Chapter Ten

The sound of metal clashing against metal rang in his ears. He watched again as Shinobu threw Shippo to the ground. The crunch of snow filtering in as the young Kit rolled to dodge the attack Shinobu almost landed. The hand to hand battle lasted a mere few minutes before Shippo was pinned.

"Again." He ordered as the older of the two helped the other to his feet. The harsh snow falling about them heavily. He watched as the Kit learned from his last mistake, blocking the hit aimed for his side. A lower kick caused him to jump, almost missing the second kick not knowing Shinobu would spin onto his other foot.

"Milord." Takashi's voice filtered in, his amber pools never leaving the sparring match before him.

"Speak Takashi." The velvet tone of Sesshomaru broke the huffing of the sparring pair. The moment of distraction caused Shippo to slip up, earning a hard punch to the face. He stumbled back a step before blocking the second fist, landing his own hit on Shinobu.

"Milord, Kai as reported back. He has spoken with General Hashi. He was not thrilled with the idea of sleeping with Lady Kimi, though he understood your reasoning. He will begin to woo her so to speak to gather deeper intel. As for now Lady Kimi is unaware of Kai's return and likely won't notice. He is filtering out those who are still loyal to you. He will have Hashi send out recruiters, giving each group of few loyals. This will give them a chance to disappear or be "Kidnapped" so to speak." Takashi stood tall behind his seated Lord. He knew the demon was listening while watching the pair before him. It was not long before another thud was heard. The kit laying on the ground panting.

"Again." Sesshomaru's deadpanned voice spoke. The grumbling of Shippo caused a smirk to spread across his stoic features. "Thank you Takashi, any word from Koga?" Finally taking his eyes off the kit he turned his gaze to his long time friend.

"Yes Milord. Koga plans to send a runner to all the villages to warn them of the possible onslaught, the boarders are being stationed with guards and smaller wolf packs as well. He plans to keep a runner between the bordering villages and us."

"Good, I can keep an eye on everything then. I will inform Miko, and Takashi. My brother could use more hand to hand if you're up for a spar. He tends to have many opening's." His dark chuckle fading as he walked towards the hut his mate was working in.

Sesshomaru watched quietly as his mate helped dish out meals to several families. She had begun this when he first brought the pillaged villagers to Edo. She said it was easier with how large her home was to just feed them all there. Then the village of Edo could focus on their own families. The sheltered women and children still slept in other homes but most stayed about Kagome's home. The comfort of her warm personality made them feel more at ease then the rest of the village.

When she felt his presence enter the hut she smiled at him. Her hair pulled back in a high tail as she dished out food for a young child.

"Sesshomaru, I am surprised to see you so soon. How is Shippos training?" He crossed the small distance to her side, careful to not step on anyone as they seated about her main living space.

"The Kit is learning. Hopefully he will be prepared for the battle to come." He felt her worry through their bond even though she masked it with a small smile.

"Well, hopefully he continues to work hard. Soon I too will start training." He gave her a heated look, he knew she felt how excited he became at the mention of her training, fighting with him. He couldn't help the tingle that ran up his spine.

His musings were cut short when Miyuki appeared with a bowl in hand. He was a bit perplexed as to why she was eating with the villagers when she herself tended to eat the raw meat with the rest of the demons outside.

"Mama, I need a refill for the young ones in the back room." Ah, that was why, she was helping her adoptive mother feed the orphaned children.

Watching his mate give the last of the meal to their daughter he looked to her once more. Hesuddenly felt the need to ask if she herself has been eating. Unlike demons his mate would not survive on meat alone.

"Mate, when was it you last ate?" He watched her cheeks flush.

"Ah well I have only been eating twice a day." She watched as he gave her a dark look. "Oh Sesshomaru do not worry about me. We need to watch our food, those who need it more eat three times a day, other than the women here and I have been taking turns skipping lunch."

"I still do not like you skipping meals, I will send Takashi to a few villages in the south. He should be able to make trades there. If he makes good kills he can afford some rice and herbs." With a slight peck on her soft cheek, he chuckled as she flushed from the public affection. He could feel the eyes on him from about the room as he smiled at his mate before leaving.

A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest upon hearing Inuyasha's cursing. He laughed hard as he entered the training field Takashi and Inyasha were practicing on.

"What the hell are you laughing at you prick!" He screamed at Sesshomaru before Takshi threw the half breed once more to the ground.

"Fuck you asshole!" He yelled as he sprang up, his bare feet sprinting through the snow towards the Panther demon. Sesshomaru watched in mirth as Takashi easily sidestepped the attack.

"Dear little brother, have you not yet learned that charging in recklessly will get you killed." He was baiting him. The amused glance of his friend showed Takashi too knew Sesshomaru was baitign the halfbreed.

"Why don't you come say that to my face you bastard!" Inuyasha Lunged at Sesshomaru. His claws made an arc toward him as red slashes shot out towards his body.

"Iron reaver soul stealer!" The whelp shouted as his attack hit the ground, causing several large gashes to now mar the earth.

His landing didn't even cause a sound as he landed beside the deep gashes. His half brother was still fuming as he too landed with a rough noise. Takashi took this moment to attack from behind, Inuyasha barely dodging the attack. Sesshomaru knew that the only reason Shippo surpassed his brother was through tactic alone. If the two fought it out without any tricks from the Kitsune, Inuyasha would still be an alpha. That said, he was not the alpha of their pack, and for that he was grateful. Shippo was intelligent, least intelligent enough to learn and listen to those more experienced, whereas his brother was strong willed, and hot headed. It made for a bad combination. He wondered where those traits came from.

Sesshomaru lunged forward as Inuyasha was about to land, his fist hitting Inuyasha's side. His brother flew across the clearing, his brother rolled to get to his feet but it was too late. Takashi came down on him hard.

"Damn it, you too can't double team! This was supposed to be a spar between this guy and I! Sesshomaru you bastard you cheated!" Takashi's laugh caused Sesshomaru's to bubble up once more. He was now standing beside his brother, a hand held out to help him to his feet. He was not surprised when Inuyasha scoffed at him before rising on his own.

"My dear brother, I am deeply hurt you want to accuse this Sesshomaru of such a thing. He held his chest as if it hurt him dearly. Inuyasha stared at him blankly for a moment. Takashi's jaw slightly slacked at the demon who was supposedly once a ruthless killer acting in such a manner.

"There is no way you are Sesshomaru. I swear you just made a joke." Inuyasha bantered back as he tried to grasp onto the fact his once cold half brother was no longer present. At least in front of him. According to the Miyuki girl he picked up, he slaughtered all the troops trying to rape her. Now that was a Sesshomaru he could handle, this one. This one scarred him for a whole different reason. This Sesshomaru was unpredictable.

Thank you for reading! I hope you like the story progression so far!