The Taisho fire

Danger

Eventually, the regal daiyōkai stormed in the room. A few stern words were enough to scatter the merry gathering, and Gwen marvelled at the natural authority Sesshōmaru seemed to wield effortlessly. Young and old inus scrambled away with the promise for a later meeting, the only exception being his twin daughters. Towa even rolled her eyes, whispering in Gwen's ear.

"Typical of 'pa."

Sesshōmaru narrowed his eyes as his eldest, icy gold promising retribution for her cheekiness. Gwen almost trembled in her socks – people traipsed around without shoes on the wooden floors - feeling the crushing aura of the daiyōkai brush against her skin. But Towa brushed it off with a shrug; her father turned tail and disappeared once more.

"See ?" Towa asked, miraculously unfazed.

Gwen nodded; yes, she saw. Sesshōmaru was watching over his father's recovery, but would take no credit for it. Stubborn old dog. Yet, he had been right; one look at Tōga told her he was exhausted, and in pain. Not that he would admit it, but there was an excited flicker swirling in the depth of his eyes that sold his happiness.

InuYasha reached out, offering his hand to haul him up.

"Let me, 'Pa."

"Careful !" Gwen exclaimed, fearing that the boisterous half demon would end up tearing her beloved's arm away. Or send him flying altogether.

"Keh !", InuYasha sneered, rolling the sleeves of his plain t-shirt. "I know how to handle humans, no need to panic."

Sheepish, Gwen only nodded as the fifty-year-old half yōkai gently eased his battered father up, sliding his shoulder underneath his arm. They were a striking image, one middle-aged son supporting a father that looked half his age.

That's it, my brain has fried.

The four of them retreated to their room, tabi clad feet padding on the long corridor of polished wood. With the slow pace, Gwen leisurely took in the surroundings. Painted portraits featured family members in traditional garb, from the fifteen hundred to more modern takes. China vases held ikebana flower arrangements here and there, and multiple shōji screens littered the hallway. This place was the epitome of Japanese elegance.

When InuYasha pushed their door open, Gwen realised that their current room was one of the few that was equipped with an occidental opening. In his current state, Tōga couldn't possibly sleep on a futon or he'd never be able to rise. Still, she was curious to experience the real Japanese lifestyle.

The hanyou lowered his father gently, brushing aside Towa's help with a proud expression. His large golden eyes were soft, and Gwen turned to the young woman with questions about the shiro – because this sure as hell was large enough to be a castle - to allow father and son a little privacy.

Not a quarter of an hour passed before Haru appeared in the doorway; Sesshōmaru must have sent him to check on his patient.

He shooed all of them out, except for Gwen, and declared that Tōga needed rest. Towa bowed formally, expressing her intent to visit on the morrow, then kicked inuYasha's ribs for ignoring the most basic rules of politeness. The hanyou snorted and left with a smirk.

Thus ended the merry reunion, leaving the former general completely out of sorts. Gwen closed the door and made her way to the bed where he lay, propped on a series of cushions. Long hair cascaded, unbound, over his injured shoulder like a river of silk. Golden eyes followed her approach, slightly dazed from the painkillers he'd just swallowed. The young woman reached for her lover's hand and sat by his side, close enough so that her folded leg touched his uninjured thigh. Gently, she laced their fingers together.