Kinsman of the Rainbow by Heza-

1

Chapter 1

Shan laughed with his friends as he approached his hut. It was easy to say that Shan was better off than the others in the village were, but he didn't let that affect him. In fact, he would be severely scolded if he did let that affect him.

Shan was just about to yell out to his adopted mom when he saw a beautiful demoness talking to her. He stopped. His friends noticed her as well and jeered at him, but he shrugged it off. Shan had seen this white haired beauty before. Once every year to be exact. She handed a pouch to Heiwa, his adopted mom, before looking back over at him.

His friends slapped him on the back, ordering him to go and talk to her. He growled at his friends, but walked over nonetheless. Shan could hear the boys howling in the background.

Before he could reach this white haired beauty though, she ran off. He didn't have a chance to talk to her again. It was hopeless running after her.

~ Flashback ~

Shan took off after the woman he had seen every year as she walked out of his hut. She saw him as he barreled across the land as if his heals were on fire. He wanted to know who she was and where she came from. Heiwa never told him, always choosing to ignore him.

The woman picked up her pace, changing into a giant dog as she ran. He changed as well, trying to catch up to her. She glanced over her shoulder and howled. 'Back off,' she said.

Shan snorted, barking back that he wouldn't.

The woman in front of him growled, picking up the pace again. He raced to catch her, but couldn't quite reach her speed. Suddenly, she changed back into her human form, shrinking into a size that he couldn't quite see.

Shan stopped. He changed into his human form as well. Everywhere he sniffed, however, he couldn't find her sent. It was like she had just disappeared. He looked for a long time, never finding out where she had gone.

That night, he went back home, feeling the worse for wear. His head hung low as he entered his hut to withstand the thong lashing from Heiwa and the beating from Cojo.

~ End Flashback ~

He had tried that once before. So, instead of making a fool of himself, he walked up to Heiwa. "Who is that?" he asked, like he had done so many times before.

To his surprise, she answered him this time. "She is Lady Kagome of the Western lands, mate to Lord Sesshomaru of the Western lands, and mother of you."

Shan blinked sure that he had misheard. "What did you say?"

Heiwa wrung her hands. "You are now old enough to know Shan. She is your real mother."

Shan shook his head. "No, you said my mother was dead. You're lying."

Heiwa took a deep breath. "I was lying before, not now. Even Cojo (Heiwa's mate) thinks that it is time for you to make your own decisions. You are 17 now. It is time you left us."

Shan laughed nervously. "What are you saying? All of a sudden, I'm 17 and allowed to leave home and to know that I'm the son of some Lady and Lord of the Western lands? I don't even know where you're getting this from."

Heiwa huffed. "Damn you for being a smart boy. Come inside and we will talk." Heiwa placed her hand on his back and urged him into the hut. Once they were properly seated across from each other, Heiwa spoke. "When you were but a baby, you were kidnapped by High Lady Kalisandra. She brought you to us to take care of while she made a deal with Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Kagome of the Western lands. Once the deal was settled, Lady Kagome has been allowed to visit you once a year. On her visits, she gives us a pouch full of money to take care of you. This year, we have decided that it is time you go off on your own to do as you please."

Heiwa handed the pouch that Kagome had given her to Shan. Shan stared at the pouch with unbelieving eyes. "But what about Keikai (a girl he likes) or work in the fields?"

Heiwa sighed. "That is not for you. You weren't meant to be just a small farmer. You are the heir to the Western lands."

Shan sighed also. He was practically being forced from his home. "What if I don't want to leave?" he asked.

Heiwa nearly glared at him. "Then you will never know what it is like to be more than what you are now." Shan nodded. There was so much more out there for him.

It didn't take him long to pack. His possessions consisted of a few different pairs of clothes, a second pair of boots, and a dagger that he used to skin his prey. Shan said good-bye to Heiwa and Cojo before he left and then headed out to the place where his friends normally hung out.

Two of his friends, twin bears, were wrestling on the ground. One, a panther demon by the name of Pei was cheering them on. The one he approached, however, was Keal, a white tiger demon who was sitting on a branch watching the fight. "I'm leaving," Shan told him.

Keal turned his blue eyes to Shan. "Where?" he asked.

Shan shook his head. "Probably to find my real parents."

Keal jumped down from the tree and placed his hand out for Shan to take. "Good luck then. I hope they're good enough for you. Oh, and don't worry about these losers. I'll say good-bye to them for you."

Shan nodded, taking Keal's hand. "Take care of Keikai too. I'm going to say good-bye to her too, but I don't want anyone else to try anything with her. You hear me?"

Keal nodded his respect as Shan walked to Keikai's house. He knocked on the door and she answered. They smiled at each other, their greeting to each other. "I'm leaving."

Keikai nodded. "When will you be back?" She was a white tiger demon.

Shan looked away. "I don't think I'll be back for a while."

Keikai became concerned. "What do you mean? Where are you going?"

Shan stared into her eyes. "I'm going to find my real parents. Its about time for me to leave."

A tear came to Keikai's eye. She wiped it away as quick as possible. "Am I going to see you again?"

He set his jaw. "I don't know."

The girl nodded, turning away to hide her face. When she turned back, her eyes were red. "It's okay. I'll try to come back," Shan said, pulling her into his arms.

Keikai cried silently in his arms. "Okay," she hiccuped.

He rubbed her back, trying to comfort her. It worked slightly and she pulled away, rubbing her eyes. "Come back soon, okay? Once you find them, you have to come back to me."

Shan nodded, knowing he probably wouldn't be able to come back that soon. He finally said good-bye and followed a sent into the woods.

******

Kagome stopped in a clearing. The sun had already set and there was not point to travel through the night. She stretched before leaning up against a tree. Suddenly, the direction of the wind changed and a sent she had longed for floated toward her nose. Kagome opened her eyes and listened to the forest around her.

The crack of a branch alerted her as to where her stalker was. "Come on out Shanhanta. There's no reason to stay hidden in the bushes."

Surprised, Shan stepped out from behind a tree. "How did you know I was here?" he asked.

Kagome smiled. "You're not as deadly as your father, Shanhanta. He would never allow his sent to be carried on the wind or be so reckless as to step on a branch and break it." Kagome didn't move from her spot as she told him this. She was very comfortable where she was.

Shan looked around before sitting down. "Why do you keep calling me that?"

Kagome closed her eyes again. "Calling you what?"

"Shanhanta. That's not my name. Its just Shan, not Shanhanta." He didn't allow himself to become comfortable as he talked to her. Shan could tell that if she decided to, he would be dead within seconds. There was just something about her that demanded respect.

"That is your name. Lord Sesshomaru and I named you Shanhanta the day you were born." Kagome answered. "Your father wanted something that said you would be powerful. I wanted the a name that would recognize how you look." Kagome peered over at him for a second before closing her eyes again.

Shan felt strange at her directness. No one in the village ever said anything bluntly or with so much detail. There was a long silence as they both searched for something to say. "Did Heiwa treat you well?" Kagome finally asked.

"She is very kind and strict." Shan answered.

"Good. I can't bring home a selfish child." Kagome said, testing the air with her nose.

Shan nearly growled at this. "What makes you think I'm coming with you?"

Kagome turned toward him. "Curiosity. You're curious as to how life would be with the parents that were there during your birth. It is in your nature to seek the ones that created you. Besides, I told your sister that I would bring you home kicking and screaming if I have to."

Shan cocked his head to the side. "I have a sister?" Kagome merely nodded. "What is she like?"

Kagome smiled as her thoughts passed through her head. "Your sister. What is there to say about her? I guess you could say that she is definitely 'Daddy's little girl'."

Shan was about to ask her about what she meant when an unexpected guest arrived. "Daddy's little girl indeed."

Kagome smiled at the newcomer. "Ah, Kalisandra. I was wondering if that really was your sent. What is that new perfume you're wearing? Fisherman?"

Kalisandra leered at Kagome. "What are you doing with you son? Our agreement stated that he had to make his own choice without any help from you."

Kagome waved her hand in the air, dismissing what she had just said. "He did make his own choice. I didn't say a thing to him until he found me in this clearing." Kagome smiled at Kalisandra.

"Where is your proof?" Kalisandra sneered. When Kagome didn't answer, Kalisandra continued. "I see no proof here so why don't I just take Shan back to his village."

Before Kalisandra took a step, Kagome shook her finger. "Nah ah ah. I wouldn't do that if I were you. The ground and the air around Shanhanta are purified. You might get hurt if you do that."

Kalisandra growled a feline growl. "You can't do that Kagome. Shan must make his own choice."

Kagome smiled again. "Then let Shanhanta make his own choice. Let him decide whether or not he wants to go home with me or to go back to the village. It is his choice and his alone to make." Kagome turned her attention to Shan, putting all the pressure on him. "What do you want to do Shanhanta?"

Shan turned his attention from Kagome to Kalisandra and back again. He hated being in the spotlight as both women looked to him for an answer. "I want to go with Lady Kagome," he finally said, somewhat nervous.

Kalisandra hissed. "This is war Kagome. You know that..."

"You've already had your fun with Sesshomaru and me so let us live our lives in peace with our family. So why don't you go have fun with some other more willing couple." Kagome spat before Kalisandra could finish.

Kalisandra hissed before turning and walking away in a huff. It didn't take long for her to be far enough away so that they could be left alone for the rest of the night.

******

They arrived home at noon the following day. Kagome had warned Shan about how his father might act around him. Shan was a bit nervous when he saw the castle looming ahead, but Kagome reassured him that it would be all right.

Kagome led him straight into the building, and into a room filled with fabric. Shan was confused. "Where are we? I thought you were taking me to see my father."

Kagome ginned from ear to ear. "You can't see your father in those drab clothes. He would really take you as a farmer's boy if that were to happen." Kagome looked around then yelled for the seamstress.

A spider demon stepped out from behind a stack of fabric that needed to be sorted. "Ah, Lady Kagome. What do you need?"

Kagome smiled at the old demon. "Shokkou, I need you to dress my son so that he can see his father today."

Shokkou grinned. "So this is the great Shanhanta that I knew when he was just a pup. How you have grown." Before Shan could say a word to the old spider, she was off and looking for some fabric.

Kagome put her hands together and turned to her son. "I'll see you after you are done. I'll be waiting outside." She left without another word.

Shan wanted to call her back, but felt obligated to not complain. Shokkou returned with four different fabrics in her arms. "Pick one," she ordered.

Shan stared at the beautiful silk and picked one that was black and silver. Shokkou nodded her head in appreciation. "I like that one too." She turned to go put the other fabrics away. "Take off your clothes."

The boy blanched. "What?"

Shokkou turned her head to see him. "I can't take your measurements with all that baggy clothing on. Take it off."

His eyes widened as he heard what she said. "I'm not taking my clothes off in front of a female."

The old spider demon raised an eyebrow at him. "I prefer males too. In fact, I'm already mated to one and we are very happy."

"That's not what I meant. I..." Shan stopped talking and consented, taking his clothes off so that she could take his measurements. He felt strangely exposed when all was said and done. Shan held his hands to cover his prized possession, as she looked him over.

Shokkou rolled her eyes. "Turn around," she ordered. He did if somewhat reluctantly. Shokkou smiled. "You have a nice ass: just like your father's." She scurried off before he could turn back around.

Shan didn't have to wait long for his new clothes. Shokkou returned to hand them, folded to Shan. He had a hard time removing his hands long enough to take the offered clothes, but managed nonetheless.

The boy walked out of the room, looking the worse for wear. Kagome giggled as she looked at him. "You look stunning in that outfit, but a little disgruntled."

"Disgruntled?" he questioned.

"Upset," Kagome answered. Shan just nodded his head. "I had a hard time at first too. That's why I left. I figured that you wouldn't want me in there as well as she looked you over to fit your clothes."

Shan nodded again. "Yes, I thank you for that."

Kagome smiled, and took a sniff. "Holly cow, you smell terrible. You must have a bath." She took Shan's hand and led him to a bathing room. Kagome pushed him inside and waited.

Again, he came out a bit upset. "Let me guess, didn't expect the maids to come in to help you wash?" Shan nodded. "Well, good news. You don't have to get undressed again. The bad new is that you have to meet my blow drier." She grabbed his arm again, pulling off in a different direction.

"Blow drier?" he gulped. It sounded like some creature that blew fire at you to dry you off.

Kagome nodded. "Yes, the blow drier. It will help dry your hair so that I can braid it." Shan stopped in his tracks, making Kagome stop as well. "What?" she asked.

"Braids are for girls. I don't want my hair braided." Shan demanded with his jaw set in a way that he thought it made him look stern. In fact, it made him look defiant, but Kagome wasn't going to tell him that.

Kagome huffed. "Sesshomaru won't allow me to braid his hair either."

Shan was glad that he had something in common with his father and nearly smiled. "I refuse to have my hair braided or even tied back."

Kagome took a deep breath. "Okay, but we still have to brush your hair."

After bushing out Shan's hair, Kagome brought him to a door where she had him wait outside while she talked to Sesshomaru. He wanted to press his ear against the door and listen to what was going on on the other side, but Heiwa had taught him never to do such things. In fact, after what he heard Heiwa and Cojo doing on the other side of the door, he really didn't want to listen in.

Kagome came back out, yelling at her mate. "If you don't even greet your son, I will make sure that every torture and control I have over you will be put into use."

Shan winced and so did Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru huffed. "Kagome, I will see him, but I don't have time right now. You know that I need to talk to Lord Kaska about our armies."

Kagome glared at him before smiling oh so sweetly to Lord Kaska. "Lord Kaska, do you mind giving my mate some time to see his son that he hasn't seen in oh so long?"

Kaska, a bit afraid of this change, nodded and left the room as quickly as possible. Kagome smiled at him as he left and thanked him. Sesshomaru growled at her. "I told you about my control issues. Did you not believe me?"

"You are not making this easy on me," Sesshomaru growled.

Kagome stuck out her lip in a frown. "I know, but I love you and you love me and you will get something wild later. Just be kind to him."

Sesshomaru sighed. "Send him in." He rubbed his head as Kagome bound out of the room. "The things I'll do for her. I should have made it known that I would not tolerate such antics in the beginning. That's it, I'm never getting her pregnant again and if I do get her pregnant, she will be forced to obey."

"Do you really mean that?" Shan asked without thinking about it.

Sesshomaru looked up to find the exact replica of him when he was just a 17-year-old boy. "No, I don't mean that." Sesshomaru stood and walked over to his boy that he hadn't seen in 17 years. He had changed significantly.

Sesshomaru circled Shan and sniffed. "So your mother made sure you were taken care of?" Shan nodded. "I'm glad to see she didn't braid you hair." Shan nodded again, not sure as to what to say. "Do you have any skills?"

Shan watched as Sesshomaru walked back over to his desk. "I can read and hunt. I've also practiced fighting with my friends."

Sesshomaru chuckled. "I'd like to see this fighting, but at a different time. I need to get back to work. Leave me and send Lord Kaska back in."

Shan nodded and turned to leave. Sesshomaru watched him walk, and read his every move. There would be a lot of work to be done to make him fit to wear the crown in his stead.

Author's note: I hope you all liked this one so far. I didn't want to have to wait for them to grow up some so I sped it along a little bit. The next chapter should be up as soon as I can write it. Thanks for reading.

Heza- flies in the air, on wings of pure gold. Then remembers that gold is too heavy to fly and falls out of the air. When she wakes up, her immediate reaction is to say, "Inuyasha is not mine."