Disclaimer:
I do not own Inu-yasha or any of it's characters, all other anime names I may use do not belong to me either.
The only characters I own are the ones that have sprung from my imagination, and I do not mind sharing. :)
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The beautiful demon sat alone in a corner of the bustling hospital waiting room; quiet, and unmoving. All in the room were very aware of the regal lord in their midst. His long silver hair, distinctive markings and crescent moon marked him as their alpha. The most powerful of the four lords who had brought an end to the five year war that had raged between the humans and the demons, the one who had been most instrumental in creating the peace that had settled over the world.
Excitement, fear and ... curiosity danced through the minds of humans and demons alike.
The stoic demon lord was not as calm as he portrayed on the outside. Inside his gut churned with pain and panic and most of all anger.
His heir would not die this night!!!
**** ~~ ****
Sesshoumaru looked down into the small hospital bed where his son lay. His heir was perfect. The light cap of silver curls shrouded the small head and small deadly points tipped all ten fingers and toes.
The baby’s eyes slowly opened, dark amber met lighter amber, the look held for tense moments until the little eyes blinked and then slowly closed again, reassured by the sight they had seen.
Looking into those eyes Sesshoumaru saw a miracle and a fresh start. Although his mate, no, his heir’s deceased mother, had tried to deprive him of his only son, she had failed.
And although no one could tell from the stoic way he held himself, Sesshoumaru Taisho was pleased, yes, he was very pleased.
**** ~~ ****
Sesshoumaru groaned as he rolled over to glance at his bedside clock. Three fifteen glared at him in red angry numbers and he cursed having to get up again. But slowly he got up and advanced to the bassinet where his son, Shin, was once again crying.
Staring down into the face of his already treasured son, Sesshoumaru knew this could not continue. Nothing had changed since he had brought his son home three days ago. Shin was a very particular child, he wanted no one near him save his father, and if his wishes were not heeded to he growled, and cried and sometimes clawed. Already the elder Taisho had lost two employees to the little tyke. The attachment to his person would have been be funny if only he could get his work done, with Shin not wanting anyone around but his father, life was made most difficult.
He needed someone to take care of his son, someone who could live in the mansion, someone he could trust, and one his son could take to. But as evidence of the last three interviews that he had conducted with all very eligible candidates, Shin would have nothing to do with them, and only reacted stronger when they approached his position in his father’s arms.
But this could not continue, he needed to work and his son needed protection and care.
Growling in the Inu way of comfort the problem swirled through his head.
**** ~~ ****
The plane reached its cruising altitude and flew away from where she watched in the airport waiting room. Just as the plane was about to disappear from sight it burst into flame and in slow motion rained fiery pieces into the swirling ocean...
Kagome Higurashi bolted up in bed with a gasp, clutching her heart as tears leaked down her face. This dream could not let her go!! It had been five years since her parents and baby brother had perished on that plane and still, the incident haunted her every dream.
The dark haired girl swung her legs off the bed and swept her wavy, waist length hair into a messy bun. Another day, another day without Momma, Daddy and Souta...but thinking along those lines would get her nowhere.
Brushing her teeth, she looked at her reflection; cerulean orbs tipped with long black lashes stared back at her, the image of her mother. Before she could really reminisce the phone rang and in her haste to pick up she almost fell over her previously discarded slippers.
Righting herself she hastily picked up the phone. “Hello” Kagome gasped as she slowly sank onto her plush bed. “Hey Kagome, how’s this morning going?” asked her only cousin Kikyo. Kagome shrugged, “Fine, I guess, I had the dream again but that really is nothing new.”
Kikyo sighed over the phone line, “Kagome ... have you, maybe, thought about giving the therapy another shot, Now I know the first doctor was a quack, but maybe it will help. Your parents left you with more than enough to take care of yourself.”
Looking around at her opulent bedroom, Kagome couldn’t dispute that last comment. Her parents had been very well off, running a successful conglomerate had made her family want for nothing. She had been the sole inheritor and received a large stipend monthly, the house and various vacation houses had all been deeded in her name.
After a lengthy pause Kagome quietly said, “I just can’t do it Kikyo, going there never really helped, and I can’t stand to deal with another highly recommended idiot trying to poke and pry.” Leaning back against some pillows Kagome continued, “I know that you are pushing with the best of intentions but I just need you to understand that I can’t and won’t do it. Okay?”
Knowing that when Kagome got that particular tone in her voice she would not budge from her position Kikyo quickly agreed. Wanting to change the awkward topic she quickly started in on the real reason for her call. “Kagome, I need you to hear me out on this. I have a huge favour to ask that only you can do, and I really need you to say yes.” After a big breath Kikyo quickly blurted,” IneedyoutoplayformeattheTaishoballtomorrow!!”
**** ~~ ****
“Everything is ready for tomorrow night. The caterer should arrive at three o’clock and the decorator promised to have everything set up for four-thirty. With the guests arriving at six thirty the only matter we really have to go over is the entertainment part. We hired Higurashi Kikyo who is the owner of Melodies. The pianist will be at your residence at four to practise and will play for the first hour with a strings quartet to follow until dinner...”
The doors to his office swung open and his son’s irate nanny rushed into the room interrupting the meeting he was conducting with his secretary. The reason behind the interruption was all too apparent as little Shin was squalling and crying inside the nanny’s arms.
“Lord Sesshoumaru, I have had enough!” said his son’s nanny as she deposited his son not too gently into his lap. You hired me to take care of Lord Shin, keep him happy, fed, secure, but he will not be pleased, I cannot handle the screams and cries any longer! So without any further words I must say with deep regret that I am tendering my resignation...effective immediately!!!” and with those words she rushed once again out of the office.
As soon as her scent started to dissipate from the room and the scent of his father once again invaded Shin’s nose he ceased his crying and snuggled deeper into his father’s embrace. Grasping a stray tendril of his father’s hair, he popped it into his mouth, the picture of innocence.
Silence reigned in the room.
**** ~~ ****
She played the last chords of the song and listened as the music swirled around the room before slowly lifting her fingers and pedal to end the piece. Looking down at her hands in her lap she still could not believe that she had agreed to Kikyo’s plea and would be playing at the Taisho Peace ball tomorrow, the most exclusive event of the year.
Music had always been an important part of her family’s life. Her mother had been a famous concert pianist and had traveled all over the world before she had met her father, a rising businessman, and later married him, she had taught Kagome all she knew. Every night, at least thirty minutes were spent in this room, playing and singing together as a family. The room was full of happy memories and was Kagome’s favourite room in the house.
She had never played outside her home before and tomorrow she would have to do it, her word was her bond, a bond she had given to Kikyo. Besides, refusing after hearing the plight of the former pianist for the evening was nearly impossible. Her son was seriously ailing and as a single mother she wanted to be near him at all times.
Sighing, Kagome got up and stretched her slightly cramped muscles. It shouldn’t be too hard, playing in front of the elite guests that would be in attendance.
And with that particular thought Kagome quickly resumed her former position and started another piece.
**** ~~ ****
A peaceful quiet reigned in the sitting room adjacent to Sesshoumaru’s master bedroom. He was working on some documents that would be the main focus of the meetings tomorrow, and Shin, well, Shin was gurgling and drooling large globs of spit onto the polo that he wore.
At least he was quiet, but that was thought too soon as Shin chose that moment to turn slowly watering eyes to Sesshoumaru and start to suckle his thumb, the sign that he was ready to eat again.
Sighing a long suffering sigh Sesshoumaru picked up Shin, cradling him in one arm and made his way over to the newly installed fridge which held prepared milk bottles and baby food.
Opening the fridge and holding up pureed apples in one hand and a bottle in the other Sesshoumaru asked his intelligent son, “Which one would you like?” Seriously considering his choices, Shin looked from the bottle to the apples back to the bottle and looked at his father. Well his choice was clear enough.
Warming up the bottle and testing it on the underside of his arm had become quite a ritual for him. Finally though, Shin was once again in his seated father’s lap sucking voraciously at the milk his father held.
Looking down at his son and heir, Sesshoumaru experienced a conflict of feelings. Uppermost in his mind was love, and emotion he had not displayed since his childhood. Shin was a warm and solid weight in his arms. Shin was a strong pup that would make any father extremely proud.
But close on the heels of the love he felt so strongly for his son, worry bounced around. Why was his son so very attached to his person? Normally a pup was inseparable from his mother, while the father was barely tolerated.
The nanny that had quit earlier had been the third he had actually hired despite Shin’s dislike of them, to care for and protect him. Strong youkai candidates they had all been with impressive references, but all of them had left quite abruptly after twenty-four hours or so.
Seeing that his son was finished his bottle he brought him to his shoulder after the burping blanket had been placed there, and burped his son. Rubbing his son’s back he soothed him and rumbled an inu song of love and comfort. A tiny sigh prompted him to hold his tiny body up where he realized his son’s eyes were drooping.
Gently he placed him into the cradle near his feet. Where seconds later Shin’s eyes widened until the steady rocking of Sesshoumaru’s foot registered to him and he promptly drifted his eyes closed.
The sleeping face of his son was precious but he had purposely driven away three perfectly respectable caregivers. The next one would have to have Shin’s approval if she would be able to last for a reasonable amount of time.
Sighing another long suffering sigh, Sesshoumaru continued his rhythmic rocking as his attention drifted back to the papers that would be discussed at the peace renewal meetings tomorrow.
**** ~~ ****
Kagome looked up at the rose mural her mother had painted on the ceiling when she was five. Such wonderful memories lived in this room, in the house. Tomorrow she would leave the home she had buried herself in for shelter and protection these past five years, and venture into the world again. Her first stop would be to an exclusive boutique she had patronized, and then off to the Taisho residence to practise for the evening.
Looking again at the mural, Kagome asked her mother to give her strength as she turned over and closed her eyes.
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Reviews are greatly appreciated, they help me to push myself and inspire me to write.
Thank-you to those who have already reviewed I will try to live up to your expectations. :)
* Updates will be weekly as I am trying to write longer chapters.
* For those of you who are confused, I have merged the merged chapter one and the prologue.
~ little_flower