Two days later

A knock on my study door interrupts me as I read yet another report regarding skirmishes along the southern border.

"Enter." I call out, sighing quietly as I put down the scroll, smoothing my furrowed brow. The door slides open slowly, before I see InuYasha step into the room hesitantly.

"Uh. Hey." he says, hand rubbing against the back of his neck, ears folded down into his hair as he avoids looking at me.

"Hello. Please, sit."

"Uh. Yeah. Thanks." he mumbles as he plops down inelegantly on a cushion in front of the desk. I silently wait for him to continue, scanning a different report on my desk.

"Um. So. About... the training. What... would I have to do, exactly?"

"You do not need to do anything except show up and take it seriously." I reply evenly, my gaze shifting to his, watching him intently to judge how he will react.

"Uh huh. So. If I was to take you up on the training, who would be training me?"

"You would be placed with one of my captains, who will spar with you to ascertain what you do and do not know and decide how to proceed from there. You will largely follow the same lessons Kagome is learning, from the start, to build a proper foundational skill and understanding." I pause, seeing him bristle, and hold up a hand. "Make no mistake, I am aware of your experience in combat, and do not judge you incapable of such. However, you must admit, that you are self taught and have used mostly luck and brute force to succeed prior." Seeing him settle into a scowl, I continue on.

"As I stated, you will learn the foundations of swordplay with a personal instructor, meeting every day. When your skills have been deemed sufficient, you will be moved to study under one of my generals. If you wish, at that point, you will be appointed a captain of the West. However, that is entirely up to you, and further study is not contingent upon you accepting such a position." I know that neither InuYasha, nor Kagome, would have expected that from me, but it is what is traditionally done with members of the ruling family. More often it is the males who persue this course, however, females are permitted as well.

He stares at me, eyes wide, mouth slightly agape and ears pricked forward for a several minutes before shaking his head lightly, frowning mildly as he thinks it over.

"So. I get a personal teacher, learn proper sword fighting, and if I want, after I pass a test, I get to be a captain." he summarizes.

"Yes. If you do take the position of captain, and continue your study, you would be then learning in order to be promoted to general."

"Wha- general? I only have to be good with a sword to be a general?" he falters, brows knit, disbelief, confusion and hope all warring on his face, his ears twitching wildly.

"There is a bit more to it than just being proficient with a sword. You would have to at least match the generals in skill, which is no easy feat. Generals also require a study in strategy and tactics. There would be some measure of academic study of warfare, however, with your experience in combat already, I do not have any doubt you are capable of learning such."

"So, sword lessons, get captain, more sword lessons and book learning, general."

"In its most simple terms, yes. As I said, with your experience, and natural abilities from Father's line, I have full faith that you will be an asset to the West, little brother."

"Half brother." InuYasha corrects me gruffly, his ears tilting back slightly.

"Indeed. Your answer, then?" I ask, suppressing the sting of guilt that slides through me at his correction.

"I can change my mind whenever I want?" he queries slowly, arms folding in his haori.

"Hn. Whenever you wish it."

"Okay then. I guess I can give it a try." He turns his guarded amber gaze to my own gilded one. I nod, standing, and hold out a hand towards the door.

"Very well, come. I will introduce you to your new instructor."