Disclaimers on all the characters of Inuyasha that solely belong to creator Rumiko Takahashi. Tsukiko is my own character. Please do not abuse her.


Caution in the Wind,

By Winterwing3000


Ten years later in Feudal Japan…

The time of growth quickly passed Nihon and the season of harvest descended. The morning sun glowed dimly in the early fog. The maple leaves faded into a light burgundy and tangerine color. Flowers were wilting rapidly, once heavily flowered heads drooping and turned into a musky brown. Green grass melted into scruffy and dry yellow. Squirrels were running about hunting for nuts as rabbits hurried their young into their underground dens. Birds chattered in the skies, preparing to head to warmer climates as soon as the first snow fell. A large estate, hidden behind the clusters of forest and planted in front of a short water gray mountain range, was doused by the sunlight peaking through the fog.

"Sesshomaru-sama! Sesshomaru-sama!!" a hoarse voice squawked in the corridors. Webbed feet pattered noisily on the polished wooden floor and the shouji door to the main study was thrown open. The toad-like imp, Jaken, panted breathlessly with his Staff of Heads clutched in one of his clawed hands. His already bulbous yellow eyes were magnified by urgency.

Sesshomaru, seated behind the table with scrolls piled neatly, a brush stand and inkwell next to it, had a map unfurled in front of him. His golden eyes lifted from the map and narrowed at the intrusion. "Knock Jaken," he said.

The lesser demon quickly prostrated himself under the gaze of the formidable demon lord. "My deepest apologies, Sesshomaru-sama. But please forgive this Jaken for disturbing Sesshomaru-sama! I have been notified by the scout from the South!"

"What is it?" the daiyoukai questioned, attention now caught.

"It was said that more than half of the Southern Land's army have been mobilized and equipped for battle, my Lord. A smaller platoon of six hundred youkai have been dispatched before mobilization and deployed toward the Western borders!" Jaken rushed out, fishing the report from the carrier within his sleeve. "The message was marked two days ago, Sesshomaru-sama."

"Bring it to me," Sesshomaru ordered, eyes filled with alert.

Jaken scurried over and handed the scroll. Silent tension rose as the inuyoukai examined the written message. Jaken dared an utterance ("Sesshomaru-sama?") before he tumbled over as Sesshomaru swept past him and paused at the door.

"Jaken, assemble the army and prepare them for war. Send a messenger to the South to warn Jingo of this Sesshomaru's arrival. The army is to be on standby until further notice," Sesshomaru commanded before stepping out of the room, leaving a momentarily stupefied Jaken.

Snapping to his senses, Jaken squawked a "Hai, Sesshomaru-sama!" and dashed to fulfill his given duty.


A man, his long copper-gold hair pulled into a traditional ponytail atop of his head, lounged upon the wooden seat by the window in his meeting room. He was dressed in a light maroon haori with crimson flame patterns at the edges of his sleeves and embroidered at the hem. His feet was bare, the toenails lightly tipped with claws. He drummed one of his clawed hands upon his knee, red-orange eyes staring with a pacified expression out the open window and into the rich pond of koi, which was surrounded by violet irises.

The demon lord, daiyoukai of the Southern Territories, was Jingo, a kitsune. His predecessors were his ancestors who had fiercely battled the dog demons for this territory for many centuries.

In the ancient days, when peace and prosperity never lasted, terror and darkness ruled. Demons banded against humans, constant warfare ravaged the lands. Even though the demons soon gained majority control over most of Nihon, powerful warlords were unsatisfied. The once allies turned upon each other, disbanding into five major powers. The Dog clan, the Wolf tribe, the Boar clan, the Cat tribe and the Vermin pack fought and secured for their borders. The Wolf demons and the Boar demons easily acquired their territories in the North and East. However, it took many centuries for the Dog demons to seize nearly the entire Western and Southern portions of Nihon by defeating the Cat tribe and forcing the Vermin pack to submit under their rule.

The Cats fled, spreading in small groups, throughout the small country. As the Vermin demons lived under oppression, their resentment toward the Dog clan grew. Although they were fairly governed, they hungered for power. Small rebellions and riots were quickly broken by the Dog clan's troops. Nonetheless, their freedom finally appeared when the Great War fell upon the Inuyoukai territory.

It was only two generations ago, under Jingo's grandfather, Ashitaga, when the South finally fell into their hands at the Inu no Taisho's downfall during the Great War. The first wave came from unsettled and unnamed rouge demons from the central areas, followed by the disgruntled enemies of the Dog clan. Nearly five years after these two waves, Touga, the Inu no Taisho at the time of the Great War, faced the Dragon Demon, Ryuukotsusei, Ashitaga viciously plundered the governed lands, taking million of lives of humans and demons. The Inu noTaisho eventually died due to the battle wounds from Ryuukotsusei, and Sesshomaru was abruptly pronounced the heir and successor of the West by his father's court.

The new Inu no Taisho, Sesshomaru, although well rehearsed in the affairs with the other warlords and daiyoukai, was relatively fresh at that time to the game of politics. His father's army was weak and another war after the last one his father had fought would only bring ruin to the West. Therefore he negotiated, with Jaken's short guidance, and only forfeited a small portion of the southern west territory to the foxes and came to peaceful terms with the other interlopers. However, the kitsune clan, unsatisfied and arrogant of the favorable negotiations became land hungry.

Jingo's father's attempt at expansion barely made an impact on annexing new lands to the small Southern territory. A lot of it remained untouched. For that reason, as Jingo ascended his place as heir, he quickly embarked on this land and power hungry expansion.

He would slowly make his way toward the Eastern borders first but would not overstep the boundaries since the Boar demon lord of the East could easily crush the South's economy. It would be best to remain on amicable grounds. Instead, he decided to launch an invasion toward the West and move on upward to the Northern and unclaimed territories. Although the wolves resided there, their territory was small and could be easily captured.

Now the only problem was the West. Jingo knew immediately that Sesshomaru would be aggravated and would not ignore the present threat. Nevertheless, he would like to see what terms will be offered by Sesshomaru in order to save the West.

Jingo ambled over to the table in the center of the room and sat down, all the while, smirking at the present situation. No doubt Sesshomaru would be here. It has nearly been three days since he dispatched the small platoon. Suddenly, he felt an overwhelming youki permeating into his meeting room from the outside, announcing the arrival of the Western lord's daiyoukai, Sesshomaru.

"Bring tea," Jingo ordered the maid. She bowed and exited the room to gather the tea.

Another servant knocked. "My Lord, Sesshomaru-sama of the West has arrived."

"Yes, escort him in," Jingo said, preparing to stand and properly greet the Western lord. Just as he dusted his hakama, Sesshomaru appeared at the opened doorway with an cold and yet indifferent expression on his face.

"Ah, Sesshomaru-sama, it is an honor to finally meet you!" Jingo greeted, a faux smile etched on his lips. "Please, sit."

Sesshomaru assented and responded to the formalities. "I see that you are well, Jingo."

"Of course. What may I owe you for your presence here in my lands, Sesshomaru-sama?" the Southern lord asked even though he was fully aware of the reasons. The maid returned with the tea and quietly knelt before the two demon lords as she prepared and served the beverage. When her chore was completed, she retreated to the door and closed it after a small bow.

"I am quite certain that my reasons are obvious. What is your purpose and meaning?" the dog demon inquired in return as he cut the chase.

"Why, whatever can you mean, Sesshomaru-sama?" The kitsune drank his tea, hiding a grin behind the cup.

"Enough foolishness Jingo. You have dishonored the treaty of the previous war between our ancestors. You ought to consider your actions before attacking my borders," Sesshomaru warned steely.

"Ah, as you've said. It was the treaty of the past. Not between us. Therefore, I find it null and invalid. This gives me free range at expansions, does it not?" Jingo grinned foxily, setting down the cup. "Unless you wish to form a pact with me, then I shall consider retracting my troops."

Sesshomaru said nothing in return but remained focused on Jingo.

"The terms are quite simple," the kitsune continued. "I only ask for the lower third portion of the Western lands and access to the northern trade routes with the Northern lands, which the West currently controls. Also I would like to request for a formal alliance between the South and the West. Should unpleasant circumstances arise… ara?" He stopped in mid-sentence as Sesshomaru stood up and walked to the door.

"You will regret challenging this Sesshomaru," Sesshomaru stated and left.

Jingo watched as the Western Lord turned in the hallway and disappeared from sight. He chuckled, bringing the cup of tea to his lips once more.


AN: Whew, I hate formal war beginnings and history. But I'm having a hell lot of fun writing politics. Bwhaha, AP History courses are such an inspiration!! Anyway, don't expect another update for a long, LONG time. It'll probably happen around April… or May… or even perhaps late June. But review?

Thanks to the readers and the reviewers: ArizonaBay, XBloodMageRikaX, Kinzru Arolen, Lady-BriBri, Sweetayu, Mushrambolover, cheryljb, and gerigirl.