Of Gold and Adamant

Off My Chest

Here I am, opening the door
It is a new day
A better one than before
I am finding my way
My future is bright
All my problems, I am letting go
Sweet dreaming tonight
My life is good and will now flow

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Sesshoumaru found Shippo weeping in the courtyard. He didn’t know that he was there yet and Sesshoumaru did not wish to frighten the boy.

Speaking softly Sesshoumaru approached slowly.

“Shippo you must tell me is it true? Does Hideharu beat you?”

Shippo sobbed.

“I can’t…I promised and he deserves a second chance.”

Sesshoumaru took that as a confirmation that it was true. It would be another notch against the man he already despised for his constant forward ways with his mate.

“You need not be afraid I will do nothing other than listen.”

Shippo tried to calm down, but it took a minute. Sesshoumaru was patient.

“You promise not to tell Inuyasha Lord Sesshoumaru?”

Sesshoumaru nodded yes.

“I see no reason to upset my mate more than necessary. This would possibly cause my Inuyasha to go out to do harm to another possibly harming the pups and himself. I will determine what to do, but will do nothing if that is your decision.”

Shippo nodded as he wiped away his tears then proceeded to talk to Sesshoumaru about the times when he was beaten pretty badly.

“He whipped me at first. Not hard, but enough that it hurt and then he spanked me pretty hard. I would have taken the spankings, but he left bruises that took days to heal from doing it so long.’
“If I spoke when I wasn’t supposed to he would sometimes beat me good with his fist. He gave me a black eye and a broken leg from failing to train fast enough….”

Shippo went on to explain some of the beatings had broken ribs on occasion or bone and then told Sesshoumaru the promise he made.

However bad things were for Shippo, Hideharu did nothing sexual to the boy which was the only reason he was perhaps going to be able to walk away from this situation alive.

Sesshoumaru lifted a hand for Shippo to stop. It was apparent that Hideharu had done many terrible things to his ward. He had done the same to Inuyasha. This is not unusual in training, but not usually done with one so young nor was his spankings ones that would ever leave a bruise. It was just to humiliate and correct not to maim.

“I have done such things if not worse to Inuyasha as Inuyasha was a young adult able to defend himself. You are a child. Perhaps Hideharu in being raised so by his own Father believes this is correct. It is not though Shippo and poor behavior tends to breed if continued on.’
“I will state to Hideharu that I overheard this from your cousin since you stated it was you who were not to talk to us about these things. This way you did not lie and you have no reason to fear breaking your vows.’
“What I have done to Inuyasha and what your Uncle did to you there are no excuses good enough to vindicate oneself. There is no redemption. Do you understand this Shippo?”

Shippo looked up to Lord Sesshoumaru in confusion.

“So you are saying you are a bad person? But you love Inuyasha and you saved us a lot. Lord Sesshoumaru you saved my otter friend’s Father. I never forgot your kindness, but I…..”

Sesshoumaru looked coldly at Shippo.

“You must not forget my cruelty and that I am a demon Lord. We are all evil to some and angels to others. In the end we are all still killers Shippo.’
“When you are older you will understand what I do, what your Father did, and what even the seemingly kind man is capable of. You must never forget that we are born to be predators and you will have weaker prey that will fear you. You must learn to show mercy for those less powerful than you or you will become the thing you fear most. Sometimes you will become that monster to protect yourself, your family, and you will live with those consequences.’
“Now, because you have family I will have to talk to your other Uncle about what we should do. I know Inuyasha took you in, but there are procedures for these things and for political reasons you may not be able to stay with us except for this time you are here through the summer. Do you understand all I am saying to you?”

Shippo did and he felt some relief.

“I understand. Thank you Lord Sesshoumaru.”

Shippo bowed and Sesshoumaru ruffled his hair.

“Go be with your friends and I will deal with these things.”

Shippo took off towards his cousin as Lord Sesshoumaru left to go deal with this situation.

“Why did you take off like that? I wanted to apologize you jerk!”

Choukichi had been crying. He didn’t want Shippo mad at him.

Sven cautiously spoke up.

“I was beaten by my Father Lord Shippo. It was Lord Sesshoumaru who saved me. Now he will save you won’t he?”

Shippo smiled wide and put an arm around Choukichi kissing his cheek.

“Yep, and it is all going to be on your pretty head Choukichi! You are the one who blabbed so now it is off my shoulders and you get to be a hero. Cool huh?”

Choukichi blushed a bit and pushed Shippo off of him playfully.

“You should have let me just tell my Father. It would have been less painful and now it is going to be an embarrassment to the family. Still, I am glad you told someone.”

Sven smiled at his new friends. They would make a nice couple. It was too bad that they couldn’t mate each other first, but that was not how life worked. Perhaps when they were older they could do so. Sven knew he would never be able to be in the same class as the two boys, but in some ways he was envious. It would be such an honor to live their exciting lives and have such love for someone so interestingly wonderful like Lord Shippo. Someone so much like himself.