Disclaimer: Inuyasha own I not.
The Black Cat by Skiff of Haven
Chapter 1: The Plan
There was a beautiful and prosperous kingdom where demons and humans lived together. The kingdom was ruler by King InuTaisho and his Queen Izoyai. He was considered wise and generous ruler. She was considered a beautiful and charming queen who was everything the kingdom needed. They had three handsome, intelligent, and strong sons. They loved them very much and wanted only the best for them.
InuTaisho wanted to know which of his sons was wise and clever enough to rule his vast kingdom. He decided to set his sons a task to see if they could really deal with all the different possible situations a king would come across. He wanted to make sure to leave his kingdom with a generous and kind ruler.
Sesshomaru, his eldest, had inherited his fathers looks, silver hair and golden eyes, but he was reserved in his manner just like his mother. InuTaisho knew that Sesshomaru expected to inherit everything.
Miroku, his second son, had the dark hair and purple eyes of his mother. He inherited his father's zest for life and was considered a lecher. He was constantly in scrapes because of his roving hands and lecherous ways with the ladies.
Inuyasha, his youngest son had his silver hair and golden eyes. The difference was he blended his parents in himself. He would love only one person for his lifetime according to the fates. He also had the cutes dog ears on top of his head.
InuTaisho talked things over with Izoyai. "I want only the best for our kingdom. I have decided to test our sons by sending them out to find some rare things. The last will be to find themselves a wife."
"If you think it will be the best course of action then follow it, my love," answered Izoyai.
"I want what is best for our kingdom and it has to come from our sons," said InuTaisho.
"So you will test our sons," said Izoyai. "Will it be fair to them?"
"Yes, because the final decision will be ours," said InuTaisho. "We will decide who won."
"Do not set impossible tasks," said Izoyai. "Or we will never see our sons again."
"I will not," said InuTaisho. "I just want to know my heir will be wise and strong in everything."
Izoyai sighed and agreed to the tests. She hoped InuTaisho would not be disappointed in his sons.
InuTaisho called his sons together and said, "You will agree, my sons, that I am not a young man anymore. I am thinking about retiring to the country and allowing one of you to rule the kingdom. I have thought long and hard about who should inherit and have come to the conclusion that all of you are worthy of ruling my kingdom. Therefore I have decided to set a task before you. The one of you who can bring me the best, prettiest, lively, and faithful little dog to keep me company shall take over as king of my kingdom. I promise that the one who brings me back the most beautiful dog in a year shall succeed me at once."
The three princes were greatly shocked at their father's sudden fancy for a pretty, little dog. They were also greatly surprised at the change in who would inherit the throne and rule the kingdom. Sesshomaru did not protest over the change because he felt his father was probably joking with them. Miroku and Inuyasha saw it as a chance to gain a kingdom for themselves.
The three bade their father farewell as they accepted his challenge. They were provided with gifts of silver and precious stones for their travel. They farewelled their mother and traveled to a castle outside of town.
They feasted with friends and agreed to meet again one year from the day and present their dogs. They promised to always remain friends and to share whatever good fortune each gained.
Each brother took a separate road to face what adventures lay ahead. Inuyasha as a handsome young prince knew everything a prince should know. His courage was boundless and hardly a day passed without him trying to fulfill his father's task. He bought big dogs and little dogs, every kind of dog from mastiffs to lap dogs. Every time he bought one, he was sure to see a prettier one. He would sell the ones he bought and buy new ones. He found it impossible to take all the dogs with him because one person could not take care of thirty or forty thousand dogs. He journeyed form day to day never knowing where he was going.