My One and Only

Chapter 3: Behavior Analysis

“So, are you ready father?”

Kneeling between the legs of the sitting youkai, Sesshoumaru locked his slanted amber eyes onto those of his father.

Inu no Taisho nodded slowly as he ran his fingers through his son’s silver hair.

“Yes I am, Sesshoumaru.”

He smiled as his son stood to his feet, a small grin on his face as he walked to the cell door and signaled for one of the guards.

Today was the day that Inu no Taisho would be presented in front of the royal court for a behavior analysis.

Sesshoumaru had successfully grown up with no mental illnesses but he was still not allowed to leave the cell often enough to start his training as a warrior, due to his father’s unstable behavior.

If Sesshoumaru would be out of the cell for too long, the older youkai would throw a violent tantrum until the young one was brought back to calm him down. However, for the past few years, Sesshoumaru was able to make an attempt at calming his father’s violent temper and was allowed a plea to have him work the farming fields as long as he was able to prove mental stability.

Inu no Taisho knew his son wanted this, he knew Sesshoumaru, like his mother, hated being locked in this cell daily and would rather be allowed outside more often than he was. So, he would do this for him, he would tolerate those human bastard’s so his son would be allowed happiness.

Inu no Taisho listened as Sesshoumaru whispered softly to one of the guards, of course that smooth voice must have enticed the man for he kept asking the young inu to repeat himself.

Finally, his son returned with new items presented in his hands.

“They will not let you leave the cell, without these.”

Sesshoumaru held in his right hand an ankle and wrist shackle which Inu no Taisho promptly took and locked onto his body, but he growled when he saw what was present in his son’s left paw.

“I will not wear such a disgraceful thing.”

Sesshoumaru sighed taking a seat next to his father, on that dreadful bed.

“Father please, it will be removed under her majesty’s suggestion but until then they do not trust you enough to allow you to be presented before her or her heir, without it on.”

Inu no Taisho’s growl grew thicker as Sesshoumaru attempted to raise the item towards him.

“Do it for me, please father.”

Hearing the soft plea from his son, Inu no Taisho gave up with a heavy sigh and turned, bowing his head toward the young male.

Sesshoumaru’s eyes brightened, a rarity for those outside of this cell, but not for his father. He leaned forward and placed the leather muzzle onto his elder’s face, fastening the straps tightly enough to please the guards but not enough to anger his father.

Leaning back Sesshoumaru almost felt a tinge of regret as he looked upon his parent.

The strong handsome inu, was forced into the look of a relentless killer. He may have been seen as that by the people outside of his cell, but to Sesshoumaru he was not, he was a kind and caring father.

But now this caring father was hunched on the bed, a muzzle covering his face, stopping just below his eyes, small slits placed beneath his nose and in front of his mouth for breathing purposes. Rusty chains hung from his wrists and ankles brushing against the dirty floor and it was then Sesshoumaru realized that this was all being done for him; his father would never lower himself to be chained and muzzled like an average bitch just to please some selfish humans, he was doing this all for his son, all for him.

The door to their cell opened and a group of armed guards stepped in, it was now time.

Sesshoumaru stood from the bed, grasping onto the end of his father’s chains. He walked past the first group of leering eyes to the, calmer more thoughtful of the men.

“Are you both ready?”

Sesshoumaru nodded his head before placing the chain into the guard’s hand. The man grabbed hold and attempted to step out of the room, but was stopped when the chain abruptly held him back.

All heads turned to see Inu no Taisho still sitting unmoved on his bed. His eyes glared coldly at the man who tugged lightly on his chains, trying to encourage him to follow.

“Come on big guy, her majesty is awaiting your presence.”

The guards around began to snicker, but Inu no Taisho still refused to budge, though the ridges of his eyes turned a daring red alerting the one who held onto his chain. Before being asked Sesshoumaru knew that he would be the only one who could handle the situation and walked again pass the snickering guards to his stubborn father.

He kneeled before the now growling youkai and ran gentle fingers through his hair, pushing his loosened pony tail back into place.

“Father, we need to leave.”

Inu no Taisho’s anger was building uncontrollably, however he could not tell his son what his exact problems were because the growls were becoming too feral. What he hated was the idea of this man, having control over his chain, he refused to be led about like some common bitch, at least not with some lousy human leading him, he would much rather it be his darling Sesshoumaru who held his chains.

But once again, Inu no Taisho’s mind would not allow him to speak calmly, so he turned his eyes from the guards, to his son, to the chain hoping that his Sesshoumaru would get the hint.

“He does not want you in control of his chains.”

The young inu spoke this while standing and reaching his hand out to take the chain from the guard.

“Perhaps I should carry them.”

The guard looked at him skeptically, doubting if it would be smart to let the child of a mentally ill demon have control over the chains that would hold great responsibility if said demon were to lose control.

“As you said, her majesty and her heir is awaiting my father’s presence. The only way to get him to move is if I carry his chains.”

Sighing reluctantly, the guard handed the chains over.

“Fine, but if he loses control, it will all be on your hands.”

When the chains landed in Sesshoumaru’s hands, Inu no Taisho immediately stood from his seat.

The guards shifted uncomfortably but started for the door either way, one staying behind to trail Sesshoumaru and Inu no Taisho.

The walk to the main hall was a long one from where the demons were kept but Sesshoumaru knew that in due time if his father behaved right, this would all change.

Upon entering the room, all royal soldiers immediately stood on guard knowing of Inu no Taisho’s past behaviors. The guard who was recently trailing, paced ahead and took to his post along with the rest of the retrievers except for the one who Sesshoumaru saw as the lead.

He led Sesshoumaru and his father to stand in front of Lady Izayoi and her heir who sat side by side upon golden pedestals, their backs leaning against burgundy silk.

“My lady, demon Inu no Taisho and his offspring are ready for evaluation.”

Lady Izayoi gave a pleasant smile before motioning to the guard.

“Thank you, you may step to the side now.”

Stepping out of the way to allow the two demons to be in view, the guard took to the right of the two demons. Sesshoumaru hesitantly bowed before the human female and her heir, tugging lightly on his father’s chains. He smiled as his father dropped to one knee beside him, bowing his head, strands of hair falling to cover his face, things looked good so far.

“You both may stand, no need for such formalities.”

Sesshoumaru did as he was told and upon doing so, Inu no Taisho mimicked his son.

“Step forward please, Sesshoumaru.”

The pup looked toward Lady Izayoi, then back at his father. Stepping forward would mean that he would have to let go of the chains. Locking eyes with his father, he watched as the youkai nodded slowly.

Sesshoumaru knew what this meant, and he trusted his father. Taking a deep breath, the pup bent just low enough to rest the chain on the floor next to his feet, he listened as one of the guards watching, cleared his throat, highly skeptical of such an act, but Lady Izayoi had yet to make a sound of disprovement so he saw no reason to stop.

After the chain made a sound to signify its placement on the floor, Sesshoumaru stood to his full height and walked forward, stopping just a step below where Lady Izayoi and her son sat.

He kept his eyes on the ground and could only listen as Lady Izayoi shifted in her seat, to slide closer to him.

He did not lift his eyes until he felt soft hands rest on the sides of his face, lifting his head as if he were a precious vase. His eyes locked on to those of Izayoi, a lovely human woman, with a triangle face and long ebony hair.

“My, you have grown into such a beautiful creature now haven’t you? How old would you say you are in human years, my dear?”

“Seventeen, my lady.”

Izayoi finally released his head, leaning back with a smile.

“Oh how wonderful, just around the same age as my Inuyasha, is that not right, sweetie.”

Sesshoumaru finally had the opportunity to receive a full view of Lady Izayoi’s heir. He was surprised to see that rumors were true, the boy was indeed a half-breed.

Long silver hair, not different from his own. Large yellow eyes, resting just below thick eyebrows and a somewhat stout body dressed in what looked to be the robe of a fire rat. Other than the permanent scowl that rest upon his features, Sesshoumaru could say that Inuyasha was attractive, or perhaps it was those downy white puppy ears that sat on top of his head? So Inuyasha’s father had been an inu youkai, how interesting.

“Keh, you already know my age, why repeat it?”

Sesshoumaru frowned at how rude the young half-breed was being to his mother, but Izayoi on the other hand put forth an attractive giggle before turning attention back to the demon in front of her.

“Well you seem to be in wonderful condition mentally and physically, might I add. Now, let us see about your father.”

Sesshoumaru stepped down from the pedestal, taking notice as the eyes of Lady Izayoi’s heir seemed to follow his every movements.

He turned his head toward his father and gave a light motion towards the inu youkai.

Inu no Taisho abruptly stood, his chains rustling against the floor. He looked from Sesshoumaru, to Inuyasha, a light growl rose to his throat as he realized that the half demon’s eyes had yet to leave his son.

Taking a step forward as to purposely rattle his chains, Inu no Taisho grunted in approval as those lingering eyes were finally drawn away from his pup. He continued to step forward until he was positioned in front of Sesshoumaru. The younger leaned lightly in his father.

“Are you ready? She wishes to see you.”

His words came out in a light whisper only to be detected by their intended receiver and the sensitive ears of Inuyasha.

Inu no Taisho finally turned his attention to Lady Izayoi, his eyes drawn to her light features. Sesshoumaru took a step to the side, allowing his father to be in full view.

“Have him step forward, please.”

Without having to be told by Sesshoumaru, Inu no Taisho slowly started toward the woman. A guard abruptly took to her side causing the Inu youkai to hesitate but continue on.

Soon he stood in just arms length of Izayoi.

“And how are you, Inu no Taisho.”

The breathing coming from behind his muzzle sounded heavier than it was suppose to. Izayoi slowly slid forward in her seat, her small hand hesitantly reaching out. Beside her, an uneasy look crossed the face of Inuyasha.

“There, there now.”

Slowly, hoping her words would coax the inu from doing anything unexpected, Izayoi scooted closer and closer.

Inu no Taisho wanted to turn to his son, to see if he were being adequate with his actions, but surprisingly he could not take his eyes off of the human in front of him, he even found himself bowing his head closer for her touch.

When those light finger tips finally touched the soft scalp of hair, a wave of held breaths released throughout the room and Izayoi found herself calming.

An amused smile spread across her face as she slid closer to the inu youkai, brushing loose strands of his pony tail back into place.

Sesshoumaru, the only one who still held his breath, watched as his father, through half-lidded eyes, leaned toward the woman’s touch while the rest of the room gazed on in amazement at Izayoi and the mentally ill youkai. Everyone except for Inuyasha that is, who returned his gaze back toward Sesshoumaru.

“There we go, now, if you promise to behave yourself. I can remove the muzzle, it looks very uncomfortable. Would you like that?”

Inu no Taisho’s head nodded very slowly. However, Izayoi got the message and leaned forward, her small form seeming even smaller as she wrapped her arms around the youkai’s neck, reaching for the snaps at the back of the muzzle, such a brave woman she was.

With the awkward position they were in, Inu no Taisho’s nose rested closely to the crook of Izayoi’s neck, his eyes closing in pleasure at a familiar scent of flowers, a smell he used to enjoy on his now deceased mate.

Soon the muzzle began to slide from Inu no Taisho’s head. Izayoi sat back and stared in amazement as the mask fell to reveal such a handsome face. One with such attraction could not be as crazy as most thought, could he?

Inu no Taisho, encouraged by the trust Izayoi put forth in removing his muzzle, turned to look at his son, a smirk present. His smile widened as he saw his son looking back in amazement.

However, upon moving his head to turn back towards Lady Izayoi, he caught the sight of her heir Inuyasha, whose attention was not focused on him, but instead on someone else.

He followed the half demon’s stare back to his own son. He was staring at his Sesshoumaru.

The brim of his eyes tinted red, as a deep uncontrollable growl rose within his throat, he might have been over reacting but his mind could only decipher the look on Inuyasha’s face as lust for his Sesshoumaru. Though others could have argued against it and called it only a look of curiosity.

The growling continuously grew louder, drawing the attention of every person in the room. Their eyes following the trail of Inu no Taisho’s to Inuyasha.

The latter stared defiantly at the youkai, though his heart rate was increasing rapidly. And the louder Inu no Taisho’s growling grew, the more he turned himself towards the half-demon, body crouched as if to attack.

A guard stepped forward, but Sesshoumaru was already speaking.

“F...father, that is enough. Remember this is an analysis, please behave yourself.”

Sesshoumaru attempted to step toward his father, however it was already too late as Inu no Taisho leapt toward Inuyasha teeth bared and claws forward.

A high pitched squeal being the only thing Lady Izayoi could manage.

TBC...

A/N: If you want a more vivid interpretation of Inu no Taisho’s muzzle, think about the one put on the face of Hannibal Lecter.

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