To Make a Mother Proud

Author's notes:

1.Inutasho is the name of Sesshoumaru’s dad since we STILL don’t know his real name. Izayoi ( I believe) is Inuyasha’s real mother’s name.

2.Maína’s name is pronounced “Ma-eee-na” Notice the accent on the ‘i’ please.

3.This is based, give or take, a year before Inutasho’s death. Sesshoumaru is in ‘human years’ about
22…Since we all know youkai aged differently Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha look only a couple of years apart, but in this story there is a big gap difference. Not that it makes a big part of the story though…

4.Thas aas a bit of Inuyasha Movie #3 spoiler but not many…if you’ve seen the previews of the movie, then you know Inutasho dies…that’s about it.

5.This is my first try at a darker fic…reviews, comments, and advice is greatly appreciated. If you wish to flame me, I will use the heat to keep my house warm.

6.This will not have a fairly tell ending. I warn you now.

7. *these indicate thought*

Rumiko has yet to accept my offer so that I can own Inuyasha...(and more importantly Sesshoumaru) For now...I'm writing fanfics.

It was just one of those days. When the rain decided it might just drown the Earth, as we know it. It had been raining now for days, and no one had been able to keep dry. Even the air inside the Western Castle seemed damp and humid. It was nightfall, and even thought the day was just about over, the rain kept pouring without signs of stopping.
All was normal through out the castle. Inutasho, the recently pregnant Izayoi, and Sesshoumaru (much to his dislike) were all sitting in the dining room table eating. It was usually quiet when they were all together. Sesshoumaru had never liked Izayoi, and while she respected him as being her husband’s first child, they hardly ever talked. Inutasho, not wanting to start a family war, kept quiet as well, knowing Sesshoumaru hated him for letting Izayoi be part of the family.
It had been long, but not long enough in Sesshoumaru’s opinion, since Inutasho’s first wife had died. She had gone out of the castle like always and when she hadn’t come back at her usual time, Inutasho had gone out to look for her. He came back with her dead body in his arms. Sesshoumaru never did get the true story out of his father, but it was certain that Inutasho had not killed her.
Thing had been rough for a while for both of them. On certain occasions, Sesshoumaru had lashed out at his father, blaming him for his mother’s death. But after a while, Sesshoumaru simply accepted not having a mother by focusing on his duties as the next heir. Working on his fighting skills, making his teachers proud, anything he could do that he knew would make his mother happy. Things had been rough, but things had been good. Inutasho and Sesshoumaru would get together sometimes in the library and talk about the future of the West lands, they would go out patrolling together, they were in fact, acting like demon father and son. It was one of these many patrols when they had found one of the nearby villages had hired some youkai exterminators to get rid of them. Inutasho and Sesshoumaru had not gone easy on the exterminators, and where about to get rid of everyone in the village when a single human female had gotten in front of Inutasho and had offered herself to him if they left the village live. Sesshoumaru was sure his father was going to kill the woman and proceed to kill everyone else, but to his much surprise he accepted her offer. That’s how Izayoi came to live with them, and at the same time ruined Sesshoumaru’s relationship with his father. No more long talks in the library, no more patrols.
Things where rough again for everyone for the first years. Sesshoumaru had tried to make Izayoi have accidents in the house to get rid of her, but his father was always at her side protecting her. He had fallen for her, and he was too lost in her to realize was effect she was having on what little real family he had left. And now, to make things worse, Inutasho had announced that Izayoi was pregnant with his child. A half-breed? Sesshoumaru couldn’t believe his father would taint the family blood so easily, but he knew humans lived short lives and even more importantly, he was the first-born, making him the heir, not the sad excuse for a hanyou.
“The guests will be arriving in 3 days, I hope both of you are ready.” Inutasho said putting his tea down.
“Has everyone accepted the invitations?” Sesshoumaru said wanting to know whom all was coming.
“Yes, everyone agreed to come.” He said ending the conversation.
It was accustomed to have a get together whenever the mate of a Lord became pregnant. It was considered to bring luck to the unborn child, and well, it was just another reason to get everyone together. Sesshoumaru wasn’t too excited about the event, but it wouldn’t last long. It was simply an evening of getting together, having half-witted conversations and pretending to be happy for his father and new stepmother.
After dinner was over, everyone would get up and go on with their business. Izayoi would probably follow Inutasho in the study to finish help him finish his daily paperwork. Sesshoumaru would take his bath before retiring into his room for the night. Just the normal routine.
“My lord,” a servant said for the doorway never looking in, “there is an issue that needs your attention.”
“What sort of issue?” he said wondering what it could possibly be as this time.
“There is someone here asking to become part of your staff, my lord.”
“Is there now?” Inutasho said getting interested in the information.
Not many people came and begged to be in Inutasho’s personnel. Most of the servants in the castle where humans, and only 4 were youkai, 2 of them being half-breeds. The work here was hard, as where the rules. Servants only had one night off during the month, they where expected to be available all-day and everyday, (except their day off obviously), and the rule that was considered the worse by all servants. If ever a fight broke out between servants about anything, both parties would be punished, and the punishments would be cruel. The consisted anywhere from getting a deep cut on the neck, to being tied from a chain in the ceiling covered in goo on the most intimate parts of the body that itched like crazy when drying, to being chained to a wall and forgotten about for months. Inutasho had quickly learned the meaning of ‘you can never have too much help.’
Inutasho excused himself from the table, and told Izayoi to follow him, and they left leaving Sesshoumaru to his meal. Tholloollowed the human servant, Nani, down the many halls through the many doors that lead to the servant quarters of the enormous castle. The servants quarters where actually detached from the castle, the only thing connecting them was a small covered walkway.
The three of them stepped out onto the path. The rain hit the cover of the footpath harder, as is trying to break it to get everyone wet. The servant opened the door to the building and followed behind.
Inutasho was first to see the youkai girl standing by the fire. She was soaked from head to toe, her long wavy golden hair nearly reached the back of her knees, was plastered to her head and to her body. She was wearing, or more like swimming in, a plain yukata. (a ‘kimono’ with short sleeves made out of cotton instead of silk) As soon as the door had opened, her head shot over to the new bodies in the room. Without the servant having to order her, she quickly came over, sat Japanese style on the floor and bowed deeply. Inutasho was impressed; this girl obviously had some servant training before. Inutasho, still standing in the space where the shoes are taken off, stepped up into the room looking down at the girl. Izayoi and the servant remained where they were.
“Stand up.” He commanded her.
She quickly did so, but she kept her eyes looking toward the floor. He grabbed her chin and forced her to look up, but her eyes moved to her left. Inutasho moved his face to meet her eyes, but once again she averted her eyes to the right. Inutasho was happy to see this, this meant she could probably start working right away, and not waste so much time in being trained.
“Look at me.” He finally ordered her.
She did as she was told, and he saw her eyes for the first time. Her eyes where gold, like his, and they matched her hair. Now that Inutasho was closer to her, her hair seemed like strands of gold, gleaming in the little light the fire offered. Her ears were slightly pointed; she had claws, but those weren’t the things that gave her true identity away. The facts that she had golden hair AND golden eyes that perfectly matched, were the obvious signs that she was a phoenix youkai. Of course, you’d only know if you knew what to look for. Phoenix youkai were rare, but not uncommon. Seeing a phoenix youkai, was like seeing rainbow.
“Your name.” he said to her letting go of her chin.
“Maína.” She said softly.
“Tell me about yourself Maína.”
“Not much to say my lord.” She said in the same soft voice, “I came here wishing to be a service to you, that is all.”
“Good answer,” he said chuckling, knowing she had probably said that to win points with him, “continue.”
“Like I said, not much to say my lord. I was found a little after hatching by a young human girl, and her parents let me stay for her sake. Unknown to the family, the one other servant they had was a youkai and he taught me youkai ways. As I grew older my job was to protect the young girl. Not too long ago though, she became old enough to marry, and her new spouse did not want a youkai living with them and I was sent away. I came here looking forward to continue my servant skills, as I enjoy doing them, my lord.” She said summarizing.
“Can you do anything useful besides the usual servant things?” He said knowing he was going to make her a servant either way, he just wanted to make it seem like she was expendable.
“I can play the koto, my lord.” (It’s sort of like a harp laid down on its side…a narrow but long instrument…yahoo it. download music, so you can broaden your instrument knowledge!)
“Can you? That is useful. We are having a banquet in 3 days. You have unthen hen to practice so you can play at the event, that is if I approve of your playing of course. That’ll be your main duty for now, afterwards I’ll ask Nani here where you are most needed.”
Maína bowed again as Inutasho got up and grabbed Izayoi’s hand and left the servant’s main lounging area. Nani, the servant, had offered to take them back, but Inutasho had ordered him to get Maína some dry clothes and to show her where the koto was.
“I’m so glad he agreed.” Nani said after he was pretty sure his master was out of earshot, “We needed someone else here. Not many last long.”
“Why not? He seemed nice enough.” Maína said walking back over to the stove.
“Oh, yeah he’s great,” he said somewhat sarcastically, “It’s the work that’ll get to you. Oh, that, and don’t start any fights, because either way, you’ll lose.” He finished.
He walked over to a closet, which was where the entire servant clothing was folded and stored.
“You’re probably an extra small right?” he said looking at smalsmall figure.
“Give me a small just in case though, I’m a bit top heavy and small doesn’t always fit.” She said.
Nani blushed at her comment as he sorted thh thh the clothing. Since Nani was human, comments about how big or small one was, where not common. Youkai, on the other hand, didn’t feel embarrassed to say just about anything. Maína noticed Nani’s sudden change in mood for a second, and reminded herself to refrain from saying things like that.
*He is human after all.* she said to herself.
“Here you go… Maína…you said right?” he said hoping he got her name right.
“Thank you, Nani.” She said, “and yes, it’s Maína.”
“You can change over there, and I’ll show you to your room after we’ve gotten the koto. I think though, after the banquet, you’ll change rooms, depending on what section of the castle your in.” he said walking through the narrow hallway and opening a door, “there are some towels in that cupboard.”
“Thank you.” Maína said entering the room as she heard the door behind her close.
The room was small, but not extremely. There was just enough room for six small futons, three on each side. Unlike her other place, she’d probably have to share a room here. She grabbed a towel from where Nani had pointed out and wrapped her long hair in it before changing into the servant’s yukata. It wasn’t dull like the one she had on. It was a deep maroon color, almost black, with a matching obi. She threw her old, wet yukata inside another towel and skillfully put on the yukata. (I say that because if anyone has ever tried to put on a yukata by herself and succeeds is very skillful, I on the other hand have tried and failed.) She quickly rubbed her hair somewhat dry and expertly tied it into a long braid down her back. She walked over to the door and opened it, to see Nani standing there.
“Good if fit you.” He said looking at her. *Youkai sure are different, she makes the servant’s yukata look good*
“Where can I put this?” she said wanting to get rid of the towels and her old clothing.
“In here,” he said leading her back out into the lounging area and pointing to a big basket at the far end of the room, “we have enough people doing laundry, so I might put you in the kitchen, they’re always complaining about not having enough help. You know how to cook right?” He finished taking the towels and throwing them in.
Maína nodded.
“Let me get this ‘servant talk’ out before we find the koto Maína. I give it to everyone so bear with me. Change your uniform when needed, you saw where I got them. Do what you are told to do, fast but efficiently. Don’t ever look a master in the eyes, but you already know that. Expect to me summoned at any day and any time. They do give us one day off each month, so I’ll be telling you when you can take your break.”
“How do I know if they summon me if I’m in my quarters?” she said wondering if they used telepathy or something similar.
“There is someone who is always up, and we like to call “the summoner” and he or she will come and get you. I believe though, since you’re a youkai they’ll probably train you to hear a certain bell, that’s what they’ve done with the other youkai servants here.”
“Oh.” Maína said wondering how in the world she was going to hear a bell way out here.
“I’ll be introducing everyone to you later tonight. Master usually goes to bed roughly at the same time each night, and that’s when everyone but the summoners go toep. ep. Oh, about that, we wake up 3 hours before sunrise, so be awake, dressed and ready to go tomorrow alright?” he said hoping he didn’t have to repeat any information.
“Sounds good. What’s your job around here?” She said soaking up the info like a sponge.
“I’m the one who gets everyone organized and is pretty much the only who talks to Master. Now, let’s find the koto and get you playing.”
The both walked out the door and where greeted by silence. It had stopped raining and they where both so busy talking that they had not noticed. They stepped out onto the walkway and headed for the castle. Maína followed him through the endless hallways making a mental map, not wanting to get lost. The halls where lit with candles, and Maína could smell that they where enchanted. Most youkai castle had these candles, bright, non-smoke-smelling, and their light was easily brightened or diminished. He opened a door that lead to a wide room and headed for the closet. Maína closed the door behind them and helped Nani pull the koto down off the high shelf since she was taller than him, and obviously stronger.
“There you go Maína. I think you have at least 3 or 4 hours before Master falls asleep. I’ll come back to get you.” He said heading toward the door.
“Thank you Nani, you’ve been great.” She said pulling the sheet that covered the koto off as she heard the door close.
It was spotless and it shined in enchanted candle lit room. Just in case she gave it a good wipe, and starting fidgeting with the koto’s tuning hammers. Being satisfied with their positions, she started playing a simple tune to make sure everything was where it needed to be. The tune went on for sometime, and she was concentrating on the piece, that she hadn’t heard or smelled, Inutasho walk up to the door and stand there. It had been years since he had heard the koto, and he smiled, remembering times when Sesshoumaru’s mother used to play.