InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Young at Heart ❯ Overlooking a Field of Lights ( Chapter 10 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

By: Cierah

Chapter Ten: Overlooking a Field of Lights

Darkness fell across the lands quickly and Inutashomaru sat with his back to Nurie and Sesshoumaru as they played in the small creek. Smiling faintly, he listened to their laughter and he felt his heart lift somewhat, knowing his son was enjoying himself. Nurie would be home soon, and that left a small ache grow in his heart, knowing Sesshoumaru would be saddened once she was gone. Furrowing his brows, he stood up and looked over his shoulder. However, rather then facing the two children, he was met with a face full of water.

Blinking rapidly, he lifted his haori and wiped his eyes dry. Sesshoumaru grinned, and then darted off seeing the smirk on his father's face. Nurie giggled and twisted around flying after the small youkai who raced past her. Inutashomaru felt a grin pull at the corner of his lips and he gave chase, growling playfully, making the children squeal in excitement.

Playing was a rare treat for him, as he jumped at his son who squeaked and ducked his attack. Smirking, Inutashomaru twisted in mid air and landed inches away from Sesshoumaru. The young youkai blinked and rolled out of his father's reach, only to have his foot grabbed by the older youkai and he was lifted into the air quickly.

“You're learning quickly, Sesshoumaru.” Inutashomaru grinned. His smile faded fast as he was tackled from behind by the little girl he had momentarily forgotten about. Releasing his grip on Sesshoumaru's foot, Inutashomaru wrapped his arms around Nurie, who giggled uncontrollably, squirming frantically trying to get out of his grasp.

Grunting, Inutashomaru felt his son pounce on him and he was suddenly face down in the dirt with both children on his back. As quickly as they had attacked him, they were off once again, and he rolled over onto his back narrowing his eyes playfully, trying to find out which direction they had run off in.

Seeing a cloud of dust settle off to his left, he hopped to his feet and took chase. Growling, Inutashomaru raced after the little girl and snatched her up under his right arm, and spun around in a blink of an eye searching for his son. Inutashomaru caught sight of Sesshoumaru and ran after him. Sesshoumaru feigned left causing him to jump to his right, and gasped in amazement as Sesshoumaru darted off to his left.

“You little mutt.” Inutashomaru grinned, turning his direction towards his son once again. Nurie giggled from her position under his arm and started tackling his side, and he jerked in surprise and stopped his pursuit for a moment. “That is playing dirty.” He chuckled, taking her hands in his and pinning them against him. “That's better.” Nodding, he scanned the area for his child and found him perched on a boulder watching with a large smile plastered across his face.

Growling low in his throat, he bolted for Sesshoumaru whose eyes widened in shock. Scrambling to his feet, Sesshoumaru jumped off the boulder and onto the ground quickly. Gasping, Sesshoumaru spun around and jumped into the air, feeling his father reach out to grab him. Barely missing escape, Sesshoumaru scrambled off once again and felt his father quickly gaining ground behind him.

“Get back here you little pup.” Inutashomaru chuckled, reaching out once again for his son's haori. He froze in surprise once again as Sesshoumaru jumped and twisted in midair, landing on his shoulder and jumped off behind him. Blinking in shock, he turned around and stared at Sesshoumaru for a moment before growling again and taking chase. “Where did you learn that move?” He growled playfully, reaching out again for his son's shirt.

Sesshoumaru squeaked and did a front roll to avoid his father's grasp. “No where.” He gasped. The small youkai was unable to get to his feet as his father gripped the back of his haori and lifted him off the ground.

“Good job. You had me going there for a bit.” Inutashomaru grinned, flashing his teeth.

Sesshoumaru smiled and hung in midair staring into his father's golden eyes. Something caught the young youkai's eyes and they left his father's golden ones to stare behind him.

“Father, where is that light coming from?”

Turning around, and looking in the direction Sesshoumaru was, Inutashomaru stared for a moment. Lowering the children to the ground, they walked to the cliffs edge and stared at the field below. A faint blue yellow light filled the field and both children stood in awe.

“Father, what is that?”

Nurie grinned. “They look like torches, but little ones.”

Lowering himself to his knees, he put his arms around both of them and smiled. “Those are fireflies.”

Sesshoumaru turned his head and stared at his father for a moment. “Fireflies?”

Nodding, Inutashomaru stared at the thousands of flies littering the field below. “They are seeking a mate. The females are the ones who have the quick flashes, and the males are the ones who have the slow and steady flashes.”

Sesshoumaru and Nurie both formed a large oh on their mouths staring in silent wonder. Inutashomaru stood up and glanced down at them for a moment before turning away. “Come, it is time to go.”

Nurie and Sesshoumaru turned away from the field and nodded, following him quickly. Inutashomaru stopped suddenly, feeling a sharp sting on his neck and he lifted his hand smacking the irritating bug. Staring down into his hand, he stared at the flea in distaste.

“Myoga, why do you insist on drinking my blood?”

“Master, it is so good to see you.”

Grunting, Inutashomaru glanced over his shoulder and saw that both children were looking at him strangely. “What do you want, Myoga?” He asked, looking into his hand once again. The flea jumped onto his shoulder and looked at the children.

“Is that master Sesshoumaru? He has grown so much. Whose is the human girl?”

Clenching his fist, Inutashomaru growled in warning.

“Sorry master. I came to inform you that there are rumors in the west about some cats seeking new lands.”

“Cats?” Inutashomaru murmured. Myoga jumped off his shoulder, and he turned around seeking the flea out.

Sesshoumaru stood stock still, staring at his nose for a moment, before swatting at the flea in desperation. “Get it off, get it off!” He yowled thinking it was another bee.

Taking a deep breath, he hissed. “Myoga, get over here and tell me what you want.” Inutashomaru shook his head. Lowering himself to one knee, he held Sesshoumaru still and snatched the flea off his nose. Holding the bug between his claws, he squeezed slightly to give Myoga the hint. “Now, what was this about cats?”

Myoga wriggled. “Only rumors master.”

Barring his teeth, Inutashomaru squeezed harder.

“There are rumors that cats have arrived from the mainland and are seeking lands to claim as their own.” Myoga cried out desperately.

Sesshoumaru and Nurie both stared at the flea, and Sesshoumaru stuck his nose close to it and sniffed. “Father, what is that?”

“This is Myoga.”

“Master Sesshoumaru, it has been a long time.” Myoga cried out again.

Blinking, the young youkai lifted his eyes to his father's. “Do I know him, father?”

Shaking his head, Inutashomaru sighed. “You were only two, when Myoga was around last. Where have you been hiding?”

“No where master. I found Toutousai like you asked me to.”

“That was four years ago Myoga.”

“Yes, I got a bit side tracked afterwards. Toutousai wanted me to do a few errands for him.”

“Did you at least remember to give Toutousai my message?”

“Yes master. He has agreed to meet you about the sword you wish to have commissioned.”

Nodding, Inutashomaru dropped Myoga and stood up quickly. “When did he agree to meet?”

“He will meet you on your time master.”

“Tell him a month from the new moon. That should give him sufficient time to prepare his forge.”

“Yes master.” With that, Myoga hopped away.

Sighing, Inutashomaru picked up his pace, and they descended the mountains quickly. “You are almost home, Nurie.” Inutashomaru whispered.

The little girl nodded and clasped her hands. “I can't wait to see mommy and daddy.” She cried.

Sesshoumaru stared at her for a moment, and then raced to his father's side. Tugging on his father's sleeve, Sesshoumaru glanced up. “Father?”

“Yes?”

Lowering his voice, Sesshoumaru looked over his shoulder, and tugged on his father's sleeve again. “Father?”

Inutashomaru frowned, looking down. “What is it, Sesshoumaru?”

Whispering softly, Sesshoumaru stared into his father's eyes. “I don't want Nurie to go.”

Inutashomaru felt his mouth fall open. Sighing, he shook his head. “Sesshoumaru, how would you feel if someone refused to return you to me?”

Sesshoumaru nodded, in understanding. “I know father, but I think I will miss her.”

“You think you will? Or you know you will?”

“I know I will. Will we be able to visit her?”

Taking a deep breath, Inutashomaru reached down and picked up Sesshoumaru. Holding him against his chest, he sighed. “I suppose it all depends on how Nurie's family reacts to her having a youkai as a friend.”

Sesshoumaru nodded, and placed his head on his father's shoulder.

“It will be alright, Sesshoumaru.” He whispered, patting his son on the back. “Even if things do not go well, we can still pass by the village and watch to make sure things are as they should be.”

Sesshoumaru grinned and nodded at that. Closing his eyes, Sesshoumaru drifted off to sleep. Inutashomaru tightened his grip on his son and stared straight ahead. Nurie's steps told him she was close behind. “Stay close, Nurie.” He heard her feet pick up pace and he smiled softly in amusement.

Soon Inutashomaru found he was carrying both children, as he descended the mountains, entering the field where he had battled the men prior. Looking up, he saw the caves entrance and made a mental note to retrieve his son's pack when they returned this way. Stopping on the edge of the field, he listened carefully for sounds of danger, and found it eerily quiet.

“Hnn.” He hissed. “Too quiet.” Proceeding into the field, he made excellent time and entered the woods on the opposite side. Lifting his head to the sky, Inutashomaru noticed the sky getting lighter. Silently, he wondered if returning Nurie to her home during the day would be a wise decision, or if night would be better to conceal them. Shaking his head, he walked on, sniffing the air for traces of Nurie's parent's scent. The little girl would smell like both parents, so finding them would not be a difficult task.

Sesshoumaru stirred and pulled on his father's fur pelt, drawing it closer to his body. Murmuring softly, Sesshoumaru opened his eyes, and shifted slightly. “Where are we?” He whispered.

“We are in the woods where we camped out our first night.” Inutashomaru whispered back, smiling.

“Oh. Is it morning?”

“Almost, another hour and the sun will crest the horizon.”

“Can I sleep some more?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.” Sesshoumaru closed his eyes, snuggling into his father's fur, and sighed falling deep into slumber once again.

Heaving a great sigh, Inutashomaru thought silently. `Must be nice to be able to sleep whenever one desires.'

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Inutashomaru sat cross legged waiting for the children to wake, and he silently hoped they would be quiet in doing so. He stared out at the village, through the thick foliage and counted the number of guards standing watch. Narrowing his eyes, he counted several hundred heavily armed guards, and he felt his fingers touch the hilt of Tessaiga. The sword pulsed softly.

“Only when I am in need of you Tessaiga. Be at ease.” He whispered. Closing his eyes for a moment, he took deep even breaths. The day was far from over, and yet still had not begun. Patience was what would be needed, and opening his eyes staring back at the gates, he hoped that whoever came on guard next would at least be reasonable. The last thing he wanted was to destroy a village when he was returning their missing child.