthetic gardens. Interesting.

 

He hoped he had the right place and firmly told himself that even if he didn't, this was where she was going to left and let the humans sort out the details. He didn't have time to poke his nose around in human affairs, he had a territory to administer, he had cranky allies and clanlords to intimidate and a peevish demon of a son that was stuck in his place.

 

Not that he didn't have every confidence in Sesshomaru, the younger demon had already learned that a long cold stare did as much to quiet pensive complaints as a full blown temper tantrum. Sessh was damn good at it too, having inherited the ability to freeze a room solid with his own silence. Inutaisho was more expressive in his opinions and when it had been a particularly annoying day, he wasn't above throwing a few things to get the ball rolling.

 

His councilors were good at their jobs, valuable for their insights and quick to duck.

 

He walked to the center of the small complex, looking around him with interest and wondering just what did a dog have to do around here to get attention. Not only would his approach have been noticed and watched at the fortress, he would have been challenged at the gate, asked his business and placed under guard until his intentions were clear.

 

But that was his fortress, where no one would have assumed that a dog was just a dog. Here he was, twice the size of a normal animal, an unconscious woman slung across his back like a parcel and still he waited? Ridiculous. The white dog gave a huff of disgust, his long plumy tail swishing over the girl's bare ankles and tickling her feet. She stirred slightly and he listened, wondering if she was about to wake.

 

"Hey!" a voice shouted. Inutaisho turned to see a few men running his way. About damn time.

 

"Is that a dog?"

 

"By the gods, it's huge!"

 

"We should kill it and send its pelt to the emperor as a gift," another voice put in excitedly.

 

My what, he thought, half amused and half horrified. Barbarians, as if mere humans could kill the lord of the West, let alone skin him for his pelt! He was frankly insulted and thought seriously about transforming right in front of them and giving these ignorant humans the scare of their lifetimes.

 

As more humans started to pour out of the buildings, the demon lord became a bit uneasier. He didn't want to have to injure anyone getting out of here, but his instincts were overtaking him as the humans surrounded him, some waving spears in his direction. He couldn't help it; he braced his legs, lowered his muzzle and growled.

 

"It looks mean," a woman's voice said fearfully.

 

"What's that on its back?" a man questioned. "Is that a girl?"

 

Yes, it's a goddamn girl, he thought, starting to get angry at their tone. Time to put an end to this. Slowly, he lowered his haunches and let the girl slide off his back. She flopped ungracefully on the ground, rolling over on her back, her chin tilted up at the sky.

 

"Oh no! It's lady Izayoi," a voice cried. "It killed her!"

 

Stupid, useless, foolish wretches, he snarled, showing his very long and sharp teeth. Look at her, don't you have eyes? She's far from dead, you worthless morons! He was getting more pissed the longer he stood there and Inutaisho knew it was time to go.

 

"Kill it! That dog attacked the lord's daughter!"

 

"Call the archers, it looks dangerous! Where is the lord, someone needs to wake him."

 

Preparing to be attacked, the dog braced his forelegs, snarling in anger at the humans who dared to threaten him. They were in for a nasty surprise, human arrows couldn't pierce his body, human spears would bounce off his shoulders. He wouldn't have to hurt anyone, he hoped, but more and more it felt like he wanted to and that was a bad thing for the humans and an unpleasant thought for a demon lord who held himself above such acts.

 

"Stop it, you fools!" A tallish young man came running into the middle of the crowd, glaring around him. "Can't you see that this dog brought my sister home? I'd hardly think it attacked her. Put away those spears, can't you see you're scaring the animal?"

 

I'm not scared, he thought with injured dignity. The dog sat, his feathery tail wrapping around his feet as his striking golden eyes regarded the human. The young man knelt at the girl's side, tenderly taking her head in his lap.

 

"Izayoi?" he asked softly. "Are you okay, can you hear me?"

 

The girl opened her eyes, reaching up to touch her brother's face. "Ryunei? Where...where am I?"

 

"Home, little sister. What happened? You were due back hours ago and your guards never reported back."

 

"We were attacked," the girl murmured, sitting up with her brother's assistance. He stood and helped her to her feet, steadying the girl as she wobbled. Izayoi's face was pale, old fear still standing in her eyes. "We were attacked by bandits, they killed old Edo and the guards. I thought I was going to die too, but..."

 

Her voice faded away as she caught sight of Inutaisho, calmly sitting still and waiting to be forgotten. "This dog saved me," she breathed.

 

Inutaisho suddenly found a human girl wrapped around him and gave a yelp of surprise as she tried to hug him. She had a strong grip for a human, he thought, trying to squirm away and failing. "Thank you," she whispered and Inutaisho felt his muscles relax, soothed by the girl's sincerity. His tail automatically wagged, slapping against the ground firmly and he dipped his muzzle to give her a friendly lick.

 

You're welcome, human girl.

 

oOo

 

"I demand you return my daughter!"

 

Annoyed, I stared back at the old lord, my eyes glittering like golden ice. "What makes you think I know where she is?" I snarled, my fists clenching.

 

Lord Sakusei drew himself up, all pompous dignity and pride. He clutched a piece of tattered parchment in his fist, shaking it at me as if he thought I'd cower before the threat. Yeah right, who the hell did he think he was dealing with? The angry clanlord threw the paper on the floor and pointed at it with one gnarled claw.

 

"Boy," he growled. "You think I don't know you wrote that ransom demand?"

 

"I wasn't aware you could read, why would I send you a letter?" I hissed, getting into the spirit of things. Oh sure, Anuki's father liked to bluster on like the old bag of wind he was, but I wasn't used to empty threats, I cut my teeth on the real thing.

 

Sakusei's face grew redder, if that was possible, hating being insulted by a boy half his size. I couldn't blame him really, I was already nothing less than a foul-mouthed whelp and I loved nothing more than a confrontation. Anuki's father wasn't worth my time, not really, but I'd already learned to enjoy humiliating people who weren't as smart as me.

 

"Maybe you had one of your servants read it aloud?" I suggested, leaning back to rest my shoulders against the wall. I'd let him back me this far, it was for show more than anything else. There were others in the room, but my display was all for the cold hearted monster sitting nearby. My teeth bared in a primal snarl. "Why is it every time your daughter runs away, you think I had something to do with it?"

 

"This is the only place she ever runs to, because of you and that bastard half -breed piece of filth!"

 

I couldn't see for a minute. It was fine to attack me, I lived for it, but you did not insult Inoki when I was in the room. Anyone who made that mistake got to wear the marks of my claws for a while. I didn't care that there was an audience of interested nobles, I didn't care that my own father was watching or what he'd think. He was keeping silent for the moment, letting me deal with Sakusei's anger and accusations.

 

Of course I'd sent the damn ransom letter, who the hell else would have had the nerve to insult the old bastard like that? If Anuki hadn't run straight to Inoki and me every time her father made her cry, I might not have been so pissed off at him.

 

The older youkai leaned over me, realizing he'd made a verbal hit in talking about my brother. "I don't want my daughter consorting with half human scum, I demand you return her to me at once!"

 

This time, I didn't hesitate. I darted away, bringing my foot up in a graceful kick he couldn't dodge. The breath went out of his fat belly in a squeak, both hands coming around to protect his midsection. I was faster than him, much faster and my claws were sharp in spite of my youth.

 

"Had enough, old man? Not much of a challenge in a decrepit old son of a bitch like you."

 

The old lord's face contorted with anger. "You dare strike me, lord of the Sutakasi clan? You insolent little bastard, I declare blood feud for this insult!"

 

"Sakusei." My father's voice dropped sullenly into the room, immediately darkening the very air with his malevolent presence. "That's enough."

 

I didn't move, my eyes still boring into Anuki's father. Sakusei, on the other hand, paled rather dramatically. He suddenly realized what he'd just said. By challenging another youkai to blood feud, you were inviting their entire clan into the dispute.

 

Including vicious, unprincipled warlord fathers.

 

My father propped his head on his fist and looked bored with the whole display. "I don't think you intend to make me your enemy by threatening my eldest son, Sakusei."

 

"I don't need you to defend me, father," I hissed, my eyes snapping. He smirked at me, knowing that I'd despise any attempt to do so.

 

"You have no say in the matter, boy," he said in that cold cruel voice that gave me nightmares. "I'll do as I wish. Do you wish to dispute me here?"

 

I clamped my mouth shut, tasting blood on my tongue. My father slowly rose from his seat, moving with the deadly grace of a master predator. Sakusei meant nothing to him, I was well aware of the fact. The Sutakasi clan held no territory anymore, only a small estate by the lake. They had an impeccable bloodline and were held with enormous respect by members of the court.

 

That could change in an instant with my father's whim. I had no wish to see them slaughtered because of my temper and forced my body to rock stillness as my father approached.

 

Sakusei dropped his eyes, not wanting to challenge my father in the least. I refused to let myself shiver as my father placed a hand on my shoulder. "Now, Inutaisho," he murmured, threatening me with his very nearness. "Return the girl-child to her father."

 

I flushed, not wanting to give in to the miserable bastard, but I knew better than to push my father in front of others. I might get away with a beating for my sharp tongue if it was in private. Publicly push him and he'd find some new and inventive way to make me pay. My father's hand slid from my shoulder to my neck and slowly tightened, his claws digging into my skin and causing tiny pinpricks of blood. I could smell it, the scent of my blood made me want to capitulate, but I was too stubborn.

 

Go ahead and break my neck, you son of a bitch, I thought.

 

"Is the girl someone special to you, my son?" my father whispered. "Is she more than a friend? Does lord Sakusei have reason to be concerned?"

 

Sakusei's face went even paler, if that was possible. I was starting to tremble with burning fury when my father's claw pressed into my throat and drew a thin line of crimson just under my jaw. I didn't move, I barely breathed. I saw confusion and nausea flicker in Sakusei's face.

 

Yes, my father's obsession with me was common knowledge by now, as well as the way he liked to terrorize both Inoki and me. Not like that, I know what you're thinking. He'd never tried it again, not after that one night. Still there was nothing normal about our relationship, if you could call it that. Instead, it was my father's will to mold me, make me desire the power he held. He wanted to make me like him, drive out any feelings of pity or compassion that I might feel.

 

Make me into a heartless beast, living only for the pain and absolute domination of others. Sakusei was a mean spirited old windbag, close-minded and bitter about his own waning power, but even he was no monster to his own child.

 

"No," I muttered, not struggling against his grip. I knew he'd enjoyed watching me taunt old Sakusei, knowing that I was learning from him how to control, how to hurt with words as well as actions. It made me sick, how much I was becoming like him and I clenched my teeth in disgust.

 

I heard a stumbling step behind me and knew that Anuki had come out of hiding. She and Inoki had concealed themselves behind one of the heavy tapestries. She went swiftly to bow in front of her father. "Please forgive me," she said, her light voice breaking the tension in the air. "I should not have run away, father. Inutaisho was just playing a prank, I never meant to cause any trouble."

 

She did it for me, I understood that and so did her father. He nodded to the girl. "Go home, Anuki. I'll speak to you later."

 

My father's hand slowly released me and I couldn't help myself but to shove away from him. "See, lord Sakusei," my father murmured, his eyes lighting with dark humor. "You have to know how to talk to children."

 

I held my silence with difficulty, slowly withdrawing from the room while my father and Sakusei continued talking. Good enough, they'd forgotten all about us and that's how I wanted to keep it.

 

Outside the audience hall, I wasn't surprised to find Inoki waiting for me, Anuki at his side. I glared at them both and tried to put all the venom I could in my voice. "Haven't I told you both not to get involved?"

 

"Inu, he was hurting you," Anuki said, her voice soft. I looked at her and just shook my head. She was about the only friend either Inoki or I was allowed to have. Her bloodline was well respected and even my father understood the necessity of putting on a veneer of civility. I could see the concern in her expression and my anger softened. I felt the scratch; at least it was just a scratch.

 

"Anuki, it's nothing. You shouldn't have come in there, it was dangerous. He's just as likely to turn on you and Inoki as anyone."

 

My brother sighed, leaning against the wall. "Damn it, Inu. It wasn't worth it, you should have just given in."

 

I laughed at that. "Can't do it, little brother. Not for him. The day I show him weakness he'll probably kill the both of us just for the hell of it."

 

"He wouldn't really do that, would he?" Anuki asked, looking from me to my hanyou brother. "I mean, he's still your father. He wouldn't kill you."

 

He'd do that and worse, I thought, rubbing my neck thoughtfully. I reached over and put my hands on her shoulders. "Anuki, listen. If you ever see him hurting me, doing anything like that again, you just leave. You run. Are you clear on that? If you aren't, then don't come to fortress anymore."

 

Anuki's eyes flashed. "You don't tell me what to do, Inutaisho! I'll go wherever I want."

 

Inoki reached over and gently took her away from me. "He's right, Anuki. Don't get involved, my brother can take care of himself."

 

I can take care of you both too, I thought grimly. Just watch me do it. A delicious idea was forming in my mind, I hadn't forgotten Sakusei's insults just yet, and I wasn't going to let it drop either. My brother saw the look on my face and groaned.

 

"You idiot, what are you thinking now? I know that look."

 

I grinned and reached out to grab him, put him in a headlock so he couldn't squirm away. Anuki knew her cue and attacked Inoki, tickling him mercilessly as I held him in place. "Stop it!" Inoki shrieked. He struggled, but he knew already that I would always be stronger and finally the three of us collapsed on the floor, laughing so hard that we couldn't even stand up.

 

I rolled over and propped my back against the wall, Anuki snuggling into my side. I reached up to play with her hair. "What do you think your father is going to do when he gets my next letter?"

 

Inoki sat up, still wiping tears of mirth from his eyes. "You gonna send him a bill for taking care of her or something? He'll go through the roof, Inu!"

 

"I'm going to do just that, brother. I have to teach him respect, you know." It was instinct, I guessed. Instinct and a warped sense of humor. I knew one day I'd be the one in charge and there was no way I'd let even old Sakusei remember a day when he'd gotten the better of me. I felt Anuki start to shake with silent giggles and grinned down at her. I think even then she just ran away to make him angry and to be with me.

 

And I was starting to look forward to it and I winced, thinking of the danger I made for her and my brother, just by being his son.