Seven

The flurry of activity in Inuyasha's home was disturbing. He couldn't believe they were actually moving out.

Was he supposed to just leave his mother there?

Looking back on it, Inuyasha thought he must've seen it coming. From the moment his father walked into the house and said he wasn't the Inu no Taisho anymore, Inuyasha knew big changes had been on the way. He just hadn't realized how big they would be.

It had started slowly. Demons from all over the West came to their gate, asking to have a minute of his father's attention. They all wanted a spot in the new council thing, though Inuyasha honestly couldn't see what was so great about that. Misao had told him they would have to sit and solve every single problem of the West together, making sure their decisions didn't end badly for any demon race. It would be boring and impossible. His own father didn't want to have a thing to do with it!

That was the hardest part to understand: his father, who'd always been so busy, would do nothing from now on. He'd come up with the council idea because he wanted to do nothing.

Shoulda done that when Mom was still alive, Inuyasha thought. With a frustrated growl, he kicked a small wooden chest in his way out. The house was a mess, just like his life.

"Can't I stay here with Misao?"

"You're my child, Inuyasha. You must go where I go."

"But I'll be fine here!"

"This castle will be yours someday, son, and we'll come here often. It won't disappear."

"Dad thinks I'm stupid," Inuyasha muttered to himself, walking along the engawa. "He's the stupid one!"

"Indeed."

Inuyasha stopped, turning around to see who had spoken. It was unusual for someone to sneak up on him, but there were too many demons around and inside the castle.

A dog demon he hadn't seen before was standing on the engawa too, his piercing golden eyes scrutinizing Inuyasha's face. The boy didn't have to ask who the teenager was; one sniff and he could tell. He'd smelled this person many times in the last couple of weeks, always near the gate after his father returned from a meeting.

Inuyasha blinked up slowly, taking in his brother's appearance. He looked pretty and rich, and had straight hair like his mother. He had more markings on his face than their dad, and he wasn't very tall—not yet.

This is Sesshomaru.

Inuyasha had heard stories, of course, and he knew Sesshomaru was around, but he never thought he would actually meet this person. Should he say 'good morning'? Should he bow his head? Should he tell him to piss off, now that they were face to face?

"I am surprised you're not a mongrel," Sesshomaru remarked nonchalantly, breaking him out of his thoughts.

Inuyasha frowned, speechless for a second. He fisted his hands. "I'm surprised you're not a girl."

Someone's giggle was heard coming from behind the shoji doors, but another person shushed them. The maids were listening in. They'll be dead if Misao catches them, Inuyasha thought, only half realizing it was strange to be thinking about that in his situation.

To the boy's satisfaction, Sesshomaru looked a little angry. It seemed he was easy to irritate—the first good news Inuyasha had had in awhile.

"I wish you luck living with them, little brother," Sesshomaru sneered.

"I don't have to live with them," Inuyasha lied, raising his chin. "This is my home."

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. "You're still a child."

"Tch, look who's talking!"

They glared at each other in silence. Inuyasha wasn't sure what to do next; he couldn't have imagined their first conversation would go like that, not in his wildest dreams (and he had dreamed about meeting his brother a few times, but he would cut off one of his ears before saying that).

"Oh, Sesshomaru, you have arrived!"

They both jumped a little in surprise.

The Inukimi was coming to meet them, the many layers of her light pink kimono ruffling as the hems were dragged across the wooden floor. Inuyasha thought she must've heard them; her painted lips were quirking up.

"Your father is requesting your presence in the main room," she told her son, tilting her head. "He said he needs you to settle something."

Sesshomaru straightened, not sparing his brother another glance. "I shall meet him now," he said, and Inuyasha could swear he was making an effort not to run.

The boy rolled his eyes. Was that supposed to be the rebel son?

Inuyasha jerked when he felt the Inukimi's hand on his shoulder. It was rare for her to touch him; touch anyone, really.

"So, what did you think of your big brother?"

Inuyasha had to bite his tongue not to answer, reminding himself she was the Lady Inukimi, his father's first wife, and he had to respect her.

She laughed, delighted. "Well, I can see our meals will be lively!"

Inuyasha's head snapped up at that. "But he said he won't live with us!"

"He won't, but he'll visit a lot—in the beginning, at least. He'll have to seek your father's advice, whether he likes it or not."

"That's—that's great."

She giggled, moving to kneel on the edge of the engawa. Her hair wasn't made up in its customary pigtails that day; instead, it was done in a long braid. Inuyasha thought she looked a little older like that, but in a pretty way.

Lady Setsumi's small, pale hand patted the floor beside her. Inuyasha mentally sighed, dreading having to sit and stare at the garden with her. He wanted to be alone, perhaps visit his mother's grave; still, he obeyed. Remembering his manners in the last minute, he managed to kneel beside her instead of crouch.

"Where we're going, you don't have to worry about being mistreated," the Inukimi said. "By Sesshomaru or anyone."

Inuyasha looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "I ain't worried about that. I can take care of myself—my lady." The last part was quickly added.

She smiled, still staring ahead. "Of course you can. If you couldn't, how would you have survived your father?" Lady Setsumi shook her head in a show of exasperation. "Yet, I'm the one who has to make sure everyone behaves. I'll be the mistress of the house."

"You can't promise they won't bother me," Inuyasha blurted. He wasn't accusing her of anything, just stating a fact. "I'm a half-demon."

"And your father's youngest son," the Inukimi completed. "In my house, you will surely be treated as such."

"They'll do it when you're not looking."

Slowly, Lady Setsumi turned to look at his profile, pursing her lips. "Perhaps… but if someone disobeys me, I have the right to punish them—and you have the duty to tell me."

"I-I'm no baby!" Inuyasha protested, feeling a little horrified. "A-And Mom used to say you can't hurt people, even if they're stupid!"

"Well, I'm not your mother." Setsumi shrugged. "In this life, you will hurt and be hurt. I won't show mercy to grown demons who pester a child; of this much you can be sure."

A heartbeat later, Inuyasha found himself saying, "Cool."

"Very."

Patting her robes, Lady Setsumi stood to leave. Inuyasha immediately did the same, feeling his chest a little lighter, though he wasn't sure why.

"I won't embarrass you with this conversation any longer," the Inukimi said, winking at him. "Make sure you have everything ready, please."

He nodded, watching as she walked away. Inuyasha thought she was a nice lady, comforting a child that wasn't even hers; a child that should have been a bother to her. He knew nobles didn't think much of him, but she… she seemed to like tradition, so his father's blood came first in her eyes.

Even if I have human blood too. Even if Dad isn't the Inu no Taisho anymore.

He shuffled his feet, wondering if she would still treat him like that if she weren't back in love with his father.

Night had fallen by the time Setsumi and Miss Misao managed to put the house back in some semblance of order.

Everything she and Toga would be taking with them had been put into wooden chests in the main room. It wasn't much, since Toga wanted to leave the castle mostly untouched (and Setsumi agreed with him), but it had been hard to decide what would go and what would remain.

After two months of planning, they were moving to her childhood home. Setsumi couldn't believe it! With only a couple of servants living there (and recently, under Toga's order, Myoga the flea demon), she didn't think the old castle would be in a very good state, but they had still decided to go.

By this time tomorrow, we'll be halfway there, Setsumi thought, humming to herself.

Sesshomaru was waiting for her outside; she needed to be quick. The both of them had to return to the floating castle tonight. She just wanted to tell Toga they were leaving.

Following his scent, Setsumi came to Lady Izayoi's personal quarters. She hesitated, her hand raised to tap on the door, her contentment giving way to a quiet sort of unease.

It felt like she was prying.

Embarrassed at her behavior, Setsumi let her hand fall, deciding she should leave Toga be for the night. They had the rest of their lives together, if things went according to plan… he had the right to say goodbye to his late wife's chambers without interruption.

"You may come in, Setsumi," came his rough voice from inside the room.

She had a moment of doubt, her chest hurting. It wasn't jealousy; Setsumi liked to think of herself as too rational for that. She simply felt inadequate and far, far out of place.

Never a coward, though, she slid open the door and entered.

It was obvious that the room had belonged to a woman. It was mostly empty, but the faint scent of the late mistress of the house remained there. A few of Lady Izayoi's belongings could still be seen around, too: a comb; a lip brush; a powder box; small sandals neatly put in a corner of the room.

"Did you properly fold her kimonos?" Setsumi murmured, needing to say something. She knew he had, though. Kimonos were expensive; they would be part of Inuyasha's inheritance. "They must be aired from time to time."

"Yes," Toga replied, looking miles away as he leaned against the far wall, staring longingly at their surroundings. With an apologetic smile, he came to stand in front of her. "Are you leaving already?"

Setsumi nodded, also smiling. "I just came to wish you a good night. Sesshomaru's waiting; we can't try his patience."

"Hmm," Toga hummed in agreement, twisting a loose strand of her hair around his fingers. "Is he behaving himself while staying with you?"

Setsumi chuckled. "He is trying."

Toga sighed, shaking his head a little. Bringing Setsumi closer, he put his arms around her.

Hesitantly, she returned the embrace, feeling stiff, uncomfortable, and very silly.

It's just a room, Setsumi told herself. I'm not doing anything indecent. It was unlike her to worry about such trivial things, but the woman who'd lived there hadn't been just anyone. She'd had a child with Toga, they had challenged society to stay together, and a part of his heart would always be hers. Setsumi didn't resent Lady Izayoi for that, but she wasn't happy about it either.

Losing Lady Izayoi had left a scar on Toga that would never completely heal.

"Why are you so tense, my lady?" He murmured, resting his chin on her head.

Setsumi cleared her throat. "Holding you right here is unsettling, my lord, I must admit."

She heard the smile in his voice as he said, "Don't you worry, love. Izayoi didn't die here."

Setsumi stepped away to glare at him. "You misunderstand, dear. I'm certainly not scared of ghosts."

"We didn't sleep here, either."

"Honestly, Toga, stop," Setsumi hissed.

He laughed a little, but his eyes were still clearly sad. "I'm just teasing you."

Setsumi held his face between her hands, watching as he leaned into her touch. The quiet moment reminded her of another night long ago, when they said their goodbyes and walked out of each other's lives.

"My feelings for you won't change," she'd said, "but I won't speak of them again. I won't look back."

She didn't know if she had been reassuring him or holding on to her pride. Perhaps both.

"I will," he'd answered.

Standing on her tiptoes, Setsumi pecked Toga's cheek. "I'm leaving now, love. I'll see you tomorrow."

The look in his eyes changed suddenly, becoming determined. Holding her hand, he turned to leave the room, sliding the door closed with a soft thud behind them.

Toga took Setsumi back to the front garden, where Sesshomaru was standing in the dark, scowling.

"Could you go on ahead, son?" He asked, releasing Setsumi's hand. "I have something to discuss with your mother."

Sesshomaru blinked at his parents, his expression blank.

Pretending she knew what Toga was talking about, Setsumi schooled her features. "I will check my belongings later, Sesshomaru. You should go see if everything is to your liking."

"Yes, mother," he said, nodding to his parents and turning away. Setsumi thought she caught him rolling his eyes, but it had been too fast.

After they knew for sure Sesshomaru was gone, she looked inquisitively at Toga. He took her hand again, pulling Setsumi along the garden.

The castle was silent, but not in an eerie way. She could feel the presence of the servants sleeping inside, as well as the barely awake child. The crescent moon was high in the sky, a single cloud keeping it company. A few fireflies zigzagged by their feet, so she tried to avoid them.

As soon as they reached the border that separated the garden from the wild, Toga stopped. Staring up, Setsumi noticed his shoulders looked as broad as the mountain looming over them.

"What's happening, my lord?"

Toga's eyes were calm and warm when he gazed at her. She knew that look very well.

Even if she had forgotten it, she'd seen it too often lately. Her throat dried in a second, like parchment on fire.

"N-Now?"

"I'm sorry," he murmured. "Please."

She'd had a few lovers over the years, but gods, no one had made her hands shake like that. How could she ever deny him?

Setsumi let herself be gently pushed against a tree, closing her eyes at the feel of his body. They had never been this close while in the castle; respecting Izayoi's memory was all Toga could do for someone he'd loved so much. Setsumi would never have initiated anything, no matter how pathetically desperate he made her sometimes. It simply wasn't right, there was no need to cross that boundary… which was why he'd made sure they weren't in the castle, she supposed.

Another woman might have been indignated, might have felt cheap, but not Setsumi. She knew him too well to misinterpret it so grossly.

And so, she let him pull up one of her legs; let his strong fingers roam freely between them. She let him tease her to the very brink, only distantly realizing Toga wasn't taking anything for himself, only giving. She gathered the strength to touch him back, but he shook his head.

Setsumi tried hard not to close her eyes, watching as he watched her. If all Toga needed was to feel her, to make sure she was there, she would gladly comply.

As the world spun out of place, she squeezed his neck, white spots dancing in her vision.

She was halfway back when he whispered, his hot breath fanning her mouth, "Whatever happiness I may have left, I give to you."

His words seared across her brain, body, and heart. She couldn't answer; she would show him instead.

Setsumi was actually happy their son hadn't become the Inu no Taisho—happy she wouldn't have to convince anyone she should still be Inukimi. All she wanted was to be Toga's wife. Everything else could go to straight to hell, the West included.

Somewhere, Setsumi imagined Megumi was laughing until her sides hurt.

Misao felt strange as she watched her lord leave with his son, looking back one last time to nod at her.

She hugged herself, wondering at how frequently Inuyasha would visit his mother's grave. The boy and the castle were everything that was left in this world of her beloved lady. She would take care of the child's home, watch over it with zeal until the day he returned.

"Behave yourself, Inuyasha. Don't forget you're a prince," she'd told him that morning, after he and Lord Toga had said their goodbyes to Lady Izayoi—for now.

Misao knew Inuyasha would have a more important role to play, though. When the time came, he would be no prince, but a hero.

The governess sighed, wringing her hands. Her visions had been wrong before, but fate had a way of happening even when the circumstances changed.

Back then, Lord Toga hadn't died fighting Takemaru; the flames had been extinguished before burning the castle to the ground; Lady Izayoi had stayed with them. Still, the mistress died when her son was five, just like she would have if all those things had gone differently.

At least, it was a comfort to know Inuyasha wouldn't grow up like Misao had predicted. He would be raised in a beautiful castle by the sea, with his father and stepmother.

Will he still meet the priestess? She wondered. Will he still be pinned to the tree?

The future was hazy; not even Lord Sesshomaru's role would be the same anymore. He had a place in the council now, so he wouldn't be a noble wanderer. He would have to live in the floating castle.

And what of Lady Setsumi, I wonder?

She hadn't been in Misao's visions at all before.

The girl watched the road until the last bit of Lord Toga's high ponytail disappeared from sight. She tried to see the future in the empty horizon before her, but it didn't happen.

Misao was always anxious, a consequence of knowing things and not being able to tell. Now that she actually wanted to see them, they just wouldn't come to her. Sighing, she prayed that the lord and his son would be happy—that she would have another human mistress to serve someday, with a sunny smile and sweet brown eyes.

If this one vision came true, Misao would be satisfied.

A/N: It's over, my friends! I hope you liked my beloved story. The ending was a little short, maybe, but I didn't feel like saying anything else.

I've always wanted to make Misao special, so I jumped at the chance to do that in her POV. She's the only one who knows what "canon" means here lol.

If it's not too much to ask, please, tell me what you think! I made a big effort to finish this story. I believe it's my last one (or my last multi-chaptered one, at least). I've had a wonderful time with all of you. Thank you for reading!

PS: Changed the cover image (again)!