A Tale For The Holidays

Greensleeves

Alas, my love, you do me wrong,
To cast me off discourteously
For I have loved you well and long,
Delighting in your company

Greensleeves was all my joy
Greensleeves was my delight,
Greensleeves was my heart of gold,
And who but my lady Greensleeves

Your vows you've broken, like my heart,
Oh, why did you so enrapture me?
Now I remain in a world apart
But my heart remains in captivity

I have been ready at your hand,
To grant whatever you would crave,
I have both wagered life and land,
Your love and good-will for to have

If you intend thus to disdain,
It does the more enrapture me,
And even so, I still remain
A lover in captivity

My men were clothed all in green,
And they did ever wait on thee;
All this was gallant to be seen,
And yet thou wouldst not love me

Thou couldst desire no earthly thing,
but still thou hadst it readily
Thy music still to play and sing;
And yet thou wouldst not love me

Well, I will pray to God on high,
that thou my constancy mayst see,
And that yet once before I die,
Thou wilt vouchsafe to love me

Ah, Greensleeves, now farewell, adieu,
To God I pray to prosper thee,
For I am still thy lover true,
Come once again and love me

*********************************************************************************************

This is the version of Greensleeves that you probably have heard of, but the top original version corresponds better with the story.

What child is this, who, lay to rest,
on Mary's lap, is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
while Sheppard’s watch are keeping

This, this is Christ the King
whom Sheppard’s guard and angels sing
Haste, Haste, to bring him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary

Why lies he in such mean estate
where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear; for sinners
here the silent Word is pleading

This, this is Christ the King
whom Sheppard’s guard and angels sing
Haste, Haste, to bring him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh come,
peasant, King, to own him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
let loving hearts enthrone Him

This, this is Christ the King
whom Sheppard’s guard and angels sing
Haste, Haste, to bring him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary

*************************************************************************************************

Sesshoumaru had Inuyasha follow him into the gardens to one of the marble benches where the two of them sat down. The place was lighted with what looked like orbs of souls floating above them except these were golden in color without the scent of death following them. In fact the orbs were giving off warmth and a feeling of peace as they floated about in the barrier his brother had created.

“I wish to see this child’s face. It is no longer cold so unwrap him.”

Inuyasha carefully pulled aside trying to be careful about bringing him into the light since the pup was still sleeping.

Sesshoumaru waited patiently and then finally was able to see the pup’s little face as the babe’s eyes squinted at the light causing him to fuss a little.

“Shhhh…….shhhhhhh. There, there Fuyuki…”

Sesshoumaru wrinkled his nose as he looked down at the little pup with ears that matched his Father.

“You named your child Fuyuki? Why would you give your pup a human name and a bad one at that?”

Inuyasha growled a bit at Sesshoumaru.

“He is half human you moron and it means snowy winter. He was born in the winter time so we thought it was a good name.”

Sesshoumaru frowned.

“I can see that he is a hanyou Inuyasha. Still, he should have a nobler name like Daichi meaning great wisdom or Jin meaning gold to represent the demon color of his eyes. These names may be human related, but they are much better than Fuyuki.”

Inuyasha frowned at his Ani’s stupid ideas.

“Why would I name my pup Jin? It rhymes with Rin and that is stupid. Why are you complaining anyway? He ain’t your son. Get one of your own if you want to name it. My son’s name is Fuyuki.”

Sesshoumaru shook his head, but refused to argue with his Otouto since it would just upset the pup.

“Fine, but do not think he will not be teased or tormented because of it. All I have to say is that he can blame you for giving him a stupid name. Now hand me the child.”

Inuyasha wasn’t certain about doing that yet.

“Why, what are you gonna do to him?”

Sesshoumaru growled.

“I am going to hold my Oi (nephew).”

Inuyasha reluctantly handed over his son to his Ani.

Fuyuki started to fuss a bit until Sesshoumaru bit his right index finger and allowed the pup to suckle it.

“What the hell are you doing giving my son your blood?!”

Inuyasha roared ready to grab his son away from the crazy diayouki who acted like this was the most natural thing on earth to be doing.

“I did this to you when you were a pup Inuyasha so do not act surprised. This time though I do not have to wait until your Mother is asleep so he will be stronger than you.”

Inuyasha was completely grossed out.

“You fed me your blood when I was a pup? Why in the hell would you do that?!”

Sesshoumaru did something uncharacteristic and rolled his eyes at his Otouto.

“To make you stronger so that I could kill you one day. It doesn’t seem to have worked on you Otouto, but that is only because you don’t understand your youkai side. All you ever have known is your human side and I blame your Mother for that.”

Inuyasha wanted so much to punch his Ani right in the jaw as hard as he could, but then he might drop the pup and Inuyasha would never forgive himself if anything bad happened to his son.

“Now look at his eyes and cheeks.”

Sesshoumaru showed Inuyasha the blood red of the pup’s eyes and his cheeks were stained with dark blue stripes like his Father when Inuyasha would turn demon.

“This is important. This shows he is strong with Father’s blood like you once were. You carry tessaiga as a crutch for suppressing your demon. The beads on your neck are the same. You are caged and this is not good for a hanyou. You will indeed die someday if you do not embrace the demon parts of yourself.”

Inuyasha sat pouting.

“If I become a demon I kill things without caring. I have to suppress my demon ya idiot.”

Sesshoumaru sighed.

“You don’t suppress it when you use your tessaiga. You are not near death then, but you act like it is a handicap. Your being a demon is not a weakness. You just need to learn to focus on other things besides killing. You have conquered it before and you can do so again.”

Inuyasha tried to think of one lousy time that his demon acted like it was rational without the tessaiga at his side.

Indeed there were a couple times like when he fought that stupid dragon Ryukotsusei when he went into demon mode, but struggled and overcame by gathering the tessaiga once again. He was not as aware of himself, but Inuyasha was not so far gone that he couldn’t stop himself to focus on his goal.

Then there was the time that blasted Magatsuhi tried to take over his body while he was fighting his demon for control. Sesshoumaru was there to kill Magatsuhi while all this was going on, but he still had some control and was fighting for it when he smelled Kagome’s blood.

Inuyasha felt so bad for clawing her tiny arm up like he did but when he thought he lost all control of his actions, it was Kagome that brought him back to himself again.

It was the same with the beads around his neck. When Kagome sat him when he became overpowered by his demon half, the beads saved him from harming Rin and Jaken as well as many others. Of course the one time he wanted to kill something, his brother mainly, he should have been left to it.

“Your wife has much to do with your control as a demon Inuyasha. It should not have to be that way. I will teach you control and you will accept my training.”

Inuyasha snorted.

“Why should I listen to you? All you want to do is kill me. Just because I may be stronger doesn’t mean I can beat you in a fair fight. You’re a fucking Diayouki Sesshoumaru. You created your own sword out of your fucking body somehow and regenerated your arm.’
“And to think, I was there trying to cut all those tentacles that surrounded you when Magatsuhi had you in his clutches and you just burst out of there with all this power you had hidden somewhere making me look like an idiot for trying to save your stupid ass.”

Sesshoumaru huffed.

“The day I need you to save me will be the day I am truly dead Inuyasha. I don’t need your help. I can request your help, but I do not need it. In fact just know I will not ever request your assistance since I am indeed all powerful. I have yet to find a foe that can beat me in battle.”

Inuyasha shrugged.

“I almost killed you once with the wind scar. If it were not for tensaiga protecting your dumb ass you wouldn’t be here.”

Sesshoumaru sighed.

“It was my fault for underestimating tessaiga, not you Inuyasha. You did nothing except stand there with a surprised look on your face while I had to flee to care for my wounds on my own.”

Inuyasha smirked.

“You forget Rin was there to help you ya jackass.”

Sesshoumaru snorted which was definitely uncharacteristic of him to do.

“Rin brought me water, but I can go for days without it and without food. She never understood why I did not eat what she brought me and Rin is not a part of this conversation anyway. Her compassion for me was typical of a human. I took her in as my ward because her presence did not annoy me like yours does.’
“I did not need her help, but it would have been impolite to refuse when she was beaten for getting it for me. I killed those humans later, but Rin does not know this and I would indeed kill you if you ever told her. I protect what is mine and not because of Father or you. I choose what I do with this life and you should do the same with yours rather than depending on a pack of humans to fight for you on your human night or otherwise.”

Inuyasha growled.

“They fight beside me, not for me. If I allowed them to completely fight for me I would not reveal my human side to anyone.”

Sesshoumaru sighed.

“You are weak when you are human Inuyasha. It was I who defended you against foes for years otherwise you would be dead by now. Just because I did not reveal myself to you did not mean I completely abandoned you after you were thrown out of your Mother’s home by those bastard humans you defend so much.”

Inuyasha growled.

“Really, you defended me? Where were you when I was raped by humans hm? Where were you when they beat me?’
“You defended me against demons fine. I still don’t think you did, but fact is when I really needed you, you weren’t there.’
“I would have given anything for you to treat me as you treat your ward, but no. I got your hate as you dangled me by my throat when I was just a pup telling me you were my Ani and that you hated me wanting to kill me if I got in your way. You did it over my Mother’s grave. It is a sacred spot that I rarely could go to when I was a kid since I was afraid of you. I learned family meant shit from you.’
“The only reason I am here is because you threatened my wife, my son, and my friends. Human friends that treated me like I was worthy of friendship and gave me more than you ever could. I would die for them, but for you? You can rot in hell for all I care because every time I did care you treated me like shit. You choose to ignore the love you may have had from me so tell me Ani, why do you wish to train me when you can kill me now? Why do you even bother with me if you hate me so damn much?”

Sesshoumaru frowned.

“What do you mean you were raped by humans Inuyasha? You are a hanyou you should have been able to defend yourself. Are you really that weak?”

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. Of course Sesshoumaru had to ask a dumb question.

“On my human nights as a child I was raped by some asshole bandits you idiot. I of course I couldn’t kill them after I had been beaten to a pulp except for my face since they said I was pretty enough for the slave auctions. I was a human child.’
“Why do you care? I killed them after I changed back, but that didn’t stop them before I was violated in ways I don’t even want to imagine anymore.’
“Why would you care anyway? You should be thrilled. You probably watched from a distance feeling rather superior.”

Sesshoumaru snarled grasping Inuyasha’s throat with his right hand since his left was holding the infant.

“I do not take pleasure in watching anyone be assaulted as such. I do watch bandits raid villages only to kill them since they are on my lands, but I do not just kill indiscriminately.’
“I do not defend humans and I had no need to watch over you when you were with them since I assumed they would take you in. You were one of them after all.”

Inuyasha laughed darkly.

“You really are that naïve. If you know what bandits do than why are you so surprised that humans would want to harm me? As a human I am just to assume I was a part of their culture? I am a half demon Ani. I was not safe with them or demons. I don’t belong in either world. You have said that enough to me so I still don’t see why you are surprised.”

Sesshoumaru let go and looked away from his Otouto. Inuyasha’s rape and beatings were just another way of failing his Father.

“How many times were you assaulted in such ways?”

Sesshoumaru asked quietly.

Inuyasha shrugged.

“A few times. What does it matter now Sesshoumaru? We can’t change the past.”

Sesshoumaru nodded swallowing hard. He may not have cared about Inuyasha, but he did promise himself to protect the boy until he came of age that he could defend himself.

“I am sorry Inuyasha.”

Inuyasha looked shocked.

Sesshoumaru actually looked like he meant it too.

“Why? Why would you be sorry? It happened to me and it was a long time ago. I ain’t so weak anymore and I still only trust a few humans. If it was not for Kagome I would have hated them all still.”

Sesshoumaru looked at his brother again after composing himself.

“I thought you loved that dead priestess. Did she not teach you to care for humans?”

Inuyasha huffed.

“Kikyo and I had betrayed one another by allowing that bastard Naraku to destroy the trust and love we had for each other. A part of me still loves Kikyo, but she wanted to make me fully human with the jewel. It was a wish that most likely would have backfired on both of us.’
“I am just glad we both found peace at the end. That was what I really wanted in the end for us both since although I loved Kikyo with all my heart she died knowing how I felt and gave me leave to pursue Kagome so that I would be happy.’
“Kagome doesn’t want me to change and loves me as I am. She doesn’t mind that I am hanyou and is the first of any who accepted me. I love her and our little Fuyuki more than anyone.’
“I was accepted by Kaede and that village of people who at one time feared me. That was also Kagome’s doing. I wouldn’t have any friends if it were not for my wife. I would be alone and probably begging you to take my life.’
“Now I cling to life since I have something to live for. Now you want to take that away too. You want me to become strong enough to fight so you can kill me so why ask me all these kinds of questions. Do they really matter when in the end all you want is my death? Am I really that much of a shame on our family that you can’t let me enjoy the little bit of life I have left?”

Sesshoumaru sighed.

“Why do you express so much to me Inuyasha? Of course you are a shame to the family because of your weakness. Do you wish to always remain weak? Isn’t there a part of you that wishes to be stronger than it is now? Even as a human you should know how to defend yourself. What I am giving you is a gift. I also did not say when I was going to kill you nor did I say I was going to take your life after we train. I said I am the one who will take your life. There is a difference. You assume too much and it is rather annoying.”

Sesshoumaru stood up and started walking with the pup in his arm.

“Sesshoumaru, where are you going with my pup?”

Inuyasha stated as he followed his brother.

“I have sat long enough. You will follow me and I am keeping your pup until I decide to give him back to you. Someone has to care for this child before he grows up to be you. I will not have another Inuyasha foul mouth running around thinking he can use such crude words and behave like an animal as you do.’
“I should have taken you from your Mother a long time ago. It is apparent you lack manners and the sons of Inu No Tashio should behave in a manner that suits our title. However, I am unsure you deserve yours.”

Inuyasha growled.

“If I wanted to listen to your insults I could have just stayed at the village and I ain’t gonna let you corrupt my kid into becoming like Rin who is delusional about you. You are not a nice person who goes around saving people. You are a complete asshole who does what he wants whenever he wants to without consideration of anyone’s feelings. Now give him back.”

“No.”

Sesshoumaru stated as he continued to walk along the gardens. It was almost peaceful here if it were not for his brother’s growling.

“Silence, Inuyasha. That is what is required. Your child is sleeping. Do you wish to wake him?”

Inuyasha couldn’t believe it as Sesshoumaru wrapped his furry thing around the pup.

“Where are we going?”

Inuyasha asked as he looked up at his Ani.

“We are going to walk through these gardens and you will learn to accept silence. It is indeed golden. There are times for speech, but this is not one of those times. If you truly wish to become powerful you must learn the art of silence. How can you hear if your enemy is approaching if you do not shut your mouth?”

Inuyasha frowned and walked next to his brother in silence for about five minutes and then one of the orbs floated down to where the brothers were standing.

“What are these things?”

Inuyasha asked as he touched the orb for a moment only to find there was something tiny inside.

“Fairies.”

Sesshoumaru stated plainly as he stopped and allowed the orb to look down at the pup in his arms.

“I have never seen them before.”

Suddenly he felt a tug on his ear as two more showed up.

Inuyasha swatted them away.

“They are just curious Inuyasha.”

Inuyasha grumbled.

“Look as for looking for my enemies I have no problem since my ears are on my head.”

Sesshoumaru grasped one of them and flipped it as he smirked.

“Yes I can see that. However you still talk too much Otouto. With silence I can hear for miles around. How far can you hear?”

Inuyasha frowned.

“Not for miles, but pretty damn close.”

Sesshoumaru nodded.

“Then learning silence will be good for you. This way you can hear even your wife in slumber although we are far away from the castle. Once you learn this skill you will even hear the fluttering wings of the Fairies and their songs.”

Inuyasha shut up for another five minutes until he indeed could hear the Fairies singing.

‘Winter time is calling
The snow is falling
Our sisters are singing
Dancing as their winging
Fa la la la
Fa la la la’

It was pretty almost like the Christmas songs that Kagome taught them to sing.

‘Shining sun is bright
But we make our own light
Warmth in the heart
Keeping us apart
Fa la la la
Fa la la la’

Inuyasha enjoyed the silence and Sesshoumaru was surprised that his little brother could keep quiet this long. However it was the pup that broke the silence as Fuyuki smiled and started laughing as his little fingers curled into Sesshoumaru’s hair.

Sesshoumaru watched as the pup tried to talk to him mouthing little words without sound to them other than the gurgling and soft giggles. The fairies seemed to understand the child just fine as they danced around the pup.

“Inuyasha it is your turn to feed the pup. He needs more blood and I cannot give him anymore until tomorrow otherwise he will have a demon fit.”

Inuyasha looked at Sesshoumaru in confusion until Sesshoumaru grabbed Inuyasha’s hand and bit his finger.

“Ouch!”

Inuyasha protested as Sesshoumaru pulled his now bloody finger to the lips of his child.

“What do you mean a demon fit?”

Sesshoumaru sighed as he handed the child back to his Father.

“I gave too much to you and you cried nonstop for two days since our blood is addicting. You can only give it one time a day and a small amount otherwise he will be in pain and turn full demon for two days. This is hard on a human Mother who also has to feed the pup since he will grow small fangs sooner than he should piercing her flesh and fussing since he cannot get the demon blood from her. That is what forced me to have to wait a full week before I came back to feed you again. This is a critical time for your pup so we cannot over do.”

Inuyasha understood and felt a bond with his pup that he couldn’t explain. It was like he could understand his pup’s emotions without saying anything.

“It is amazing how I feel his emotions Sesshoumaru. I guess your hate of me flowed into me as a child. Maybe that is why I fussed so much.”

“Hn……”

Sesshoumaru stated not really thinking of things that way, but it could be true.

“I tried to hide my feelings for you and just do as Father had done for me. It appears though you may be correct.”

Inuyasha tried to keep happy emotions going for his son since looking at his pup gave him great joy even if his brother was an asshole.

“You better not be putting hate into my pup.”

Inuyasha growled after Fuyuki finished drinking from his Father than fell back to sleep.

“I do not hate my Oi. I do not really hate you either Inuyasha. I hate what you lack, but we are going to change that. Now you will continue walking in silence with this child until you learn to appreciate it. Then we will talk of the unpleasant things and you will inform me of where these incidents occurred. I will have your mind cleared of any misunderstandings by the time we are done.”

Inuyasha sighed and continued to walk with his son in his arms while Sesshoumaru listened to the Fairy song.