InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Confrontation II: Trials and Tribulations ❯ Waiting In Vain ( Chapter 3 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Don't blame me, blame the stupid formatting on this site. I would never post half the chapter in italics!! It's so infuriating!!

All characters with the exception of Kanomaru, Susamajii, Teela, Reinto, Rinjii, Mana & Joudama, belong the Rumiko Takahashi and/or Viz, but definitely not me!!

Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Hentai / Drama | Type: Fanfiction Sequel | Uploaded On: 10.20.2006 | Updated On: 03.22.2007 | Pages: 6 | Words: 6.2K | Visits: 1.2K | Status: Work In Progress

A/N: As always characters are and will be walking that transparent line called OOCness!! I don't know how much longer this family oriented fluffy crap is going to last, my friends. So enjoy it! You know how much I love my angst and drama. Maybe I'll give you just a little taste at the end of this chapter, then the next one and the one after that! ROFL…Anyway enjoy and please don't forget to review. They help me know what edits I should be making.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of them with the exception of Kanomaru, Joudama and…

Chapter 3:

Waiting in Vain

`How did I let her trick me into this,' Sesshomaru thought as he stood on the cliff overlooking the ocean that sat to the west of his home, contemplating the elaborate party that his mate had planned out for their five summers old son. He was no closer to figuring out just how her enchantment worked on him now, than he was an hour ago when he first came here.

Even as a pup, he could remember sitting here in this very same spot staring into the vast blue of the sea below. It stretched on for miles and miles until it seemed to just fall off the edge of the earth. He wondered sometimes, if there was an enormous waterfall at the end, or if it just kept going.

The scene was so picturesque, that he would loose himself in it for hours on end, lost in his own thoughts. He had considered following it until it ended a few times, but always thought better of it.

`Perhaps it is better to just leave some things to the imagination.'

His arms were bent comfortably behind his back, his flourishing white kimono with red embroidery across the left shoulder and around the sleeves billowed about him. The salty breeze blew through his mane and kissed his cheeks softly as squawking sea gulls flew overhead.

Sighing softly, he held his head higher allowing the breeze to kiss the under side of his chin and the skin of his neck.

`This life that I have now is too comfortable…too peaceful. Is it all right for me, a demon to feel such tranquility? Should I not be out there, protecting and defending what is mine? Should I not be in stilling fear into those that would attempt to defy me?'

His life had changed so much in the last few years that he hadn't really seen it coming. It was as if he had awoken one day and realized that he was no longer the wondering youkai that would cut down anyone and anything in his path. He no longer had anything deserving of his wrath.

Gone were the days of Naraku, Jouyoku and the few other demons that he would deem worthy of remembering. Now here he stood a husband and a father, but would that be enough?

`It has to be enough.'

Sure when he returned to his home with his pregnant mate, he was challenged by a few lowly demons, but they weren't worth talking about, nor remembering. Then after the birth of his son a few more made themselves known but he easily eviscerated them without even breaking a sweat.

Those few instances also led to his decision to release all but two of his housing staff.

Still, he couldn't help but to wonder why the most powerful demons hadn't made themselves known as of yet? It had been almost five years and not one of them had even so much as spoken out against him.

`Does this mean that they accept my mating with a human? Could things have really changed that much from the days of my father?'

Of course he didn't fully believe this, but he had to admit that it was a rather pleasant thought.

Bringing his left hand out in front of him, he couldn't help the smirk that played over is normally impassive face. Tightening his fist and releasing it a few times he just stared at it, his head tilting slightly to one side then the other.

It was about two years ago that he had awoken to find it completely regenerated and still to this day it just didn't feel right. He supposed that maybe it was because he had gotten so use to not having it that once he did have it back, he didn't really need it anymore. He supposed anyway.

`My arm, my mate, my pup, my relationship with that baka and his human pack… How could I have changed so much? Did I have a choice? When I chose to mate with Rin, was I also choosing a different life? This existence?'

It wasn't that he didn't enjoy his life; he just wasn't use to the serenity that it brought him. He wasn't use to sleeping at night and not worrying firstly about his borders. Though he loved the idea of having his heir laid upon his chest and his mate at his side every morning when he roused from sleep. He couldn't help but to think that this was all too easy, it was making him rather, complacent.

`This Sesshomaru has never been, nor felt…complacent.'

He had sent Rinji, the only other full blooded male youkai he'd kept in his employ besides Jakken, out on several missions to gather information, but the bear youkai always came back baring news that was best left unheard. He never brought back news of youkai's planning to unseat him, or rogue demons terrorizing helpless villagers. On a few occasions he himself even went out with Rin and Kanomaru at his side and still nothing worth mentioning occurred.

Quite honestly, it was too damn quiet! It appeared that the Western Lands were in harmony with itself or was it just the calm before a torrential storm?

`Pfft'

It wasn't that Sesshomaru didn't want to believe that all was well; he was just too smart to accept that fact. In his heart he knew that it was only a matter of time before something happened, before an enemy or an ally made their intentions known. This was the warring states; demons weren't supposed to care for ninjens. He knew that by mating with one and siring a child it was definitely only a matter of time before his first true trial presented itself. The question that concerned him…made him antsy was, `when?'

`Only time will tell, I suppose.'

Sensing the arrival of his retainer and his two-headed dragon, which had become his son's favorite pet, the Inu Lord turned from the cliff and his ominous thoughts.

He couldn't help but to wonder whom his mate had sent invitations to. He figured that it would only be his half brother and his mate accompanied by their human friends.

`If that is so, then why did it take Jakken two and a half days to return?'

Deciding that it was a waste of his time to even think about, he shrugged slightly and directed his attention back to his home.

Simonkal of Inuy

“Just because she tricked Lord Sesshomaru into mating her, doesn't mean that I'm her slave! Does she really think that I'm supposed to just be at her beck and call? Why that audacious wench! Jakken go here! Jakken do this! Jakken keep an eye on Kanomaru!” Just the thought of the little hanyou was enough to send the toad's blood pressure through the roof. “That ill-mannered pup, he doesn't listen to anyone,” the furious green imp griped as he dismounted Ah'un and stalked towards the castle.

It had taken him two days to deliver all the invitations. Though he had taken the dragon with him, it still took a little too long for his liking. The toad didn't want to be out there running her stupid errands; he wanted to be here with his Lord. He hadn't wanted this, none of this!

When he first found out that the two of them were mated and she was pregnant, he almost had a massive coronary. He tried to reason with his lord, he tried to tell him that it was a mistake and that the youkai community wouldn't accept it. It actually went something like this…

“Milord, have you lost your mind? You can't mate with her! She's a lowly human and that pup… That pup will be nothing more than a miserable half-breed! Keeping Rin as your pet is one thing, but claiming her as your equal…your mate is something totally different! You have to kill them, Lord Sesshomaru; you have to kill them both now! Rid yourself of this grievous error in judgment!”

He didn't really have a chance to say anything else since he swore for a moment there he felt his tongue being ripped out of his mouth and wrapped tightly around his neck. However, he did remember waking up 2 days later to a smiling Rin sitting next to him, nursing the wounds that his Lord had inflicted on him. From that day on he made a mental note to keep his tongue and his thoughts, in regards to their relationship, to himself.

`I still say that this was the biggest mistake he could've ever made! And to now have a gala in that halflings honor, well I never!'

Reaching for the handle he was caught off guard when the door was flung open and he was tackled to the ground by a little black haired shirtless hanyou. “Get off of me, you…you annoying little wretch,” Jakken squawked irritably.

Sitting on the imp's stomach, Kanomaru questioned, “What'd you bring me? Did you to have to use the staff?” Digging through the satchel that was wrapped across the toad's chest, he demanded, “Tell me, tell me everything!”

“Get off of me, damn it! I didn't bring you a damn thing!”

With a thoughtful frown Kano sat back and looked at him. `Damn…damn it…what does that mean?' Grinning sheepishly, he latched on to the imp's cheek and tugged. “Not until you tell me everything, damn it!”

“Why you lowbred insolent whelp, I should tear your hide up for that! I'm your elder you can't talk to me like that!”

“Damn it, damn it, damn it,” the boy shouted happily, as he dug through the satchel once more looking for any forgotten trinkets he could find.

Jakken screamed, “Stop saying that!”

With a touchy grin, Kano replied, “What, damn it? You said it!”

Using all his strength, Jakken roughly pushed the boy to the side and sprang to his feet. Snatching the bag away from him, he hissed, “You're so impudent!”

Kanomaru blinked at him as he pushed off the ground and crotched low as if he was preparing to pounce on him.

To the young Lord, Jakken was his friend, the one person he could jostle with and not have to worry about hurting. He had tried playing with Joudama, his Aunt Sango's daughter, but she was a human girl. He had been told one too many times that he was not allowed to play roughly with her, therefore he avoided her at all cost.

He also knew Sango really wasn't his aunt. His daddy had told him as much, but because she was a close friend of his mother's he could call her that, and so he did.

Glaring at the imp before him with the most predatory scowl he could muster, Kanomaru smirked and sprang into the air determined to land on his prey and beat his answers out of him, but it never happened. Instead he found himself dangling in mid air by the waist of his hakama. He growled, “Let me go, damn it,” as he kicked out his legs and arms violently, causing his body to twist around and come eye to eye with a large set of golden irises that screamed, `Disappointment'.

Sesshomaru looked at his son unblinking, his expression blank. He couldn't believe he had just heard the boy say such a thing.

`Damn it', where had he heard that?'

The only person he knew that spoke like that was his moronic brother and he wasn't due here for another few days. “Explain yourself,” Sesshomaru stated in a cold but un-harsh manner.

The young hanyou gulped and lowered his gaze. `I…I disappointed him again.' Reaching out his arms he tried to grab onto the Lords' neck but he couldn't quite reach it, so he gave up. Hanging there in defeat Kano whispered, “I was just playing with him, I…I didn't know I was being…bad.”

Sesshomaru glanced down at a profusely sweating Jakken and knew that it had to be something that he had said to him recently. Turning his attention back to his almost trembling heir, he pulled him close so that his pup's head was lying on his shoulder. “You're too young to be saying such things.” This was done as an attempt to quiet the spike he felt in the boy's aura. The last thing he wanted was for his own flesh and blood to fear him. Respect was a must, but fear he never wanted to see nor feel.

Stepping towards his faithful loudmouth all too outspoken retainer, Sesshomaru bent down quickly and punched him in the head then walked up the stairs to his home. He didn't see the way his son stuck his tongue out at the swollen imp or the smile that graced the boy's face when he realized he wasn't the one that his ire was directed at. He did however, feel the way his small arms encircled his neck a little tighter. “Jakken, take Ah'un into the stable and meet me in my study.”

A mumbled, “Impudent whelp,” could be heard as the door slide close behind him and he made his way to the stairs.

“Father, what does `Damn it' mean?”

For the first time in a long time Sesshomaru chuckled lightly. This boy never ceased to amaze him with his questions nor his antics. His inability to keep a haori…any type of haori on was beyond him.

It really didn't matter, Rin would put one on him in the morning and by noon the thing was gone. At first Sesshomaru tried to make him wear it but decided that it was more than likely something that he would grow out of.

Glancing at Kano from the corner of his eye, he replied, “It means it's not something that a pup like you should say.”

Reaching over Kanomaru grabbed his fathers' face and turned it towards him, “It doesn't mean that! You said it was bad, so tell me, why is it bad?”

Growling softly, Sesshomaru tried again, “It's something that a full grown youkai will say when he's upset or feeling aggravated.”

“So when this Kanomaru gets big like you, he can say it?”

“I would prefer you didn't, but if you must…”

“Father?”

“Yes, Kanomaru?”

“I can't wait till I grow up,” the little hanyou replied, as he laid his head on his fathers' shoulder.

`And I hope you never do,' thought the Lord as he opened the door to the sewing room. Feeling his son nod in agreement against his shoulder he grimaced slightly, “Rin.”

Looking up from the kimono she was stitching for her son, she smiled sweetly and replied, “Yes my love,” as she rose from her seat and walked over to the two men in her life. Tipping up on her toes she kissed her mate softly and tickled her son. “Kanomaru, where's your haori,” she inquired.

He shrugged his shoulders as if saying he didn't know and he didn't want to discuss the matter anymore.

“Well come on, let's find you another one to wear for now.”

Jumping out of his fathers' arms he whined, “Why? I don't like those things.”

Sparing his son another look, Sesshomaru threw his mate a quick smirk, almost smile as he turned to leave, “I'll be in my study with Jakken, should you need me.”

“Of course my love,” was Rin's response as she grabbed onto her son's hand and pulled him out of the sewing room and in the direction of his bedroom. “You have to wear one because all big boys wear them.”

Trying to yank his hand away from her, he whined, “Well I'm not a big boy! I don't like those things…they make me feel itchy!”

Turning on her heels she released his hand and stared down at him. He could be so defiant and strong-minded at times, that she felt forced to be this dominant overbearing woman she utterly loathe. Hands on her hips, she narrowed her eyes at him. “Kanomaru Heir to the Western Lands if…”

Sesshomaru stopped and turned to face the stand off. He knew from experience when she said his name like that she meant business, though it didn't happen often. Rin was standing there glaring determined daggers at their four-year-old son and he in return stood unwavering in his own resolve not to wear a shirt of any type.

Kanomaru stood there in his little black boots, white hakama with a yellow obi around his waist, his arms crossed over his small-framed chest, and his dark hair falling lazily past his shoulders to the middle of his back.

“…You don't get your little butt over here so I can put a new haori on you…”

“Momma, I don't like them, they…they make me feel weird!”

Without taking her eyes off of her rebellious son, Rin snapped, “Sesshomaru please talk to your heir!” She could never figure out why he hated the things so much, but she didn't believe that it made him itch. His attire was made out of the same material as hers and a few of Sesshomaru's and it didn't bother either one of them.

Reluctantly the Inu Lord turned to the two. “Rin is it so bad that he doesn't wear that today?”

Kanomaru smiled, `One for me and daddy, zero for mommy.'

Rin narrowed her eyes at her mate, “Well what about tomorrow and the next day? He has to get used to wearing them, my love.”

“This Sesshomaru knows that, but for today and the days to come he is still a pup, let him be just that, a pup.” His intention was not to go against her, he just felt like this battle that she was fighting and had fought for years now, was a futile one. Surely the boy would grow out of this. He hoped anyway, but for now he just wanted his son…his blood to feel free…unconfined and happy.

Sensing his mother's turmoil over the fact that his father agreed with him, Kano looked from his father to his mother. He had done this. He made his mother sad. “Mommy this Kanomaru is sorry for making you sad. Please don't start crying, he'll wear the stupid thing if…if…if you promise not to be sad anymore.”

Rin's face immediately softened as she listened to her child's pleading voice. He was actually offering to do something he simply detested just to make her happy. Kneeling down she smiled, “I'm not angry or sad…well, not anymore.” Looking at her mate, she continued, “Your father is right, as long as you keep your hakama and boots on I'll try to let you go without your haori for now.”

Kanomaru hugged her quickly and ran down the hall towards the stairs before she could change her mind. “I'm going to feed Ah'un,” he shouted.

After watching his boy descend the stairs and disappear out the door Sesshomaru turned to his mate. “I…”

She quieted him with a soft kiss then another one. “You're right, he's just a pup.” Snaking her hands around his waist, she stepped closer to him, “Now if we were to have a daughter, would you say the same thing?”

Pulling her closer, he smiled one of those rare smiles. This is what unnerved him most; he shouldn't feel so content just by having her in his arms.

Leaning down he kissed her softly then pulled away when he smelled the imp making his way to the front door grumbling something about ill-tempered hardheaded half-breeds. “We'll continue this later,” he whispered as he released her. After watching her sashay down the hall he sighed lightly and turned towards his study.

Simonkal of Inuy

“Daddy said when I get bigger I'll be able to ride you all by myself,” Kanomaru stated, as he hand fed the two-headed dragon another handful of overgrown leaves.

Ah grunted while Un slowly chewed the leaves.

“Yep, and I'll be big enough that we…you and me, Ah'un can go and slay as many demons as we want, okay?” Stretching his arms high above his head, he continued, “I'll be the big youkai with the big sword like daddy and you…” Patting his pet on the head, he finished, “You'll be my trusty horse, like in the stories that mommy and Aunt Kagome told me about.”

It was Un's turn to grunt while Ah chewed his food. Ah and Un had gotten rather use to the afternoon feedings by the little boy. They would stand there eating quietly; while he told them tales of what he…they would do when he was big enough.

Sticking his nose in the air, Kanomaru sniffed once, twice, `What's that smell?' Hurrying to cover his pet's muzzles he ran towards the gates and the wall that served to keep him in and unwanted things and people out. He stopped when he heard his fathers' voice whispering in his head, `You are never to leave the confines of these ground, Kanomaru.'

Looking from left to right, and then behind him he took a tiny step towards the gate. “I'm just going to see what it is, then I'll come right back.”

He knew he wasn't supposed to leave the safety of their estate but this scent…it was so familiar. Stepping closer his little ears twitched excitedly a top his head. Throwing caution and obedience to the wind Kano took off in the direction of the enticing scent.

Until Next Time…