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Yuudai no Keikoku	By : ashlin86 Category: InuYasha > Yaoi - Male/Male > InuYasha/Sessh?maru > InuYasha/Sessh?maru Views: 15516 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
Possible anachronism alert: I could find no information about what kind of furniture was used in Japan during the Kamakura Era, which was when the castle was built, so I’m making it up as I go.

*Kenshi means swordsman, but I was getting tired of the word 'sword'

*Kamishimo is simply, ‘upper and lower’ and is the traditional outfit for men. It consists of a formal kimono, with matching hakama, and kataginu (outer sleeveless jacket type thing) I had some confusion,(which is what took so long) because some of my sources said the kamishimo did not exist until the Edo period. I have since been assured that it did, and was in fact the primary dress for officials in the daimyos’ courts during the sengoku jidai.

Yuudai no Keikoku

Chapter Five

Jaken arrived that evening, exhausted, travel-weary, yet willing as ever to serve his master.

Which was fortunate, because Sesshoumaru had more work for him. At least four of the personal chambers needed tidying before they were habitable. The rest of the castle could wait for the first wave of servants, but Rin was beginning to show signs of fatigue. Sesshoumaru set his subordinate to work and graciously ignored the woeful laments that followed.

“When you have finished, you may choose a room for yourself in the right wing.” Sesshoumaru finally relented when the toad was on the last room and his grumbling had died out. He closed the shoji on the kappa’s joyful wails and resolved to wait outside for his half-brother's return. Inuyasha had disappeared shortly after their session earlier, and though he had given his word that he would stay, Sesshoumaru couldn’t dislodge the nagging feeling that he shouldn’t let his little brother out of sensing range for long. What if he changed his mind?

“Sesshoumaru-sama?”

He surfaced from his thoughts to see Shinmaru walking toward him with a faint smirk. “This is a truly magnificent abode, is it not? I have been scouting all afternoon and seen only a fraction of what I’m sure this place has to offer. I shall look forward to many days of discovery during my stay. Ah! Speaking of which, my lord... how long is this sabbatical to last?”

“It is not intended as a sabbatical, cousin. I require you to relocate here indefinitely.”

“Oh?” Shinmaru pursed his lips, but Sesshoumaru saw the mirth lurking behind the expression. “I suppose that is agreeable. Though I am forced to wonder what need you have of my services. Both you and your brother seem perfectly healthy. Truthfully, I wonder why you asked for me at all!”

Sesshoumaru hesitated, then allowed. “I would not count on that remaining so much longer. I have summoned Seiichiro as well,”

Shinmaru laughed and clapped his hands in front of him. “Ah, I begin to see. Lessons in humility under the pretense of sword instruction. If I know Sei-kun as well as I think I might, he won’t tolerate any of Inuyasha’s insolence.”

“That is rather the point.”

“I thought it might be.” Shinmaru laughed. “But any competent healer could bandage up a few scrapes and bruises. Why did you want me specifically?”

Once again Sesshoumaru hesitated. Damn Shinmaru and his perceptiveness anyway.

“You have a talent for making people talk.” Sesshoumaru admitted. “And while I expect Junko will gain his confidence very quickly there are things about his past and about his physiology...things he might have experienced that Junko would not think to ask about that might have had lasting effects. And I trust you.”

Shinmaru blinked. “Ah. I see.” And for all his jolly exterior, Sesshoumaru believed he did. “He’s at the onsen, by the way.”

“Pardon?”

“Inuyasha. I saw him a few moments ago. He was sitting at the edge of one of the smaller onsens, staring at the water, as far as I could tell. Quite safe, and quite, ah, present,” Shinmaru said delicately.

Far too perceptive, Sesshoumaru thought with mingled amusement and irritation. Shinmaru had always been able to read Sesshoumaru better than any of his other relatives. He supposed it was because they had grown up together. Truly together: they had been the only two youths at the Central Castle, at least until Shinmaru left to serve his apprenticeship under the master healer at North Keep after his bicentennial.

Sesshoumaru nodded curtly. “Jaken has prepared you a room for the night. When your assistants arrive, you may direct them to clear another on the second level for an infirmary. You may, of course, claim another of the personal chambers as your own if this one does not suit.”

“I appreciate the hospitality, my lord. As a matter of fact, I believe I shall retire momentarily. It has been an...interesting day, and tomorrow promises to be even more so.” Shinmaru alluded with a wink.

“Undoubtedly. Jaken, show Shinmaru to his rooms, then you are dismissed,” he instructed the kappa when he emerged from Sesshoumaru’s now-spotless quarters.

“Yes, milord.”

Sesshoumaru watched Shinmaru and his retainer disappear. Just as he was about to return to his chambers, he sensed Inuyasha and waited until the hanyou entered the corridor. “I thought everyone was in bed,” his brother said when he spotted him.

“They are. Your chamber has been cleaned.”

“Keh.” Inuyasha scoffed, “I’ve put up with worse things than a little dust where I sleep.”

Sesshoumaru remained silent.

“Well...’night then.” Inuyasha said awkwardly as he passed. Sesshoumaru delayed his

own departure until he felt his brother’s youki settle into the the tell-tale patterns of sleep. Later, as he lay on the platform bed which was the sole furnishing of the room, he allowed Rin's deep breaths and childish sleep-murmurs from the room next to his to lull him into a light slumber.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Inuyasha slept better and more deeply than he could ever remember having done. He awoke refreshed, comfortable, and with absolutely no sense that he was wasting time by lying there. He had six months without the responsibilities that he had been beginning to think were eating him up. It was...freeing. Liberating.

The guilt he felt at those thoughts was present, but not yet abundant enough to kill the giddiness he was still experiencing at having a place of his very own in the world. How could he let it when this was the only thing he'd ever wanted? To be somewhere, anywhere that was his alone. That he could not be cast from for his parentage or appearance.

He had six months here, and dammit, he was going to wring as much enjoyment out of every second that he could. He remembered, briefly, that Sesshoumaru had said something about lessons but shrugged it off.

How hard could a little studying be?

Blinking sleepily, he reckoned the sun was just coming up over the mountains from the amount of light shining in over the windows. He lay there for a moment longer, letting the filtered rays warm him and savoring the peace.

Until his shoji slammed open suddenly. In a heartbeat he was up and had Tessaiga drawn and at the ready.

“Not bad. Good reaction time but your kamae-kata is in need of work—you left yourself completely open while drawing your sword.” The very tall, black-haired youkai standing just

inside the door appraised him critically.

“Who the hell are you?” Inuyasha snarled, brandishing his weapon between them threateningly.

The youkai didn't seem very threatened. Or threatened at all. Unless sneering was his way of showing fear, this guy was definitely unimpressed.

“I am called Seiichiro of the Swords—Commander General of the western Inuyoukai military forces, Master Kenshin, and as of now, your martial arts instructor. I hope you enjoyed sleeping in, because it's the very last time you'll do so under my regimen.”

Inuyasha lowered his sword incrementally, but remained wary. “You're my instructor?”

“Aye,” the youkai affirmed. “One of many, but I persuaded the General to allow me to introduce myself first.”

“'The General'?” Inuyasha questioned.

“Your brother. The Inu no Taisho...?” Seiichiro, or whatever his name was, elaborated and Inuyasha did not like his patronizing tone one bit.

He sneered, but only outwardly. He didn't know why, but he'd assumed Sesshoumaru would be the one teaching him—he was both disappointed and relieved that that was obviously not the case. It made him wonder, just a touch uneasily, what exactly he'd got himself into by agreeing to stay.

At least it made him wonder until he was pulled rudely from his thoughts. “Inuyasha! I will not tolerate daydreaming or any other forms of inattention during our sessions. Shirk such habits at once.” Seiichiro demanded sharply.

“Keh. I was only daydreaming, 'cuz you're so friggin' boring, asshole. If you're such a 'master swordsman' or whatever, why don't you prove it?” Inuyasha rejoined, saving face in the best way he knew how—bravado.

“Little Hanyou,” the youkai sighed, shaking his head as if disappointed. Except when he focused he had a grin on his face that rivaled Naraku's in sheer sadism. “I thought you'd never ask.”

And before Inuyasha could form an indignant response to the 'little hanyou' remark, Seiichiro had managed to both knock his sword away and secure both arms behind his back. “Is this proof enough for you, Little Hanyou?”

“Fuck you!” Inuyasha growled as he struggled. The asshole's grip was tight. And he hadn’t even used a weapon!

“Yet another habit you will cease. Swearing is unbecoming of both a warrior and a youkai of your station.”

“Screw my station! Lemme go, asshole!”

“Now what did I just say, Little Hanyou?” Seiichiro chided gently, though with an edge of steel. He didn't sound out of breath or otherwise affected at all. The bastard wasn't even fucking trying! That, more than anything, gave Inuyasha pause.

Inuyasha had fought many demons—more than most others would fight in a lifetime. His teammates lauded him for this, for his seeming ease defeating the youkai they came across on a day to day basis. And Inuyasha was proud of it too; of his ability to defend himself and his pack. But the truth was that he had very little experience battling higher level youkai, and an even less success at it. His strategy consisted of attacking quickly and brutally, and counting on his near-limitless stamina to see him through. This was extremely effective against the youkai with no higher thought processes, but against opponents like Naraku and his brother, and even Kouga...? Well, not so much, actually.

And now this jerk comes in, both disarming and effectively incapacitating him in a fraction of a second? Maybe...maybe it wasn't his emotions getting in the way, like he'd always thought. Maybe the answer was simpler than that.

Maybe he just wasn't as strong as he and his comrades thought.

“...with your training.”

“What?” Inuyasha demanded irritably.

“I said, 'If you are ready to end this foolishness, I will let you go and we can commence with your training.' Are you?”

To the hanyou's surprise, his captor sounded neither smug nor superior, merely matter of fact. Inuyasha didn't think he could have stood it if he thought the other demon was looking down on him.

“Fine,” he relented curtly, and quit squirming. He was let go immediately, and he smoothed his clothes to buy time until he felt ready to face the swordsman. Finally, he lifted his chin and met the other's black eyes squarely. Seiichiro’s countenance was serious, watchful, waiting to see what his student would do.

“Well? You're the instructor. Instruct me!”

“As you wish. However, I believe we should take this to the outdoors. We wouldn't want to get in the way of the housemaids. And besides that, I don't want to damage anything. This is a beautiful home your father built,” Seiichiro said sincerely.

Inuyasha didn't have anything to say to that, so he focused on one of the lesser comments. “What housemaids?”

“Those your other tutors and I arrived with. The General asked each of the keeps to send as many servants as they could spare. They've been hard at work since early this morning.” Seiichiro said pointedly and Inuyasha blushed at the subtle reprimand. “Now, enough time has been wasted. Sesshoumaru-sama told me of a place he thought might be acceptable for your training.”

Inuyasha picked up Tessaiga and followed Seiichiro from the room. He was led outside, across the stream at the rear of the castle and through a grove of yuzu trees to a large clearing. It was both private and level, compared to the open spaces and many hills of the Valley's anterior. In other words, the perfect place for martial arts lessons. Call it a hunch, but Inuyasha was sure his humiliation hadn't ended with the little demonstration this morning. And if he was right, he didn't exactly want an audience.

Seiichiro sat on the ground, and waited patiently for his student to do the same.

“We haven't much time, but I would like to give you something of an...outline of what will be expected of you. Most Inuyoukai begin training at a much earlier age, and have hundreds of years to practice. I have been given six months to educate you on the basics. You may think that because you have some experience, this will be easy. It will not, and will actually make it that much harder. I can already surmise your attitude is going to be an obstacle, if nothing else.”

“There ain't nothing wrong with my attitude!” Inuyasha protested.

Seiichiro lifted one eyebrow coolly and stared. The hanyou flushed red and kept his mouth shut thereafter.

“As I was saying... you must leave this obstinance behind you, or we will get nowhere. I don't intend for us to get nowhere, Little Hanyou,” Seiichiro informed firmly. “Thus, during our sessions, you will do exactly as I say when I say it. No arguing, no mouthing off, and no complaining. Barring major injury, I will expect to see you here at dawn each day, no exceptions. Understood? Good. Then we may begin. Do as I do.”

Seiichiro sat on the grass, legs folded with his knees pointing outward, and Inuyasha mimicked him awkwardly. “Our first lesson is meditation.” He didn't comment on Inuyasha's snort of disbelief, but he did give him a 'look,' “A good warrior must be able to locate his or her center of calm, even in the heat of battle. The ability to think, to keep one's head in even the most fraught of circumstances is absolutely necessary. Meditating regularly will help achieve a state of calm that is not easily rattled. Begin by closing your eyes and taking deep breaths...I will not ask you to clear your mind, but try to relax your body. Picture yourself drifting,”

He tried. He did! But being in the company of someone with his eyes closed made him feel vulnerable. He found himself peeking, just to make sure there was no one else around. “I can't!” he finally snapped.

“You rely on your eyes too much,” Seiichiro commented absently, without opening his eyes.

“What're you talking about? I rely on my nose the most of anything!”

“So you say. If that was the truth you would be perfectly comfortable closing your eyes for a few moments. Your problem is you've been around humans too long. They depend on sight because they must, and so it's become habit for you to trust your eyes over your ears and nose. However, an Inuyoukai's senses of hearing and smell are far more reliable than his sight.”

“No way I would have survived as long as I have if I didn't trust all my senses.”

“I never said you didn't. I said you trusted one over the others, which is a mistake. Especially the one you chose to trust most. Tell me, if you smelled a fox demon coming at you, but you saw a wolf demon would you fight it as a fox or as a wolf?”

“I dunno. As a wolf, because if it looked like a wolf it'd probably fight as a wolf too.”

“That is wrong. A kitsune can change it's form, but it is still a kitsune, and no matter what form it takes it will still attack as a kitsune. Do you see?”

“Yeah, yeah. I get it. I think.”

“So close your eyes, and focus on the sounds and scents around you. It should also help your meditation.”

Inuyasha obeyed, and closed his eyes once again. The smells were easy. There was the tangy yuzu from the grove, the heavy, metallic scent of his teacher, his own admittedly kind-of-ripe odor, then the more subtle ones—the scent of trees, of grass, and just barely of Kagome's sham-poo stuff that she insisted he use at least once in a while. Then the sounds. Birds chirping, Seiichiro's nearly silent breathing, his own breaths, the distant sounds of the people at the castle, and...

And were those footsteps? Yes. Whisper quiet and nearly undetectable, but footsteps were steadily approaching, and a deep sniff told him they belonged to his brother.

“My lord. Has our time ended?” He heard Seiichiro say, as he reluctantly forced his own lids to open.

“Yes. It is nearly midday, the time at which he will attend his lessons with the twins.”

“What twins?” Inuyasha asked.

“Retsuhi and Atsuihi. They are cousins of ours, and will be your etiquette tutors. However, Retsuhi has just informed me that she is expecting, and requested the delay of your lessons for another day so that she may rest. Atsuihi will be occupied caring for her, so you may do what you wish after luncheon today. Dinner will be served precisely as the sun reaches the summit of that mountain. Do not be late.” Sessoumaru said, eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.

“Understood,” Inuyasha muttered.

“And little brother?”

“What?!”

“Luncheon will be late today. Do use the extra time to bathe—you stink of humans and sweat.”

“Screw you!”

“Inuyasha!” The hanyou in question cringed. He knew that tone. That was the, 'I'm gonna sit you so hard you'll have to dig your way out of the ground!' tone. In other words, it promised punishment. And in his experience, punishment equated to lots of pain.

“For such disrespect, you will do ten laps around the outer wall in the morning, before you arrive here. Before you arrive here on time.” Seiichiro decreed coldly. “You are dismissed to do as your brother asked.”

Inuyasha gaped at his instructor incredulously. 'That's it?!' “That's it?!”

“Would you like to make it twenty?” Seiichiro growled.

Inuyasha managed not to yelp, but he got out of there faster than his dignity would have liked. He cut through the foliage to the hot springs, muttering to himself the whole way. Why the hell was everyone trying to tell him what to do all of the sudden? He hadn't felt like such a pup—not even with Kagome and the others—since his mother died. He took a deep breath and released it on a hiss as he slid into the hot hot hot water, still clothed. God, he hated these things. They were too hot, they smelled funny, and he always felt like his muscles had been turned to water when he got out.

Sighing as he adjusted to the temperature, he began to half-heartedly scrub at his clothes. His fire rat kimono stayed clean for the most part, but it did tend to retain scents, and his brother had been right. He did smell.

“Inuyasha-sama?” a feminine voice called out.

Inuyasha startled and slipped on a rock, causing him to fall beneath the surface. He came up sputtering, the sound of quiet giggles ringing in his ears, which were twitching madly to expel the water from them.

“Wh-cough-who the hell are you?” Gods but it seemed like he was asking that question an awful lot lately. All these strangers—youkai strangers—were starting to get to him.

“I am Dayita, my lord. Sesshoumaru-sama sent me to tend you, and wishes me to relay a message. He says: 'You are to bathe indoors from now on.' You know that the rooms on the first level of the castle are equipped with bathing chambers, do you not?” the girl questioned hesitantly.

Inuyasha colored, and hoped the blush from the heat camouflaged it. No, he hadn't known. “Keh. I don't need tended, so you can go.”

“But Inuyasha-sama--”

“Enough with the 'sama' already. You can call me ' Inuyasha'”

“I am afraid that is not possible,”

“Why the hell not?”

“Because I am a servant and you are the lord. It would not be appropriate to address you so familiarly. It is insulting that you would ask it of me, both to yourself and to me.” Dayita explained matter-of-factly.

“Oh,” Well, how was he supposed to know that? He hadn't exactly been raised to know the protocol of such things. “Well I still don't need to be tended. Go away,”

“I am afraid I cannot. Sesshoumaru-sama demanded I get rid of the stink he said clings to you... and forgive me for saying so, but I believe he is right. If I am not mistaken, your clothing is the root of the stench, so I would ask that you give it to me to be cleaned.”

Dammit. How did she know that? “What kind of a demoness are you?”

“I am a leopard... 'Hyou' in this tongue.”

“Leopard? I don't know what that is, so I'm guessing you're not from here?”

“That is correct, Inuyasha-sama. I come from the mainland farther to the west than most know about. I was a gift to... I believe it was your grandfather, several centuries ago, when trade agreements were made between our clans. I was your father's personal servant when he was young, then Sesshoumaru-sama's, and now yours.”

“I don't need no servant. And you can tell 'Sesshoumaru-sama' I said so.”

The demoness sighed. “You are being difficult, my lord. Please give me your kimono,”

“No way! I ain't getting naked in front of you!”

“I assure you, you are equipped with nothing I have not seen before,”

“I don't care! I ain’t undressing in front of you!”

“Very well. I will turn my back if you wish, but those robes must be cleansed.”

Inuyasha considered for a moment. “...you won't peek?”

“I give you my word.”

“Keh. Fine then. Turn around.”

Dayita gave him her back, and Inuyasha quickly disrobed, throwing his sodden clothes onto the bank, and quickly sunk back into the water. He was confident the steam and shadows from the trees gave him sufficient cover, but he crossed his arms just in case.

“Will you allow me to wash your hair? There is a mixture made in my homeland from the roots of a plant. It is quite mild to the senses.” the demoness said, offering a stone bowl for his inspection.

Inuyasha took a sniff, and was pleasantly surprised. The fragrance was slightly bitter, but far more appealing than the cloyingly fruity stuff Kagome used. “Yeah, okay,” he decided. He always had trouble washing his hair—there was so much of it and it always got stuck in his claws. He usually became frustrated and quit, though he did enjoy the rare times Kagome washed it for him.

Dayita sat behind him and lifted his hair from the water. She applied the paste to ends and worked up from there. If Inuyasha could have purred, he surely would have when she finally reached his skull and began to massage the nice-smelling stuff in. Inuyasha’s eyes went half-mast, and the combination of hot water and gentle fingers sent him into a state of bliss. It felt so good.

“Inuyasha-sama, I'm going to rinse now. Tilt your head back, and close your eyes.” Inuyasha obeyed, and felt cool water being poured over his head, conscientiously avoiding his ears.

“I am finished, my lord. Shall I comb it for you?”

“Sure,” he slurred. A few moments later. “OW! That hurt!”

“I apologize Inuyasha-sama. You have many knots, but I will endeavor to be more careful,” Dayita was as good as her word, and only pulled enough to hurt thrice more before the comb went through his mass smoothly.

“You have beautiful hair, my lord,” the servant commented at one point. It reminded him uncomfortably of the incident with Yura, so he didn't respond. “It will soon be time for luncheon. You must dress.” She sighed regretfully, laying the comb aside.

“I don't have any other clothes.”

“I assumed as much. Not to worry, Atsuihi-sama has graciously lent you one of his kamishimo. Since I do not expect you are any more apt to stand before me undressed now than you were earlier, I will turn my back and you can don the fundoshi and jubon yourself. Then I will help you with the other garments.” She retrieved the aforementioned clothing from the branch where she had laid them before appearing, and gave them to him.

He waited for her to turn away and then leapt from the basin and quickly dressed. “Okay. I can do the rest myself y’know.”

Dayita smiled at him, “I somehow doubt that,” she refuted gently. She made some adjustments to the jubon, then wrapped a white kimono with a red checkered print around him and secured the matching obi in a complicated knot at his back. Inuyasha was becoming impatient. He’d never taken so long to dress before, and didn’t see the point. “Is this really necessary?” he snapped, as he stepped into the (thankfully red) hakama.

“Aye, my lord,” she confirmed as she fastened the ties. “You will be required to wear similar outfits when you attend court and formal affairs. Anything less would weaken your image and the image of your brother. Appearances are everything in such settings, my lord. There,” she pronounced finally when the last piece, the kataginu, was in place. She stepped back to admire her handiwork. “You look very fine, Inuyasha-sama. I believe red is your color, as expected of someone with blood as noble as yours,” she proclaimed with a wink.

Inuyasha was willing to bet his face matched his clothing at the compliment, so he scowled to cover it. From the amusement dancing in the servant’s eyes, he didn’t think he’d succeeded.

“Now, where are your shoes?”

“Don’t have any,” Inuyasha shrugged. “They just get in the way,”

Dayita sighed and muttered to herself. “Alright then. I am certain there must be someone at the castle who can craft some formal zori for you. Go on, then. The meal will begin shortly. I will have your clothes washed and make certain they are returned to you,”

Inuyasha nodded, and headed toward the castle, wondering how the witch had somehow got him to do exactly what she wanted him to do, even when he hadn’t wanted to do it. He decided she talked so much he hadn’t really been able to protest at all.

Damn, but these clothes were uncomfortable.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

“Kind of you to join us, little brother,” Sesshoumaru said when Inuyasha at last arrived in the dining hall. The hanyou glared, but did not say anything. That probably had more to do with Seiichiro’s presence than anything else, but it was still a pleasant change of pace. It meant that he could learn, anyway.

He saw his brother looking around apprehensively, and (correctly) identified the cause of his dilemma. “As lord of the castle, you are to occupy the head of the table. It is also customary to wait for the lord before the others begin, so do attempt to arrive on time in the future.”

Sesshoumaru saw surprise register on the hanyou’s face before he masked it and did as directed. Servants began bringing in the food immediately, and once the table was set and they were gone, the Sesshoumaru introduced the two people his brother had not yet met. “Inuyasha, this is Junko the Wise and her mate, Hanoka. Madam Junko will tutor you in reading and writing, mathematics, history, and geography,”

Inuyasha stared at the two with narrow, assessing eyes. Sesshoumaru knew what he saw, and very probably what he was thinking, and was amused.

It was usually very difficult to guess a youkai’s age, but with Junko it was impossible. She hardly appeared older than Sesshoumaru, yet she had an unmistakable feel of age and deep wisdom about her that bespoke possible millennia of life. In fact, no one in the clan knew how old she really was. Only that she was. Actually she looked very similar to Sesshoumaru himself; perhaps more feminine and without the mark of the crescent moon on her forehead, but it was obvious they were related.

Junko’s mate, Hanoka, was petite, and deceptively frail looking. She was not nearly as old as Junko, perhaps nine-hundred or so, but she had her own…assets. One could not tell by looking at her, but Hanoka was an accomplished warrior—a general, actually. Sesshoumaru had at first considered asking her to train Inuyasha, but had discarded the idea for two reasons. Hanoka was not exactly…known for her patience, and secondly she was not a swordswoman. Her talents lay in hand-to-hand combat and strategy. Sesshoumaru’s main reason for bringing her here was for the protection of the valley. Goddess barrier or not, it would still be wise to keep a patrol outside to prevent

enemies from laying traps.

Hanoka had many loyal troops, and at least three dozen had accompanied her. That would be a more than sufficient guard. Sesshoumaru had spoken to her about it earlier and she was willing to assist in any way she could.

Inuyasha looked away without a word and concentrated on his meal. He had been markedly docile thus far, especially with all the changes that had occurred in the past thirty-six hours or so, and while it made things remarkably easier than he had expected, Sesshoumaru wondered how much longer the peace would last.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Junko watched her young charge curiously. He was an interesting creature, this youngling. His manner was innocently uncouth, bordering on rude, but as untrained as he was, he attempted to eat with something resembling grace. He obviously had some sense of propriety, which meant there was hope for him.

The outer shell he showed to the world was tough, brash, and few would think to look for anything more beneath. But Junko sensed it. She sensed a great capacity for compassion and love, and a terrible vulnerability that Inuyasha probably didn’t even know existed. This core of his was jealously guarded, and he was unwilling to show it to anyone anymore. He had been burned far too many times, by those he had shared his heart and his self with. He ached for comfort but was too afraid to seek it. Too long had it been denied him. This youth, this child had seen more pain than most youkai thrice his age, and had done far less to deserve it. Such sadness, such heartbreak should not exist in one so young.

Junko was usually able to shield herself from the surface feeling of others, but this one broadcasted so loudly. All his feelings were laid bare for all the world to see…if only they could. She saw, and she wept inwardly. This boy had loved, and lost, and loved again only to have that love and trust thrown back in his face time after time. He loved those he loved with all his heart yet he was conflicted. Those he loved now did not understand his love for the then and caused him to feel shame. But he could no more cease loving the then than he could the now.

It was all so confusing, but Junko knew one thing with utter certainty.

This ‘Kagome,’ whose name she caught loud and clear, was doing no favors for her charge’s psyche. Inuyasha was not whole at this time, too battered and bruised by the trials fate had dealt him, and this name was associated with great pain. Recent pain. Junko knew with certainty, in a way she had long ago learned to trust, that to allow the girl access to the child would be a recipe for disaster. She would speak of it to her lord, and he would see that this person, whoever she was, was kept far away from Inuyasha. Yes, he needed to be trained and educated…but even more than that he needed to be healed. Broken as he was, he would be of no use to Sesshoumaru nor to anyone else--not even himself.

She would help this boy. She would teach him and thereby nurture the sharp intelligence she saw lurking just under the sense of inadequacy years of insults and criticism had instilled in him. Freeing him from his ridiculous self-deprecation would set him on the path of discovery and healing. There would be obstacles of course, but they could be overcome.

Junko’s gaze was drawn to the boy’s chest, and burned through the layers of clothes. There lay, with deceptive tranquility, the source of the accursed spell of subjugation. She could see the magic as a blue glowing web twisting and writhing around his youki, feeding from it as a parasite from its host and weakening the hanyou.

That damned rosary was the first barrier that needed to be removed from his course, and Junko would do everything in her considerable power to see it gone within the month.
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Yuudai no Keikoku