This chapter is for EntropistAnon, who was kind enough to encourage me in writing these more reflective drabbles. Thanks for the great review. Cheers!

Part IV – Sesshomaru

In many ways, Sesshomaru was the product of fate. His parents had come together for the specific purpose of creating an heir for the Western Lands and the legacy of his demon heritage.

He had been envisioned as a blend of his mother's pride and cunning and his father's strength and brilliance in battle. They had hoped to create the epitome of demon aristocracy, a daiyoukai without peers.

In order to be the equal of this fate, he had been trained accordingly. From the time he was a pup, he had spent hours by his mother's side, learning the proud history of his family, memorizing the names of the other daiyoukai families and their lineage, as well as his own. It was his mother who had taught him the art of keeping his emotions hidden, his face regally blank and his back straight, while standing to the right of her throne, listening to an endless parade of petitioners, complainants and sycophants. Fated to be the Lord of the West, he had had to learn to tolerate those beneath him, while holding them in contempt at the same time.

His father, in turn, had taught him the art of war and the ways of the warrior. Whereas the fate his mother had envisioned for him required stillness and aloof calm, his father's idea of the son's fate demanded a body in action. So Sesshomaru spent the other half of his days under the tutelage of the Dog Demon General; being drilled in combat, tactics, military history and strategy. Groomed – in the metaphorical sense – to take up the mantel of the next Western General.

But when his father took up with the ningen princess Izayoi, and perished in a foolish attempt to save both her and the miserable hanyou Inuyasha, Sesshomaru realized something his parents had never taught him. Namely, that you could fail in living up to your fate. For Sesshomaru, there had never been any question that he would become what his parents had envisioned him to be. It was what he had been born for, trained for and because they never considered the possibility of his failure, neither did he. But his father had been born to the same fate; bred and trained by his parents as he had bred and trained Sesshomaru. And yet, Inu no Taisho had died in a battle he never should have fought, for a woman he should never have loved and a son who never should have been born.

Because his father had attempted to shrug off his fate and pursue a new one, the great General - revered, feared, respected and loved - had died an ignominious death and brought shame upon his mate and oldest son. His father had disgraced them and Sesshomaru swore that this was one fate he would not share with his sire.

So he had thrown himself into the pursuit of power: seeking ever stronger opponents, training more rigorously every day, becoming ever more ruthless in his dealings with others and himself. He sharpened his discipline, as well as his tongue, and when he caught whispers of someone mentioning the fate of the former Lord of the Western Lands, he tested that sharpness out on them. Never would he allow someone to bring the fate of his father in connection with him.

A shrill squeal and a child's laugh brought his deliberations to focus on two of his three followers. Rin, in an apparent attempt to gain Jaken's attention, had doused the imp in a plethora of previously picked flowers. Outraged, Jaken gave chase, which, judging by the grin on Rin's face, had been the girl's goal all along.

From his spot leaning against the wide trunk of a tree, Sesshomaru watched this ridiculous behavior. His servants could be the cause of great annoyance sometimes and certainly it would be of greater convenience to him if he left them behind. Yet, their presence served a unique purpose. Each of his three servants represented some aspect of his ultimate fate. Ah-Un was his mastery over lesser beast youkai, the first true test to his blossoming power. Jaken represented his authority: the authority over his servants, youkai and ningen alike, and the respect he was due because of this authority. Rin was his mastery over life and death. She represented the apex of his power and authority, his ability to literally command death and death's ultimate obedience to his will.

As such, it was important that these three remain at his side, as a means of declaring his supremacy to others. No one else could be allowed to harm them; for to attack his servants was to attack their lord, to disrespect them was to disrespect him. As representations, living symbols of his completion of his fate, he must always protect them. It was his responsibility, his duty.

It was a heavy burden to bear along with all the others, which were his to carry as a daiyoukai and Lord of the West. But he was Sesshomaru, son of the Inu no Taisho, had surpassed his father in strength and enforced stability in the Western Lands. He was strong enough to carry any burden that his fate demanded of him. Because that too, was a part of fate.

Authors note: I am having some difficulties with my internet, also, I am currently in a different time zone, so I can no longer promise daily updates. I will, however, try my very best to keep the rhythm going.