30 Shards

Title: Making Music From Air (#11 Magic)
Rating: G
Words: 113
Character/Pairing: Sesshoumaru + Inutaisho, Rin
Summary: Looking at Rin, he felt as if a cycle had been completed.


Looking at Rin, he felt as if a cycle had been completed. Instead of sitting where she was, wide-eyed and enthralled, he was now in his father’s place.

“Listen, the grass will sing for us.” He plucked a blade and held it to his lips, watching as Rin searched, just as he had, for the key to performing such magic herself.

“Take joy in discovering new things,” his father had told him once. Looking down at the young girl who was staring cross-eyed at a blade of grass between her fingers, he did just that. A shrill whistle followed by childish laughter made a ghost of a smile momentarily flit over his lips.

***

Title: Seeking Outside Help (#12 Advice)
Rating: G
Words: 147
Character/Pairing: Sesshoumaru + Inutaisho
Summary: "There are many whom I speak with before putting a plan into action."


While playing amid the leafy boughs of the ancient tree demon had been fun, he had to ask. “Why were we here?”

“For advice,” his father answered.

Sesshoumaru tugged on his father’s sleeve. His fingers were slightly sticky with sap. “Why?”

“Because it is arrogant to believe that you can decide things without consulting others. There are many whom I speak with before putting a plan into action.”

This was news to Sesshoumaru. “Really?”

“Yes. Some day I hope that you can do the same.”

Many years later, Sesshoumaru looked back on that conversation. Those around him were either afraid of him, irritatingly cryptic, hard to reach, or too busy trying to please him to give him a straight answer. In the end, he kept his own council, arrogance or no, falling back on everything his father taught him when he felt as if he needed guidance.

***

Title: Speak Softly Next Time (#14 Whisper)
Rating: G
Words: 119
Character/Pairing: Sesshoumaru + Inutaisho
Summary: Why they had to speak so loudly was beyond him.


He curled against his father, his hands clapped over his sensitive ears. Thunder boomed overhead and the wind howled as rain pelted the ground outside. He shivered, hoping that it would be interpreted as a chill instead of fear. Another crack of thunder had him tucking his small legs up to his chin as he tried his best to hide within the folds of his father’s kimono.

A warm hand swept comfortingly over his hair from the crown of his head down to the middle of his shoulders. “Don’t be afraid,” his father quietly said. “That is just the sound of our ancestors speaking to one another.”

Sesshoumaru looked up at him dubiously. “Why can’t they just whisper then?”