{A/N: Wow, sorry that took so long. As stated in a few replies, I had meant for this to be a one shot, so my ideas for it come far and few between. Anywho, I am open to constructive critizism, and if anyone knows of different names to call things (had the hardest time with Ah-Un) please lemme know. Alright! Enjoy! ^~^}

As the sun continued to rise Sesshomaru continued to swim. He found the exercise to be helpful in clearing his mind; helping him to think objectively. He would need to travel beyond his father's land; establishing his own kingdom would take a lot of work and many years, but he liked the idea of such an ambitious project. Diving deep he thought about his current state.

'I have no home. A safe place of rest is first, then…..' Sesshomaru's head broke the surface of the rocking sea. The sun was fully above the horizon when the Inu-Yokai left the cool water. Lying in the sun, he continued to think and plan for the future. Once fully dry and dressed again the young prince stared into the distance, at the hazy mountain range where his father's palace hid.

"Farewell then," he said quietly, but with resolve. Striding down the beach, his long pale fur dancing on the breeze Sesshomaru turned his back on his father's lands.

*******

Jaken was lost. He had been told to find Prince Sesshomaru, but had no idea where to start. It had been two days since he left the palace and the young retainer had no idea where he was. The great Inu-no-Taisho had said something about the ocean….

"To the Ocean then!" the little toad exclaimed pointing his finger to the sky, "Now which way is the Ocean?" he muttered as he started walking.
As the young demon walked he held the Staff of Two-Heads over his shoulder.

'My Lord did not tell me what it is for…or even what it does…but the Prince should know.' Jaken mused, 'Well, if my Lord says so.' he concluded.

Not paying attention Jaken didn't give heed to the low growl emanating from the dark foliage above him. Suddenly the toad demon was yanked off his feet as the Staff of Two-Heads was pulled backwards.

"Awp!" he cried in alarm. The Staff was pulled from his grasp and as the clumsy demon clambered to his feet his eyes widened. A Two-Headed Dragon demon! The beast had the Staff of Two-Heads in one of its mouths and was menacing him with the other. Backing up Jaken was lost for action. He was much too small to fight, and too weak to run. The beast began to chew on the Staff.

"Hey! Don't do that you stupid creature! The great Inu-no-Taisho entrusted that to me!" Jaken ran forward and grabbed the slim wood. Pulling with all his might, the little toad felt himself leave the ground. Dangling by the Staff's end he looked, with alarm, at the second head of the dragon demon.

"What's this?" a calm, serious voice made the two creatures freeze. Jaken knew that voice. Turning his head he could see the speaker, and it was definitely the Prince!

The dragon demon growled, snapping its teeth at the intruder. Sesshomaru seemed mildly amused.

"You will not eat that staff, dragon. Give it to me." he commanded. The dragon backed up a few steps, growling.

Sesshomaru stepped forward, but his sharp ears caught a sound and he jumped away from the dragon. Not an instant later a huge true dragon crashed into the trees and dirt in front of the dragon demon and lunged at the now terrified creature.

Still holding the end of the Staff of Two-Heads Jaken yelled in alarm as the much larger dragon caught hold of the smaller two-headed once and lifted it into the air. Bellowing in pain and fear the two-heads thrashed about. Jaken lost his voice as the creature released the staff. Jaken held the staff tightly as he fell. At least he could protect it from breaking on the ground. Screwing his eyes shut the small demon waited for the bone-crunching impact.

In a rush of wind Jaken feels, not the hard ground connect with his back, but something that felt suspiciously like a boot. Opening his eyes as his trajectory changed Jaken saw Prince Sesshomaru land in a tree ahead of the dragon and in a single, lightening fast move return to the dragon's other side. The true dragon paused, the small two-headed beast still in its maw. Prince Sesshomaru turned to look at the beast. The huge beast fell in a spurt of blood, it's head split in two.

Approaching the head of the carcass Sesshomaru looked at the two-headed dragon. His father had many such creatures in his stables, for use in his armies or for recreation. Though they were herbivores, the breed had a nasty temper and would attack if pressed. He considered the wounded creature for a moment longer.

"Jaken."

The toad demon had just stumbled out of the trees, dizzy and a little bumped around, but he had the staff clutched in his knobby hands. At the mention of his name he snapped to attention.

"Yes my Prince?!" he asked almost in alarm.

"Go fetch some water." Jaken hesitated for only an instant then was scurrying off amidst many 'yes sir's.

Sesshomaru looked back at the creature. Easily he pried the dead jaws off and pulled the wounded beast from the mouth. The creature growled, but quickly moaned. It thrashed for a few seconds then lie still.

Jaken returned with the water, carried in a large shell (a lucky find on Jaken's part). Without a word Sesshomaru took the water and, after dipping his claws in it to remove impurities and sterilize it, poured it over the small dragon's wounds. The two head reared up and growled in pain, but Sesshomaru paid it no mind.

"Jaken.'

"Yes?" the small demon asked. He was a little surprised the Prince remembered him, the son of the great Inu-no-Taisho was destined for greatness and why he should remember the name of a lowly servant was beyond the toad's understanding.

'You are no longer a servant of my father. I am your Lord now." Sesshomaru did indeed no longer think of himself as connected to his father, and as such, was no longer a prince. He had no lands of his own just yet, but he was still an Inugami daiyokai.

Jaken caught the subtle rebuke and bowed his head, "Yes my Lord. Please forgive me…"

Sesshomaru did not respond. Standing he began to walk away. Jaken looked between his Lord and the beast, which Lord Sesshomaru had clearly rescued. Shrugging Jaken ran after his departing lord.

******

InuTaisho smiled and pushed the small lens away. That staff certainly was useful. Not only would it be useful to his son when the pup wanted to come home, but it also provided the worried father a way to keep tabs on his rash boy without the upstart knowing.

He had been nervous when the young toad had gotten lost, but couldn't help smiling when Sesshomaru came to the rescue. The boy wanted company. After living his whole life surrounded by others, he couldn't just leave and not feel a little lonely.

The great Inu-Youkai sighed and left the room, making not a sound as he tread the halls of his great palace. He missed his son's company, more than he would admit. The boy was very intelligent for his age, but still had an air of youth about him. Father and son had spent many afternoons and evenings in each other's company, spinning out long discussions over the state of the kingdom, or else wrestling and sparring with one another.

Another sigh escaped the lonely demon and he looked up to the sky. Izayoi would be brought here soon. He longed for her gentle voice and sweet heart, but knew if he left now, the whole area would be in an uproar. Ryukotsusei had been harassing his borders lately and the great Inugami daiyokai knew he couldn't leave his lands without a serious attack by the powerful nuisance.

"Ah well. Everything will happen in time. Patience…."