Strength

Hi surprise! OMG what a fast update! Hope you are not sick of me already! Many thanks to the wonderful reviewers – and support that keeps this fic going. This is a LONG chappie – that kindda ran away from me in places, and please read and tell me what you think. This is want I consider a visual buffet, a Inuyasha centric chappie – that I hope shows .. well something...

Please Read, Review and enjoy!


Chapter 24 : Played!

Inuyasha stared at himself in disgust in the mirror. Serious cute, weepy eyes, pleading looks on daughters' faces had to be banned, made illegal – totally and fully! Absolutely never allowed again. He growled unhappily at Hana who was the executor of their evil will. Totally unimpressed and hiding a smile, Hana petted Inuyasha's back comfortingly as she continued grooming the Young Lord to perfection.

That day was a day of a full solar eclipse, it was to happen a couple of hours after noon, and all usual routines had been put aside for the event. Solar Eclipses Inuyasha learned were important to Shiro Inus who were very much connected to the moon. Three was to be a big celebration, and a presentation ceremony with the leaders and allies of the Shiro DaiYoukai present. The amount of powerful Youki streaming into the City made Inuyasha more than a little bit uncomfortable. The kids he knew would be the center of attention at the event, everyone wanted to meet Sesshoumaru's heirs, Inuyasha smiled rather proudly at the thought. He had every intention of donning a simple black outfit for the event (seeing that all his gray suits had mysteriously disappeared from the chests – what the hell did that stupid Alpha of his have against gray -Inuyasha did not know) and pretty much straying in the background, watching out for his kids. Well he still intended to stay in the background only now he would look like he was trying to show off, be something more than what he was.

Inuyasha sighed mentally, ah well, Mee-chan and Shiori would enjoy how he looked, he was pretty sure that with Sesshoumaru, Ryuko and Yuusha present, no one else would even notice the ridiculously dolled up Hanyou in the background. Sesshoumaru had had the elaborate kamishimo tailored for him a few days earlier. Inuyasha had originally no intention what so ever of wearing the over rich, elaborate and formal outfit. It was not that it was in any way girly or inappropriate, it was a warrior's kamishimo, with a rich stiff outer coat of elaborate woven gold and the inner shirt in his old red colors. Inuyasha just did not think it suited him. So he had planned to conveniently forget the outfit's existence.

But then with suspicious timing, since usually NOTHING was allowed to interfere in the family breakfast ritual, the outfit was delivered resplendent on a rack during the meal with all the kids present. The two little girls were absolutely entranced and Sesshoumaru sat back with a small suspicious smile as Inuyasha unsuccessfully tried to worm his way out of wearing the suit. Even Yuusha had been no help, the pup's approving nod and simple statement that "Yes, that is most fitting of your status Papa," had Sesshoumaru smirking at the indirect approval, and had sealed Inuyasha's fate. The little girls had removed all the stops, their tearing eyed begging finally forcing the Hanyou to give in, less then graciously.

Forced to submit to Hana's ministrations the rest of the morning to prepare for the event, (other servants helped but Hana was very much the main supervisor of Inuyasha's private needs). Inuyasha had been bathed, brushed and groomed, till he was ready to kill something preferably the Ookami and his brother whom he was sure were going to have a huge laugh at how he looked. Not that he looked bad, Inuyasha thought grudgingly at the image in the mirror, the scars were totally hidden, and besides the scars were no longer as ugly as they had once seemed – Sesshoumaru definitely seemed to find them well... beautiful.

Inuyasha stared at himself in the mirror, hmmm... okay maybe they wouldn't laugh, he actually looked – alright. Formal, like a true warrior, the stiff full length Gold coat with emblems of the Shiro DaiYoukai on it was very impressive, maybe even noble. The red inner cloth, though not a usual color for a kamishimo suited the Inuyasha of old, and the thick almost somber black belt with gray piping around his waist - set off the whole outfit and was something the current Inuyasha would have chose to wear anyway. The outfit very much seemed to bind together different parts of himself, as he stared at the mirror he was suddenly a little nervous, how had Sesshoumaru managed to put together something like this. Fully dressed he suddenly felt inexplicably exposed, without really being sure why, he felt heat rise in his cheeks. Quickly he glanced away, focusing on nothing in particular, as Hana meddled with his hair.

Inuyasha's forelocks were left untouched, the top half of his hair was slicked up into a tight topknot. His bangs ruthlessly tamed and arranged stylishly on his forehead. Gold and red twine was used to secure the chonmage securely, Inuyasha was not too comfortable with the style, but had been informed by Hana, that it was a mark of honor, and Sesshoumaru had ordered at her secure to his hair in such a style. Seeing the thickness of Inuyasha's mane, most of his hair still fell free down his shoulders and back. To change the look a little, Hana made tiny pleats in Inuyasha's hair shooting the red and gold thread through the pleats. The rich colors peeked out of the waterfall of white, tantalizing the senses and making one wish to reach out to examine the exotic style.

Personally Inuyasha thought it was a lot of foo-foo, but Hana was so happy messing with his hair he left her to it. One reason he was so patient was because he had been informed that if he was ready before lunch he would have to join in the formal meal at the great hall. Inuyasha figured watching the actual eclipse with the gathering of Youkai was more then enough ceremony for him, besides this allowed Sesshoumaru to have his first formal meal with the children without him there. He needed to start slowly letting go. So Inuyasha allowed Hana to do as she pleased and it was only about an hour to the actual eclipse, when she was finally satisfied.

As he slipped on his swords, Inuyasha had to admit the overall affect seemed rather good, the kids would be suitably impressed – though seriously he wasn't, a lot of work – for what exactly? Sheesh women...what was it with them and dressing up... Inuyasha barely restrained himself from smirking -he knew enough to keep that opinion carefully hidden.

Hana sent some of the servants ahead to inform the Hall that Inuyahsa would be arriving. As Inuyasha walked into the hallway his children escorted by Jaken rushed in to greet their Papa. "Hoi don't stop just like that you can cause an acciden... By the hells!" Jaken who had almost bumped into the girls, came to shocked stop.

"Papa! You look amazing!" Mee-chan cooed in delight she and Shiori circled and admired their slightly embarrassed parent. "Wow! You look great Ojii-san!" Shippo chirped with an impressed grin. Yuusha just stared at his Papa, and bowed formally. Kishi did not see what the big deal was, and unlike the other children who were impressed enough by the formal look to hesitate to touch, the little Youkai without hesitation pounced into his Papa's arms. "This cloth is itchy Papa, I like other shirt better." Kishi pouted. Inuyahsa laughed and ruffled his son's hair, "Kishi, I prefer my normal clothes as well, should I go and change back" Inuyasha said, gasps of outrage sounded in response and the girls booed.

Father and youngest son looked at each other and grinned in perfect understanding. "Ahh.. looks like we are outnumbered Kishi, I guess I'm stuck with this until after this bloody circus." Inuyasha said tragically, putting his son down, the children running around Inuyasha led the Hanyou to the audience chambers. Inuyasha had planned to quietly enter the hall, but this it seemed was a day of conspiracy, Ryoku-sensei was waiting for him at the entrance. Her eye-brows rose, the young Hanyou was something to see, unconsciously he carried himself with pride and power, he reminder her of a shorter, more approachable version of her late husband, only her husband never had the air quiet sadness that the Hanyou seemed to exude at times. She firmly called him over and arranged the children to stand in proper protocol; she as the Lord's mother would walk in first, with Kishi. Mee-chan, Shiori and Shippo would come up together. Then Yuusha was would walk in first leading Inuyasha into the room.

Inuyasha's eyebrow rose at this, he didn't quite understand if that made him the lowest rank or highest rank among them. He was not going to ask, and Ryoku did not think to explain. Yuusha suddenly turned to Shippo and said loudly, "Everyone here has met Ryoku-Sensei and us, we have to let Papa walk in last because he has not met them, and he is a big surprise." The pup said, Shippo nodded in response wondering why Yuusha was repeating what they had been told earlier. The doors opened for them to walk in, and he thought no further of it.

So he was last because they had not met him, well it was not like he wanted to actually meet them, and he doubted any of the high ranking Youkai in the hall wanted to meet him either. Inuyasha figured he'd walk a bit slower, and keep to the back – hopefully he could find a seat at the back of the hall to sit on – like he had when he visited the halls of human Lords with Kagome and Miroku. No matter whom and for what reason, (even though he was the main reason they approached the party) Inuyasha had always sat behind the two humans in their dealings with nobility. It had never mattered that his mother was a human princess and his father was a Demon Lord, his own status as a Hanyou had always relegated him to the lowest ranking member of the group, invisible unless needed. Even than Inuyasha had never really thought twice about it, he just accepted it as the way his world worked. Being related to nobility had never made Inuyasha nobler or more welcome in anybody's eyes, and he did not really expect that to change now.

Hell, at least this way Inuyasha did not have to put up with the snobs and pretend to care one way or another of any of the nonsense they sprouted. Puppy ears twitched in irritation as the doors opened, the crier screeched out Ryoku's name and horns sounded to announce the entrance of the mother of Lord Sesshoumaru. Sheesh, one of these days he'd ram those horns down some throats and give them some nice flutes or harps instead! So noisy!

There was general commotion in the halls as first Ryoku and then the children walked in. Greetings, gasps and cries of 'so cute', adorable and whispers of the Pups being like Sesshoumaru could be heard throughout the hall. Inuyasha felt his heart swell, damn he was proud of his pups, they were Shiro Inu Youkai's to be reckoned with.

Inuyahsa waited for a few seconds, to make sure the pups had the attention of the audience, then he quietly walked in. The Youkai stationed at the door who was supposed to announce his presence, failed to do so - as a well placed hit had rendered the poor Youkai unable to speak for a few moments.

Inuyasha's plan to get into the hall as inconspicuously and as unnoticed as possible, worked – well at least it worked until, the guests all noted Lord Sesshoumaru's eyes glued to the doorway, with a strange smile on the Lord's lips. Almost as one, the crowd turned, a ripple of surprise and then silence filled the hall.

Inuyasha noticed the strange silence immediately, he drew himself up proudly, only slight twitching of his ears gave away his tension. He walked in tall and proud as the whole hall turned to stare and gape at him. A lone Hanyou in a hall full of Youkai, damn it, why the fuck did he have to be here?

With everyone staring at him, no way was he going to cower and duck to the back, instead he straightened even more, and walked straight ahead. Sesshoumaru was staring at him, if Inuyasha played it formal, he figured everyone would soon focus on the DaiYoukai and he could get out of the spot light with minimal effort.

Inuyasha walked to the base of the raised diaz where Sesshoumaru stood, with three other Youkai, each of whom gave off enough Youki to make Inuyasha's hair stand on its end. Even Ryoku for all her power could not match the three Youkai on stage, they each had power that at least came close to Sesshoumaru's. They were all staring at Inuyasha intently. Stupid fucks! No way were they going to intimidate him, Inuyasha let an arrogant smile cross his face, as he bowed stiffly to his Alpha.

He straightened and shifted to move to the side and stand behind his pups, when Sesshoumaru that blasted bossy dog, gestured for Inuyasha to come up on the stage. Inuyasha's hesitation was so slight only those closest to him (meaning Sesshoumaru and Yuusha) actually noticed it. The Hanyou strode up on the Diaz to stand face to face with his Alpha, wondering what the DaiYoukai wanted from him. Sesshoumaru's smile was creeping Inuyasha out a little, he was used to Sesshoumaru smiling at him before sex, and since there was no way in hell he was going to allow any kind of kinkiness in front of an audience, the smile of the DaiYoukai's face was unnerving.

Inuyasha barely hid his flinch when Sesshoumaru reached out and placed his hands on Inuyasha's shoulders, eyes narrowing in slight irritation at the reaction, Sesshoumaru turned Inuyasha to face the audience. Sesshoumaru did not raise his voice, but the power of it carried his voice to the far ends of the great hall. "This Sesshoumaru presents to you, the son of Inu Taisho and Princess Izayoi, the destroyer of the Shikon Jewel, defender of humans, demons and even gods, wielder of Tessaiga and Junnsaiga, Lord Inuyasha, Second in command of the Shiro Inus."

The introduction caused a stir throughout the crowd. Inuyasha only just managed to stop his jaw from hitting the floor in surprise. As it is his eyes widened in shock, it seemed that it was not his children who were going to be presented to the people. For a moment the more canny of the audience saw the flash of shock and vulnerability in his eyes that was very quickly hidden.

Two Youkai carrying trays came up on the Daiz, one of three DaiYoukai beside Sesshoumaru reached out and removed a shoulder guard, inlaid with gems. She was a beautiful and powerful Phoenix Demoness, Lord of the Southern Lands, her colors of red and gold, seemed in a way to match Sesshoumaru's. Her voice however was calming and gentle as she said, "We of the Ruling DaiYoukai recognize Lord Inuyasha as a true Son of the Land, and with this guard, will honor his right to speak above all others as the Second of Lord Sesshoumaru." The demoness affixed the shoulder guard into place, hiding her amusement as the Young Lord's jaw did drop open at her words. She quickly unfurled her wings for a moment to hide his obvious shock from the general audience.

Once the honor guard was in place, the audience led by the wolves clapped and cheered thunderously. Inuyasha smiled rather weakly, he honestly did not know what to say or do. Sesshoumaru's hands on his shoulder was all that was keeping him from walking out of the room.

The Lord of the North, a rather young looking Dragon Demon, smiled in an almost friendly manner at Inuyasha, he removed the left wrist guard from the tray, and solemnly put it on Inuyasha's hand. "The safety of the denizens of the Western Lands - whenever Lord Sesshoumaru is otherwise engaged or away - will without question be placed in your hands ; let none question your right to assume command the forces of the West, least the wrath of the DaiYoukai fall upon them."

The third Lord, the only Lord to look his age, an elderly and intelligent looking Lion-tortoise demon, took the right wrist guard from the tray. He took Inuyasha's hand firmly in his, ignoring the slight movement the Hanyou made to get away, and firmly put it on him. "One a personal level as a reward for the many here-fore unrecognized services you have carried out on behalf of the 4 lands, you are granted the title Baron of the West. This is a title earned not by your birth, but by the honor you earned for yourself from your actions. Know young one, you have more than any other created a place of respect for Hanyous among Youkai, your deeds mark you as more then an equal to any Youkai here, and none can take you actions from you."

Inuyasha was seriously wondering when he would awaken from the strange dream, a slight pinch from Sesshoumaru had the Hanyou turning to glare at him. Sesshoumaru well aware that his brother had drifted off- smirked in reaction. He was enjoying Inuyasha's reactions to the forced attention, after all his brother's revelations had not been a slow trickle either. Sesshoumaru smirked, he was definitely going to enjoy this.

The was a long pregnant pause, Inuyasha was getting increasingly nervous, when he saw everyone was looking at him. Inuyasha was just about getting ready to bolt regardless of his Alpha's hold, when the Phoenix said in a soft whisper, "We are waiting for you to say something Young Lord, hurry!"

"ahhhh..." Inuyasha blinked, "errrr..." public speaking without swearing and cursing – and generally yelling challenges was not exactly Inuyasha's area of expertise. "Ummm.." This took him by surprise and he felt a little panicky – what was he supposed to say? His mind was blank, maybe he could pretend to faint and get out of it.. he thought frantically. The was a sharp cough to his right, Inuyasha's eyes turned and met a smaller pair of gold ones. Yuusha his face too serious, nodded at his Papa, nearby he saw Kouga give hi a thumbs up gesture, and for all the smirk, Sesshoumaru's hands were warm and supportive on his shoulders. Suddenly the Hanyou calmed down, and drew in his hard earned control.

He bowed formally at the audience and said "Thank you, you honor me greatly, and I will do my best to live up to the honor of the Shiro Inus!" He bowed again and relief washed through him as the audience clapped and cheered again.

The air in the hall changed inexplicably, the time of the Eclipse was soon. Inuyasha once again made an attempt to escape center stage by bowing to his Alpha and making to leave. But he taitanium hold on his shoulder did not release.

"And where do you think you are going, little brother?" Sesshoumaru asked casually, enjoying howe flustered Inuyasha was getting.

"Err.. over there, with the kids!" Inuyasha said hopefully. "We have to to witness the Eclipse ceremony, right?"

"Yes, well about that, there has been a slight change. The solar eclipse, is the tie when the moon's Youki is unhindered by the sun. This allows many rare Shiro Inu ceremonies to occur during the short time of the eclipse. In trying to find answers I have found a ritual that if it works will help balance some of your Youki, the ritual requires high level of Youki to be present. Why would you want to leave Inuyasha – this whole ceremony is about you after all."

Sesshoumaru's smile was bountiful as Inuyasha realized that his Alpha was not going to allow him to hide or fade to the back ground anymore. He was definitely the main attaraction of the event – and he had been throughly and completely played.


-lol tbc-

This came out a lot longer then I had planned. If Inuyahsa had known he was the focus of the day, nothing would have got him into the hall, so thhe whole thing including Hana's timing was organized by a rather sneaky DaiYoukai. What do you think? By the way... Sheesh.. I'm throwing plans out the window – all the characters just seem to run away with my chapters. Inu.. kinddda dominates this one. Now what else has the DaiYoukai have planned for our little Hanyou...errr.. I'll tell you as Inuyasha finds out. (Nope cant say I'm 100% sure...) anyway hope you enjoyed it. Please review – hugs. Ajj