A/N. Inu No Taisho is not only a cuddling dad - he is also a serious and severe lord who is not to be trifled with! Hope the chapter lives up to your expectations - I am a little bit worried, to be honest. Anyway! Thank you so much for your super nice and wonderful reviews, and thank you - really, thank you - for pointing out any mistakes I may do. As I have often said, English is not my native language - I'm Italian - so if you'll ever see certain eyesore do not hesitate and let me know. :D

Now! I don't know if I have said this before, but all of this will eventually converge in the canon story, set during and after the whole Naraku ordeal and blablabla, so after the cuteness we will have our SessKag adult's point of view.

And that's another thing settled, for now. Again, thank you for being here! Enjoy the chapter - much love from yours

Niglia.

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{11}

A Scolding

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The words of the Lord of the West resounded threatening inside the young lord's head, which, as solution to prevent someone from approaching his human, had decided to stay close to her at all times, keeping her under control to the point of not releasing her hand for no reason.

His father had tried to reassure him that no one would dare to take her away, but the truth was that Sesshoumaru trusted very little the General, since it was the latter which promise Kagome that she would be returned to her family.

While the child was having breakfast, perched on a log next to the remnants of a warm bonfire, father and son sat next to each other in front of her, looking with one eye at the movements of the soldiers that hung intrigued around her, and with the other at their current ward.

"You should not have promised her that, father," Sesshoumaru was hissing, his hands balled into fists resting on his knees. "She is mine. My to protect, under my responsibility. You said I could keep her!"

Inu No Taisho took a deep breath, cursing the stubbornness of youth.

"You see well for yourself that the girl is unhappy," he pointed out quietly. "There would be no problems if she had been an orphan, but she has a family, she already belongs to someone. And what would happen if the members of the shrine she belongs to found out that she is under the protection of a demon?"

"She was alone when I found her," said the inflexible puppy. "This does not mean, according to our laws, that she has been repudiated by her people and that now would belong to whoever claim her?"

Touga frowned: sometimes his son was too shrewd and crafty for his own good.

"You say well, son, these are our laws. But she is human," he reminded him patiently.

Sesshoumaru merely huffed. "Thus a human is above the law of demons?"

"I do not like your tone, pup," the General warned with a slight snarl. "It is not like you to behave this way: I expect a greater awareness from my heir. Now, since you are being an undisciplined pup, you will be treated as such: stop treating the child as if she were nothing more than a prize that you rightfully deserve, and act accordingly. Ask her if she wants to stay with you until we find a way to bring her back to her people, and if she refuses you will behave as it is expected of you. Am I clear, Sesshoumaru?"

The young prince swallowed his growl and replied without meeting the Lord stern eyes. "Yes, father."

Inu No Taisho nodded briefly, before rising to his full height. "Good. And remember this lesson, son, for one day it will be useful: know that the value of a leader is not determined by observing how he interacts with his equals, but how he treats the weakest – this maxim should be the foundation you will need to establish your kingdom." His pup suddenly solemn eyes and his quick nod made him understand that despite his temper the message had been received, and only then, the General allowed himself a small sigh of relief.

He put a hand on his heir's shoulder, squeezing gently, and gave him one of their secret smiles.

"Comfort the girl and be kind: she is a human, it is true, but she is not a toy you can use to your liking. I gave you permission to keep her so that you can treasure this experience in the future and remind you that in the end they are not so different from us."

Eventually realizing the desire of the young youkai, the lord of the West pushed him gently towards her. "And now, no more moodiness: the girl is worried about you."

Only then Sesshoumaru lifted his eyes on the child, noticing that she was looking at him with an expression so deeply nervous and afraid that the demon could not help but feel guilty and ashamed for his behavior.

Nodding absently to his father and taking his leave with a little bow, Sesshoumaru hastened to go sit down next to Kagome and took as usual her hand in his.

This time, his touch was gentle and not overbearing, and the girl let him willingly.

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Word count: 729 words.

Notes: I couldn't resist – sorry! Inu No Taisho appropriates and rephrases one of the best quotes in my opinion by Sirius Black: "If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals." [Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, J. K. Rowling].