InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Daimyo's Son ❯ Chapter 6 ( Chapter 6 )

CHAPTER SIX

Sesshomaru fell over on the bed, so tired he thought he wouldn't move again for a week. His so called training was wearing him down and not for the first time he wondered if his father really was as crazy as everyone said he was. Combat training in the morning, tactics in the afternoon. And on top of that he was now expected to attend some council meetings with his father. Not to dare open his mouth, that much he understood. He sat quiet as a mouse next to Inutaisho. The Daimyo never addressed him or even looked his way, but Sessh understood that he was there to learn and there absolutely would be hell to pay if he so much as crossed his eyes or looked as bored as he felt.

One good thing had happened, he finally had an afternoon to himself. He was pretty sure it had something to do with the festival taking place that night. Sesshomaru had been looking forward to the festival as a chance to forget about his duties and spend some concentrated time doing absolutely nothing. That was before his father had drifted up behind him and announced that he would be making the rounds with him that evening. So much for his plan of having any fun and wandering around with Namichi and Jano. Maybe I should just take a bath and see if I can get a nap before I have to start getting ready. He rolled over on his back and started to prepare to get up when he was suddenly attacked.

Sesshomaru yelped as something heavy landed on his midsection and stared up into Naota's grinning face. "Did I scare you, Sho-kun?" the boy asked eagerly.

He swore a few words he'd picked up from listening to the household guard and threw his cousin off. "Damn you, Naota! Are you trying to give me a heart attack? Why are you sneaking around my room?"

The hanyou looked proud. "You didn't know I was here, did you? You didn't even sense me. I've been practicing."

"Practicing what? Sneaking up on people in their beds? What kind of idiot are you? Don't you know I could have hurt you?" He was fuming. Oh that would have just been beautiful, snuck up on by an overeager puppy of a hanyou when all he needed was to have reacted like any normal youkai and he'd have slit the brat from end to end. It was as if Naota sat around thinking up new ways to get himself killed and make sure Sesshomaru took the blame.

Naota plopped back down on the bed again, kicking his feet unconcernedly. "You didn't hurt me, Sho-kun. So it's no big deal."

No big deal? Sesshomaru growled at his cousin, itching to pound that smiling face into the ground. "You want me to hurt you? Just come on over here, you don't have to sneak up on me for that."

The hanyou giggled insanely for a moment and Sessh felt his anger lessen under the influence Naota's infectious humor. At least he's got something to laugh about, he decided and started to grin. Naota looked at him, smirking. "I scared you."

"You scare me every day. You're the most terrifying hanyou that's been born in a century. Half the territory lives in fear of you falling on them, Ta-kun." His cousin snickered again and stood up, jumping on the bed like he was a toddler. "I know that. I've spent the last few years of my life trying to decide who is the softest person to land on. So far you're my favorite, does that make you feel better, Sho-kun?"

He snorted. "No, for some reason it doesn't. What are you doing anyway? Don't you have anything better to do that bother me?" The little hanyou grinned. "I heard that you were free this afternoon, I wanted to know if you felt like going for a swim in the lake."

His cousin might be annoying but he was no fool. Sessh about started drooling at the idea of splashing around in the cool, crisp water. It sounded like heaven on earth. "Let's go, brat."

On their way across the courtyard, Naota shot Sessh a conspiratorial look. "You know Sessh, we'll get there faster if we have a ride."

Sessh frowned at his cousin. "Huh, it's not that far, Naota. Don't be a weakling. I'm not carrying you either."

"Didn't ask you to," the boy shot back, looking offended. "I was just thinking your two-headed dragon friend might like a break too. Dragons swim just fine."

He grinned at the hanyou. "For once, you have a good idea. The Daimyo will have to issue a proclamation…Naota had a good idea! His head isn't a full of fluff as we always thought."

Naota blew off the insult with a wave of airy unconcern. "You wish. I'll have you know my mind is constantly full of deep thoughts."

Sessh looked doubtful. "Deep thoughts like what?"

The hanyou flushed. "Well I don't have one ready for you right now," he retorted. Naota broke into a light jog, he was always running just about everywhere, even compared to full-blood youkai he was a ball of constant energy. Was it last week that he'd fallen down the stairs or the week before? Naota's accidents and pratfalls were usually dinner conversation among the other young demons in the fortress. Sesshomaru himself tried to ignore the gossip, he didn't really care either way what people said about his cousin. It was Naota's concern, or the Daimyo's, but not his. He wasn't responsible for keeping the brat out of trouble.

The reached the stable and Sesshomaru's heart instantly lightened when he saw his twin-headed demi-dragon, snoozing comfortably in his stall. He slapped Naota's hands out of the

nearest enclosure, the boy was going to lose his fingers someday, and dragged his impudent cousin over to the stable manager's office.

Juriko broke into a wide grin at the sight of the Daimyo's young heir. "Well, Sesshomaru-sama. It's good to see you, is there something I can help you with?"

Sessh grinned easily, he liked the stable manager. Juriko always took a personal interest in his dragon's welfare. "I was just thinking of taking him out for a quick ride down to the lake."

Juriko clucked his tongue. "Wish you'd come to see me earlier, Sesshomaru-sama. We just gave him a feeding not twenty minutes ago. At his age, he could easily get gut-twist from activity right after eating. And with those two heads, he thinks he needs to eat twice as much as normal demi-dragon. You wouldn't want to risk him, would you?"

"Of course not," Sessh said, a little disappointed. He had been looking forward to soaring over the landscape. It was just as well, the lake was still not far away. "Thank you, Juriko-san."

He turned to look back at his cousin. "You heard him, Ta-kun, he can't…" He looked around but the hanyou had vanished. Sesshomaru scowled. His cousin had been practicing, he hadn't felt or sensed him slip away. This couldn't be good. With a muttered curse, he went back into the courtyard, searching for Naota. Not a hair. "Damn it, stupid kid. Where did he get to now?"

He still wanted his swim, even if Naota was going to pull his disappearing act. No matter, he didn't want the hanyou's company in the first place. Sesshomaru whistled lightly as he started for the main gates, scratching his head and thinking about floating lazily in the cool water. It was a very warm day, unusually so for this time of year. He was just passing the outskirts of the stableyard when he heard an angry sounding squeal. He froze, he knew that animal's sound. Kuchinashi, his father's war stallion, monster and every bit as full of bloodlust as any fighting demon.

Sesshomaru felt a trickle of sweat slide down his backbone. Naota was fascinated by Kuchinashi. His feet broke into a run as he wheeled around and headed for the enclosure. Even Naota wouldn't be that stupid, he thought furiously. Several members of the stable staff were already heading that way, some looked a bit nervous, but he himself was beginning to feel a sense of dread. Images of Naota's savaged body were springing into his mind and the young demon shuddered at the thought of his father's wrath if the hanyou was indeed making his way into the monster's gullet in the form of a light afternoon snack.

A piercing scream came from the enclosure and Sesshomaru stopped dead in his tracks, feeling the blood draining out of his face. He was too late. Horrified, he realized the stable hands were looking at him for what to do. Despite his youth, he was still the son of the Daimyo and he wasn't about to show fear in front of them. Swallowing hard, he made his hands reach out to lift the latch of the gate and stick his nose inside to look around.

A blur of black and silver burst from the paddock and nearly knocked him to the ground, he only kept his feet under him by grabbing onto the enclosure's iron gate. Another shriek pierced the air and Sesshomaru felt his jaw drop open. Naota was riding Kuchinashi. His fists were buried in the monster's long silver mane and his grip seemed to be the sole thing keeping the hanyou astride the beast. Kuchinashi dashed around the open courtyard, his armored hooves sending sparks against the stone as the great charger exulted in his freedom.

"Get out of the way!" Sesshomaru shouted, running after the maniac beast and his insanely stupid rider. A trio of servants carrying festival preparations screamed in terror as the evil demon horse bore down on them. Linens and decorations went flying into the air as they dove for cover. Kuchinashi delighted in tearing into the castaway banners, draped in rich scarlet and gold, he looked like a parade stallion, flashing those glowing eyes and gleaming fangs. Kuchinashi raised himself up on his hind legs, tearing at the air with his sharp hooves and howling his battle-cry that sent shivers down the spine of anyone who heard it.

"Naota!" Sesshomaru yelled, ducking away as Kuchinashi started another wild pass around the open courtyard. "Stop him!"

"How?" the hanyou wailed, holding onto the silvery mane for dear life. Kuchinashi suddenly became aware of his rider once again and bucked viciously, sending the startled boy flying into the air and crashing helplessly into the ground. The charger lowered its head, steam pouring from its reddened nostrils, tracking the hanyou with an unforgiving bloodlust. It was going to tear Naota to bloody shreds right there in courtyard. Sessh didn't think, he didn't even realize he was running when he flung himself in front of his cousin's prone body and threw up his hands. "STOP!"

A bright flash of youki blinded the monster for just a second, causing it to break off its onslaught charge. It wasn't enough to hurt the creature, or even stop it. Sessh had only the beast's confusion to thank for his life. Kuchinashi sniffed the air, his eyes going murderously dark as he caught the scent of the young youkai lord who had interrupted his hunt. Sessh immediately knew he was in deep trouble as the war stallion's lips pulled back and pink foam dripped from its mouth. He stood rooted to the spot, not looking away from those glowing eyes. If he so much as flinched, it would be on him and both he and Naota would die quick, messy deaths.

The war stallion and the young lord faced off in the courtyard, Sesshomaru still standing over the dazed Naota. He didn't know how badly the hanyou might be injured this time, but it didn't matter. He concentrated of keeping himself cool minded so he could think. The fact that Kuchinashi hadn't charged him yet meant something. What was he waiting for? A command? Sesshomaru didn't know any of his father's war commands, he knew Inutaisho had a certain control over the wild monster, it answered to him, docile as a kitten, when spoken to. It was more than capable of savaging anyone in its path without provocation, but now it tested the air warily, deciding if the demon in front of it was going to be a victim or exert the command that would quell him. Sessh personally didn't like his chances. He swallowed hard and opened his mouth, hoping that the words that would come out would turn the beast away, make it return mildly to its enclosure and he could then collapse on the courtyard's stone surface and finish having his nervous breakdown.

"Kuchinashi!" Sessh's eyes widened at the sound of that angry voice. His father walked slowly across the yard, half the fortress seemed to have turned out to watch the show. The silence that filled the courtyard was ominous, Sesshomaru barely dared to breathe. Kuchinashi raised his head and yowled the war-cry again, the harsh sound shivered over him. Inutaisho's eyes were glinting dangerously as he approached the tense standoff.

Inutaisho had heard Kuchinashi's angry challenge all way inside the fortress in his council room. Advisors and secretaries had scattered before him like farmyard chickens when the lord of the Western lands had bolted from his seat and gone at a full run down the corridor. His first thought was that some fool of a handler had gotten too close to the charger…again…and was in the process of losing limbs to Kuchinashi's voracious appetite. Now that he had reached the scene and taken in the unusual standoff he held his temper down with an effort.

Kuchinashi turned angry eyes on his master, plainly asking for permission to tear apart the young upstart that had challenged him. The charger was pure demon essence, formed and reared through careful breeding and sheer youki magic. Inutaisho could read the beast's dark thoughts, primitive, vital. Blood, he was begging for, hot blood, tear, rip, shred…devour.

No, he said to Kuchinashi, holding the wild, willful beast with his mind. The charger protested, struggling against Inutaisho's will and command. Kuchinashi turned back to his prey, bloody saliva still dripping from his teeth. He wanted them badly.

"No," Inutaisho snapped, aware that the eyes of half the fortress were on him, probably the other half too. Sessh's face was very pale, sweat trickling down his cheek as he moved not a muscle, holding himself that still was a strain. Inutaisho couldn't spare a moment to speak to his son, he wasn't going to break the connection with the stallion until it was completely under control. Sessh couldn't know how close he was to death, how delicate the balance was. Inutaisho had no intention of letting Kuchinashi attack his son, but it would grieve him to have to destroy the creature to prevent it.

He stepped closer, absolutely fearless and with complete dominance reached to stroke the slick black coat. The fire dimmed in the stallion's eyes and there was a palpable release of tension. "It's okay," he whispered softly. "You can go back to your stall, they won't bother you anymore." A soft huff from Kuchinashi signaled his compliance and the demon horse turned away submissively, trotting back to his enclosure with no more than a slightly disappointed and disapproving whinny.

Sesshomaru breathed a sigh of relief when the charger turned away from him, it was only his pride that kept him on his feet. He turned to face his father, who was watching the demon horse slowly trot away from them. "My lord Daimyo?"

Quick as a flash Inutaisho seized his son by the front of his clothes and hoisted him in the air. "What the FUCK did you think you were doing? Are you trying to get yourself killed? Of all the stupid, thoughtless, no downright brainless stunts to pull!"

Sessh dug his fingers into his father's arm, angry. "I didn't do it!" he shouted. Around them people were starting to withdraw in embarrassment. No one wanted to see this, even members of the household guard knew to stay out of Inutaisho's way when he was in a rage. The Daimyo shook his son hard. "You should have got the hell out of the way, Sesshomaru!"

Sesshomaru was getting dizzy, his father's grip was cutting off the blood to his head. "It wasn't my fault!" he gasped out.

Furious, Inutaisho flung the boy away from him. Sessh landed hard on his knees, glaring up at his father. "I don't want to hear your excuses," the Daimyo hissed.

"It's not an excuse," Sesshomaru shouted. "It's the truth!" The boy was breathing hard, ignoring the pain in his knees. "You never listen to me, you don't want to hear my side of it. Kuchinashi was going to kill Naota, was I supposed to let that happen?"

"Do you think I would have been happier if he killed you instead?" Inutaisho snarled. "I expect you to think, I expect you to use your brain. Challenging Kuchinashi like that was a no win situation. He would have killed you and moved on to Naota and you'd both be meat. What do I have to do, beat the stupidity out of you?"

Sesshomaru pulled himself to his feet. "If that's what you want to do, go right ahead!" He was so mad he didn't care if the Daimyo beat him to a bloody pulp, it wasn't his fault this happened and no matter how stupid it was to have tried to face down Kuchinashi on his own, he felt it was his only choice.

Inutaisho's eyes glinted with anger. "You don't know what you're saying," he said in a tight, controlled voice. His own father had tried to beat the stupidity out of him several times just for the fun of it. Sesshomaru didn't know what the hell he was asking for, or where the darkness could take them. "Pick up your cousin and take him to the infirmary. Then get yourself cleaned up and dressed for tonight. I'll send someone to get you when I'm ready for you." With those words, the Daimyo turned on his heel and stalked away, causing a flurry of onlookers to dash out of his way.

Sessh bent to shake his cousin, there was no way he was carrying the brat all the way to the infirmary. Not unless he really was too hurt to move. "Ta-kun, wake up, damn it. Can you hear me?"

The hanyou groaned loudly and opened his eyes. "Are we still alive, Sessh?"

The young demon snorted. "Yeah, at the moment anyway."

Naota sat up, rubbing the back of his head and grinning. "Good. Because that was the coolest thing that ever happened to me in my whole life! Did you see how far he threw me? I thought I was going to die! It was amazing Sho-kun!"

His cousin sighed heavily. "You are insane, Naota. Wailing, screaming, barking insane."

The boy's eyes twinkled merrily. "Maybe so, but I'm sure not boring!"

END CHAPTER SIX