InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Duty Of Blood ❯ The Lessons Begin.... ( Chapter 4 )

All right, I have decided that this is the last chapter, at least on MM.org. No one is reviewing, which means that no one is interested in this fic. I cannot decide if I am insulted or near tears, I have not had a review on mm.org since chapter two! I am considering simply pulling this from mm.org and going back to ff.net (which means there will never be an nc-17 chapter to this fic, even when Yasha gets back to Kagome)

I will leave the fate of this thing to you, dear readers. Good or bad, at least let me know what you think. At least ask me why everyone is getting on with his or her lives while Naruke is still out there.

~Caliko (shamelessly begging for input)

The Duty of Blood, Chapter Four
by Caliko

Inu Yasha stood in the middle of his father's dojo trying to be still, but he couldn't get his mind off how his hair itched and his scalp ached. The armor his father made him wear was cumbersome and bulky; his hair was pulled back way to tight on the top of his head, and the shoes pinched. The former hanyou's hand literally ached to scratch his scalp in the hopes of loosening up the knot on the top off his head, and his toes seemed to be fighting a losing battle in their campaign to stay relaxed and not rip the binding leather from his feet.

In front of him stood his father, dressed similarly, with an eerily familiar look of absolute calm on his face. Unlike Yasha, Taisho was relaxed, content to allow his son to move first. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword as his eyes watched, patiently waiting for the first sign of action. He didn't really think the boy would attack, though that was a possibility that would have been easily taken care of. No, the taiyoukai waited for Inu Yasha's patience to wear out and force the boy to start stripping off the noble's version of clothing.

This was his father's 'lesson' on acting like a youkai prince. He was required to be expressionless in battle - patient and watchful on the outside, ready to spring on the inside. Taisho required Yasha to quietly sum up his opponent with no wild dramatics, just quiet calm and poised readiness. It was literally killing the younger youkai, or it would if he wasn't already dead.

:::This is taking too long.::: Taisho thought, his eyes narrowing almost imperceptibly. The lesson had two other uses; One, it gave him the opportunity to sum up his son's skills without the distraction of the boys mouth, and two, it forced Inu Yasha to get used to dressing as befitting his station. When the former hanyou went back to the living world, it would be as a youkai, with the restrictive clothing of a prince. No longer would he be allowed to run wild and dress as a peasant - there would be too many eyes watching and waiting for any sign of moral weakness. No, with his pure blood, he would have the responsibility of taking his place in the hierarchy of the western nobles, and he would have to get used to fighting in proper clothing. Of course, spanking the boy whenever he moved to tear the clothes off was fun, too.

He could see his son's hands flex and his eyebrows twitch with discomfort. He *knew* the boy wanted to fidget.. yet he wouldn't do it. The Taiyoukai would never have credited the boy with being this stubborn, yet here he was, passing his little test with sheer obstinacy. If he wanted to torture the boy, he would have to change his methods a bit.

"Hey, Boy!" Taisho called out across the dojo. "Who taught you that stance? You look like an idiot!"

'The Boy' growled, his eyes narrowing. For the moment, his hair didn't bother him, and he was prepared to ignore the shoes.

"Yeah, it looks like something you copied from one of your mates samurai movies! Stupid things, they are so unrealistic! And you taught yourself sword fighting by watching them, I warrant!"

The growling got louder. His father figured out his secret obsession. (or, what he thought was a secret. He hadn't yet figured out that his mother-in-law only bought the DVD's for him.)

"Some of them are beyond ridicules! That Samurai Deeper Kyo, for instance. Two men in one body.. ridicules!"

:::Was he making fun of Kyo-sama? HOW DARE HE?:::

"And then, there is that Kenshin, fellow. What a weakling! How can you fight for justice, and not kill the villains? Isn't that just asking for a sword in your back?"

:::He didn't just go there, did he?:::

"My favorite, however is that DragonballZ program. I swear, take away the fight scenes, please! They are sooo drawn out, and the fighting is so fake! Flying. Keh. Non-youkai can't fly!"

:::Oh that's it! You can make fun of Kyo and Kenshin, but don't you dare mock the Prince of Saiyans!::: With a roar of rage, Inu Yasha moved, pulling his sword and diving at his father in a pitifully obvious overhand attack. Within seconds, the younger man was on the ground with his sword laying across the room. Not only did Taisho block the thrust, he met it with such force that the sword vibrated and flew from his grip. His hand still stung from the power the old man welded, so he shook it, trying to get the feeling back into his fingers.

The Taiyoukai simply smirked a rather Vegeta-like smirk and walked away. "That's enough fighting for today, boy. Get cleaned up. We'll work on you're idea of romance next."

:::I've got to get out of here.::: Inu Yasha groaned, watching as his jail keeper left, leaving the screens open behind him.

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Sesshoumaru leapt from the forest to the clearing in front of the house just as the sun began it's morning acent into the sky. Inside the cottage, he could hear Kagome waking the twins, warning them about the move. He stepped inside, not bothering to announce his pressence.

"Sesshoumaru!" She turned to face him, her eyes wide with shock as she noticed the blood on the previously immaculate kimono. "What happened?"

He lowered his eyes to half-mast, knowing that he appeared bored, as he debated upon whether to tell her or not. Then, realizing that it would lead to less questions later, he said, "Hunting."

"Oh…" Kagome blinked, then turned back to the children. "Now, girls, as soon as we eat, you will have to pack your things. We are moving to your Uncle's estate, and he is not the type to enjoy waiting."

"No." The Taiyoukai said quietly. "They need none of these… things." The word came out in a sneer, "They are Princessess of the Western Lands, and will not require peasant clothes or toys."

"But.. "

"No 'but', woman. I care not how you were allowed to behave with my brother, but you will NOT question me. Eat, then we leave."

Kagome narrowed her eyes, then spun around, patently ignoring him. Rebelliously, she reached moved to the doorway and picked up the bamboo basket that lay there. Then, without a word, she walked back to the girls pallets and picked up each of their dolls to pack. At his growl, she simply said, "Their Grandmother bought these for them, and they are hardly peasant toys."

It was true. Both dolls had the same hair and eye color as the twins, and both were dressed in simple silken kimono's. Their faces were made of delicate china, and their slippers where made of the finest kidskin. For a moment, Kagome could see surprised admiration, as well as puzzlement in Sesshoumaru's features.

Yet, the Taiyouki was not about to admit to having so plebian a sense as curiosity. With a grudging nod, he said, "They may keep their trinkets, Woman. But do not think you may ignore my wishes again."

She nodded, knowing that she pushed their luck. :::But, it won't be forever.::: She thought, not caring that he may hear her in his mind. :::Inu Yasha will be back for us.::: Defiantly, she met his cold gaze, then turned to dish out the food.

"Where's the kit? His scent is all over the room."

"Shippo?" She spoke without turning, busy dishing out the rice. "He went back to Kaede's to wait for Miroku and Sango. He didn't feel right about leaving without letting them know that we are alright."

"Leaving? What makes you think that He was coming with us?" His voice was cold and forboding.

"Shippo is my son. Inu Yasha and I adopted him when the Thunder Brothers killed his parents, and he's our responsibility until he's old enough to make his own way into the world."

Sesshoumaru snorted, then picked up his plate. "Leave it to the whelp to adopt a trouble making kitsune."

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"I'm really worried about Kagome, Ba-chan." Shippo said, bringing his breakfast plate to the Old Miko to wash. "Inu Yasha's dead, he must be. Nothing could survive that explosion! Yet, she refuses to admit it! What's worse, is that Sesshoumaru is forcing her to move into his castle! What if he kills her?"

Kaede sighed, then closed her eyes for a moment. "Inu Yasha's essence is still in the forest, young one. He might very well be alive. As for his brother, Lord Sesshoumaru has too much honor to harm a woman under his care, much less two children of his own blood."

"He drove Inu Yasha from his home when he was a pup!"

The old Miko smirked. "Sesshoumaru didn't drive the boy out. Inu Yasha ran away from home."

"Huh? But I always thought…"

"When he was spending time with Kikyou, he told her the story. I was only a child, so of course I listened in. As one of the few Hanyou's in the castle, Inu Yasha was considered too weak to train. As the Prince, he was considered a burden that must always be protected. He was tired of being relegated to the nursery when all the pups his own age were being taught the basics of fighting.

After his mother died, it became worse. His human blood told Sesshoumaru that he was helpless and frail, and he wouldn't even allow the boy out of the castle. Inu Yasha managed to escape, and he ran away. Every one thought that he would come back on his own, once he tasted how dangerous it was out in the world. Only, he didn't.

Sesshoumaru sent out search parties, but they always failed somehow. Possibly because none of the searchers wanted him back, possibly because Inu Yasha is very good at hiding. Regardless, the brothers didn't see each other again until Sesshoumaru sent the nothing-woman after Inu Yasha."

"Are you telling me that Inu Yasha ran away from home because he was too pampered?" The kit rolled his eyes. "He gave up being a prince because his brother wouldn't teach him how to fight?"

Kaede smiled. "Hmmm. Sounds like him, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, Stupid. I would have stayed where it was safe!"

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Inu Yasha stared at his father, shaking his head. "You want me to what?"

The older Inu smirked, then repeated himself. "Pretend I'm Kagome. I want you to tell me why you love me."

"I don't love you, Old man. I just want to get away from you."

"I'm Kagome, remember? Alright, now tell me why you love her, and try to be as flowery as possible. Women love that."

"Why am I doing this again?" He stalled.

"Because I'll shock you again if you don't." His father replied.

"You're crazy, Old man!"

"Must be, if I think you're redeemable. Now quit stalling."

They were in the library of the castle, with the Taiyoukai sitting down on a pillow and his son standing over him. "I can't do this!"

"Don't you love your mate?"

"Of course I do!"

"Then, tell her."

"Alright, alright! Kagome, I love you." He scowled, then plopped down in front of Inu Taisho. "What's next?"

"Next, we'll work on the correct way to shower your mate with romance." He waved his hand, and an orchid appeared in it. "Now, watch me."

Inu Taisho stood up, then approached his son. "Kagome, my Mate, This is for you. It's not as beautiful as you are, but there are no flowers on this earth as fair as you. I love you, my darling!"

Inu Yasha met his fathers eyes, then burst out laughing. "She would wonder what I did wrong if I said that!"

"You think? It always worked with your mother." The older youkai looked offended.

"Kagome isn't that shallow, Pop. Now, If I just left the flower where she could see it, without giving her a drawn out speech… Yeah. That would work a lot better than telling her that there ain't any flowers as pretty as she is."

Inu Taisho looked surprised, then narrowed his eyes in thought. "Maybe a trail of orchids… leading to an intimate dinner."

"Intimate? With two five year olds and a teenage kitsune? Nahhh!"

"We'll work on this for awhile, Inu Yasha. You can either cooperate, or we can do this the fun way." With another swish of his hands, the infamous 'magic shock machine' appeared in front of them, making the boy swallow nervously. "That won't go back with me, will it?"

"Unfortunatly, no. But, I can keep you here as long as I feel you need it. You decide how pleasant a stay this will be, Boy. Either way, you'll learn manners."

Inu Yasha growled as his father's fingers seemed to caress the on button. With a single twitch, the machine turned on, sending shockwaves down his spine, not unlike the feeling of being purified. Only, it was ten times worse.

With a hoarse scream, he fell to the ground, shuddering. His muscles felt like they were on fire, and his brain seemed to temporarily shut down as his vision went black with the pain. "Alright!" He managed to scream. "Alright!"

Inu Taisho's finger fell off the button, and Yasha's body seemed to calm down. "The easy way, then." He grinned, watching as the boy crawled to his feet. "Now, how do you tell your mate that you love her?"

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TBC

A/N - I'm starting to think that Inu Taisho could give Naruke lessons in sadism! But you know.. I still like the old coot! LOL.. Here's hoping Kagome never thinks of electric shock therapy!

Next on "The Duty of Blood", Kagome and the twins arrive in the Castle of the Western Lord, and the girls start their lessons on being royalty. Inu Yasha learns how to recite poetry, Inu Taisho visits his eldest in a dream, and Shippou convinces Miroku and Sango into traveling to the Castle with them.

~Caliko