A/N: Super thanks to the 45 freaking alert-ers! You guys make me so happy, 40 in only 6 chapters is like *Screams* Also huge thanks for giving me 5, 580 hits J And of course a big smooch of love to the reviewers you guys rock :3

Chapter 7

Sesshomaru dropped the small fox creature, his angry eyes boring into the frightened creature as deadly growls escaped him. He had told the small boy that if he lied to him then he would be Ah-Un's dinner. He saw red flecks come into his vision and he calmed himself to keep from tearing the boy and this village into unrecognizable pieces.

He drew his Tenseiga, he knew the blade could not harm, but he knew that the sharp edge of the blade was enough to set fear.

"You will tell me where Inuyasha was taken this instant!" He knew this was mating season and he had not waited all this time to mate with Inuyasha for no reason. He was not an unorganized person, everything he did was for a reason and this was no different.

This was the year of Inuyasha's one hundred and fiftieth birthday, the year the hanyou would start his heat. It was one thing to be in season and another to be in heat, because only the females came into heat. His father had warned him about a century ago, before his untimely death, that Inuyasha was special…Back then he did not understand his words…

Sesshomaru traveled down the richly decorated halls, the palatial quarters that his father occupied always seemed to impress him in some small form.

He had been summoned by the great Taiyoukai earlier this morning but he had just found the need to rise from his very relaxing bath. He traveled to his father's study, the white and gold Kimono he had dawned trailing silently on the wood flooring. He stopped just short of his father's study, the servant standing by bowing to him before hurrying to open the door. Sesshomaru paid him no mind.

Inu no Taisho sat behind his large, wooden table, his long robe trailing over the cushion he knelt upon. He kept his white head bowed over piles of paper and scrolls, his eyes darting to and from bits of information.

"I am glad you have decided to grace me with your presence Sesshomaru," his deep voice mused.

Sesshomaru gave a small smirk before sitting himself opposite of his father. He waited patiently for his father to finish his business even though it was his father who had summoned him not the other way around.

Finally the man lifted his head, his brownish gold eyes solemn and serious. "I have something important to tell you Sesshomaru," he began, "I know you too well my son and I know the type of reaction I will get from you."

Sesshomaru narrowed his sharp eyes to even sharper slits, curiosity and wariness shining through.

Inu no Taisho sighed, his eyes going to wander towards the window.

Sesshomaru followed his gaze out of the window, the gentle breeze blowing the window drapes ever so slightly. His gaze was drawn to a small figure playing in the field outside, the slightly rounded fluffy ears twitching back and forth as the figure chased a butterfly beneath a great tree.

Inuyasha he thought as he stared at his half-breed of a brother playing carelessly beneath the big tree that sat outside of his Otousan's study. Inuyasha was unmistakable with his long, silvery hair and bright red robe. He huffed in disgust; it was such an embarrassment to have the hanyou running around the palace as if he was youkai enough to claim the place.

His father cleared his throat drawing Sesshomaru's attention back to him. He locked his two finely clawed hands together and locked then beneath his chin as he began again.

"Sesshomaru this is important, the thing I am about to tell you, so listen carefully." He stopped making sure he had his eldest son's full attention. "Sesshomaru as you know our demon population is slowly dwindling thanks to war and disease. Soon in a century or two you will be a fully grown Daiyoukai and I will need you to aid me and battle and protecting our people. However as much as I need you to help me secure our land, I also need to help you secure your future."

Inu no Taisho saw Sesshomaru stiffen, his eldest son hated talk about his future and prospects for his future mate.

"What are you getting at Otousan?" Sesshomaru questioned his father.

Inu no Taisho rose and traveled to the window, his huge frame blocking most of the window. "Sesshomaru I know your silly mother has raised you to hate and abhor half demons and humans a like. She has raised you to only see weakness in those you interact with and that has only hindered you in life…but let me tell you something Sesshomaru…" he turned back to his son, "weakness is only in the eye of the beholder. The one you consider to be weak may consider their self to be the strongest of all, and strength Sesshomaru, comes from within not from without."

Sesshomaru did not know what his father was getting at but he knew he did not especially like it. He waited patiently for his father to finish even though his annoyance level was already rising to another notch.

"Sesshomaru, your brother, Inuyasha may be a half demon but he is a very peculiar half demon." Inu no Taisho glanced out of the window at his son who had finally caught his prize and was peeking at it through cupped hands. "You know that all second sons are born natural recessive males. They are born with far more hormones than usual which gives them the ability to develop a special trait that allows them to produce offspring. However even though this is a well known notion many do not know that just because the needed part may develop it does not mean it will work."

Inu no Taisho turned to his son to see if he understood what he was implying, when he was sure they were on the same path he continued, "Sesshomaru I made sure that your brother would be one of those select few whose special part did work, and I did so for a very specific reason."

Sesshomaru felt sharp pricks at his palm and he realized that he had been digging his nails into his soft flesh. He released his grip and kept himself from telling his father to get to the point, although he felt he knew what his father was about to tell him and the very thought of it made him want to lose his breakfast.

"Sesshomaru" his father said as he glared at his son, "I made sure that your brother could bare you an heir when the time comes."

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at the unwanted memory, back then he did anything to fight the inevitable event that it would be Inuyasha who bore his offspring, but now after the war and after the near extinction of his clan, he had no where else to go in order to keep his bloodline pure.

The old lady rose, her aged face frowning with disapproval at Sesshomaru. She came to stand in front of the terrified fox creature, her one revealed eye staring at him with little fear.

"Lord Sesshomaru, I beg of you to tame your temper. You are in my home and while you may be a most prestigious guest your temper is aiding no one."

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes further but re-sheathed his harmless blade.

-- -- -- --

Kaede turned the cowering Shippo her eyes softer than they were on Sesshomaru. "Shippo dear child there is no need to cry, now calm down and tell me what you witnessed."

Shippo wiped his running nose, peeking slowly around Kaede to be sure the dangerous Taiyoukai was a suitable distance away.

"Well," he began his eyes continuously shifting to Inuyasha's insanely angry brother, "I was picking acorns and getting fire wood so me and Inuyasha could camp out, but then when I came back Inuyasha got a cheap shot from this really cool demon guy and got knocked out!" He knelt down to the ground, adding a display to his story, "then another demon came out of the bushes and they took Inuyasha away! Luckily they didn't think to take Inuyasha's Tetsusaiga with them!"

Shippo rose from the floor only to plop back down in a sitting position, "I'm worried about Inuyasha," he began to wail, "Inuyasha's like my big brother! And he told me when he turns human and the Tetsusaiga isn't around, something bad happens that puts him in a lot of danger. He told me it was even worst then going berserk!"

Sesshomaru's eyebrows quirked up at this interesting piece of news, he was intrigued, truly intrigued.

Shippo continued his wailing, "There is only fourteen more days before the full moon! If we don't help Inuyasha soon he may be in real trouble!"

-- -- -- --

A collected gasp was heard in the hut as Inuyasha's friends all began to worry themselves. Annoyed with the worrisome humans Sesshomaru held up his flawless hand, the humans immediately becoming silent.

"You there fox boy," Sesshomaru pointed to the creature he had towed back with him, "You will take me to where Inuyasha was taken." He turned his eyes towards the door of the hut, the golden eyes dancing with some odd emotion that chilled those in the room, "I will find Inuyasha," he smiled something he rarely did, " and I shall see for myself what happens to Inuyasha when he is without Tetsusaiga on a full moon night," he turned back to the group, "It shall be This Sesshomaru's personal goal."

He began to head to the door, grabbing the fox by its tail, "You three will come as well," he told Inuyasha's pack without looking back, "it is not a request. Inuyasha shall need you when I am finished with him."

-- -- -- --

Lucien walked into the main hall of his soon to be castle, the grayish, blue stone casting a faint glow when the midday sun shone though the arching windows. He headed towards the throne where he knew his mother resided, playing her little games while she was still titled the demon queen of the Fire youkai clan.

He nodded curtly at the servants who bowed to him as he waited for them to open the towering double doors that stood between him and his destination. He held his self in the highest esteem and was glad his mother felt the need to have servants around despite the lack of any royalty ever residing in the castle, he would hate to have to do such minor things for himself.

Lucien ran his clawed fingers through his short spiked mane, his ruby red hair giving his chocolate eyes a faint blood colored tint. The throne hall was lit with candles, giving the gold items and jewels that littered the room a sparkling shine. Lucien never really understood why his mother had the need to have a throne room, but if it made her happy then what did he care.

His mother seemed surprise when he entered the room, flicking his fine silk robes behind him so that he did not thread on the expensive material. He had chosen a long robe of a deep black, something like a kimono that didn't close, the edges woven with a thick gold braid down them and the sleeves wide and long, two entwining crimson dragons running up each side, ending on his back by flowing into a smoke and flame design. It was only natural that he would have the Fire clan symbol engraved on his special robes.

He supplied his mother with a smirk, the only thing he would grant her, a sort of applaud for feigning shock so well.

"Lucien, darling what brings you here?" his mother ask her fake smile doing little to hide the worried look in her eyes.

"Do not play the fool mother, it does not suit you well." He stopped a good twenty feet away from his mother, his eyes a maple color with the light from the candle illuminating them, "You know why I have come all this way mother and by the smell of things I am about to be sorely disappointed."

His mother rose from the throne, the kimono she wore was a crimson red as usual, she did love to let others know what clan she "ruled" over. "Lucien, my dear child, if it is Taiga you seek then yes, I am afraid you have come to late."

Lucien narrowed his eyes at his mother, he knew the woman could be devious when she did not have her way and by the way she had reacted when he had told her his big plans that he would be taking the castle, the title of Taiyoukai of the Fire clan, and all that came with that title, he had a feeling that she had played her wicked hand.

"Do tell me what you mean mother," he said calmly.

His mother smiled at him, her blood red lips pursing as she spoke, "Well my eldest, I informed Taiga of your plans when I first returned, I thought it only fair that you planned to barge in and completely rearrange his life." She walked closer to him, "You see Taiga, being the free spirit that he is, did not seem to like the idea of you barging in and take over so…"

Lucien mouth had long since lost its amused position only to be replace by an irritated scowl, "So what mother?"

"So," she said her smile getting bolder, "he decided to go out and, I don't know...find his own mate."

She jumped at her son's menacing growl. Grabbing her long kimono in case she needed to flee, she stood her full height, determined not to let her son bully her.

"And you are sure," her son growled out, "that you did not play with his simple little head with your twisted mind games!?"

"I did not play any games," she barked defending herself, "I may have simple gave him a little push by getting him a very good deal!"

"What deal mother, do not play these games with me."

"I simply gave Taiga the opportunity to go to the demon lord of the West The Great Lord Sesshomaru and he took it."

Lucien smiled coldly at his mother's sudden intake of breath when he appeared behind her in a flash, "I should have your head for your insubordination mother! I made it very clear that I planned to come here and stake my claim on this castle, these lands, and Taiga."

He felt his mother's features turn to stone, "I refuse such a silly notion. You are brothers and once Taiga is safely in the arms of his new lord you will have no choice but to find another mate. Simple as that."

"You will tell me the path he took mother."

His mother turned to him, her eyes full of determination, "I shall not, and you have naught the right to barge into my home and treat me as if I am a servant. I am your mother and still the rightful leader of this clan!"

"You are a woman, and a foolish one at that. The only reason I have not sent you packing for your devious ways is because you are my mother and I suppose the feeling keeping me from killing you is love. However if you do not point me in the right direction of Taiga I shall torture you horribly with no remorse."

"You are an evil creature," she sighed, "but I suppose I should be proud that I raised such a strong son." She stamped her petite foot upon the ground, "fine, Taiga took to the forest path, but I warn you, searching for him will be pointless."

Lucien began to walk towards the door, his robe trailing silently behind him, he stopped turning back to his mother, "I will find Taiga mother and when I do any mate he seems to want, I will kill them."

TBC

A/N: Sorry for the long time to update, this time I was just being lazy -_- Well for some reason I keep thinking Taiga's name is Kaidan whenever I forget it…weird, I know. Well thanks a bunch for reading guys J Oh yes and don't worry about wondering if the end has come if I take a long ass time to update, there will be a big "The End" at the end, so yea…well I hope you guys can't wait for the next installment. I say next chapter it is time to get smutty :3 By the way does "Miko" mean human girl or just human. Also, I have no clue about the moon cycle because I forget half the stuff I learned in science, so let's just pretend it takes fourteen for a full moon to come.