InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Twilight and Shadow ❯ Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )

Author's Note: InuYasha belongs to Takahashi Rumiko-sensei. The plot belongs to me. Enjoy!

Twilight and Shadow

Chapter 1

The night seemed to drag on for the inu-youkai found pacing a long, dimly lit corridor in front of a bedroom with rather large French doors. The inu-youkai was in his human form, a white kimono underneath his samurai armor. His long, silver hair was tied back into a ponytail, revealing his shiny amber eyes filled with anticipation and worry.

His wife was in labor with their first child. And, not being able to be in there with her was taxing heavily on the youkai's nerves. Not only did he want to see his child the moment he or she was born, but also, he wanted to be with his wife through it all. But, the midwife had calmly and politely told him that he'd be in the way. With a quick goodbye kiss, they were separated.

It had been several hours now, and the inu-youkai was getting more and more impatient with each passing minute. How was his wife doing? Was the child born? Was it a girl or a boy? What if the child was deformed? So many questions buzzed through his head, making him more and more nervous. It was no surprise that he jumped in shock when one of the French doors banged open. The youkai whirled around.

"Inutaisho-sama?"

Inutaisho looked at the midwife, her eyes sparkling in warmth. "What?"

"You have a son. You may see your wife and child now."

Delighted with this news, Inutaisho swept past the midwife without another word to his wife's side. She smiled in fatigue, a bundle of blankets in her arms. Inutaisho grabbed Yuni's hand and looked down at the newborn.

"He looks just like you, Inutaisho," she said softly.

Inutaisho noticed a faint blue crescent moon mark on the boy's forehead as well as faint magenta marks on his cheeks...obviously from his mother. He picked up the boy and held him gently against his chest.

"He has your markings...and possibly your eyes. I guess we shall see when he opens them."

Yuni smiled broadly despite her lack of energy. "What will he be named?"

Inutaisho took a good look at his small son. Despite the fact that he was just newly born, he could sense a strong power within the child. He knew his son would become a powerful inu-youkai one day. Good. He'll need that if he's to be my heir, he thought. Inutaisho looked at his wife.

"I shall call him Sesshoumaru."

She smiled again, but let it fade fast. Inutaisho noticed and sat beside her on the bed. "What's wrong?"

Yuni looked down at the thin blanket she had over her, part of it clenched in her fist. "The birth was...difficult for me. You know how tiny my body is."

"Are you hurt?" Inutaisho asked quietly, concern showing in his voice.

"I'm fine for now, but...I can never bear you another child. If I try to bear another child, there is a great possibility that you will lose me, the child, or both of us."

Shock quickly fluttered across Inutaisho's eyes before he replaced it with an empty gaze. For the longest time, he'd hoped for a large family. He always wanted a son to carry on in his stead, but he wanted other children as well. He got his male heir...but his other dream was now dashed. He looked down at his wife, and with much difficulty, let a sympathetic smile show on his face.

"It's all right. You rest for now. I'll make sure the nurse takes care of Sesshoumaru."

Inutaisho got up and gave the child over to a youkai nurse. He left the room, shutting the door behind him. He closed his amber eyes, letting his anger get the best of him. With lightening speed, he raced down the corridor, out a door and into the night. There, he turned into his full youkai form, a dog, and took off into the mountains.

He knew he should be happy. He had a son. But, his wife's news angered him, and Sesshoumaru was pushed out of his mind for now. He needed time alone...time to think things over. He needed to calm down and think of the good things that came out of this unsuspected development. But, at the moment, that was just a little too hard for him.

A young inu-youkai laughed and raced down the corridor, his arms stretched out before him. His

waist-length silver hair flew behind him like a banner. His kimono was white with a red pattern on the sleeves and left shoulder. His amber eyes were alight with innocent mischief as he looked back. His nurse was running after him, and he was leaving her far behind. The dumpy nurse soon became out of breath and she stopped, leaning against a stone wall, trying to catch her breath.

"Sesshoumaru-sama! Slow down! Your mother-"

But, Sesshoumaru didn't listen to her. He continued to giggle as he finally reached his destination. He pushed open the door that led to his mother's sitting room. He caught sight of the frail-looking youkai and squealed in delight. He ran to her and jumped up into her lap. She gasped in pain as the child landed in her lap, jarring her body.

"Sesshoumaru, be careful! You hurt mama," Yuni said with a slight frown.

Sesshoumaru frowned. "I'm sorry, mama. I didn't mean to hurt you!"

Yuni couldn't help but smile at her son. "I forgive you. What were you doing?"

"The mean nurse was chasing me, so I ran away," Sesshoumaru said with a shrug.

Yuni shook her head in mirth. "But, Sesshoumaru, she needs to take care of you."

"How come you can't do that?"

Yuni sighed. "I am very ill, Sesshoumaru, and can't keep up with you. That's why the nurse is here. She helps me take care of you."

"Mama?"

"Yes, darling?"

"Where's papa?"

Yuni frowned at the mention of her husband. She knew Inutaisho was the Lord of the Western Lands and had responsibilities keeping his subjects and land safe, but he was gone too often for her tastes. She knew he hadn't taken well to her news the night Sesshoumaru was born, and she often found herself entertaining thoughts of him cheating on her with another inu-youkai who was more capable of producing more children.

But, she knew she was just being foolish. Inutaisho would never cheat on her. She just knew by the way he acted when he came home. He would shower her and Sesshoumaru with boundless love and devotion. And, she knew that Inutaisho adored his only son. She could tell by the way Sesshoumaru acted. His eyes always sparkled when he sensed his father's presence and he always looked forward to the time the two spent together, no matter how short it was.

She thought it a strange relationship they had, for Sesshoumaru being so young. He was only eight years old, which was very young by youkai standards, and yet, Inutaisho had taken it upon himself to start teaching his son how to be a strong, but wise youkai. Inutaisho could always be found lecturing his son on the finer points of ruling the Western Lands. He was tough when he needed to be, but soft if his son really needed a shoulder to cry on. Inutaisho knew his son needed a balance of affection and discipline, and he tried his best.

Yuni looked down at Sesshoumaru, who was looking at her expectantly for an answer. She smiled warmly at him and hugged him close. "He's away patrolling his lands. He said he'd be back before sundown."

Sesshoumaru tried wiggling out of his mother's arms. "Ah, mama! You're holding me too tight!"

Yuni giggled. "There's no such thing, love."

Sesshoumaru wrestled himself from his mother's arms and tumbled down to the floor. Yuni sat up in worry, thinking her son had hurt himself, but he just bounded up with a smile. She sat back with relief.

"Why don't you go play with Jaken now, hm?"

Sesshoumaru groaned. "Do I have to? He's so boring and all he does is grovel at my feet. He's no fun."

"Well, find something to do before your father comes home. Dinner will be ready when he gets here."

Sesshoumaru nodded before taking off. Yuni sighed with a smile and looked out her window. Her sitting room was pretty empty except for two chairs and a small table. Off in the corner, a fireplace had been built in. Despite the warmth that came with mid to late summer, Yuni often was cold because of her thin frame. She'd never recovered from Sesshoumaru's birth and spent her days either lying in bed or sitting in her sitting room.

She began to wonder why Inutaisho never got rid of her. There were plenty of other inu-youkai that'd be happy to be his wife...who'd be able to give him the larger family he'd wanted so much. Her mind began swirling with self-doubt and hate. It was her fault that she couldn't bear children anymore. She felt so useless and such a burden to her ever-faithful husband.

I am so lucky to have someone like Inutaisho as my husband. Any other would've had me killed by now.

A squeal and a loud commotion coming from the entrance hall interrupted her thoughts. Yuni smiled as she stood, knowing perfectly well who was causing such a ruckus.

"Mama!" Sesshoumaru cried. "Papa's home!"

Author's Note 2: Well, there's chapter 1. I hope you all enjoyed it! Please leave a review telling me what you think! Constructive criticism is always welcome if you have any. Thanks!

Written by Hope Maria Conaway. August 20, 2004