A FAMILY AFFAIR

SUMMARY: Naraku has begun to stir all of the lands to war. He fears the return of a powerful line that has the means to destroy him. He rekindles ancient feuds in the hope of causing the heirs death. Meanwhile Sesshomaru seeks to destroy Naraku before it is too late and asks Inu and co. for help. Will they accept or will personal issues rip the fledgling alliance apart? Will the heir survive?

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Inuyasha.

Chapter I

THE NAMING OF THE LORDS

Triellen stared thoughtfully around the cozy room. His eyes slid over the high

windows that let in slender, scarlet strands of sunlight. Light from torches on the walls

illuminated the white bricks of the palace walls.

His shoulder tensed as he began to pay attention to the conversation that was

moving on. "At last, my lord, peace has returned to the land," the man on his left said excitedly. This demon was Tilen the youngest brother of the emperor, Malleus. Tilen had merry, sky-blue eyes, his hair was a rich gold, and his cloak was unstained white.

"It is useless to win the land unless you also win the hearts of its people," replied a solemn voice from the other end of the table. The speaker of this remark was Magus the only full-brother of the emperor. His hair and eyes were a sparkling purple as was his billowing cloak. He was a very wise and solemn, but also kind hearted and patient with others.

"You are correct my brother," replied Malleus with a slight nod towards Magus", it is said 'the farmer cannot bring forth a harvest without a field,'" He sat majestically at the head of the table. He was the eldest brother and like all of his brothers he was a dog demon and had pale skin. His eyes were a dark piercing blue and his hair was as dark as the night."

"To win the peoples hearts we should seek out wise servants to increase their happiness," said the man on the emperor's right. He was the second youngest brother and his name was Molech. His eyes were a menacing orange and his hair was bright white. He wore a black cloak in his attempt to emulate the emperors clothing.

At the end of Molech's statement the man on his right gave a sturdy chuckle and said with amusement ", Indeed, we will need more than just schemers to hold onto our fruitful lands. We will need valiant soldiers to protect the people and preserve the peace." The speaker was the middle brother, Inutaisho. His eyes were a keen gold like a molten sun, his mane was a sea of silver, and he held two swords on his side one was regal and well adorned, but the other was held in a plain scabbard and appeared worn. Everyone held him in very high esteem except for his brother Molech.

The emperor turned to the nervous man who was watching everything and asked ", My friend, what do you think?"

Triellen straightened and said ", I believe that both Lord Inutaisho and Lord Molech are correct. Especially since many of our subjects will be humans."

Molech made a derisive noise as his eyes narrowed. "Humans," he sneered ", base-born mortals, they have no purpose in this world except to serve demons." There were disapproving glares from all the others sitting at the table. The emperor sighed and replied in a quiet voice ", Molech while we do indeed have far greater powers than humans, they already make up a fourth of our empire. Indeed since they already live such short lives it is our duty to help them preserve what joy they may."

He straightened up and said ", Well, I believe that we are ready to divide up the lands." Molech nodded vigorously and made a motion with his hand towards a silent fox demon who stepped forward.

The Prime Minister smiled at Kippo (yes I bet you can guess who he is related to) who bowed and said ", My scouts have finished smelling out the lands." He unfolded a large scroll and laid it carefully onto the smooth table as everyone leaned forward to examine the map.

Even Triellen, Prime Minister though he was, was impressed with the skill of the map. It showed very great details of the rivers, the large lettering used for the province names, and the mountains where the various wolf tribes held lands by the emperor's gift. However, he was confused by the bright blue and red colors that covered the map and in various places made different shades of purple.

The emperor beamed as he examined the piece of art and asked kindly ", It is superb Lord Kippo, would you like to explain the coloring?"

The red fox demon bowed low and explained ", The red show areas where demons traditionally reside and the blue is that of humans."

They all glanced back at the map for a few moments until the emperor looked up at a portion of the map with almost no blue then he looked to Molech and said ", The lands in between the arms of the Eastern Wolves territory and the Great River shall be yours." Molech scowled down at his lands but didn't dare to say anything.

Pointedly ignoring this lack of etiquette the emperor again examine the map then turned to Tilen and said ", Dear brother I wish you to take all of the lands below the river Sirion and the Western Wolves ranges." Tilen beamed at his lord and said ", Thank you my lord." Molech glared at Tilen, not surprising considering the size of the territory he had received.

The emperor smiled at his two remaining brothers then glanced down yet again. He turned to Magus who lowered his gaze respectfully. "Magus you are to take the islands in the Western Sea, the land north of the Great River, the land west of the Eastern Wolves northern territories, and south of the river Drianin."

However, Magus looked up and said respectfully ", My lord I do not believe that I am the best man to supervise that territory."

Malleus frowned and said ", Explain."

Magus bowed his head then said ", It is a wide territory and its people are brave and warlike, I believe that they would be bored with me as their lord." He was interrupted when everyone at the table laughed at his comment, but he merely smiled and continued ", However, the northern territories that are left have suffered through war and its' people would welcome me."

Malleus nodded thoughtfully and said ", Your reasoning is wise. Very well, Inutaisho these lands shall go to you."

Inutaisho bowed and smiled at Magus. The emperor spoke ", That leaves me with the central plains, the islands of the panther demons, and the protected vales."

The emperor took on a serious voice and said ", It is finished. Scribe." A young dog demon came forward with a scroll. "Make a note of this: Magus is now the Lord of the Northern Lands and his sign shall be the snowflake." The emperor raised his hand and a silvery snowflake appeared on Magus's forehead as the scribe wrote.

The Prime Ministers eyes grew wide as he glanced from the emperor to the new Northern Lord.

Malleus turned to Inutaisho and said ", Inutaisho is now the Lord of the Western Lands and his sign shall be the crescent moon." Raising his hand to point at the Western Lord's forehead as a blue crescent moon appeared. Again the scribe took notes as Triellen paled.

He turned next to the smiling Tilen, raised his hand and said ", Tilen is now the Lord of the Southern land and his sign is the lily in flower." The scribe scribbled furiously as the lily appeared.

Panting slightly the Prime Minister turned towards Molech and stared as the emperor turned to him. ", Molech is now the Lord of the Eastern Lands and his sign shall be the sun." And it was so.

The emperor then said ", Now I want you all to prepare to explore your new lands tomorrow." Obediently everyone got up and left the room except the for the emperor and his prime minister.

Okay everyone there's chapter one. I know that I haven't gotten to Kagome and them yet but I promise that I will get there within two chapters. This chapter is taking place in a past even before the well, as I am sure you can guess by Inutaisho being present. Please Review even if all you can give me is flames. Bye.