A/N: I wanted to do a little training chapter with Inuyasha training with Takehiro. I had to go back and correct Takehiro's name in the last chapter since I completely forgot the name I used. lol

Thanks for reading!

-Lucicelo

Takehiro watched Inuyasha with pride.

Crossing his arms over his chest, he observed Inuyasha attack the reinforced training dummy with precision. Without hesitation, Inuyasha observed his surroundings and used his keen senses to make sure he didn't leave himself open. A mistake that many pups did throughout their younger years.

Appearing six years old in human years, Inuyasha kept up with the full demon whelps that ran throughout the lands. The human blood in Inuyasha's veins did nothing more than push him to prove himself worthy of being Lord Sesshomaru's younger brother. Inuyasha's stubbornness kept him well on track. He was similar to his elder brother in that regard. Both of them wanted to master everything that landed in their path and master something new.

Which lead into their similar need of constant movement. All younglings tended to run on unlimited energy that tired out even the most energetic of caretakers. Takehiro kept up just fine due to his stamina in the battlefield, but lazy demon nannies collapsed after Inuyasha got through with them. Sesshomaru stayed composed throughout his usual strut behind Inuyasha as the pup wandered around the castle.

Takehiro used their training time to tire out Inuyasha to keep the Western Lands Castle intact. Not that Sesshomaru cared if Inuyasha caused chaos in his home. Inuyasha knew when to assert his energy on the servants and when to hold himself back. One good stern look from Sesshomaru and Inuyasha did everything in his power to appease his brother.

Takehiro knew this compliance wouldn't last when Inuyasha grew older. The pup trailed behind his guardian, eager to please him and not cause trouble. He was a simple pup to please. Once Inuyasha transitioned through puberty, his attitude could change from the complaint puppy into a rebellious one.

He was certain Sesshomaru prepared for the sudden change in attitude. Made plans upon plans for signs of rebellion or domination. Sesshomaru wouldn't let himself get dominated by his younger brother. Not when he was the reigning lord of the Western Lands.

Noting Inuyasha looked tired, Takehiro bellowed out. "Time for a break!"

Inuyasha let a whine. "Aw! I can keep going, sensei!"

"Nope." Takehiro walked to Inuyasha and ignored the petulant pout on his student's face. "It's not going to make a difference if you keep going. You are already showing good potential in how you are hitting the target."

Inuyasha harrumphed. "But, aniki is always sparring and practicing. He says it is good that I am making a goal for myself."

Takehiro sighed. "Lord Sesshomaru has experience in pacing himself and knowing when to reach his limit. You on the other hand," He pinched Inuyasha's puppy ears, Inuyasha stuck his tongue out. "Are a pup. Listen to my teachers and you may surpass them soon enough."

Inuyasha crossed his arms across his chest and continued to pout. "Am I even showing improvement?"

Takehiro chuckled in amusement before he patted the top of Inuyasha's head. "You show great potential. Far better than most pups I used to teach when your late father still ruled the lands. Of course, your elder brother was a prodigy in combat. You are following along his path at a good pace."

Inuyasha gave his teacher a look of disbelief. "Are you sure?"

"Positive." Takehiro informed him. "I dare say your late father would utter the same words. He was a man of few words when it came to compliments, but he was fair in judgement. He wouldn't lie or coddle you to spare your feelings."

Inuyasha's ears perked up. "Okay!"

A pulse of power caused Inuyasha and Taekhiro to turn their heads toward the source. They didn't need to physically see Sesshomaru to know he approached them. His cordial pulse of power and incoming scent was all the proof they needed.

When Sesshomaru made his appearance, Inuyasha bounced on his feet.

"Aniki!" Inuyasha waved his arms above his head with a huge grin on his face. "Look at the target! I managed to hit the spot with every strike."

Before Takehiro rubbed his knuckles against Inuyasha's ears for his greeting, Sesshomaru announced. "I see."

He walked closer to check on the damage on the figure. Inuyasha's precision was almost perfect. He hit vital areas and used enough power to cause immense damage. From looking at his brother, he did not tire himself out from using excessive force. A good tactic for a growing pup. The sort of technique he instructed Inuyasha to follow sometime ago.

"Acceptable." Sesshomaru rubbed Inuyasha's ears, earning him an animated cheer. Turning to Takehiro, Sesshomaru inquired with hidden amusement at his brother's next reaction. "Is Inuyasha ready for a sword, sensei?"

Inuyasha gaped. "Really?" He clasped his hands over his mouth as Sesshomaru tweaked his ears.

Takehiro hummed out loud before he answered. "More than acceptable. The pup is ready for a worn out steel blade before one is commissioned. I would had suggested a wooden tanto, but considering his vast improvement, he may pick a blade from our stock."

Sesshomaru agreed. "Good. I thought so as well."

Inuyasha bounced in excitement as his teacher and brother spoke about his training. He wanted to say something, but he covered his mouth to stop himself. His older brother always told him not to interrupt when the adults spoke. Once it was his turn, he could talk all he wanted and ask questions.

"Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha removed his hands from his mouth. "Yes, aniki?"

"You shall pick a blade tomorrow morning after breakfast." Sesshomaru patted the top of Inuyasha's head, his chest warming at the breath taking smile Inuyasha unleashed on him. "Once you grow older, you will upgrade to a... more powerful sword. Use your current weapon wisely and with pride."

Inuyasha nodded his head. "I will."

The end.