A Tale of Tales

by Goddess Evangeline

I spin for you a Tale of Tales, told throughout the land; A tale of war, of hope, of love, and one Gods master plan

1. Chapter 1

I spin for you a tale of tales, told throughout the land;

A tale of war, of hope, of love, and one Gods master plan

In this tale, exist two brothers: the younger and the old;

The older, colder, more guarded, more cautious or so we're told,

The younger, less, less cautious less blessed, more adventurous, more…bold.

What divides? Blood, not blood, a mystery never solved

These divisions eventually passed, these issues now resolved.

This tale tells of their history, when they were separated still,

The truth, the lies, the confirmed, the un'; the muck passed 'round the rumor mill.

It commenced, I surmise, with the untimely demise with the younger's mother, foretold;

I begin this tale with a song of slavery, into which the younger was sold…

He rose from his bed roll, with a familiar ache in his neck that came from sleeping on what was very generously referred to as a bed, and stretched his limbs to prepare for the coming days events. His master, Lord Kairo was planning a feast to commemorate the birth of his latest son, Hachirou- aptly named, he thought, since the boy was the eighth son of Lord Kairo, which made him wonder at the health of the Lord's poor wife who'd birthed them all- and he expected him to be on his best behavior, and at his absolute best physical state come the festivities. This was fine with InuYasha, who most times was generally well behaved for his master anyway since he wasn't at all interested receiving the lash at the hands of Kiritsu- whom he also thought was named appropriately since he was the master of the whip, and therefore in charge of punishing or 'disciplining' the other slaves, lest they misbehave, which InuYasha rarely did. As previously stated, the expectations didn't bother him…it was for whom he was expected to behave that had him uneasy about the whole thing.

Lord Kairo's eldest son was returning to the palace for the merriments, which on its own seems a relatively common place thing, excepting in this one fact that the young lord had not been home in quite some time. Again, this on its own doesn't seem foreboding in the slightest, but shortly before the young lord departed from the estate, there transpired an incident between the adolescent noble and himself, which left InuYasha with a sting in his back the likes of which he'd never like to feel again…

…He lifted the desk off the rug just a bit so that he could reach underneath to retrieve the document his Lord had commanded him to recover from its new place on the floor. It wasn't unusual that Lord Kairo deposit his belongings on the floor when he was displeased with them, and this missive was displeasing, indeed. Apparently, at least as far as he could surmise from the ranting he heard from down the hall prior to entering his Lord's counsel's chamber, the Lord of the West was demanding that Kairo turn over some portion of his land, which- by some stretch of Lord Kairo's imagination- he felt he had earned simply by virtue of being born Lord Kairo. So, after a few more moments of absolutely unnecessary hostility towards this unknown Lord, Kairo bellowed at the young half-demon to retrieve the document from his study and bring it to him at once. "We'll deal with this now and get this bastard out of our hair." He'd hissed, spraying the room with spit. InuYasha did as he was bid, which was always a wise choice but became especially so when the Lord was in a foul mood, which believe it or not didn't happen very often. So, here he was, digging through his master's papers to search for the document only to find it on the floor…under a leg of his master's solid oak desk…of course. So, he lifted the desk off the rug just a bit so that he could reach underneath to retrieve the document his Lord had commanded him to recover from its new place on the floor… when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see who it might be, and came face to face with Ichiro, Lord Kairo's eldest son.

Normally, it wasn't strange for Ichiro to be in his father's private study when no one was around, it was pretty quiet after all, but for the young man to have been sitting in the dark was…odd to say the very least. However, InuYasha bowed respectfully to the young lord, and explained to him that he was simply retrieving an important document for his father and would depart from his presence in just a moment. The young man nodded staring intensely at the half demon, and unreadable expression on his features as he gave the hanyou an once-over and said: "I find myself in need of entertainment, InuYasha. I grow quite bored of the usual distractions of the palace."

InuYasha nodded. "Well, Master Ichiro, after I've delivered this message to your father, I could fetch Mistress Fumiko from the Yukaku to come and service you. Or, if you have a specific person in mind I could send word to the village Asobime and have the Fujin send someone new."

"No, I don't think that will be necessary," Ichiro said with a smile. "After all, I have all I need right here. A dark room, a nice rug, a pretty face…"

InuYasha's eyes widened as he came to the realization of just what the young Lord was implying. "My Lord I-I'm sorry, but I don't think your father would approve of…"

"Nonsense, father was just telling me that he was considering in engaging you in such…pleasures. I cannot imagine he would begrudge me anything in this, excepting that I had you first." Ichiro reached out to stroke his cheek, relishing the soft skin he found there under the pads of his fingers. "Now why don't you be a good boy and take that missive to my father. We will discuss this more when you return to me." He grabbed the boy's arms roughly and pulled the adolescent to his chest. "You will return, won't you, InuYasha? You'll come back because you're a good boy and you would never defy the wishes of your betters…especially when what they wish is to fuck you," he paused to press his already firm cock into the hips of the younger man. "After all, it's the only thing pretty half-breeds like you are good for."

Very suddenly, surprising even InuYasha himself, said half-breed jammed his knee into the genitals of Lord Kairo's eldest son and ran down out the door and down the hall, screams of outrage following him as he went. By the time he had reached the door of the counsel's chamber, there were already guards at the door and Lord Kairo himself was standing outside, concern etched on his face in response to the very loud, very sudden cries of his son. "InuYasha," Lord Kairo said, the unease he felt evident in his voice. "What's happened?"

"He attacked me!" was shouted down the hall by Ichiro, his face red with fury, vengeful intent plain. "That miserable half-breed assaulted me in your study when I caught him digging through your most private documents! Punish him, father! Kill the little traitor!"

"Ichiro that is enough!" Kairo shouted over his son, so that he might be heard over the hysteria. "InuYasha was told to go through the papers to find one that I needed, as he always does, which you know perfectly well, you petulant child." He turned to InuYasha. "You attacked my son?"

Not knowing what else to do, and considering that the charge was technically true, InuYasha nodded, tears in his eyes for he knew what awaited him in the moments to come. He had felt the lash before, when the slavers were breaking him, and he had vowed to himself that he would never feel it again, but now after all his hard work, his diligent adherence to the rules of the house and the word of his Lord, he would once more face the post. All because Ichiro couldn't keep his hands to himself…bastard. InuYasha had never given him any indication that he was interested in anything even remotely in the realm of sexual activity, and yet the spoiled little shit thought he could just take him whenever he wanted, regardless of what InuYasha himself desired? Well…he was right, and InuYasha would pay for denying him…

…He had been in the infirmary for almost a week after the beating he had received at the hands of Kiritsu, who had taken a perverse kind of pleasure in the whipping, which he supposed was to be expected from someone who had volunteered to be the master of the whip. Still, he didn't have to be so damn…thorough about it, not an inch of his back was untouched by the Falcon's Claw, Kiritsu pet name for the damn switch. Both appropriate and far reaching, as the whip itself resembled that of a falcon's claw, but Kiritsu was more of a pigeon….or a spent hen, as InuYasha often referred to him in the servants' quarters when everyone was around to hear it. Eventually, that was what everyone chose to call him both in private and to his face; it even managed to travel outside the palace to noble and servant alike, until that was simply his moniker- Tsuiyashite Niwatori, or just Niwatori depending on who he was talking to, most nobles thought that was actually his name…and none of the servants felt particularly inclined to correct them.

In any case, he had no intention of repeating the events old, so he would steer clear of any and all associates of Lord Ichiro, and indeed Ichiro himself. Apparently Lord Kairo agreed with his silent plan, because he had assigned him to the service of Lord Sesshomaru, whose demand for territory had started the whole mess in the first place…perhaps InuYasha would spill a little red wine on his fine kimono in thanks, or perhaps a lot of red wine, who could say? It was sure to be an evening filled with much excitement and the gratuitous consumption of alcohol by servant and master alike, no one would attribute his clumsiness to anything but simultaneous drunkenness. Not that he would be clumsy in the slightest…not would he be drinking, it tended to force its consumers…mistakes; mistakes most of them could not afford to make, especially not InuYasha, not tonight.

So, as the party into full swing that night, he was on his best behavior, but had yet to see Lord Sesshomaru, who hadn't been announced as arriving yet. Maybe he wouldn't come, that would certainly be a slap to Kairo's face. He doubted it though; Lord Sesshomaru had already sent word that he would arrive a few moments late to the celebration as he was dealing with restlessness along his northern borders. That said, this Sesshomaru guy was supposed to be a pretty big deal so InuYasha couldn't imagine that it could take a big shot like that too long to stabilize a single border. Then again, that's probably why he wasn't born into lordship; he wasn't interested in the complexities of political interactions between territories. He'd learned through suffering, that it was best to eliminate your enemies as swiftly as possible, lest they cause problems for you in the future (which they almost always did). So he couldn't understand the need for one Lord to cater to the demands of another; the world was a perpetual rat race, you had to run or get the hell out of the way. Just as his eyes rolled to the ceiling in petulation, he heard the crier announce the arrival of the great and power Lord Sesshomaru, high ruler of Saigoku and Lord of the Western Lands. Gods, but that was a long title. InuYasha straightened himself and approached the steps leading into the dining hall so that he might escort Lord Sesshomaru to his seat at the large formal dining table situated in the middle of the large ballroom. He was not prepared for what he saw there.

The sight awaiting him was truly…well…he didn't know what it was. This creature standing before him had to have been one the most well-dressed, well-bred, son of a power hungry bitch he had ever seen in his life. He exuded what InuYasha guessed most would consider self-confidence; he was obviously very self-assured, and most definitely twice as narcissistic as every person in the room. InuYasha guessed that this man spent most of his life preening, meticulously groomed as he was, with his perfect straight silver hair, his pale unblemished skin and well pressed, silken attire. Someone cared a little too much about appearances. Yet, at the same time InuYasha could admit that he was beautiful…for a snob. In any case, he had a job to do; it wouldn't be proper for him to stand their all night staring at the man.

"If you'll follow me this way, my Lord, I'll escort you to your seat." He gestured in the direction that they would walk, and waited to be acknowledged.

Lord Sesshomaru stared at him from the corner of his eye, literally looking down on him, before raising an eyebrow and saying "I've met you before."

InuYasha shook his head. "Forgive me for saying so, my Lord, but I'm afraid you're mistaken. I certainly would've remembered meeting one such as you in my relatively short time. Now, if you'll follow me, I can show you to your seat."

"What is your name?" Lord Sesshomaru inquired, seemingly disinclined to be guided to any place even remotely resembling his position at the table.

"My name is InuYasha, my Lord, I am a servant in Lord Kairo's house hold, and I am to accompany you to your seat so that we may begin the feasting to celebrate young Hachirou's birth. Now, if you'll come this way please."

"InuYasha?" Sesshomaru asked, still not moving.

"Yes, my Lord." InuYasha replied, fighting to keep the exasperation out of his voice. "I am a servant in Lord Kairo's house hold and I have been tasked with escorting you to-…"

"How did you come to be in Lord Kairo's employ?"

"I'm not employed here, my Lord, no one pays me. I am a slave. Now, if you will please come this way so that I might escort you to your se-…"

Sesshomaru's voice took a sharp edge. "You are a slave?"

"Yes!" InuYasha's voice held a bit of the irritation he was feeling. 'Get it together, InuYasha!' "Please, my Lord, you really should be seated…"

"Where is Lord Kairo? I demand to speak to him immediately!"

Was he fucking joking?! What was with this guy and his demands? He wants lands, he wants audiences…great, now people were staring…perfect…asshole. "Yes, my Lord I will inform Lord Kairo that you wish to speak to him, in the meantime, would you like to take your seat, so that you on not still upon your feet after what must surely have been a long journey from your domain in the West?" Perfect! Polite, respectful, and the bastard still got what he wanted. InuYasha patted himself on the back, a job well done.

"No," Sesshomaru replied with a deeper scowl. "I shall wait here. I wish to speak to him privately about this affront."

Shit. "Yes, my Lord, whatever you like."

InuYasha sighed and made his way up to the table, all the while cursing his unnaturally poor fortunes with these sovereigns. He reached the head of the table, where his Lord sat speaking to his second son Jirou, whom InuYasha was particularly fond of, and found it difficult to smile back when the young man raised his head to acknowledge him. Now, where Ichiro was an ass hounding man whore without an ounce of decency to his name, Jirou was a respectful, kind young man, with a heart filled with compassion and a naiveté that InuYasha knew the world would eat alive, if it was given even the slightest opportunity. He had once seen Ichiro stuff Jirou into the chamber pot of the ladies in waiting to their late mother and, after prying the stinking boy out of the pot, offering to slit his throat in his sleep for overly compassionate child. "You shouldn't say things like that, InuYasha, you'll get in trouble. Besides, he's a bastard, but he's my brother and I love him. I always will."

InuYasha had been floored by the admission and had determined from then on to aspire to be as good a person as Jirou was…just as soon as Ichiro was dead and rotten and InuYasha had peed on his grave a little…and maybe some dancing….then he'd be as good a person as Jirou; but then, he supposed, that would defeat the purpose of aspiring to be a good person, because Jirou would never do that. Fine, he wouldn't dance on the grave, he'd just pee on it….and maybe spit for good measure. Jirou had laughed at that. He was the only one in the whole palace who thought InuYasha had been justified in denying the eldest brother any sort of access to his body, especially since it wasn't welcomed or indicated to be desired in the first place. InuYasha had been grateful for that. Maybe they weren't all bad. It was then that InuYasha remembered his current predicament and frowned. Maybe, but Sesshomaru definitely was.

"Lord Kairo?" InuYasha called politely when he'd reached his Lord's chair. "Lord Sesshomaru would like a private audience with your Lordship."

"Can it wait until after dinner?"

"I'm sorry, my Lord, but no. Lord Sesshomaru is very insistent that you meet with him now."

"Of course he is." Kairo sighed. "Well, if you'll excuse me Jirou, I must attend to the high ruler of Saigoku." He said rolling his eyes.

'I know how you feel'. InuYasha mirrored the Lord's sentiments. "Shall I send refreshments to the study while you and Lord Sesshomaru converse?"

"As much as I would like to say we won't be up that long…Yes, it would probably a good idea."

"Yes. My Lord."

InuYasha made his way to the kitchens and instructed the staff to prepare beverages fitting the tastes of the Lord of the West, and when they were done he arranged them on a tray and carried it up the corridor of stairs to Lord Kairo's study. Just as he went to knock on the door to announce his arrival, he heard something…that he probably shouldn't have.

"That's impossible! Your mother said herself that the child had died in the raid of his mother's house-hold! It just isn't possible."

"Yes, and mother certainly had no reasons to lie did she?" Lord Sesshomaru sighed, "In any case, it is obvious that the child is indeed my father's youngest son, and I cannot allow you to continue possessing him in the manner that you do. It reflects poorly upon my family."

"Lord Sesshomaru, the child has been in my possession for years, and not a soul has suspected that he is even remotely related to you, save yourself of course, and if they had they haven't said a word about it. Allow me to keep the hanyou and I assure you that the knowledge of his heritage will live and die with us."

"I have already given you my answer to the predicament, Lord Kairo. Do as you are bid and do not argue the subject with me."

"Of course, Lord Sesshomaru, but-"

It was then that InuYasha chose to knock on the door, announcing his presence to the two high born demons inside. His hands began to shake as he was bid to enter. He opened the door and walked towards the table that sat in the center of the study, pouring tea into the two cups and handing each to their recipients after adorning them with the additives that each lord desired in their respective beverages. After asking each if there was anything else that they required and receiving a negative response in turn, he bowed and took his leave. That was tense…and a little awkward…and quite frankly not something he ever wanted to experience again. What the hell were they talking about…him? No, that was ridiculous, he was InuYasha, not...well anything else, certainly not anything better than that. He shook his head, how silly.

He returned to the kitchens to prepare individual trays for the serving of guests when his Lord returned to the dining room. The kitchen staff had fallen a bit behind while Lord Kairo was away and needed to be redirected, as they often did when their lord was absent for any period of time, honestly InuYasha didn't understand how they could be so lazy. After all, the kitchen personnel had the easiest job in the palace by far, cooking and cleaning dishes, and on occasion shopping the grocers for new foods that their lord might not have had that he would enjoy. He was an ass, but Kairo was good to his kitchen workers, which didn't really endear him to any of the other members of his staff. As InuYasha directed the chefs, making sure that everything was prepared to the standards Lord Kairo had set for them just weeks before, Kiritsu entered the galley, setting all the servants on edge, much to the annoyance of a certain half-demon, who had just gotten them back on task.

"Kiritsu, if you don't have any formal business here, then I have to ask that you leave. The last of the guests have arrived and I need to make sure that everything is prepared for-"

"Lord Kairo wishes to see you, InuYasha; now."

InuYasha frowned. "Did he say for what?"

"Does it matter? He said 'now,' half-breed. So I suggest you get that fine ass moving, lest I'm forced to punish you for disobeying."

"Of course….Niwatori." he mumbled the last of that, causing the others to snicker as he left them, lightening the mood for them considerably and making them more inclined to complete their tasks, which was good; he wouldn't have to play catch up when his Lord was done with him. Lord Sesshomaru was standing outside the door of Lord Kairo's study by the time InuYasha had arrived. "My Lord." InuYasha bowed politely before passing through the doors that stood adjacent the man and bowed before his sovereign. Quite a few moments passed before said ruler addressed him directly.

"InuYasha…when Lord Sesshomaru leaves us…you will be going with him. No, don't argue, it is not out of any displeasure with you, nor does it have anything to do with the incident between you and Ichiro, as I have already extended my forgiveness to you for that. Lord Sesshomaru desires that you depart my possession and are released into his custody, and I am not in any position to refuse him. As soon as the festivities are through, you are to pack up your possessions and prepare to depart Lord Sesshomaru's earliest convenience." Lord Kairo sighed at the hanyou's despondent expression. "Do not be sorrowful, InuYasha. Lord Sesshomaru is the greatest lord in these lands and will treat you with care as he does his other servants, some of which are hanyou as well."

InuYasha nodded, not looking up from his dejected posturing. He didn't want to go with Lord what's-his-face (he knew his name, thank you very much, he just wasn't interested in acknowledging that information at this time…Lord Bastard was more appropriate at this point anyway), he was…well, not happy in Lord Kairo's household, but damn it he knew this devil, why the hell would he want to jump in bed with one he didn't? It wasn't up for debate though, and as soon as the party was done, InuYasha packed his meager belongings- a simple blue Kimono that his Lord had gifted him with on the supposed anniversary of his birth, a bag of lemon verbena and mint to wash his mouth before bed, and a small swatch of cloth from an old kimono that was a favorite of his mother; it had long ago lost her scent, but still retained its brilliant hue and the memories of her that he had instilled within- and prepared to make off with whom he supposed was his new Lord. He was waiting by the large door that was the entrance into the palace for Lord Sesshomaru, who was taking his sweet time doing Gods only knew when a figure, very familiar and very unwelcome, appeared behind him.

"Hello, Puppy, taking a little trip, are you?"

"Master Ichiro, how nice to see you again," InuYasha replied with as much respect as he could manage in such a public setting.

"Is it? I hadn't thought you would be so interested in seeing me again after our last little encounter…perhaps you have changed your mind?"

"Not at all, My Lord, I am simply extending the respect you are due by virtue of being my Lord Kairo's eldest son."

"Oh? Does that mean that you do not truly mean to say that it is pleasant to see me, but are simply saying so out of obligation?" Ichiro smiled in his reptilian fashion. "That does not seem to me to be very respectful. In fact," he caressed the plane of InuYasha's back where Kiritsu had struck him years ago. "I would say that such an insolent creature as he whom openly admits to being false to his betters deserves to be whipped." He moved his hands down to cup InuYasha's rear, making the half-breed stiffen. "Or perhaps we could compromise? Maybe if you would finally agree to join me in my bed, I could be persuaded to settle for merely spanking this firm little bottom of yours, hmm? Would you like that, Puppy?" He squeezed. "I could make it enjoyable for the both of us."

"No, my Lord, forgive me but I was unclear." InuYasha responded moving away from the overly zealous boy, for that is precisely what he was. "I did not mean to say that I was insincere in my greeting, but that it would be improper of me to hold what happened long ago against one of your station, as I am so far beneath you." But I'm still high enough to rip your balls off you son of a bitch…meaning no offense to your strangely wonderful mother…must be where Jirou gets it. "I apologize that I was so vague as to cause any displeasure on your part."

"No displeasure at all, Puppy, but still you have not answered my question, and still you are deserving of being struck for your disservice to my personage for cause such confusion." He pulled InuYasha back towards him, pressing his groin into the young hanyou's firm backside. "Shall we adjourn to my bedroom that I might administer the spanking you seem to be so desperately seeking." He turned his eyes to the Whip. "Or shall I summon Kiritsu so that he might punish you in front of all our lovely guests, in front of my precious brother Jirou who is so very fond of you? To see such a thing would break his heart."

"Then it is good that he shall never see it." A smooth, unmistakable baritone interjected. "Now, remove your hands from that which is mine, or shall quite simply remove them."

"Lord Sesshomaru!" Ichiro bowed his head in respect to the greater Lord. "Forgive me, my Lord, I did not see you there."

"That much is clear." Lord Sesshomaru turned his gaze to the thoroughly ashamed hanyou and raised his brow. "Have you finished gathering your belongings?"

"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru."

The regal lord looked around the area for some sign of said belongings. Nothing, not a satchel, not a chest, not even a tiny pouch he saw nothing. Having seen such he returned his full attention to the child "Where are they?"

InuYasha furrowed his brow in confusion. "Where are what, my Lord?"

"Your possessions. You say you've gathered them, where are they?"

"InuYasha doesn't own much, Lord Sesshomaru, he is a slave." Ichiro stated raising a mocking eyebrow at the young half-demon. "All his meager properties fit into the pockets of his sleeves."

"Is this true?" Lord Sesshomaru asked, heatedly.

InuYasha nodded. "Yes, My Lord, as Master Ichiro said, I am a slave and therefore am only entitled to so many possessions."

Sesshomaru was furious, or at least he seemed to be. There was a fire in his eyes and a subtle hostility in his demeanor that was difficult to catch for an eye that was not trained in such observation. However, being that his fate was predicated on pleasing his Lords, InuYasha was so trained. He bowed low in an attempt to appease his newest Lord and master. Perhaps a show of submission was required to sooth him.

"Rise, boy." Sesshomaru growled. "There is no purpose to such a display, never do it again."

"My Lord?"

Sesshomaru ignored him. "You, he who believes himself worthy to touch that which rightfully belongs to this Sesshomaru, who is responsible for this travesty?"

"Of what do you speak, My Lord?"

"I mean that a son of InuTaisho should have such a meager existence is the fault of someone, and I am inclined to believe that you could be such an individual."

"My Lord, forgive me, but I do not understand of what you speak. I have never done any disrespect to your person or the miens of your siblings, what causes you to accuse me of such?"

Sesshomaru grabbed InuYasha by the hair and gestured with him in his grasp. "That I have only just witnessed you place your hands on my sibling in a manner that suggests you are more familiar with him then you ought to be gives me just cause to assume that you have been using him to fulfill your own entreaties and have done so at the express displeasure and much un-welcome distress of that sibling is also made very clear to these eyes!"

"Your-what?! My Lord, surely you must be mistaken! InuYasha is a slave! Sold to us by Lord Yamamoto when you…"

"When I stormed his castle in order to liberate my many other siblings that he had taken for himself, also to fulfill his pleasures as he saw fit, though this pup was still naught but a babe then and had no reason to think that what was happening was not just and surely his station, as it is, in his half-breed status, but is not fulfilled truly when serving the likes of you for he is a son of my noble Father, no matter the taint in his blood and is deserving of my then bed warmer to an amorous child!"

Poor InuYasha was at a loss. As the conversation continued, and more of his hair was taken in Lord Sesshomaru's grasp he was lost in the contemplation of his previous words. Yes, InuYasha had come from the Household of Yamamoto Yamasaki, who at the time was an eastern lord and had amassed many concubines with silver hair, for he was especially fond of InuYoukai, males and females, children and adults alike. It was there that InuYasha had learned of the trade of a bed warmer, though he was never penetrated by any of his teachers, nor by Lord Yamamoto himself, who much preferred to gaze at the child while he administered fellatio to the elder man in his throne room. He loved having the boy suck his cock while he sat on his throne, as demonstrated by how often he, InuYasha, was asked to do it. Lord Kairo was the same way, though he required it less frequently because he had a wife, something that InuYasha was desperately grateful for and wished that Yamamoto had possessed, though always knew that was a blind hope, as he would only choose to mate or marry an InuYoukai, and knew that none would have him, considering how often he forced himself upon them when they were children, and after. There weren't many people who were aware of InuYasha's possession of such knowledge, as he was not purchased as a bed slave; another thing that he was grateful for, for surely Ichiro would consider it his right to simply rape the poor boy, as it would be if he were a pleasure slave. But, he was sure, Lord Sesshomaru knew, for how could he know of Yamamoto and the fate of his own siblings without also knowing what InuYasha would have learned during his brief but absurdly long stay at the former lord's manor.

Wait…his sibling…what? "Lord Sesshomaru?"

All conversation stopped as their eyes were turned to the now slumped hanyou upon the floor of the atrium, his head hung in what appeared to be perfect submission before his newest Lord. Sesshomaru replied. "Yes, InuYasha."

"You informed Lord Kairo that you needed to be at your mother's estate before sun rise tomorrow morning, and the Kingdom of the Sky is quite a ways from here."

"Yes, your point?"

InuYasha gathered himself and raised his head a picture of the calm subservient boy all but Lord Sesshomaru seemed to demand. "Shall we not, then, be off my Lord? It would not do for one such as you to be late for a meeting with the likes of the Sky Queen all because the child of another Lord has mistreated a hanyou slave. That is not to say that it is my place to criticize your actions, my Lord, for surely it is not, but I simply wish to advice, if I may, that if we do not depart very soon you will most definitely be late."

Sesshomaru breathed deeply and nodded. "Yes, we certainly will be." He turned to Ichiro. "Know this, if you place your filthy hands on my hanyou again, you shall lose them." With that he turned and said "let us go, InuYasha," and walked, straight backed and proud out the door, with a despondent and suddenly unsure InuYasha following close behind.

…So, I've ruined the stability of Lord Kairo's house, I've made a fool of Ichiro, again though truthfully through no action of my own, and I've apparently acquired an elder brother in the process…what's next?

A/n: Yes, I have returned and in spectacular fashion if I do say so myself. No, I have nothing new on NTL, Sesshomaru is being kind of an asshole, so I'm stuck in the most unpleasant of fashions, but I digress…did you miss me!?...No of course you didn't, but that's okay, because I missed me, though I guess technically I didn't go anywhere away from me, but I always seem to have just missed me by like five seconds *sigh* who knows. Anyway, no, no Kagome, or Sango, I might introduce Miroku, no Kouga, and certainly no Naraku. Yes, the poem in the beginning is a little misleading, but hey, its poetry, when is it not misleading. Yes, there will be war in which the brothers are on opposite sides, but not yet. First one owns the other, then an imagined betrayal, THEN war…then maybe some smexy smex at the end…Yay! Please, review, and flames keep me warm at night, so I'll take those too. To go, please, I don't has time to eat them here.