More to Me

Chapter 10: Practiced Perfection

I don't own Inuyasha

Rishou growled as he heard the door being slid open and did his best to bury himself under the cover. "Go away."

"Prince Rishou your practice will begin in the main hall today. You must get ready now or you will be late." Jaken sqauked.

"I just fell asleep." The reply came muffled, as the covers shifted in agitation.

"Your father would be most displeased if you were late. You must get up now."

Confident that his message would not be taken lightly, he closed his eyes and waited. Some time passed. Without hearing a sound he opened his eyes only to see Rishou, still snug, underneath the covers.

"Hey you, do as you're told!" Jaken pulled the covers off of the pup only to find himself facing down a glare that looked eerily familiar. Not a moment later, he found himself rolling out of the room.

"Good morning…my lord…" he spoke, dazed, as Sesshoumaru stepped over him and kept walking.

"My lord wait…your son won't…" Jaken was hushed as he was trampled by the little half-demon as he ran after his father.

…

"Rishou, you will follow your father in but you two will switch places when you leave out. For now, we'll practice walking in. You will come all the way to where your father is standing. You may stand to the side of him but you must maintain your position behind him. Remember, if you walk past him at this point, it's a blatant challenge so your position is crucial. Keep your measure at his heel…"

Daichi bent down to Rishou's ear, "Your father walked past your grandfather's heels and let's just say he didn't end up with the sword he wanted."

"Your lies are best kept to yourself you old dog."

"A fact is not a lie Sesshoumaru."

"I can help you move on if you wish."

"That's quite alright. Alright young one, go back and try it. Remember your position and rank. Your father nor I will help you."

Sesshoumaru watched as his son took off back down the long walkway of the hall.

Rishou turned, straightened, and nodded that he was ready.

"Announcing, his lordship's son and heir to the Western lands, Prince Rishou."

Rishou did his best to emulate his father's walk. His head held high and chest out. A solemn expression rested against the childish features as he held confidence in his position and kept his gaze steady.

Sesshoumaru glanced over his shoulder as his young son made his way to him. A certain feeling of pride washed over him but he dared not break his expression.

Stopping, Rishou peaked at his feet to make sure that he hadn't passed his father's heels. Satisfied that he had done as instructed, he allowed his eyes to rest on Daichi.

"hmm…" the old inuyoukai walked around the two of them, looking for the smallest hint of a mistake.

"…you're going to have to start all over again."

"He did everything perfectly. I see no need."

"You do realize what looking behind you symbolizes don't you? A lack of faith."

"A lack of faith huh?"

Sesshoumaru felt the overwhelming need to run his claws through the old dog's back as he turned around. He already hadn't cared for this ceremony to happen.

"Patience my lord. Even if it was not a lack of faith that made you look back, everyone else will think so. I doubt that you would want to get rid of the only one who knows exactly how this is to be done. Let us remember who put this ceremony off to the last instant and now has decided to cram everything in within a moon's time."

"You know well that I am not the one who decided this!"

"Well someone had to. Kill me once its over with. Kami knows death might be easier than working with you."

Rishou observed the two elder inus swap words. The tension between Daichi and his father had been much higher since they had gotten back from the Southwest. Everything had seemed to become a rush as well. His lessons had become longer, they practiced different parts of the ceremony relentlessly, with few breaks, and there was absolutely no time to play. The day started before sunrise and didn't end until after sunset. He started to question exactly how long his father had known that the ceremony was to take place.

"It's ok. I can do it again!" Rishou interjected, hoping for the bickering to end. Just as he turned to run back down the hall, he spotted Trota moving towards them.

"My lord…" the soldier bowed, "your guest has arrived."

Sesshoumaru lifted an eyebrow at the mention of a guest. Though he had sensed a presence within the castle earlier he wanted to ignore that it was there, hoping that Trota would take care of the situation.

Understanding the expression, Trota draped his hand over the hilt of his sword signaling differently.

"My lord, he wishes to speak with you immediately."

Daichi rested his arms within his sleeves knowlingly as Rishou noticed the slight growl that his father let off.

"Who is it father?"

"No one. Continue to practice with Daichi, I will return shortly."

Trota could feel the aura of anger building around his lord as he followed him out of the hall. Their current visitor was not exactly welcome and he could only imagine how this encounter would play out. It had been some time since his lord's half-brother had stepped foot within the castle walls and everyone was on edge.

I apologize for it taking me forever to update this and on top of it, a terribly short chapter that I'm really not all that proud of. I'm under quite a bit of stress from school right now so please bear with me! I really appreciate your patience and reviews!

Chapter 11: Invitation -"I think you know exactly why I'm here."