Disclaimer: I do not own 'Inuyasha' or any of its characters, any OC is mine.

A/N: Here's the new chapter and some interaction between our favourite half-demon and the First Commander.

Enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-Five: First Commander Katsuro

The following morning Inuyasha and Kagome were awakened before sunrise because of the incessant screams of Muteki who quieted down just when he had been perfectly cleaned and feed. Even then he did not show any sign he wanted to get back to sleep and, consequently, didn't let his parents have their rest. When they reached the dining room Inuyasha was clearly annoyed, complaining and huffing; Kagome had threatened him to sit him more than once.

"Do you still think he is the quiet type?" he asked both the guards, who should have heard the cries.

"Not at all, my Lord," Kichiro hastily answered. The pup had quite the set of healthy lungs and he was sure his parents hadn't been the only one to be awakened abruptly that morning.

"What are you complaining anyway? It's not like you ever had to go training with some inflexible teachers after being up all night feeding your son," she told him. Sleepless Kagome was also a cranky Kagome.

"Well, that is not really my fault. It's not like I could feed him on my own, ya know? Besides, if that grandfather of yours didn't insist on you keep studying, you wouldn't have to tire yourself out," he retailed and crossed his arms, looking at her defiantly.

Suddenly, Kagome had a murderous glint in her eyes. She got all flushed and had some problems steadying herself. Finally, she took Muteki from his father's arm and, not caring about Chie and the guards that were currently in the room with them, shouted "SIT BOY!"

At that precise moment, both Sesshomaru and his mother entered the room.

"Ah, little brother, you still have to learn. You chose a real bitch as your mate, you should not treat her the wrong way, her type can be dangerous," he told him, his eyes gleaming.

"What... what happened?" Chie asked befuddled.

"That, Chie-san, is what happens to males who say the wrong thing to their mates." Kimi eyed Inuyasha still pinned down. "Ah, how I wish I had something like this with my late mate. It sure would have been helpful. Even if I still do not have very clear how everything works. Care to explain, Kagome dear?"

Everyone's eyes, but Sesshomaru's, turned to her. Inuyasha stood up as soon as the spell wore out and cried to Kagome, "What was that for? I didn't do anything!"

She gave him the hairy eyeball, "I prefer not to comment on that because I am sure I will have to S-I-T you some other times and I don't want to."

"Inuyasha, I would heed her words, if I were you. Even I remember well what happens when you not," his brother suggested.

He scoffed and his only answer was a "Keh!"

"Sesshomaru, please, I am waiting for an answer, as everyone else here," his mother told him.

"I do not know the details, but I do know that whenever the miko says the command "sit" Inuyasha, not very elegantly, is planted face down on the ground and cannot stand up until the spell wears out. Very efficient when you have to travel with a stubborn dog," he explained and then smirked.

"Shut up!" Inuyasha had his cheeks red and was still trying to avoid everyone's amused faces.

"If I may-" Osamu started.

"No!" Inuyasha bellowed

"You may," Sesshomaru said.

"Come on, now, do you want me to make two others set of beads?" Kagome asked both Sesshomaru and Osamu. "You must know that you cannot contrast the spell, nor can you avoid the necklace if the caster chose to give it to you. Choose your answer wisely," she stated while taking place beside the tea table and greet Sesshomaru's mother.

When they were done with the food, Sesshomaru explained to them the plans for the day.

"Kagome, you will reach the lady's parlour with my mother and Lady Asuka. On your way there, they will explain to you what do you need to know. You are expected to get acquainted with some of the ladies of the court. Be aware," he instructed her.

"Is that wise?" Inuyasha asked. "I'd prefer not to go separate ways."

"Do you want your mate to visit the training halls? a gathering of unmated demons with raging lust for the most, I should add." Inuyasha turned ashen. "Very well, it is settled then. Both your guards will go with you Kagome," Sesshomaru concluded. Osamu and Kichiro nodded.

"Ehi, in this regard, where did Myoga-Jii-chan disappear this time?" Kagome genuinely inquired.

"He left shortly after we were dismissed, my Lady," Osamu informed her. "He told me he was really proud of both of you and that he had to go and tell the good news to someone called Totosai."

"He probably fled away as soon as realized things were starting to get dangerous," Inuyasha scoffed.

"Indeed," Sesshomaru agreed. "Now, Inuyasha. You and I will reach the First Commander at the main inner gate, where he is probably already waiting for us; I have instructed Jaken to give him the information regarding the meeting point. I will spend some time there too to observe. Then I will leave because I have other duties. I trust you will able to take care of yourself," he told him.

"I've been caring for myself alone since I was seven, bastard!" he growled.

"We all saw the results," he taunted him.

"OI!"

"Shall we go?" Sesshomaru stand up completely ignoring Inuyasha's shouting and led the way.

When it was just Inuyasha and Kagome with Muteki in the room, he reached her and hugged her from behind, leaving sweet kisses in the crook of her neck. "Are we alright, koi? You know I have this bad habit of putting my foot in my mouth." She leaned in his arms and sighed, "I know, and I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have sat you in front of everyone else. It was not nice. We were both annoyed by the way Muteki woke us up."

"We will have to teach our pup some manners then," he said reaching for him and ticking him. He kissed him on both cheeks and then brought both of them closer to him. "I'll miss you this morning."

"It's not like in the village we spend every minute together, Inuyasha. We will be good," she reassured him.

"I know," he said caressing Muteki's back, he had placed him on his right hip. "It's just..." he ran a hand through his hair, "I'm still angered about what that fucker told us yesterday and now we already have to separate. I don't like it. Promise me..." he suddenly kissed her firmly, "Promise me you'll be careful. If you see that Keiko o Tsubasa give them the wide berth. I don't like them. Don't trust anyone but your guards and Kimi," he told her sternly.

"I promise, Inuyasha," she returned the kiss with equal passion. "Besides, I still have four demons with me and my own powers. Let see them trying anything," she winked.

"Don't joke, Kagome. I'm serious! I don't want anything happening to you or our son," he reprimanded her.

"I am, koi, I am. I was only trying to make you relax." she raised her arms and trailed her fingers lightly on his ears. "Go enjoy yourself between other warriors, get to know this Katsuro. I trust what Osamu told us and I found him an open-minded person yesterday. I think you could get some really good insights on life here too. And maybe you'll also be able to relieve some tension through a friendly spar." She stood on her tiptoe and leaned forwards, her lips tremendously close to the tip of one ear. Breathing lightly on it she whispered, "Maybe, if you're good, really good, I'll relieve some tension for you in a special way." She then licked the shell of his ear in a very suggestive way, brought her body back and smirked devilish.

He returned her smirk and grabbed her waist, crashing his lips on hers again. He reached her face with his free hand and cupped her cheek, tilting her head slightly to change the angle and deepen the kiss. He fiercely opened her mouth and forced his tongue inside looking for hers, exploring the cavity. When everything started to feel a little too much to control and he smelled her arousal along with his, he softened the kiss and then pulled back. He rested his forehead on hers and their harsh breaths mingled, the furiously beating of their hearts was almost deafening. When Muteki started complaining about the rough behaviour they separated and he looked at her, cheek flushed and lips swollen and slightly opened. "I love you," he whispered and unable to contain himself he gave her another feathery kiss, then placed one on Muteki's forehead, "both of you."

"I'll make sure you don't forget your promise," he told her just before following Sesshomaru outside.

When they were almost at the main gate Sesshomaru spoke, "Are you calm now, little brother, or did your mate rile you up more?"

"Oi! Mind your business, or take a mate yourself," he scoffed.

"I am barely making sure you are in the right mind right now, Inuyasha. Remember to control yourself."

"I'll show all these fuckers what I can really do. Let them speak then," he proclaimed.

"Watch your language in front of the First Commander, Inuyasha. Even if yesterday you made a show of yourself regarding that aspect, try to control your worst instincts, today. We are trying to make you appear like a proper Lord here," Sesshomaru said again through gritted teeth. They were at the gate by then.

"Sesshomaru-sama, Inuyasha-sama," Katsuro bowed to them. He wasn't surprised in finding out that both Osamu and Kichiro were currently missing, they would probably be assisting the miko.

"First Commander," Sesshomaru acknowledge him, Inuyasha tilted his head. "I will be joining you for the first part of this tour."

"Very well. I have already sent some of the soldiers on patrol duty and set the new guard shifts. I was planning to supervise some of the training, maybe it could be a good start. In the meantime, I thought that explaining how everything works within the army could be a good start," Katsuro explained.

"I am very interested in the training process, Katsuro," Inuyasha told him, he had already enough of the lord crap here and lord crap there so he didn't add the honorific, Sesshomaru could glare at him as much as he wanted. They were currently alone and he didn't need to be so formal. "Kichiro and Osamu already told me something about ranks and divisions, at least some of it, but we didn't talk about the rest."

Katsuro nodded, "Let's start then," he led them towards a tall building that could be seen afar on the left. "Demons here usually start training very young, but the training is supervised by the family until they deem it necessary to advance their training," he started explaining. "At that point, a demon can choose if he wants to join ours. We try to accept everyone, but unfortunately, we also have to deny entry sometimes. There are demons not fit for this kind of life and others pushed by family or friends. They prove themselves to be quite weak and we cannot allow them in the army; we want to avoid useless deaths, after all. For these reasons, there are usually some physical tests and challenges that a demon must pass to gain access to the training. There are different levels because demons can come at every age they wish. According to the kind of test and the result, we place them in a specific group that we think is appropriate." He peeked at Inuyasha and found him quite absorbed in his explanation.

"We usually held tests for a week every three moon cycles and these are supervised by myself and other Commanders I chose for the purpose. Cheating is not allowed, if caught, the demon is banned and cannot try again. The same thing works when demons are already within the arms. Sometimes it can happen that to reach the highest rank and prove they are stronger than others they use unconventional means, these include treachery, scheming and so on. We try to discourage this kind of behaviour because is not beneficial to the health of the army itself. Who joins the army should do it because he wants to help to protect the lands we live in, not to prove to others you can be someone. The main purpose should be improving oneself, not reaching the highest position at all costs," Katsuro elaborated.

"It's honourable, First Commander," Sesshomaru offered. He remembered what Osamu and Kichiro had explained yesterday night and he realized Katsuro had probably worked hard to make this kind of rule and organization real. Sesshomaru had never really taken part in the army training, his father had taught him everything, but from the time he had listened to Toga or Daisuke speaking about it; he knew a lot of things had changed.

"I thank you, Sesshomaru-sama," Katsuro tilted his head and then stopped because they had reached the main building. He greeted the guard at the entrance and led Inuyasha and Sesshomaru inside. There was a narrow and long hallway that leads to several rooms, from which some demons were seen peeking out at them. News of what had happened last evening had not spread everywhere, so there were still demons who did not know what they were doing inside the building; although, by now, everyone knew Sesshomaru's half-brother was currently residing at the castle with his mate and son.

When they reached the end of the hallway Katsuro explained to Inuyasha, "These other corridors lead to other rooms where demons can train in hand-to-hand combats, we don't need a large space for that so usually it is preferred to do it inside." He pointed out to left and right, where Inuyasha could see others hallways like the one they had just passed through. "This one, instead, leads outside. You will find everything organised in several different training rings. They are organized and built according to the kind of weapon used and the battle. This way we can avoid disaster or useless danger. It's there we are going now. You will be able to assist to more entertaining spars."

"I can't wait to," Inuyasha smirked. "Please go on with what you were saying," he encouraged him then, while they reached the fields outside and Katsuro was pointing out the different rings.

"As I was saying, demons are placed in different groups according to the age, strength and result of the test. When demons joined the training very young they are placed together until they are old enough to decide if they want to be guard or soldier. From there, the groups are divided in the kind of training too. Of course, if you take the entry test when you're already considered an adult you are also asked to decide as soon as you pass the test."

Inuyasha nodded and then stopped when they reached a railing, the Lord Commander pointed out to a ring. "Guards usually focus more on hand-to-hand combat, sword fighting, defensive stances, and less on the fighting at distance, on which soldiers train more. While whoever trains here is expected to learn to fight in every way possible, soldiers are expected to master every kind. You can never know what is waiting for you out there. Guards, on the other hand, are requested not to leave one's side or the perimeter they have been appointed to guard, so it's more probable they will engage in close-distance fights if something happens."

"Don't I know it," Inuyasha remarked. After all, he had been living all his life out here, he knew everything that could be found outside these walls.

At this point, Sesshomaru took his leave and Inuyasha kept walking alongside Katsuro.

"If I may ask, Inuyasha-sama. What kind of training did you undergo?" the Lord Commander asked him.

Inuyasha wanted to burst out laughing, but he realized it would have made him look bad so he contained himself just like Sesshomaru asked him.

"Then one life throws at you, Katsuro," he answered sternly. "Did you really think someone would have lost his time to train a half-breed? What kind of life do you think I've led?"

Katsuro found himself at loss. Of course, he knew Inuyasha had never been brought to West, he had lived all his life there. But they never really informed themselves about human, unless someone tries to bother them. "I really don't know, my Lord. I knew your Lady Mother was a princess in a human court, so I assumed you were raised there."

Inuyasha scoffed loudly. "Yeah, and you think a human court could gladly accept a half-breed and train him with the sword? Let me explain something to you, Katsuro." They stopped at another railing and lowered his voice so that no one else could listen to his tale. "Half-demons are unwanted by everyone, it does not matter if they are technically family. You are much older than me, you know how much that mattered to Sesshomaru until now. When I was seven years old my mother died, I got kicked out and then life started training me. Did my answer satisfy you?" he pinned him with a hard gaze and waited.

"Well, that was unexpected. I never really met a half-demon myself and I never stopped to think about the kind of life they lead," he replied in earnest. "I think I can understand why humans could react badly to a half-demon living among them. You are after all still a lot stronger than them."

Inuyasha scoffed again, "You must fight more than everyone else to find your place and most of the times you die before that. After all, both humans and demons want to destroy the abomination, so you're always chased down. But if you manage to survive, Katsuro, you'll find out you have already learnt all you need. I lived like that for 150 years circa." He had already told Katsuro too much, but he had assumed these things were common knowledge. But how could he even phantom a human court could allow him to live there, let alone train him? Inuyasha shook his head.

"150 years?" Katsuro asked befuddled. "Toga-sama died more than 200 years ago," he said as a matter of fact.

"Ah, that's another life lesson for me," he said. "I won't go into details, don't want to," he still didn't like to think about the whole Kikyo's ordeal, "the only thing I'll say is 'never really trust a shape-shifter'. The fuckers can be everywhere and you won't know until it's too late."

Shape-shifters. Well, they were rare, Katsuro thought. Apparently, Inuyasha had met one who had left a scar on him, that much was clear. "And then? What happened in these last fifty years?"

He crossed his arms and lean towards the railing. "I slept for most of the time," he told him and then actually laughed at the face he made.

"Slept?" What was he even talking about?

"Yeah, yeah, that's part of the shape-shifter's story. But anyway, almost three years ago I met Kagome and we started travelling to collect the jewel shards. You know the story, don't you?" Katsuro nodded. "Well, that's when the harder training started for me. I also got this," he said patting Tessaiga's hilt, "best thing my father could ever leave me. I mean, he also left me the clothes on my back, which saved my life more than once, for sure. But Tessaiga is my inheritance."

He was not making himself very clear if the quizzical expression on Katsuro's face was a sign. "How did your training with that sword go? They say it's of incommensurable power."

"Oh, it is, but most of it I gained through blood and sweats, literally. It already had a couple of efficient attacks, but Tessaiga is a sword that can steal power from others," he smirked at the stunned Commander. "I promise I will show you soon, but I don't want to ruin you the surprise by saying too much."

"Well, in the end, life worked out good for you," Katsuro remarked, reaching him against the railing. The hanyou was much more casual than his brother and he could see he was not really used to formalities; he had given up them after only a couple of minutes. He realized he could relax that way too.

"Yeah," Inuyasha said, an honest smile appearing on his lips. "What about you? You showed me how all of this works? I can see how much of yourself you put on it. How did you become the First Commander? How did that kind of life change you?"

"Well, the first question it's actually easy to answer. When First Commander Daisuke suddenly die in combat, everyone felt at loss. Your father had instructed some Commanders to lead us temporarily and even Sesshomaru was helping. It was a time we had to fight a pair of tough opponents, each with their army in tow. It wasn't a good moment for lacking a leader and Toga-sama was always too lost in the battle and couldn't allow himself to be distracted. He had trusted some men who were clearly doing a poor job. I remember still too well the moment he killed his opponent and finally realized what was going on around him, he noticed me and the way I was basically doing damage control. He fixed me with one of those cold glare Sesshomaru reserved to almost everyone and told me 'Show me you can help me overturn the fate of this battle, make those barbarians act how they were taught to, and I will make you First Commander when we come back at the palace.' He didn't say if, it wasn't like him; he always believed we would get out of any nasty situation. And we did. When we came back he kept his words, and everyone was shocked he had given the position to someone so young. It didn't matter to them that I already proved myself plenty of times before that day, or that I contributed to saving their lives. They were just able to complain."

"Much like they did yesterday," Inuyasha offered.

"Exactly. In the beginning, they didn't make my life so easy, quite the contrary. I gritted my teeth and kept going, starting to correct faults that I had noticed as a cadet myself and added some rules. It took decades to get people to listen to me for real. But I did it at least. Sure, some still think I am not fit because I am relatively young, but every time they challenged me they lost. This is how it works here. You fight for it," he explained again.

"Indeed. I think I just need to show them how well I can fight, then. Maybe they will start learning," Inuyasha replied amused, letting his gaze drop on the training rings just before he came back to his lesson with Katsuro.

A/N: So this was the second part about the Western Army I had mentioned before, I won't explain more on how it works in my imaginary. But if somehow you didn't understand something or it was unclear, let me know and I'll try to help.

Constructive opinions are always welcomed.