30 Shards

Title: Fact is better than fiction (#1 Legend shard)
Character pairing: Inutaisho + Sesshoumaru
Rating: G



“Tell me a story, Jaken-sama,” Rin cajoled, her arms curled around her knees. Sesshoumaru leaned against a tree nearby and listened with half an ear as Jaken protested and as Rin eventually wore him down. His eyebrow rose fractionally as his retainer wove a story about his great and terrible father.

He wasn’t like that, Sesshoumaru thought. Well, not all the time. It was true that Inutaisho was merciless to his enemies and without peer on the battlefield, but he had also been wise, providing advice when it was needed, even if said information was delivered in a cryptic fashion.

Jaken also skimmed over the fact that Inutaisho had been quick to anger, yet even quicker to laugh. Where his laughter hadn’t been exactly infectious, his angry growls had sounded as ominous as peals of thunder. His hands had been warm and gentle, yet held such tremendous potential for violence and destruction. His arms had once been a childhood safe haven where everything was simple, where everything felt safe.

Looking back at Rin, who was now sitting enthralled by the tales of his father’s deeds and not the least bit sleepy, he opened his mouth. “That is enough,” Sesshoumaru said, “Go to sleep, Rin.”

He moved his head to stare at the canopy of leaves above him and thought about how legends sometimes paled in comparison to the real thing.