InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Young at Heart ❯ Rage ( Chapter 3 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

By: Cierah

Chapter Three: Rage

The rumbling entered the cave with great intensity, and Sesshomaru shifted forward to peer back out the cave, his hands still covering his ears. Wincing, his eyes met bright light, and he gasped. Blinking rapidly, he watched in fascination as his father wielded his sword.

-------------------------------

Inutashomaru was now surrounded by the humans, dodging spears, and swords, blocking arrows, and using his sword to protect himself. His desperation was now greater, as the men surrounded him. Something out of the corner of his eyes, caused him to hiss. There were men approaching the cave. Crying out, he jumped into the air, but was stopped as several spears embedded into his back at his retreat. Turning around, he met the men full on with his sword, but he couldn't use his backlash wave. They were too close and came at him too quickly for him to prepare his wave attack, he needed more space. `Sesshomaru!' His mind cried out.

--------------------------------

He blinked again watching his father disappear amongst the men, and crawled forward hoping to locate him. His eyes met dark blue pants and he stumbled back in fear. Sesshomaru was roughly grabbed by his hakama and held up to face the man.

“What do we have here?” The man bellowed, holding the child tightly.

Sesshomaru froze, unsure of what to do. His whimpers were low, and he quickly clamped his mouth down on the mans arm, biting as hard as he could. It had little effect on the man and didn't even draw blood. But the man did shake the little boy, and used his other hand to backhand the face.

Crying out, Sesshomaru urgently pushed and kicked, trying to loosen the grip, but to no avail as another sharp strike landed on his face. Sesshomaru still fought, and scratched at the arms holding him, crying out this time for his father.

------------------------------

Inutashomaru felt his heart freeze in terror at the cry of fear that entered the field with such force it almost drove him to the ground on his knees. Growling, now without any rational thought, he felt his body heat up with red fury. His vision went black and his bones cracked and stretched. His rage at such a high peek left no room for anything now, but to get to his son. Changing form was quick and not without some pain, but now towering over the men who stared upward at the now full sized dog, they scrambled back at the red in his eyes.

Jumping away, he raced to the caves entrance, jumping up onto the ledge in one bound, and snapped the man in half. Sesshomaru fell to the ground. The boy scrambled backwards and reentered the cave grabbing his fur and holding it tightly. He knew it was his father standing there, and the deep voice penetrated his fear.

“Sesshomaru, we leave.” His father commanded, keeping his body between the arrows and his son. “Get on.” Sesshomaru didn't hesitate for an instant, and wrapped his fists into his father's coat, and held on tightly. Burying his face in his father's soft fur, he felt tears enter his eyes, and wiped them away quickly. His father moved quickly, and they soon left the cave, his father bounding upward towards the top of the cliffs.

Currently out of danger, Inutashomaru kept running, wanting to put some distance between the men and them. The midday sun was reaching and he finally slowed his gait, and slowed right down to a walk. The fists buried in his side, were holding on so tightly, he winced as his fur was pulled. His coat was wet, and he sighed. Coming to a complete halt, he felt the fists loosen, and he changed form quickly. His son held his fur tightly in his grasp now, shuddering still with fear.

Kneeling beside Sesshomaru, Inutashomaru placed his hand on his son's back. His son about faced and wrapped his little arms around his neck sobbing. Gathering his boy in his arms, he held him tight. “Easy. It's over now.” His son nodded into his shoulder and sniffed. Pulling away, Sesshomaru gathered his feet and stood there, his fur discarded on the ground forgotten for the moment.

Inutashomaru winced at the redness on his son's face and he growled. Placing his hand on Sesshomaru's face, he gently ran his fingers over the hand mark. His son looked down at his feet and whispered softly. “I'm sorry father.”

Lifting his son's face so their eyes met, he frowned. “For what?”

“I cried. I was scared.” Sesshomaru whispered.

Swallowing, Inutashomaru nodded, and pulled his son back into his arms. “It is I who should be apologizing, Sesshomaru. I placed you in danger.”

Placing his head into his father's shoulder, Sesshomaru tried to suppress the shiver that ran through his body, and the tears that threatened to surface again. He felt himself being picked up and he laid his head to the side, keeping his left cheek free, because it still hurt. Blinking, he gasped suddenly.

His father continued walking, but looked down when his son gasped. “What is wrong?”

“My friend is still there.” The little boy whispered brokenly.

Smiling, Inutashomaru nodded. “I believe the mouse is safe, Sesshomaru.”

A nod, then stillness. Entering a small clearing, Inutashomaru noticed a small stream trickling nearby, and walked over to it. The cool water would ease the ache his son felt at being struck, and he shifted his shoulder to wake the sleeping boy.

“Hmm?” Came the muffled whimper.

“Wake, we are stopping for a bit.”

His son lifted his head and glanced around. “It's pretty here.”

Smiling, Inutashomaru lowered his boy to the ground, and watched as his son wandered around the clearing, seemingly to have forgotten about the danger they had been in earlier. Taking a deep breath, Inutashomaru shook his head. `Youth.' Walking over to the stream, he called his son over.

“Sesshomaru.” He whispered.

His son ran over, and knelt beside the water. He gazed into it and watched his reflection, but jumped when he felt pressure on his left cheek. Wincing, he pulled away.

“Easy.” His father muttered, wiping the left side of Sesshomaru's face gently with a soft cloth.

Sesshomaru frowned, but remained still while his father applied the cooling liquid to his throbbing cheek. His father stopped the gently ministrations, and sat back on his heels. Looking up, Sesshomaru smiled. With his face still sore, he stood up and ran to the center of the camp to continue his exploration. Bending over a log, he peered under it curiously.

There were all sorts of bugs under there, and he got down on all fours to peer closer. They were scrambling around in a frenzy, and he smiled. Something flew out then and he pulled his face back surprised, and watched the brown thing flutter away. Not taking his eyes off the insect, he called to his father. “What is that? Another butterfly?”

Inutashomaru glanced over his shoulder, tearing his thoughts from the almost deadly confrontation hours ago. “That is a moth.” His father uttered absently.

Sesshomaru noticed the lack of enthusiasm in his father's voice and he shifted his golden gaze over to the tall figure by the river. His father hadn't moved. Frowning, he stood up and dusted off his pants. Did he do something wrong? Was his father angry with him for being such a baby? Was it because he didn't hide properly? Frowning, he hesitantly walked up to his father and knelt down behind him, locking his hands in his lap and staring at them while they twisted nervously.

Hearing Sesshomaru approach and kneel down behind him, he felt his eyes widen. His son only did that when he thought he was in trouble for some wrong doing. Turning around, he took in the nervous wringing of his hands in his sash, and he frowned. “What ails you, Sesshomaru?”

“I have angered you.” Came the hesitant reply.

“You have?” Inutashomaru felt his frown deepen, but followed along amused.

A small nod.

“What did you do?” Inutashomaru asked.

“I am not certain.”

“Then why do you think you have done wrong?”

“You are angry.”

“I am, yes.”

Sesshomaru tightened his hands in his sash. “I'm sorry.”

“Sesshomaru.” Inutashomaru sighed. “Come here beside me.”

The boy unwound his hands from his nervous work and crawled forward on all fours. Kneeling beside his father he waited.

“You think I am angry with you?”

His son nodded.

“I am not.”

Sesshomaru looked up, his eyes wide.

“I am angry at those men, and at myself.” Inutashomaru glanced over at his son. “That man struck you, and I was powerless to stop it.”

“I bit him.”

Inutashomaru chuckled. “Did you now?”

A small confirmed nod was his answer. It was a proud nod.

“I didn't draw blood though.”

Nodding, he crossed his legs, looking over the stream thinking. “I am trying to figure out what I may have done to prevent this incident, so that I don't allow it to happen again.”

Sesshomaru smiled, and crawled towards the stream seeing a silver fish swim by. “I forgot the pack at the cave.” He told his father looking over his shoulder.

“Hmm.” His father nodded. “I will return for it later.”

“Will those shadows still be there?”

His father raised his brows. “Shadows?”

“The smelly one that had me wasn't a shadow. Did they all look like him?” He asked looking back to the stream, watching the fish.

“Ah! Smelly?” Inutashomaru chuckled again.

Sesshomaru wrinkled his nose and nodded.

“Perhaps, but you will remain here.”

Sesshomaru swallowed. “What if they find me?”

“We are too far away now for them to travel this distance before I get back.”

Sesshomaru nodded. “I'm hungry, father.”

“Alright.” His father stood up and glanced down at his son who still looked at the fish hungrily. “Remain here, I will return shortly.” His father turned and walked out of the clearing, leaving his son watching the fish.

He was alone, watching the fish. His mind was no longer on the incident, but on the silver fish that swam by, seemingly teasing him under the water. Smiling, he scooped his hand into the water, and the fish darted a short distance away. Pulling his mouth in a straight line, he edged forward a bit more, reaching his hand out to scoop at the fish again. Growling softly, he forgot how close to the edge of the water he was, but stopped his movement toward the fish when his knee got wet. Looking down, he noticed his right knee in the water, while his left still remained on the bank.

Pouting, at how the fish had succeeded in its task to draw him into the water, Sesshomaru stood up and pounced into the water fully trying to catch the fish that now seemed to be egging him on by swimming in lazy circles. He was thoroughly wet now, his long silver hair plastered to the side of his face, and water dripping from his chin. As he pounced, he almost caught the fish, and quickly changed directions when the fish about faced and darted off. Pivoting quickly, Sesshomaru pounced again, and created a large splash, soaking him further.

Sitting back crouched low, he jumped again, and again, missing the fish every time. He didn't know how much time had passed, since his father had left, but he was growing quite frustrated at this elusive fish. His irritation showed through a louder growl, and he heard something soft whimper. Startled, he immediately froze. Blinking, he lifted his head and looked around.

He had managed to wander from the clearing, and he blinked again. Sesshomaru stood up straight and made his way back to the clearing, and climbed up onto the bank, dripping wet. There wasn't an inch of him that didn't get soaked, and he sniffed. Sitting down at the edge of the water again, he continued to wait for his fathers' return.