Dearly Beloved by Aviel
Truth
Disclaimer: Though it saddens me to say it, I don’t own anything relating to Takahashi-sensei’s Inuyasha. However, the plot and/or ideas of this drabble series do belong to me.
A/N: Note at the bottom. Read it. :) Update 2 of 2.
Chapter 68: Truth
“Sesshoumaru!” Satomi Taishou cooed, moving forward to embrace her son. She soon glared at him when he sidestepped her outstretched arms at the last second. With a small pout, she decided to lavish her attention on his petite wife instead. “It is good to see you, Kago-chan!”
“L-likewise,” Kagome wheezed, caught in the older woman’s tight hold. She nearly sighed in relief when Sesshoumaru stepped in and stole her away to safety.
“Do you attempt to choke all of your visitors, Mother?” he asked dryly, pulling her closer to him. “Or, is that only reserved for Kagome?”
Satomi gasped dramatically, hand pressed over her heart in mock horror. “I would never harm my new daughter!”
Her son fixed her with a deadpan look. “I do not believe you.” He glanced down at his wife when she coughed and elbowed him in the side. “…Fine.”
“My boy is so mean!” Satomi told Kagome with crocodile tears pooling in her eyes. “That’s why I am glad to be another mother to such a…” Sesshoumaru sent her a sharp look. “…charming girl like yourself!”
“Oh, erm… Thank you?” Kagome laughed uneasily. She hadn’t meant for her thanks to sound like a question. “Just don’t mind him! He’s just in a crabby mood today, is all.”
“Why did you wish to see us, Mother?”
The Taishou matriarch smiled coyly. “Am I not allowed to see you two?” She sobered when she noticed his serious demeanor. Well, playtime was over, she supposed. “Your dear father called me the other day and told me what happened during your visit.”
“And?”
“I don’t approve of your behavior, Sesshoumaru.”
The male blinked slowly in surprise, and Kagome was silent beside him. “You are the last person I would have expected to hear this from.”
“Understandable,” his mother allowed. “It is true that Touga had hurt me deeply when he had strayed, and I was terribly angry with him for a time. But,” she smiled sadly, resigned, “It is also true that I no longer hold anything against him, for love has the power to make people do the strangest things.”
Sesshoumaru frowned, unappeased by her explanation. “That is all you have to tell me?”
“What do you want me to say? That I would take him back because his second wife is no longer alive?” Satomi snapped. “Yes, I was furious when I found out about his affair. Yes, I had wanted nothing more than to destroy their budding relationship and tear them apart. But do you know what, Sesshoumaru?” Ignoring his stricken expression, she continued, “I accepted the fact that they were better suited for each other than your father and I ever was!”
“Mother…”
“Stop.” She held up a hand to silence him. “You wanted to see my heart, so I am showing it to you. The small pain I experienced pales in comparison to the suffering your father continues to go through. Do you know how he feels? Do you know what it’s like to feel helpless because Death is the only thing standing between you and,” she flicked her gaze to Kagome, “the love of your life?”
Heart throbbing, Sesshoumaru winced at the raw emotion shining in his mother’s eyes.
“I…” He swallowed, mouth dry. The female at his side patted his arm comfortingly. “I did not know.”
Satomi nodded and then turned her head, clearly dismissing him. “Now you do.”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Posting Date: February 5, 2013
Prompt: For Kneazles’s “Valentine’s Day Countdown” Challenge, Nights of Sevens
Words: 600
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: Goodness, I love you guys! Feedback makes me super happy. :) Anyway, I just wanted to say some general stuff in case you’re wondering… S/K are about 25ish (and are heading toward the summer season) in the story right now. I do drop hints about the time frame every now and then, but they’re the kind that you gotta squint reaaaaally hard for. ;) Also, DB wasn’t supposed to be a project of this magnitude. It was originally only going to be–literally–a collection of oneshots involving Sesshoumaru’s random memories…I hadn’t actually planned on writing a cohesive plot for it.
I am quite fond of this story, but I’m not entirely sure when it will end. I’ll throw out a number and say maybe around 100 chapters? Just keep in mind that my muse is a fickle, little booger (yes, I said BOOGER). When his mood changes, the drabble lengths vary, and things are either said or left unsaid, thus dragging the current drama/tension/issue out longer. :/ Regardless, I’ll be sure to let you know when the end is near as soon as I do! :)