For the Honour of My Family

"Lord Sesshomaru, you wished to see us?"

Sesshomaru ignored the taijiya and the other two ningens for a moment, his eyes fixed on his father's painting, the same one Kouga and Inuyasha looked at the day before. A few things were now starting to come together in the daiyoukai's mind, and he was not sure how he felt about his realizations.

His father was going to be reincarnated. The tug of youki coming from Inuyasha confirmed as much, and apparently, both Inuyasha and Kouga had sensed it, if their civilized conversation was any indication. Kouga's wolves had sensed it as well, which was why they had circled Inuyasha protectively.

"Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Quiet, you insolent girl!" Jaken squawked. "Can't you tell Lord Sesshomaru is busy? He will acknowledge you when he's good and ready!"

Sesshomaru turned to face them the moment Jaken finished with his tirade, knowing his expression was cold and stoic. The imp immediately gulped and bowed, murmuring apologies. Sesshomaru paid no attention to his servant, rather focusing on the ningens and the kitsune with them. They bowed respectively once they saw he was looking at them.

Like the time when they first appeared in his lands, the monk, the miko, and the taijiya were wearing their normal attire. It was not something Sesshomaru felt pleased to see, but he understood the practicality behind their behaviours. They were expecting to leave soon and take Inuyasha with them as well. They did not realize the half-demon was now unable to travel. If he left, Inuyasha would be as good as dead, and so would the unborn pups.

"I see you are ready to leave," he said. The ningens had the decency to appear nervous. "Why?"

"Kagome has family, Lord Sesshomaru," the taijiya explained. "While they understand the importance of our mission, they still worry about her. Eventually, she will need to return home and assure them she is still alive and safe."

"They will have to be brought here then. They will be safe here."

"That is not possible, Lord Sesshomaru."

"How is it not possible?" he asked. He raised an eyebrow at them while he spoke.

"It is a difficult story to tell," the miko said. She fidgeted a little. "They simply cannot come here like you want."

"She's right, aniki. Her family can't come here," Inuyasha interjected. The half-demon walked up behind him and laid a hand on his arm. "If she needs to go then let her. She'll be back."

"You know the reasons, otouto?"

Inuyasha nodded his head 'yes.'

"Yeah. They're good ones, too."

"What of her family's safety?"

A hint of fang appeared as Inuyasha smiled.

"They're a lot safer where they're at, aniki. Trust me. Naraku doesn't even know they exist."

"Hmmm."

Sesshomaru considered the miko's words and his brother's, a decision forming in his mind. Then he gazed at the ningens in the morning.

"You may leave in the morning then, with an escort. You will be returning to Edo, hai?"

"Hai," the taijiya confirmed.

"Why in the morning, Lord Sesshomaru?" the monk inquired. "If you don't mind me asking, that is."

"I do mind," Sesshomaru replied. "However, as it is the reason for my summons of you, I will tell you. Three members of the royal family will be arriving here by the end of the day. You are expected to be dressed properly and to be on your best behaviour."

"Royal family? What royal family?"

"Ours," Sesshomaru replied. "NatsuMaru will instruct you and the wolves on how things will be for the evening. I advise you listen to what he says."

Sesshomaru's eyes landed on Jaken. The imp trembled and gulped for a second time.

"That goes for you as well, Jaken."

"Yes, my Lord."

"NatsuMaru is waiting. Do not disappoint me."

The ningens bowed then exited the room, Jaken right behind them. Inuyasha's hand remained on Sesshomaru's arm during the rest of the exchange, and Sesshomaru finally focused on his brother. Amber eyes, warm like sunshine, gazed at him.

"Can we talk?" Inuyasha asked. "There's something I need to tell you. It's . . . it's about the pups."

"Not here," Sesshomaru said. "Let's go somewhere more . . . secluded, otouto."

"Yeah . . . right."

Sesshomaru took Inuyasha by the hand and led him out of the audience chamber. He would have liked to return to the gardens and the heady scent of the cherry blossoms, but he knew Rin was out there, attending to her studies. Instead, Sesshomaru found a private study not far from his and Inuyasha's bedchambers. He slid the door behind them, allowing them some seclusion.

"What is it, Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru inquired. His brother looked so serious and so calm.

"There are four," Inuyasha said. "And one of them is our father's reincarnation."

"Are you certain?"

"I wouldn't say it if I wasn't, aniki. I can feel a strong aura coming from one of them, one like I've never encountered before. It's him."

Inuyasha's words only confirmed Sesshomaru's suspicions, but what baffled him was his brother's certainty. How could he know without any doubts?

"I see . . . and what makes you certain?"

"Something Kouga and I talked about yesterday. He sensed the pups right away, you know. For being a mangy wolf, he's got some pretty sharp senses."

"He is a demon, otouto."

"Right. Anyway, he told me something he'd heard when he'd been a kid, and it had to do with how some family members, if they've died, can be reborn into the same family," Inuyasha said. He sat down on one of the pillows. "But it has to be a special kind of union to allow the rebirth."

"Did he say what kind?"

"No." Inuyasha shook his head. "He said it was over a hundred years ago when he heard that. Up until yesterday, he thought it was just a bunch of talk by a bunch of old guys, something to keep the family members to connected."

"I see . . ." Sesshomaru murmured. He sat across from his brother, watching him closely. "So we might be the special kind of union. How does that make you feel, otouto?"

"Scared as hell," Inuyasha replied.

"Scared?" he echoed. It was a most unusual answer. "Why is that?"

"Because it's only a matter of time before Naraku finds out," Inuyasha said. "And when he does, he's going to do whatever he can to get his hands on our pups. I can't allow that, Sesshomaru, I can't! I have a hard enough time as it is keeping Kagome safe. How am I going to do that and keep our pups safe? How?"

Parts of Inuyasha's emotions were possibly due to his pregnant state. The half-demon rarely let his guard down. Fear and tears were never options. Sesshomaru reached over and pulled Inuyasha to him, cradling the half-demon in his arms.

"You will stay here with me and Grandfather," he murmured. "That is how. When the ningens leave in the morning, I will have someone accompany them to assure their safety. Why they mean so much to you, though, I will never understand, but I will make sure nothing befalls them while they are away. I promise you as much, otouto."

After Inuyasha's confession, the rest of the day passed uneventfully. Granted, the servants were in a fervor over the arrival of Lords Rei Inu, Akira, and Hiroshi, but it was something Sesshomaru learned to expect. While many members of royalty had come to the palace, none were quite as important as the Old Dog and his sons, and such visits were rare. The last time anyone remembered Lord Rei Inu visiting, it was for the birth of Sesshomaru. Many of the servants also had come from the Old Dog's palace in the south. Shinsei was one, but Sesshomaru could not recall the rest. He only knew that they performed their tasks with outstanding results.

This day was no exception. Most of the servants knew what Lord Rei Inu expected when he visited, and the palace's appearance was one of sparkling opulence, as if the Old Dog himself lived there. By mid-day, the staff, the guards, and everyone else awaited for Lord Rei Inu's arrival.

By mid-day, the Old Dog arrived, which surprised Sesshomaru. It seemed as if NatsuMaru had been mistaken.

The entourage with Lord Rei Inu and his two sons was a rather small detail. Sesshomaru recognized his uncles, Akira and Hiroshi, as well the seer, Haru, and two of the elite warriors. Four more guards accompanied them, and Sesshomaru idly wondered about the lack of fanfare. The group itself, though, was enough to capture anyone's attention. Lord Rei Inu exuded a powerful aura so great Sesshomaru heard the taijiya gasp. From the corner of his eye, he saw her drop to one knee. The monk followed her example. Sesshomaru waited.

Unlike the ningens, he was held to a certain amount of decorum. To bow for his grandfather before the Old Dog reached him was considered a sign of weakness, one that would either earn Sesshomaru a sound beating or a killing. The palace was Sesshomaru's, and he would only defer to his grandfather if the Old Dog commanded it. He could only hope such an event would never come to pass.

On Sesshomaru's right stood Inuyasha, dressed in a deep blue hakama and haori with silver embroidery, and the half-demon's position was of great significance. For inuyoukai, one's mate or most trusted ally always stood on the right. It declared how much a male trusted his spouse, and it challenged anyone to say otherwise. Inuyasha was slowly learning the importance of such formalities and mannerisms. His stance was one of great pride and confidence, something Sesshomaru saw his grandfather noticing. A gleam of approval lit the ancient inuyoukai's eyes.

When his grandfather and uncles were the proper distance from him, Sesshomaru bowed. Inuyasha mimicked him, and, in return, Rei Inu showed his respect to the ruler of the Western Lands.

"You honour me with your presence, Sire," Sesshomaru murmured. "NatsuMaru-sensei informed me of your intentions this morning."

"As per my instructions, I am sure." The Old Dog smiled.

"I doubt he would deviate from your will."

"Most never do," Rei Inu stated. His eyes then landed on Inuyasha. "But there are some who would, aren't there? Especially if they are the sons of InuTaisho."

"Grandfather?" Sesshomaru tilted his head, curious by the Old Dog's statement.

"This is Inuyasha?"

"Yeah? What of it?" Inuyasha asked. His cocky demeanor, it seemed, had returned. Rei Inu smiled, a hint amused.

"Yes, you are definitely my son's son," he murmured. "I can sense your father's will in you. Both of you."

"That is not necessarily a bad thing," Sesshomaru pointed out. This time, the Old Dog laughed.

"No. It is not, but it can be a source of trouble at times." Rei Inu straightened his back, his gaze returning to Sesshomaru. "I wish to speak with the boy. Alone. When I am done, I will seek you out. The imp will see to the needs of Akira and Hiroshi."

"As you wish, Grandfather."

* * *

"You wish to see me . . ."

It was more of a soft-spoken statement than an inquiry, and Sesshomaru turned to face the speaker. Haru stood just outside the conference room, his hands hidden in the sleeves of his haori. The single yellow stripe on his right cheek was the indication of his status and his abilities. Sesshomaru nodded.

"Yes. Please enter, Master Haru, and sit. There are many things we need to discuss."

"As you wish, Lord Sesshomaru." Haru stepped into the room. "I hope you do not mind, but I have taken the liberty of summoning NatsuMaru to this meeting, as well as the wolf tribe leader and those unusual ningens. I sense they will have information beneficial for what you need of me."

Sesshomaru nodded once again. He was not about to argue with the seer. Haru possessed talents and gifts most inuyoukai could never imagine, the strongest of his skills being empathy and telepathy. There were times when the seer could also catch a glimpse of the future, though such a gift was not always a boon. Haru crossed the distance between them then knelt onto one of the pillows there.

"He is coming back, isn't he?"

"Father? Yes." Sesshomaru paused. "I am guessing Grandfather knows this as well."

"He does," Haru confirmed. He offered Sesshomaru a lopsided smile. "It is kind of hard for us to not know, my Lord. The pup's aura is strong and familiar at the same time. I daresay your father has been waiting for this moment. He is anxious to be in this world again."

"I can imagine. He is giving me a difficult task, however."

"How to keep him, his unborn siblings, and Inuyasha safe," Haru supplied. "The reason why you wished to see me."

"And the reason why you wish to speak with NatsuMaru."

"I expect no resistance from him," Haru said.

"At least not in the situations where everything counts," a male voice commented. NatsuMaru walked up behind Haru and sat next to the seer. Kouga and the ningens were with him. They appeared a little baffled while NatsuMaru was definitely amused. "Your grandfather is feeling mischievous, I daresay. Assigning your servant to attend Akira and Hiroshi? That is trouble in the making."

"I am sure Grandfather knows what he is doing," Sesshomaru said. "Shall we begin? There is much to discuss and not enough time. It will not be long before Naraku hears of this and comes after Inuyasha."

* * *

Night had finally fallen, signaling the end of the day. With it, many of Sesshomaru's concerns were, at the most, eased by his grandfather's arrival. There were some instances where things had become a little . . . trying, but they eventually smoothed out. Now he could rest, if for a moment only, and watch his brother as he slept and their skins cooled from their mating.

The day had not been without merit. As he suspected would happen, Haru suggested many things, all of which were sensible and easy to carry out at various intervals. One suggestion, however, caught Sesshomaru by surprise, and it involved his uncle Hiroshi.

Hiroshi had come as a surprise to those who did not know Rei Inu. Born to a human mother a century or two before Sesshomaru's birth, the half-demon was the youngest of all Rei Inu's sons. His personality was a combination of tempers and traits. He remained aloof from those he did not know, almost to the point where he could have been accused of acting like Sesshomaru, but he also possessed a strong and strange sense of humor. From what Sesshomaru had heard, Jaken had become Hiroshi's target more than once, and the daiyoukai suspected the imp of grumbling over his duties. Hiroshi was not Inuyasha. The older half-demon knew of politics and how the world worked and changed. He lacked the rough edges that made Inuyasha unique among the family.

Then there was Hiroshi's appearance. With the exception of his eyes and the two violet facial stripes marking him as royalty, Hiroshi could have passed as Inuyasha. The sight of Hiroshi still staggered the ningens and the wolves.

Hiroshi was also a source of contention with Inuyasha, and his half-brother made no attempts to keep his thoughts to himself. When they were alone, Inuyasha blasted Sesshomaru, years of anger and hurt buried within the younger male. It took intervention from Haru, NatsuMaru, and Hiroshi before Inuyasha calmed and stalked off.

Sesshomaru reached over and brushed a finger along a smooth cheek, noting the way Inuyasha's lips were parted. He appeared calm and serene in slumber, and Sesshomaru could not help wondering what Inuyasha would have been like if he had been given the same chances in life as Hiroshi.

The thoughts were brief then Sesshomaru chased them away. Inuyasha and Hiroshi, despite their similarities, were different as day and night. When the time arrived, their differences would be displayed in dramatic ways, and anyone in attendance would notice. For the moment, Sesshomaru chose to not dwell on what could have been changed. It did no good anyway and was a futile exercise. There were more important things and people to concern himself with. A light smile touched Sesshomaru's lips.

Now he understood, better than he had when his father still lived, the lessons the old dog tried to impart. He promised to never let the lessons fade from his heart. He would do his father proud. The great Inu no Taisho was returning, after all.