Disclaimer: Don't own Inuyasha or related characters they belong to the respective owners. OC's are mine.

Chapter Ten:

Inu no Taisho entered his son's room to find nobody had moved since they'd left. His brother was just tossing a blanket over the wolf cub. He turned to see the four hunters enter. He nodded toward his brother. The two younger hunters returned to their places in the room while Inu no Taisho led his brother and Koga's father out of the room.

Inu no Taisho led them to his study, and once the door was closed turned and spoke, "I want to be there when my son wakes up, so let's make this fast." He turned to his brother, "Any problems?"

His brother snarled, "Besides my nephew owes a life debt to one of the ones responsible for the condition he's in…no life is just peachy."

Inu no Taisho glared, "Does the kappa know of this?"

His brother shook his head, "I have no idea…when you lot left Jaken showed up. Of course Lady Izayoi didn't want him anywhere near Inuyasha. I ordered him to report to the servant's quarters, he'll probably report to Sesshomaru soon."

Inu no Taisho nodded then turned his attention to Koga's father, "I appreciate your assistance in this endeavor."

The wolf yokai bowed his head, "My Lord, I and my wolves are always at your service."

Inu no Taisho nodded, "I know your tribe lost several dens during Ryukotsusei's assault. For you assistance I grant you permission to set up a den just beyond the palace walls on this mountain. As you know the hunting here is good, and my tribe mostly trades for our food from the local villages."

Koga's father bowed, "I'm honored my lord, a new den will go a long way to rebuilding my tribes self reliance."

Inu no Taisho turned back to his brother, "I know you're thinking it…so just say it."

His brother narrowed his eyes, "Inuyasha must be trained, and the sooner the better."

Inu no Taisho nodded his head, "So when will you begin teaching him?"

His brother shook his head, "Not me brother…I think Sesshomaru could handle this."

Inu no Taisho frowned, "Do you truly believe Sesshomaru has the patience to train a pup?"

The scarred yokai looked solemnly at his brother, "Brother, Inuyasha was tortured, who among us understands what that is like."

Inu no Taisho nodded, "I have to admit, what father did to you was beyond anything I thought him capable of."

Koga's father frowned, "Um…am I missing something?"

The yokai lord nodded, "I forgot not many people know of this…long before my brother gained those scars on his face, our father grew tired of his disobedience. He ordered my brother be executed in one of the ancient ways our tribe used to use. The method was the person being executed was bound to a ceremonial altar and forced to drink a poison more powerful than their poison. Then they were stabbed several times and left to bleed out. The poison prevented immediate regeneration, but it still would take at least six days for the victim to die."

Koga's father looked confused, "But your brother survived."

The scarred yokai chuckled, "A passing miko came across the altar during my fifth day. She cut my bonds and bandaged my wounds. Her actions led to my exile for a hundred and fifty years, until my brother recruited me to aid in his uprising against our father."

The wolf leader nodded, "I'm familiar with your history after that point. I always wondered where you came from; no one knew anything about you when the Inuyokai began conquering everything."

The scarred yokai nodded, "Yeah it's strange that one day there's only nine siblings, then the next there's ten, even if I'm the second born."

Inu no Taisho nodded, "Though I'm quite thankful that my brother did return." The yokai lord thought, "You'll keep an eye on Sesshomaru's training methods?"

The scarred yokai nodded, "I can't have my foolish nephew causing his little brother more problems now can I."

Inu no Taisho returned to Inuyasha's room while his brother went to check on the guards and Koga's father went to check on his tribe. As he entered he noticed Kage and Moko exit, Kage carrying a sleeping Koga. The wolf yokai and Inuhanyo bowed to their lord than continued on their way.

When he entered the coyote healer was covering Izayoi up on a cot then turned to see his lord. He gave a quick bow, "Lady Izayoi has exhausted herself. She should recover after some rest. Your first mate and her son left just a few minutes ago."

The yokai lord looked around, "Where is my sister?"

The coyote healer thought for several minutes, "She said she needed to take care of something and left the palace right after your return."

Inu no Taisho nodded, "I'll speak with her later…how is my son?"

The coyote moved over to the bed, "I've been able to remove the restraint on his leg, though I would suggest he not try to move around too much. His ribs seemed to be finished healing, but his wrist is still a few days from being completely healed."

The daiyokai glared at the healer, "And the other injuries?"

The healer frowned, "Most the severe ones have started to heal…I'm suggesting a few more days bed rest, but I'm cutting out the sleep inducing tonic. He will probably still be in copious amounts of pain; I'll have some pain relief tonics ready. Once he wakes we'll be able to assess the amount of emotional pain he's suffered. I've talked to Lady Izayoi, and she's informed me that humans often rely on monks or priests to help with such problems, though I'm sure you have your own ideas."

Inu no Taisho nodded, "My brother."

The coyote nodded, "Excellent decision my lord."

The daiyokai sat in the chair next to his son, "How long until he wakes?"

The coyote smiled sadly, "Any time now, most likely before I get back with the pain relief tonics."

Inu no Taisho nodded for the coyote to go, and the healer walked quickly from the room. Inu no Taisho turned back to the bed when he heard a small whimper. His son's face was scrunched up in an expression of discomfort. Carefully placing his hand on the boy's head he felt the child tremble. Flaring his powers so it engulfed the boy, his face relaxed as he felt his father's presence.

Inuyasha lay in the bed as still as possible. The last thing he could remember was the rock floor of the cave he'd been taken to. He could remember the laughter and jeers from the yokai who hurt him. He wondered if this comfortable bed was new form of torture by his attackers. It'd be just like them to put him in a bed then when he opened his eyes he'd find himself still in the cave.

He cringed with what he thought was about to happen. Then he felt a large hand gently touch his forehead, the touch scared him, and confused him because none of them touched him gently. Suddenly he started to feel something he recognized. Something deep inside him responded to this sensation, and that thing inside him told him to open his senses that he'd closed off due to what those bad yokai were doing. As soon as his sense of smell kicked in he detected the familiar scent of his father, and the faint smell of his family meaning they were either nearby or had been recently.

Opening his eyes slowly he blinked at the wooden ceiling. Looking to his right he found his father sitting next to him. Trying to sit up he whimpered in pain.

Inu no Taisho noticed his son trying sit up, and failing as pain racked his small body. The yokai lord growled softly to himself in frustration. For all his power, he couldn't stop the pain his son felt now. Moving so he was sitting on the bed he helped his son return to the position the healers had had him lying in for several days, "Inuyasha, you've been asleep for several days, your body is stiff from not being used. Do you remember what happened?"

Inuyasha sniffed than nodded his head, but remained silent.

Inu no Taisho narrowed his eyes so his son knew he was serious, "I don't want you to focus on that, alright. Your only concern is getting better. If you want to talk to someone, I would suggest you seek out your uncle. He's more experienced in surviving harsh situations than anyone else in our family."

Inuyasha sniffed again then spoke, "How can I find uncle if I can't move?"

A cough from the door caught their attention, and the mentioned family member was there, "Don't worry pup, I'll make sure the servants know they're to find me whenever you ask, even if I'm in a meeting."

Inuyasha nodded then turned to his father, "Can you get mama please?"

Inu no Taisho chuckled, "Your mama is here, she's asleep on the cot just over there." The yokai lord pointed to the cot that was next to the window, "She hasn't left you since we brought you back here."

Inuyasha looked around the room, "Where's everyone else?"

His uncle walked into the room, "Your brother and his mother are just down the hall, having a slightly heated discussion. I'll need to get involved in a minute. Moko went with Kage to put your friend Koga to bed. That leaves your aunt, she's off doing her own thing, figure we'll hear from her in a few days."

Inuyasha looked toward where his mother was sleeping, "I'm sorry I made everyone worry."

The two deep male growls of outrage slightly startled Inuyasha, but he turned to his father who looked sadly at his son, "It is a parent's duty to worry about their offspring, especially when they are in trouble or danger."

Inuyasha turned as his uncle sat in the chair on the opposite side of the bed, "Seeing as we're a pack type yokai, we all worry when one of our pups is hurt or in danger." A hand lay on his shoulder and he turned his scarred face to see Izayoi, "Lady Izayoi…"

He stood and allowed her to sit. She smiled at her son, "My baby, I'm so thankful you're alright."

Inu no Taisho sent a look at his brother. With a nod of his head the scarred yokai departed the room. As he walked down the hall he found Sesshomaru and his mother speaking in low enough voices that most the residents of the palace wouldn't hear them. Sesshomaru nod toward his uncle, "How is this one's brother?"

His uncle chuckled, "He's awake so I left to give him some time with his parents. He blames himself, but that's common enough, we'll just have to reinforce that he's not to blame for what happened." He narrowed his eyes on his older nephew, "That means none of us can blame ourselves either. There were things each of us could have done to prevent it, so no one is to blame themselves, at least not when their around your brother."

Sesshomaru bowed his head as his uncle turned his gaze on the Lady of the West. His uncle glared at the Lady, "You said it yourself we cannot force the kappa to release Inuyasha from the debt. Neither can Sesshomaru force him to."

The Lady glared back, "It's easy enough to solve, Sesshomaru owns the kappa's life…"

The scarred yokai sneered, "Exactly."

The Lady looked surprised, "Sesshomaru…"

Sesshomaru looked confused at the two adults, "What are you talking about?"

His uncle chuckled, "Did your father not give you the kappa's life?" Sesshomaru nodded. His uncle continued, "Your brother owes the kappa a life debt."

Sesshomaru frowned then looked at his uncle, "Inuyasha's life is mine?"

His uncle nodded, "When your father entered that cave he realized why I hadn't killed that kappa. Since, he saved your little brother's life, even if not directly. He turned the kappa over to you so that your brother's life debt would be turned over to you by the kappa."

Sesshomaru growled, "Why didn't he tell me?"

His uncle snarled back lightly, slightly disciplining the pup, "Your father would reveal this information in due time, but he knew the consequences for attempting to kill the kappa."

Sesshomaru looked confusedly at the two adults.

His mother spoke, "If you attempted to kill the kappa, he could have claimed the life debt, and even you know what would have happened."

Sesshomaru lowered his head and began to snarl, "I would have had to turn my claws on my own brother…"

His uncle nodded, "Then your father would have had to punish you severely…he might even have terminated you."

Sesshomaru's mother gasped, "That was the little toad's plan…my mate would have suffered the same grief as his brother, forced to kill his own son."

Sesshomaru turned to his uncle, "The panther was no match for father's rage, but…"

His uncle nodded, "Rage strengthens members of our tribe, but grief, an emotion we rarely show, can cripple us. The panther was probably hoping to use the grief to his advantage, but instead of your father arriving first, my aura was felt first due to me traveling in my true form."

Sesshomaru snarled, "Where, is, my, new, servant?"

His uncle snorted, "Listening to this whole conversation." The scarred yokai turned to the corner, "Isn't that right Jaken?"

There was the sound of a small body jumping. Moments later the mentioned kappa slowly made his way around the corner and bowed to the three Inuyokai, "I apologize my lords and lady…I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I didn't think you wished me to interrupt your conversation."

Sesshomaru and his mother glared icily at the kappa. Sesshomaru's uncle growled, "So…how close are our assumptions to the truth."

Jaken bowed, "Close my lord…panther believed your brother would come alone, and that when he found his son's body broken and lifeless he'd be too pained by his own grief to defend himself."

Sesshomaru's mother laughed, "You know nothing about our tribe…the death of a single pup does not insight grief outright. The first emotion is rage, a rage so intense that only the most powerful of our tribe can prevent their transformation into their true form. That is the kind of force your group would have faced, and in fact I believe they faced an even worse kind of rage. The kind of festering rage that occurs during the duration of a hunt."

Jaken looked at Sesshomaru, "My lord…you've killed all the others?"

Sesshomaru glared at his servant, "They have all felt the bite of this one's father's fang."

Jaken swallowed and bowed, "Congratulations on delivering retribution for your brother's unjust injury."

Sesshomaru snarled, "How much of this one's conversation did you hear Jaken?"

Jaken swallowed again, "Ahhh…my lord, I heard everything…"

Sesshomaru grabbed the kappa by his collar and forced him against the wall, "What do you plan to do in regards to this one's brother's life debt?"

Jaken trembled, "Mmm…My Lord, I'd never except a life debt from such a low…ack"

Sesshomaru's eyes were red as he'd switched from holding the collar to digging his claws into the kappa's throat, "As this one's servant you will always show this one's brother respect." Sesshomaru let go of the kappa that dropped to the floor with a thud, "The only low one here is you, who was so willing to harm this one's brother, until you realized the sadistic nature of your compatriots."

Jaken swallowed and dropped to his knees, "I release Lord Inuyasha from any debt he may believe he owes me…and accept my servitude to Lord Sesshomaru until such time as his lordship believes I've paid for my crimes…at such time I will accept whatever fate he chooses for me…even termination."

Sesshomaru's mother sneered, "Be thankful you pathetic toad, my son does not wish to expend the energy to terminate you now." She turned to her brother-in-law, "I think I'll go check on the pup." She walked down the hall and entered Inuyasha's room.

Once she was gone Sesshomaru turned to his uncle, "I sense you have more you wish to speak with me about."

His uncle's expression went deadly serious, "As soon as he's able to, you will begin teaching your brother how to fight."

Sesshomaru frowned, "Wouldn't that be something for you to do…first teacher."

His uncle shook his head, "Don't know where you heard that name, but don't ever call me that again." He returned to his serious manner and narrowed his eyes at Sesshomaru, "I will be observing, but it will be you who trains him. Too help your brother; I have to form a bond of trust. To teach him the harshness of a yokai's constant life and death struggle would be counterproductive."

Sesshomaru nodded, "My own brotherly bond would survive such matters?"

His uncle nodded, "That is the one truth of any pup, no matter what you do save trying to kill them. They will always trust in their elder brother."

Sesshomaru watched as his uncle departed then turned to Jaken, "You will serve as my brother's first punching bag."

Jaken swallowed, "Ahh…yes, my lord."

As the weeks passed Inuyasha healed physically, but mentally he still hadn't recovered. After being released from the healer's wing Inuyasha never left his mother's side. She had reported to his father that on the few occasions she tried to take Inuyasha outside he would panic. His yokai relatives knew it would be difficult, but the child needed to regain his independence from his mother, and rid himself of the fear that prevented him from leaving the palace.

It was for this reason Inu no Taisho summoned his brother to his study this day. His scarred brother entered the study and bowed curtly to his brother, "It's rare for you to actually summon me, though I guess I've been slightly distant lately."

Inu no Taisho nodded, "Inuyasha hasn't summoned you once…I don't want to force him to talk about that, but his panic attacks are increasing. Izayoi left him in her room while he was napping; when he woke he went in search of her. He ran into one of the rat servants. The servant did nothing but bowing as is customary when encountering a member of my family. Inuysaha panicked, he ran, I found him two hours later hiding under one of the stairs in the basement level of the palace."

Inu no Taisho watched as his brother contemplated what he'd been told. The scarred yokai walked up to the window and looked out over the plaza, "I'll speak with him after the evening meal."

At the evening meal the tone of the meal was silence. Inuyasha sat in his place between his mother and Koga's father. Koga sat on the other side of his father next to Kage. Across from the young hanyo was his elder brother sitting next to his own mother. Next to his brother sat their uncle then an empty spot, and then Moko.

Inuyasha kept his eyes on every movement his uncle made. Before they'd arrived for the evening meal his mother told him that when his uncle left the table he was to follow him. She'd told the boy that it was an order from his father, which meant it wasn't to be argued or disobeyed. When he'd noticed his uncle finish his own plate he figured he'd stand soon.

Unnoticed to the hanyo, whose attention was fixed on his uncle everyone at the table noticed he'd not eaten. With a nod from Inu no Taisho one at a time or in pairs everyone left the table until only Inuyasha and his uncle remained in the room. The scarred yokai pulled out a scroll and began to read it. After five minutes Inuyasha noticed they were the only ones left, "Um…uncle why are we just sitting here, I thought I was suppose to follow you?"

His uncle sat the scroll on the table, "We'll leave after you finish eating."

Inuyasha looked down at the plate he'd picked at, "I'm not hungry."

His uncle growled softly to gain his attention, "You'll eat, or I'll feed you like we did when you were a toddler."

Inuyasha frowned and snarled, "I don't want to eat."

His uncle chuckled at the defiance as he stood and walked around the table so he stood behind Inuyasha. In a quick movement he caught the pup by the collar of his shirt and lifted him from the chair. A second later Inuyasha was back in his chair. He was slightly dazed as his uncle spoke, "You've lost more weight Inuyasha…much more and I'd think we weren't feeding you. Now I know that's not true. So what's going on?"

Inuyasha scrunched up his face, "Whenever I eat, I get a sick feeling…"

The scarred yokai picked up the plate of food and sniffed it, "Ah, I see the problem…" His uncle walked to a servant's door in the side of the room and knocked. Quickly a kitsune in kitchen servants' attire entered. The kitsune bowed and his uncle spoke, "I know the chief healer has not told you lot this, but Inuyasha is still suffering the ill effects of malnutrition. He's not ready for such rich foods…limit his meals to soups and more common food items, porridge for breakfast. I'll inform the kitchen when he can be released from this restricted diet." The kitsune scurried back through the door and moments later returned with a light broth soup, a piece of toasted bread, and a cup of water. The kitsune disappeared through the door again and his uncle sat in the seat recently occupied by Koga's father, "Now, you'll eat this then we'll take a walk around the palace."

Ten minutes later Inuyasha finished eating and followed his uncle from the room. As they walked Inuyasha noticed his uncle kept flaring his power out ahead of them. Inuyasha didn't understand why until they'd turned one corner and a servant had just barely dashed around the corner.

Inuyasha returned his attention to his uncle when the elder spoke, "Now pup, what's this I've heard about you not going outside. That's not common behavior for any pup."

Inuyasha lowered his gaze, "I'm afraid to go out there, what if more yokai are out there?"

His uncle frowned, "Inuyasha, you're a hanyo, your part yokai. Plus, have you forgotten that I myself am a yokai."

Inuyasha shook his head, "But you're not a bad yokai."

His uncle lowered his head, "Well…that depends on who you ask."

Inuyasha sent a confused look at his uncle, "What do you mean?"

His uncle narrowed his eyes down the hall, "I haven't always been a good yokai…I once was just as vicious as the worst daiyokai out there. I killed anyone who crossed me. Not even your father could stop me, so when I broke one of our father's rules…your father brought our own father to stop me."

Inuyasha swallowed the anxiety that was starting to build, "What'd you do?"

His uncle growled at the question, "I slaughtered a village of innocent humans…for little more reason than the fact they were there."

Inuyasha frowned, "But…"

His uncle chuckled, "It was a very long time ago pup. I haven't killed a human without just cause in over five hundred years."

Inuyasha lowered his gaze back to the floor, "Did you ever hurt or kill a hanyo?"

His uncle shook his head, "Not knowingly…and if I did it was never for the fact they were hanyo…I've killed many yokai, there's always a chance one of them was truly a hanyo." His uncle knelt before the pup, "Inuyasha, I've killed to protect you since the day you were born…these yokai knew we'd kill them for what they did, and they suffered their fates at your father's hand. Those yokai are gone, and all yokai have been reminded why your farther rules these lands. Your body regenerates just as quickly as your father's or mine, but even we have to exercise to maintain our physical strength. You require more exercise to strengthen your body, first because you're a child, secondly because you're a hanyo, and finale because you're still recovering from your injuries."

Inuyasha sniffed, "But what about…"

His uncle smirked, "No buts pup, but I will compromise. If you're scared of going outside by yourself, or you're worried about your mother's safety outside, one of us good yokai will accompany you. Also, I'm sure Koga would enjoy playing with you outside again, you two can't really run around the halls of the palace of course."

Inuyasha sniffed again then nodded.

His uncle stood up, "Good, now let's figure out where everyone went after dinner, because I haven't smelt them anywhere."

Over the following weeks Inuyasha began to go outside for limited amounts of time. Koga's father volunteered to monitor the two pups along with Izayoi while they played in the courtyard for a couple hours in the afternoon. One day Sesshomaru appeared in the courtyard. He'd been informed by his uncle that it was time for Inuyasha's training to begin.

Koga's father nodded toward the heir while Izayoi called the boys in. Koga's father led his son away while Izayoi explained to her son that he needed to go with his brother.

Sesshomaru turned and silently walked away with Inuyasha falling into step behind him. Sesshomaru led him to the plaza. When the elder brother noticed his younger brother's anxiety start to raise he spoke, "Little brother do you see that group of Inuyokai?"

Inuyasha noticed at least a dozen Inuyokai in their true forms arranged in a circle. A large open area was left clear between them. Inuyasha spoke quietly, "Yes brother."

Sesshomaru's higher than average hearing barely picked up the sound. The elder continued to speak, "Father and uncle believe I should be the one to train you, and since my attention will be focused on your progress, these guards will keep others away." Sesshomaru looked at one of the Inuyokai that kept its back to the brothers. Sesshomaru knew that was because of the distinctive scars across the Inuyokai's muzzle.

Once they were standing in the middle of the circle Sesshomaru snarled to draw his brother's attention to him. Once Inuyasha was watching him Sesshomaru spoke, "I know father does not what you to think much of the time you were captured, but do you remember using your claws at all?"

Inuyasha shook his head, "No…"

Sesshomaru nodded, "As we thought it was an instinctive reaction." Sesshomaru walked around his brother assessing the way his brother stood. He saw that the hanyo was very tense. Sesshomaru growled, "Inuyasha, relax; unlock your knees before you pass out."

Inuyasha obeyed his brother's command then stared at him.

Sesshomaru then walked over and pushed his brother, causing the boy to fall backward. Inuyasha glared at his brother from the ground. Sesshomaru stared icily back, "Get up…" Sesshomaru waited till Inuyasha got up and was staring at him again, and then again pushed the boy over.

This time Inuyasha snarled and slashed his clawed hand toward his brother. Sesshomaru easily caught the clawed hand by the wrist. He glared at his little brother, "Good, but you'll need to learn how to fight without needing to be provoked." Sesshomaru released his brother, causing the boy to fall backward again.

Inuyasha snarled again as he stood up. This time before he'd even gotten up completely his brother sent a sweeping kick that caught the young hanyo causing him to fall hard on his backside. Inuyasha sat up glaring at his brother, "That's not fair, I wasn't ready."

Sesshomaru snarled angrily, "Not fair? Do you think your enemies will wait for you to be ready before they strike? They will take whatever weakness you show and use it to their advantage."

"Enough!" Sesshomaru and Inuyasha turned to see their uncle standing where one of the Inuyokai had been before. Sesshomaru bowed respectfully while Inuyasha was surprised by his uncle's presence. He'd known that some members of his family could become the massive dog like yokai, but had never seen them transform.

Sesshomaru snarled at his uncle, "Why are you interfering?"

His uncle gestured behind his nephews, "Because…you're pissing off your grandfather."

Sesshomaru and Inuyasha turned to see their father and aunt flanking a third Inugami. This male was broader than his sons, and had a massive scar across his throat. His eyes narrowed at his second son then swept over his two grandsons. The ancient Inugami snarled, "An elder brother should never vent his own anger against his brothers while training..." The ancient one turned to his own eldest, "…Have you never explained such."

Inu no Taisho growled, "Just do what you've come to do, then you can go back to your prison."

End Chapter Ten

A/N: Now that's a twist ending, and believe it or not, it just came to me as I typed. Well here's chapter ten enjoy, and leave a review, if you're so inclined to do so. What follows is something I wrote up after writing the conversation between Sesshomaru, his mother, and uncle.

Ok, a note on yokai emotions compared to humans, while in the manga/anime Sesshomaru never showed much in the way of emotion, which was mostly because he kept up a cold expressionless mask. Yokai probably didn't have as many emotions as humans, and probably had better control over them. What probably occurred with their emotions was that the few emotions they had were much more intense than what humans felt. For example hatred which is a result of the combination of the two emotions fear and anger (which is a lesser level of rage) was felt by all yokai and humans and was usually directed at the other group and by both groups toward the hanyo that popped up every once in a while. Anger on the other hand was a human emotion and while they could also feel rage, yokai didn't get angry; they skip the lower level emotions and jump right to rage. While a human in pretty much blind to their actions while enraged, a yokai can focus that rage into an objective. Such as in the previous chapter when Inu no Taisho took vengeance for what the rogue group did to his son.