Hidden Love

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Chapter 3

The Ball


It was mid afternoon and everything was almost ready for the Lords and Ladies arrival. The sound of the horn blaring sent the servants in the castle in to a rush as they scurried about doing finishing touches to the great hall, where most of the ball would be held.


oOo


Sesshomaru slowly opened his eyes, sitting up he groaned holding his head. Blinking he looked around when he felt a hand on his back holding him upright.


"Are you alright?" Inu no tashio asked, concern lacing his voice. The two had been in the private training grounds in the back of the palace, savoring the last few hours they had together. Charging at his son, Inu no tashio had expected Sesshomaru to easily dodge the attack, he was already to him and swinging his wooden practice sword when the horn sounded and Sesshomaru froze. Inu no tashio couldn't cut his momentum enough to halt the blow, knocking Sesshomaru to the ground.


"Yeah," Sesshomaru shook his head lightly to clear it. "Did you hear that?" he asked looking towards the main gate.


Inu no tashio sighed, helping Sessohmaru to his feet. "Yes, I suppose there’s no getting around it." Removing the lightly padded traffic armor, Inu no tashio watched as Sesshomaru waited for him to finish, anxiously looking in the direction the guest were arriving. "One week."


Sesshomaru looked over at his father and smiled nervously. "One week."

oOo

Inu no tashio winced inwardly as the rather large woman in the middle a small crowd laughed loudly near him. The great hall was packed with guests, mostly made up of the three other High Lords, their families and close personal servants as well as the kitchen staff making rounds with platters of food. Eyeing the crowd he spotted Satsuka, Lady to the East, making her way to him. As a fox youkai Satsuka was not an unattractive woman, long brilliant red hair adorned with green stones perfectly matching her eyes, always wanting to be among the center of attentions she dressed in a bright yellow kimono with dark green trimmings.


"Lord Inu no tashio!" She exclamed. " I've been looking forward to this ball as I have a proposition for you." She clasped her hands infront of her and smiled. "I was wondering, what do you have in mind for your son? Because I was thinking, as you know, I brought my daughter that I believe would be perfect for Sesshomaru. She is just the right age, I would love it if you would let me introduce them!"


Inu no tashio glanced over to where Sesshomaru stood a ways from him then back the Satsuka. “ I don't know if that would be a good idea."


Confused, Satsuka looked to Sesshomaru also. "Why not ?"


"I wouldn't want to push your daughter into anything that she isn't prepared for."


Satuska raised her eyebrows. " Oh nonsense!" She tisked, " She is plenty ready! I'll just go and fetch her then we can let them get acquainted." She winked at him before disappearing among the people.


Inu no tashio watched her leave silently, . This was going to be tricky, sighing deeply, the youkai lord turned and started towards his unfortunate son.


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Leaning against the wall Sesshomaru scanned the crowd. It just didn't make sense to him, why would they not just cut to 'The Council'? What point is there to mingling with such shallow, vain, power hungry people who in the end didn't really care what happened to the others as long as they came out on top? If it were up to Sesshomaru they would come, go, and then leave him and his father in peace. Already many of the lesser lords and ladies had come up to him with the usual complements and concerns, wondering how his training was going and weather and other meaningless matters. He watched as some of the guests danced while other simply stood and conversed with one another. His attention was drawn however, as he spotted his father approaching him.


"I need to talk to you."


Sesshomaru looked at his father with concern. "What's wrong?"


"Master Sesshomaru!" Both of the males turned to see Satsuka rushing towards them dragging a child behind her. "I have someone that your ather and I want you to meet." She placed the girl in front of her. "This is my daughter, Nieki."


Sesshomaru stared at the little girl then raising an eyebrow he looked quizzically to Inu no tashio. When the older demon just gave him an apologetic look he turned back to the young girl standing in front of him nervously twirling a lock of her hair that was so much like her mothers. "Hel-hello." The greeting was so quiet Sesshomaru could barely hear it.


"Hello," Sesshomaru replied.


"Um, my mother says that we have a lot in common."


Inu no tashio observed as the two made light conversation, he could tell that Sesshomaru wanted to leave, mentally suffering. He was sure that Nieki was a sweet girl but Sesshomaru was not a normal boy, he would never be satisfied with small talk and vertually no intelligent conversation, that was one of the reasons that
Inu no tashio loved Sesshomaru so much. He looked at Satsuke, hands entwined again and a big smile on her face. She actually thought that she was going indirectly inherit his lands. Sure she appeared fine but underneath she was just like the rest of them, power hungry to the bone, even willing to go so far as to force her child into a betrothal with his son. He was going to put an end to this, for tonight at least. He stepped away from the wall and put his hand on Sesshomaru's shoulder getting his attention. "I'm afraid that my son and I are going to half to bid you all a good evening." Short, simple, to the point, and it got them both out. Leading Sesshomaru out of the large room Inu no tashio made his way to his study with Sesshomaru in tow.

oOo

Inu no tashio sat behind his desk, eyes locked onto the small form that was stretched out on the couch that faced the large fire place. "Well that was fun."


The smaller inu shifted to look towards the desk. Sesshomaru smiled at his father, the only sign of affection that they could safely show towards one another. Turning his gaze back to the roaring fire Sesshomaru propped his head on his hands and sighed. He wanted to be with his father, he wanted to sit on his lap and kiss him all over, he wanted to be held, and he didn't want to be bothered anymore. However, until this week was over that would all have to wait. But first he had to figure out what he was going to do about Nieki and her mother.

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Well that's the end of this chapter and all for now. Remember, reviews are greatly enjoyed and encouraged.

See ya!