InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Waning Moon ❯ Father ( Chapter 8 )

8. Father

They are eating dinner and the night is peaceful except for the quiet banter between Inuyasha and Shippo. Even Sesshomaru is eating, and everyone except for Ah Un, Rin and the Lord himself is watching him with surprise as he picks up a lunch box full of food Kagome had prepared earlier. Rin seems to have finally worn him down.

Inuyasha watches as his brother eats with the polite and proper manners he is sure he is supposed to possess, but doesn't. His mouth full of ramen doesn't stop the half demon from muttering grumpily; even with one arm and his meal balance cautiously on one knee, Sesshomaru manages to look dignified. He scowls darkly at Sesshomaru's ability to do so, and mutters quietly to himself.

“Lord Sesshomaru, what was Lord Sesshomaru's and Inuyasha's father like?” It seems that even the wildlife around them goes silent and the question reverberates almost painfully around Inuyasha's fluffy ears. He doesn't want to hear about his father! He snorts, he's positive Sesshomaru will not answer: he will avoid the question.

Sesshomaru's face is now tilted down towards his ward, and there is an unexpected softness to his features. But before he utters a word Rin is speaking again, “Was he like Inuyasha? Did he protect humans?”

“No.” Sesshomaru intones quietly, “Only one.”

Rin nods cutely in understanding, but Inuyasha's too caught up in his brother's words to think about the Brat. This is the first time he's heard Sesshomaru speak of his father without insulting him in the same instant. He is practically suffocating himself as he listens intently, his mouth still stuffed full with ramen.

“Oh.” She smiles, “So he was like Lord Sesshomaru?” The demon Lord doesn't reply, or move. “Did he look more like Lord Sesshomaru or Inuyasha?” Rin asks after she swallows, her eyes narrowed in thought.

It takes Sesshomaru a mere second to answer, “Inuyasha.” The answer has every occupant of their party's ears perked. Sesshomaru's voice is quiet, and he speaks slowly as if recalling his father as he describes him, painting him in his mind as he does so in everyone else's, “Father had markings identical to the ones Inuyasha does when he releases his demon blood. He did not possess skin as pale as this Sesshomaru's.” Inuyasha's heart stops for a moment when he realises his brother is smiling; a simple up turning of the corners of his lips. He isn't sure if the others have noticed. Perhaps he is remembering a fond memory, Inuyasha wonders as he slurps up a particularly long noodle distractedly, “Inuyasha hasn't matured completely, in mind or in body, but he will grow to look as father did. As for his mind, Inuyasha possesses Father's temper, but refuses to control it as he did and he lacks patience, just as Father did.”

It takes Inuyasha a moment to respond as he allows all the information Sesshomaru has shared to sink into his brain. His ears twitch irritably after a moment, “Hey! You don't have to talk like I'm not here, you know? I can hear you!” He's shushed by a firmly said `sit', which has him mumbling again, as he protectively checks his ramen cup once he's able to sit up.

When he's convinced it isn't damaged in anyway, he dejectedly sits back against the tree behind him and asks, “So what did you inherit from the old man then?”

“His lands and hair colour.” Sesshomaru eyes Inuyasha with deceivingly cold eyes, "Your hair would be like Father's as well, if you washed it." The comment gains chuckles and barely hidden giggles from Miroku and the girls, Shippo's grinning to himself from beside Inuyasha.

“Keh!” As he swallows he glares at Sesshomaru, ignoring Sango's warning look, Miroku's sudden expression of innocence and Shippo's sudden interest with the ground. He also ignores Kagome's fuming at his bad manners, “So why are you sharing all this information now, you ass?”

The demon Lord silently urges Rin to eat her vegetables with his eyes before he turns back to Inuyasha and monotonously states, “You don't know anything about Father, when you should. You are his biggest mistake, little brother. But Father would not approve of having you not know about him.”

Inuyasha doesn't look at all convinced, but he lets the subject drop and chugs the remaining warm water and flavouring from his cup. Kagome is now questioning Sesshomaru, and it surprises the half-breed to hear his brother's nastier tone when talking to her. He seems irritated with her.

Inuyasha watches with amusement as Sesshomaru cuts off one of Kagome's numerous questions as he stands up and begins to walk away. He's surprised to hear him utter a simple thanks to Kagome, which causes her to flush and comment about their manners. He begins to mumble again, about his brother's so-called 'manners' and how he would have gained them; he's a noble and most of the nobles Inuyasha has met are snobs. They hadn't thanked anyone for anything.

This time he is heard and answered by Myoga, “The Master was never fond of bad manners.” The flea comments before he is squished beneath Inuyasha's right hand.