Okay, i know that Naruto really doesn't say all that much and Sesshomaru uncharacteristically talks a lot, but bear in mind, that Naruto is in a new environment (not that that ever stopped him) and currently unsure of himself. Next chapter we will see good old talkative and confident (and annoying) Naruto again:)

Btw, any reviews are welcome! I wanna know how u like the basis of the story so far.

—

"You should never harm your siblings. They are your family and everything you have on this world." The old mans words were kind, loving. "And you are also still connected. Harming your siblings will only harm yourselves. That is true for every family."

He himself was only a small kit. But the old man's words seemed wise. Family was important. Then he paused. "But aren't you family as well? Why can't we just stay with you? You know so much."

The old man laughed lightly and caressed that particular spot behind his ear. He practically drooled from contentment. He really had to concentrate hard not to miss anything the old man said. "Well, I suppose you could call me your father. But every kit must ultimately leave their parents to explore the world. It is also safer for you to stay apart."

His earthy brother whined unhappily. "But you said humans were kind. Why would it be unsafe?"

Deeply sighing the old man moved on to pet the tanuki. "I am sorry, son. But the world is not that simple. Where there is light, there is also darkness. For every human that means you well, there is one who does not. But do not worry yourselves. I have seen to it, that the priests of your temples are trustworthy and loyal."

"But when can we see you again?", piped up the tiny voice of their turtle like brother. "I will miss you."

Though his siblings did not see, he did. The old man faltered. His smile was sad. And he knew then, that he would never see his father again.

"There will come a time when all of you must gather again and fight for what is right. But before that time you must first live and learn in this world. Otherwise, how would you know, what you are protecting?"

His eight siblings nodded eagerly, but he just looked at the old man and tried to memorize his face.

—

"Young Lord, maybe you should wait with the announcement."

Sesshomaru regarded his minder coolly, then disregarded him equally dispassionately in favor of striding into his guest chamber which had never before in a hundert and fifty years been occupied. Now, there was a boy psychologically and physically (even if not biologically) the same age as him sleeping not so soundly.

He drew his brows together minimally and thoughtfully regarded the other boy. He was undeniably Kitsune Daiyokai. He would undoubtedly grow either into a powerful ally or a powerful enemy. But that was not, why he was here, in his guest chamber. He had taken in the other boy on a whim. Because he was different and yet similar to himself. They had both been miserable yesterday. Still, he was not known to be compassionate nor caring, with good reason. He was simply not interested in anything else than pleasing his father.

And look where that got me. Discarded for a human whore and a Hanyou bastard. The Great Dog General had fallen deep indeed. And his heir refused to follow his footsteps any longer. He would become powerful by himself, for himself. And he would be the best Lord of the West there ever was.

That still did not answer the question of Narutos existence within his private chambers. He looked again at the sun kissed colored boy and involuntarily smirked. Sun kissed. While he was moon blessed. They would make quite a pair. And it would be nice to have someone solely loyal to himself, not to his father. Someone he could actually rely on. He had no delusions. Hatsuo and his servants reported his every move. It seemed Fate saw fit to bestow upon him a companion who valued family above all. Unlike his father.

He paused. Fate. It must indeed have been Fate. How unlikely was it, that a companion that he didn't even know he longed for, would arrive right in front of him by means neither of them could explain. It could of course always be an elaborate trap. But he could not see Naruto as that good an actor. And if he was, his story would have been more believable. No, this one time he wanted to believe. Believe in someone else than himself.

So he gently nudged the restless boy to wake him up. And epically failed. Naruto just mumbled incoherently and turned around, pillow in a death grip. He sighed silently. It seemed this would need more than a gentle hand. After going through several means not only but including excessive noise, violence and blackmail, he finally found one that worked. A bucket of ice cold water. He had no scruples whatsoever. He had tried to wake him gently first after all. And of course that tiny lift of his lips was completely imaginary, as he handed the now grumpy but awakened boy a Kimono.

"We will need to procure you an adequate wardrobe. You cannot use this Sesshomaru's clothes indefinitely."

Naruto lowered his head in shame. "I'm sorry. I will work off whatever you pay for me. I really don't need that much. And I can-"

"Cease this foolishness. This Sesshomaru has named you pack. Thus this Sesshomaru will provide until you can take care of yourself. It is pack law. This Sesshomaru was named hunter yesterday after all." Seeing Narutos uncomprehending look, he elucidated: "The pack provides for its own that aren't yet capable of doing so themselves. Within a pack it is the closest relative's duty to do so. Since this Sesshomaru is your closest relative, this Sesshomaru will provide. A hunter is every yokai above the age of one hundred and fifty that passed their rite of passage. It is a rank that proves that one can contribute to the pack." This much talking outside of classes was certainly exhausting. But then again this was education and it was, as he had said, his responsibility to provide it.

Naruto grinned all encompassingly and - to his utter mortification - hugged the young Lord. "Thank you, Sesshomaru!" For a moment he stood there frozen. Then, thankfully, the blond Daiyokai removed himself from his body and he could breath again. Not knowing how to deal with it, he nodded sharply and left the room, inwardly shaking. He couldn't remember when - if - he had ever been hugged before.

He preoccupied himself by dressing in an elaborate white silk kimono with a magenta wave pattern and blue obi, choosing an equally deep blue haori with his mother's crescent moon insignia drawn in a white color. Of that he actually felt proud. He hadn't worn her crest since she left the palace but it was oddly fitting to use it now. After all he did just decide to rebel against his father.

When Naruto finally showed himself, he was barely adequately dressed. He inwardly sighed. It was obvious that no one had ever shown him how to wear a kimono with dignity and grace. So, as soon as he could grip him, he stripped the boy and redressed him, this time properly.

When the Kitsune whined about all that 'stuff' being unnecessary, he calmly explained: "It is not stupid. One will always evaluate you based on your appearance and posture first, your words second and your personality third. With proper presentation you can win a fight before it even started. Often without lifting a finger." At this he perked up visibly. So his companion was a fighter. That was good. Otherwise he wouldn't know how he would plan on beating the brashness out of him. A new sparring partner was always nice. "If you look intimidating without seemingly trying to do so, a lot of weaklings won't bother you. It might even give you the edge in a fight against someone good, because this might cause them to be wary. The wary hesitates. And you win the fight in exactly that moment." Naruto did look like he was suitably impressed, but also like this was going all over his head. Sesshomaru decidedly lashed the final knot together and realize at that same moment, that his little project was going to be a nerve wrecking challenge.

But he had to admit. If this right now was anything to go by, it would be worth it. Naruto did look impressive with the right clothing. The kimono was, of course, mainly white. It was Sesshomaru's favorite color after all. But the deep red turtle pattern suited the blonde. The obi was blue as a contrast as well as a tribute to his own garments.

"You look presentable. Let's go. We shall attend to this mornings meeting after all."

"Oh wait. I just wanted to ask one thing…" He scratched his neck in a bashful manner. "Well, are all people here yokai?"

Sesshomaru inclined his head. "This is one of the four yokai palaces after all. Humans tend to fear or want to try to kill our kind. They are not particularly dangerous, but annoying. Only a miko could even contemplate harming us, but those tend to be rather rare. Still, humans come in greater numbers and noise, so we avoid any interaction if not necessary. One only gets a headache by doing so. We do have a couple of human landowners that swore us allegiance and tribute for protection though."

Naruto grumbled a little at the thought, that humans were not considered a threat to demons, but followed nonetheless, contemplating the fact that humans tended to hate demons. That was something he all too well understood after all. Then he blinked in surprise. "Hey, you have a tail, too!" His excitement was apparently easy to spark.

"Of course this Sesshomaru does. All young canine Daiyokai do. When one gets old enough, one will start wearing it as a pelt, so it won't be a hinderance in a fight."

Naruto hummed thoughtfully. "What if I get more tails?"

The young Lord blinked. That was actually a useful question. "Kitsune do get more tails as they gain more power. But they usually call upon them when needed to channel that power and dismiss them when not."

"So more tails mean more power?"

Sesshomaru shook his head. "No. That is only the case with Kitsune. Other yokai races have other indicators of power. But most commonly you should be able to feel their yoki." The blonde frowned in confusion, so he elaborated. "It is one type of aura one eludes. Yoki is specific to yokai and the amount of yoki should tell you a yokai's strength. Though more experienced yokai and nearly all Daiyokai tend to mask their yoki signature."

Surprised the Kitsune stared at him. He looked like he had had an enlightenment. "So basically it is like chakra. Can you also use it to leap very high, run up a wall and walk on water?"

Impressed was the wrong word. The Inu Daiyokai was positively floored. He had thought, it would take longer to explain the malleability of yoki to him. But it seemed his young companion had succeeded in surprising him once more. "Indeed", he near purred, "this Sesshomaru is currently working on walking on air." The look of awe on the other's face definitely stoke him the right way. "Now desist from doing anything stupid. Don't talk unless spoken to. We will enter the audience hall during session. Just be respectful and try, not to insult anyone, but also don't back down from a challenge. That would be considered weak."

The young heir calmly walked inside, Naruto hot on his heels. His father was leading today's audiences and listened calmly to a dispute between two land owners. Instead of taking the right hand place next to the lord, Sesshomaru roamed the line of petitioners, which were quick to make way, until he was first in line after the current dispute. It was uncouth to interrupt a discussion in this hall after all, no matter which lowly peasants were talking. Though those did tend to end quicker whenever a Daiyokai stood next in line.

Consequently his father beckoned him forward quite soon, his face unreadable. "Petitionier, what is it, you desire today at this court?"

"Mylord, this Sesshomaru, Heir to the West, seeks to add strength to our pack. This Sesshomaru will take in this pup as his own."

Surprised mutterings started all throughout the hall and the Inu no Taisho had to hold up his hand to reign in his subjects. "You are still a pup yourself. You wouldn't know how to raise one. Let alone one not of our kind."

Proudly he held his head higher and looked his father defiantly in his eyes. His father must have noticed his mother's crest. He couldn't not notice. And he would know what it would mean. His son was on warpath. "This Sesshomaru does not seek to raise this pup as his own pup. This Sesshomaru intends to take this pup as his little brother."

Shock and surprise. As well as wariness. If he hadn't studied his facial expressions for years, he wouldn't have noticed them rushing through his stoic features. He felt rather then saw Naruto wordlessly gaping at him, as he was busy not to miss anything on his father's face. "You would ask this Toga to take this pup as his own?" There was a certain amount of incrudelity behind the question and he had a hard time, not to smirk.

He nonchalantly regarded him. "It is not like you would have to do anything, Toga-sama. This Sesshomaru takes full responsibility for the pup. As a hunter of the pack it is this Sesshomaru's privilege and duty to provide for his own." Not to mention, his father having never before cared to take responsibility.

His father now frowned. He probably couldn't for the life of him figure out, what his son wished to accomplish with this petition. "You are aware, that this pup would never inherit anything?"

Sesshomaru nodded and a small smile laid on his lips. It made the lords and ladies all the more interested in the subtext challenge, that no one seemed to decipher yet. But they would soon. His smile widened and turned cold. "Indeed. This Sesshomaru is fully aware of the fact, that neither ward, nor bastard, nor hanyou could ever inherit the West. It is merely this Sesshomaru's desire to add this pup to the pack and call him brother."

Golden eyes met their mirror images. None backed down. Minutes ran by and no one dared speak. He felt Naruto opening his mouth to say something, but he gripped his arm hard in warning and the Kitsune closed it again. Never once he took his eyes off. The silent match between lord and heir could have continued many more hours if Futoshi had not stepped forward and bowed deeply. "If I may submit a suggestion, Mylords." The Ino No Taisho nodded, but never took broke eye contact with his son. "My Lord Toga, dine with the pup, get to know him and decide at the next meeting, whether you wish to accept your son's petition."

After a couple of more moments had passed, he inclined his head. "Agreed. Pup, you will dine with this Toga tonight at dusk." He visibly hesitated, then added: "As well as this Toga's son."

Sesshomaru's jaw clenched. The fact alone, that he needed an invitation to dine with his father was ridiculous. Not to mention the reluctance with which it was given. Since he did not trust his voice, he merely inclined his head and purposefully strode out of the hall, Naruto hastily catching up to him, his jaw wide open. "I really don't wanna be the cause for you and your dad to fight", he blurted out as soon as they were outside.

The silver haired boy raised an eyebrow and looked at him incredulously. "You cannot be serious. I have not dined with him outside a feast for over a century. You would be the very last issue on a long - very long - list of issues standing between us."

Naruto stared at him. He waited patiently for the blond's mind to start working again. He couldn't decide, whether this was a source of constant entertainment or annoyance. Probably both.

"You-you talked normal! Just like I do!", he exclaimed completely shocked.

Suppressing a smirk, he answered: "This Sesshomaru does as he wishes. Your concerns were so ridiculous, they were not worth a proper answer. But we digress. We need to get you a proper wardrobe for the time being. And afterwards this Sesshomaru thought of giving you a tour through the palace." With a cry of enthusiasm Naruto dashed away only to come back right after, as he didn't know the way. The Inu sighed. Yes, this boy would cause him more than one headache. Why again did he think this a good idea?

—

"I could stay here for the rest of my life!"

Bemused the Heir to the West startet to pet one of the horses. "Are you sure? I believe Gin would reward me immensely, if I told her, she could find you here."

"You wouldn't dare!", exclaimed Naruto not far from despair. That damn woman was one of the few spider yokai living in the palace and had taken a particular liking to him because of his unusual coloring. She had called him 'exotic' and forced him to pose for her wearing the most ridiculous outfits. All the while Sesshomaru was standing in a shady corner, equally trying to get a glimpse for his own amusement as well as not to get caught by the spider yokai as well. It had taken him hours to get out of her clothing shop. On the upside of things though he was pretty certain he had a good chance at getting orange kimonos from that trice damned woman. She'd better comply otherwise his efforts had gone to waste and he would no longer be able to be hold accountable for his actions. Mainly pranking.

"While we are at the stables, this Sesshomaru would like to introduce you to someone. Come." He led the Kitsune to the back part of the stables and pulled him into the last box, which was a little bigger than the others. Inside there were two heads and one tail connected through a scaly body. "Their egg was a token of peace and friendship from the dragon yokai upon this Sesshomaru's birth. This is Ah and this is Un. They hatched ninety-six years ago."

Naruto curiously approached and let the one?two? creatures sniff his hand. Then lick him. "Eww!" He hastily withdrew his hand and jumped a couple of feet back, warily keeping his eyes on the pet dragon, that was about as tall as the boy.

In spite of himself Sesshomaru felt a small smile creep on his face. "They seem to like you. It is rare. Ever since they hatched they only permitted this Sesshomaru near them without a fuss." It seemed like they felt their masters approval of the Kitsune.

This made the yellow haired boy radiant like the sun. "Really? Awesome, dattebayo! They are so cool!" And then he was next to the two-headed dragon again, petting and cooing the creature like there was no tomorrow. And to Sesshomaru's great amusement as well as embarrassment the fierce and proud dragon was soon ice melting under the other's hands, purring and offering its belly like a common house cat.

"This Sesshomaru's father will try to make you doubt", he said suddenly, startling both, Kitsune and dragon. Blue, split-pupilled eyes shot up to him and the petting hands stayed. "As previously said, there are a lot of issues between this Sesshomaru and his father. This Sesshomaru does not know why, but Toga-same always seems to try to spoil everything. He will make you doubt this Sesshomaru."

For a little while Naruto just looked at him. Then he asked seriously: "Do you really wanna be my brother or did you just say that to make him angry?"

His lips twitched. "That is an apt observation indeed. This Sesshomaru said it in spite, to hurt his father. You should know that the Lord of the West entertains a prostitute and is expecting an illegitimate child. Even though his mate still lives, which is a disgrace in itself, and he knows that this Sesshomaru would disapprove. But despite all that, it does not make this Sesshomaru's desire for a genuine companion any less true."

He averted his gaze and contemplated, whether he should talk further. But once begun, he could not stop himself. Over a century of loneliness and not being able to trust anyone had taken a toll on him. If he had to endure this any longer, he wasn't sure he would recognize himself in the end. So the truth spilled out of him without any real choice. It was now or never confiding in anyone ever again. "Everyone you see in this castle is sworn to its Lord and will gladly sell out this Sesshomaru if it benefits them, to the Lord of the West or any other person, that would reward them. This Sesshomaru has never known someone who would truly take his side or even hold his confidence. This-" His voice faltered and he had to swallow heavily. Then he looked directly into the blue eyes. "I will take you, however you want. As a brother or simply a companion. It doesn't matter. Just don't betray me." Not like I was betrayed before. If anyone could do it, then it would be the one Fate had chosen for him.

He expected outrage in the other's gaze. Betrayal or the feeling of being exploited. But Naruto simply and easily grinned. "Alright." Sesshomaru blinked, unsure whether he had heard correctly. "I would never betray you, you know? That is just mean. I would never, ever betray my precious people! People shouldn't do that ever!" His grin widened. "This is going to be so great! I will be the best brother ever, dattebayo!"

And then he hugged Sesshomaru. The latter seriously reconsidered their arrangement. Did brothers really hug each other? He didn't know any siblings that touchy. Then again the ones he knew were old and grumpy. But still, what was one supposed to do when hugged?! As Naruto didn't seem intend on releasing him any time soon and he felt awkward, he tried to alleviate that feeling by hesitantly and clumsily patting the other's back. It did seem to be the appropriate response, because the Kitsune let him go and grinned at him. He had never seen a happier face. Unconsciously his lips tugged upwards as well, relief clearly visible in his golden eyes. Maybe he made the right choice in believing in Fate. Maybe Fate would guide him, so he would not get hurt again.

—

"Mylady!" Kimi looked up from her lavish divan to see her master of whispers approach. Inquisitively she crooked an eye brow. He bowed deeply. "Mylady, Sesshomaru of the West made a petition today."

That got her attention. After all it was not everyday that the boy swallowed his immense pride and lowered himself to actually ask for something. "What was it then, he desired?"

Her servant gulped a little like every time, his mistress had that hungry, dangerous grin on her lips. It made him uncomfortable even after all those centuries in her service. "He asked his father, to allow him, to add a Kitsune pup about his age to the pack as his brother."

That certainly got her by surprise. She had known, that the small Inu had a sentimental side. But she had believed, that he had shed this weakness by now. Somehow she was severely disappointed. She had thought him better than this.

"Mylady, that is not all." Again she lifted her brow. Rarely she had to speak for herself. Her servants had learned to tend to her every whim without so much as a word from her. "He wore the crest of the crescent moon and never once backed down from his father's challenge to his claim."

Her ever present, playful smile widened. Well, it seemed the pup had finally grown a pair. And he was on warpath. That was something she could work with. Perhaps it was time, to once again direct the fate of the world.