I don't own anything Inuyasha

...

Little Sesshoumaru had dressed, bathed, and preened himself daily without aid during the time he learned to control his Dokkasona. However, after the threat of being melted by an adolescent's poison passed, the servants were surprised when he still rebuked their services. The Western Lady calmly argued that it was his right and honor to be taken care of in such fashion.

Still, Sesshoumaru refused. "A lord should be self-sufficient."

The polished, elegant brow of his mother lowered. "A lord will have to trust others to run his land."

"Then they are weak."

A retort was dancing on her tongue, but instead she swallowed it down. "Your father will speak about this to you later."

His gaze followed his mother out of the room, keeping his posture immaculate and expression sterile. More and more, he found himself wondering if he wanted to grow into the role she was shaping for him, or the demon she wanted him to be.

When the screen shut behind her, Miko's voice came from the other side of his room, where she curiously inspected a steamy beverage. "Do you think I'll grow with you, or as a human does?"

Little Sesshoumaru turned towards her, an amused question making his eyes shine more than usual. "You will grow?"

"Well," Miko held his tea, an unusually stern expression causing her full, childish lips to purse together and her voice to go soft. "You will."

Honestly, Sesshoumaru answered, "Yes, however what does a grown inuyoukai need with an imaginary companion?"

As the teacup clinked harshly back onto its serving tray. Miko's contemplative look quickly turned to fiery anger. Her sights were set on the inu prince. "So, is that it? Once you are old enough, you will disregard me like your servants?"

Shocked, Sesshoumaru fought for the words that might calm her down, but he never got the chance.

Miko stood now, stomping her way to him. "When you no longer have need for me, will you force me away?"

"I made you." Unknown to him, his words became heated with every syllable. "You would not even be here if it were not for me."

"Yeah!" she shouted back. "If it weren't for you being completely incapable of making friends!"

His eyes narrowed as they now stood nose to nose. "You belong to this Sesshoumaru, and will be here when I will it."

Her blunted teeth grinded together as her tightly closed fists shook. "You!... You!..."

Then, what she said next was completely unexpected.

"OSUWARI!"

The tension quickly died as she immediately softened and both looked utterly confused.

"Miko," his voice was no longer sharp, but the tiniest threat was still present. "Did you just…"

"Huh, that's funny." Cutting him off she tapped her chin, looked past him, and thought out loud. "For some reason, I thought that might work…"