Pride

A/N: So, it's been a while, yeah? Life's been getting in the way a bit, but I hope to pick this one back up again.

The following is actually an incomplete chapter. I have a bit of a gap in my story, and would love some input on how to fill it up. You'll see what I mean.

Ah, and in response to a question from a reviewer...

Yes, Inuyasha and co. will eventually show up, but they aren't major players at all. It's not really my style to try to write INTO an existing story. Too much work and kinda feels like I'm stepping on toes. So I like to write around what has actually been made before. Thus why most of this story not only takes place long before the original series, but it focuses on either original or less-developed, "minor" characters.

Anyway, I'll save my prattle for another day. On with the chapter!

Chapter 5- Of Winter and Morning Rituals


The scent of snow and a puff of chill air were the first things Sesshoumaru noticed as he began to wake. Then came the quiet clatter of a screen being pulled aside, a knee meeting the ground, and that small clatter again. A whisper of cloth and padding of feet... then came the sing-songy voice.


"Sesshoumaru-sama, it's time to be waking~." The cheerful grin evident in the words was almost enough to make him feel nauseous. I HATE when he does this... Eyes still defiantly closed, he didn't even twitch when the greeting was repeated.


FLOP


The indelicate impact of a half-grown dragon over his futon finally got a grunt out of him.


"...Hicchan, do you want to die today?"


"I'd like to see you try, my great princeling. You who can't even stand to get yourself up for breakfast, let alone for a morning spar. Why, gods forbid you might chip a claw dressing yourself or bathing or taking a-" A pillow to the face interrupted the crude statement, and Sesshoumaru took advantage of the moment by tossing his blankets over the smaller boy and attempting to smother him. Hikaru managed to wiggle free all too quickly, and proceeded to pummel his friend with his no-longer downy wings. Finally laughing themselves out of their energetic morning ritual, Hikaru dropped his chin onto Sesshoumaru's chest with a great sigh.


Combing ruffled black hair with absent claws, the pup yawned. "What are we doing today?"


"Your father meets with the wolves today to settle some territorial dispute, and you are supposed to go see Kintora-sensei for a once-over and chat about next spring." Lolling his head over to one side, Hikaru wiggled his eyebrows, earning a groan from under his cheek.


"Since when do you think like that?"


A dusting of pink spread over the white nose and pointed ears, and, turning his face down into the chest being used as a pillow, a muffled reply. "Blame the guards. They always say stuff like that to me anyway."


Sesshoumaru propped himself up on his elbows, displacing his friend's head, which objected with a squeak.


"You KNOW they aren't supposed to be talking to you, Hiki! Father said they're not supposed to bother you anymore. How long has this been going on?"


Wrinkling his nose with distaste, Hikaru sat up as well. "Since... always. They shout lewd things down from the walls and such." He flapped a hand dismissively. "It's harmless, really. They haven't touched me since the order went out."


Sesshoumaru glared a bit at the guileless black eyes then gave up with a huff. The boy just didn't understand how wrong it was! That he, a dragon prince of highest breeding, should be outranked by some mutt of a guard was insulting to demon culture in general. Knuckling his still somewhat sleepy eyes and giving a great yawn, the pup heaved Hikaru off his futon and stood at last. The younger boy quickly went back into the mode of a servant, rather than best friend, and scurried about to collect his young lord's clothing and dress him.


Silver-clawed fingers smoothed red and white silk over broadening shoulders. Hikaru idly marveled at his young lord's growth as he tied the gold and indigo sash around Sesshoumaru's waist, only a bit jealous of the rapidly widening height difference. Mind wandring as usual, the little dragon knotted the obi expertly, careful not to snag the precious gossamer silk with his talons, and finishing his task, knelt respectfully. Sesshoumaru gave his tied-back tail of hair a cheeky tweek before wandring toward the hall, years of habit making the choreography of Hikaru walking behind him, kneeling to open the sliding screens, and then repeating entirely effortless.


Sesshoumaru's mind was wandering too, though. Even so early in the morning, a lump of irritation had already formed in his stomach. He should have known the ignorant, rough demons that made up his father's guard would be stupid enough to go against express orders. His annoyance was directed more at himself for not noticing than the guards.


He remembered too clearly the first few years his winged friend had spent here. While his father was entirely confident in the strength of his new alliance, many of his people, though faithful in their lord, were bitter that the heavy losses sustained in the conquering of the dragon's lands had been for naught. The hatred in their eyes, the mutterings as little Sesshoumaru passed by, hand-in-hand with his new best friend and rival, did not escape his ears though the adults seemed to think he wouldn't notice. Oh, no, they would never dare to show their misgivings in the presence of the great Inuyoukai, but his son was still fair game.


Luckily the mutterings remained mostly just that and all was well, but later...


Sesshoumaru paused as he neared the screen to the room where he was to break fast with his father this morning, already smelling the steaming tea from outside, but he did not approach further. Hikaru knelt by this screen once more, not bothering to wonder at the pup's delay, simply waiting (knowing, of course, that if it were any of his business, he'd hear it soon enough anyway). Gold eyes examined the length of glossy black hair, the flawless alabaster skin so pale it glowed in most any light... the patiently downcast eyes rimmed with perfectly symmetrical black markings... the fine, straight nose, soft chin, long neck... the body of the little dragon, still boyish, not even half-grown, and the already lovely feathered wings poised behind him.


Yes, he was growing to be a beauty to rival the finest of any of the royal lines. And that was what started the trouble not so long ago.


Finally stepping forward, the screen slid aside with the smooth silence of years of experience, and closed behind Sesshoumaru just as neatly. Inutaisho was already seated and sipping from a cup of porcelain so delicate the morning light coming through the open doorway to a courtyard behind the demon lord could be seen through the translucent pottery. Not looking up from the scroll he was reading from, Inutaisho nodded at the cushion opposite him from the small table, and Sesshoumaru sat, feeling Hikaru take his usual place just a few feet away in a corner for that purpose.


Reaching for his own cup, the pup mused that the morning that trouble had started hadn't been terribly different from this morning... with one blaring exception...


-Three years earlier-

An unfamiliar change in Hikaru's scent was what brought him to wakefulness so quickly. Sesshoumaru sat up with a sudden lurch before his friend had made so much as a sound upon entering his rooms. As the younger boy approached, that scent and the alarming feeling of wrongness made the pup wrinkle his brow, examining the dragon as he knelt next to the futon, abnormally reserved. Squinting, Sesshoumaru shot out a hand to grab Hikaru's chin, but the more alert dragon flinched away, leaving the striped appendage to grasp air.


"What's wrong."


It wasn't even a question. It would take something grave indeed to cause the normally gregarious little dragon to react like that.


"...It's stupid. Nothing. Come on, time to get up."


"It's not nothing, Hiki. You look frightened or something."


"I'm not frightened!" Hikaru snapped.


"Then what is it?" Sesshoumaru said through gritted teeth. He beat down the temper that twitched in the back of his mind, focusing on his worry for his friend.


Nibbling a silver claw, a nervous gesture Hiki only fell to when concentrating very hard or when very uncomfortable, he sighed and shifted his eyes to some spot on the tatami. "The guards."


Sesshoumaru huffed in irritation. "Yes, they're rude and rough. I still don't know why father keeps you there with them. Anything else?"


Hiki's upper lip twitched oddly. "It's not that, lout. They say things." The pup's brows rose and he leaned forward a bit. "Not the usual rude things. They say stuff like... like I..." His words failed, and he frowned for a bit. "...like I'm a bitch in heat. They call to me and grab themselves."


The raised brows lowered and Sesshoumaru bared his teeth. "...and that's all they do?"


Hiki's lip twitched a bit again, like he meant to say one thing, but forced himself to say another. "...no. It isn't. They go in my room when I'm not there and..."


"Hell, Hikaru, why didn't you say something before? Are you that stupid? We have to tell Father. Now." He stood, grabbing his friend by the arm and marching them both out the screens and stalking to his father's chambers, still in his sleeping clothes. He pointedly ignored Hiki's babbled excuses, which fell to a meek plea before falling silent when they came to the screen. Not announcing himself, knowing his father already knew he was there, Sesshoumaru threw aside the delicate door, eyes gleaming a dangerous red.


"My, we're in a mood this morning, hm? And good morning, Hikaru." Inutaisho grinned cheerfully at the little dragon from his sprawl on some cushions. Hiki flushed and backed behind the pup, who was already drawing breath.


"Father, you command an army of morons." And the battle was launched.

------------

Ears still ringing, the two young demons sat at the edge of the wall, watching the great lord berate the entire staff of the castle, guards, servants, even the kitchen workers. Inutaisho had reacted suspiciously much like his son to the news of Hiki's molestation. His rage only stayed quiet for long enough to curtly dismiss the boys, excusing them from the day's lessons and training. No sooner had they skittered away than the bellow sounded behind them, calling for the demon's advisors and the heads of the servants.


Now sitting with large, sturdy cups of tea and a shared breakfast, Hiki and Sesshoumaru observed the tongue-lashing of the century as the rage went from disrespecting his "property" to "great traditions of alliance" and "bunch of bloody perverts"... Sesshoumaru giggled at that, a rare thing indeed. Hiki sidled closer to his friend, glad to have this particular burden off his back, and also happy Sesshoumaru was enjoying being able to help.


The two lazed in the sunshine atop the wall for a good seven hours, even after the lord had finally stalked back inside with orders for the specific offenders to remain at attention where they stood until further notice. Neither of the boys was above gloating a little at the revenge.

--------------

(end flashback)


Sesshoumaru was called back to the present when his father, having finished his meal in relative silence, crooked a finger at Hiki, who still knelt in his alcove near the doorway. Obediently, the dragon rose and padded over, kneeling beside Inutaisho when prompted. The dog demon studied his ward, scrutinizing the lovely features until that rare tint of pink snuck into ivory cheeks.


"...are you jealous that Sesshoumaru is to begin maturity this spring coming?" he asked, at last.


Hikaru blinked, taken aback. "N-n-no... why would I be, my lord?" He had a bad feeling that Inutaisho was plotting... planning something terrible...


"Hmph." The demon did not comment further, but he did not give Hiki permission to leave, either. He simply sat and stared and studied.


[[A/N] So... what is that crazy Inu-papa thinking this time? He's got something up his fine, fine sleeves... but what is it? Here's where you lot come in. I'd love some guesses, and MAYBE I might tweak the story a bit to make one of them right.

Anyway, that's all for now. I'm going to be out of the country for a month, but after I'll see what I can do.]