Disclaimer: No, I don't own Inu Yasha… yet! *clutches a rosary in her hands and whistles* "Here boy!"
Author Notes: You know what? I could really use an editor! I think my story has some good ideas, but I need some help. Any volunteers?
Chapter 3: For the Sake of Duty
**Please note: This chapter is written mostly from the viewpoint of Sesshoumaru! It's very introspective on what he sees and where he's coming from. But for some things to make sense you have to keep in mind that this is the way he sees things!!**
Sesshoumaru stood, silently inspecting the dead youkai at his feet. His golden eyes narrowed as he bent down and watched as the symbol on the kitsune youkai's forehead faded and disappeared. He was dead, there was no doubt about it in the demon lord's mind or his nose, yet what this could portend weighted heavily on his mind. A lone glossy black feather lying in the red pool caught his attention. Snatching it up, the youkai lord held it under his nose and sniffed. Suddenly his eyes shot towards the east, but even with his superior youkai sight, all he could ascertain was a dark speck in the distance. For a moment his mask slipped, only to be replaced with his stoic expression once more. Sesshoumaru reigned his emotions, he was stronger than this.
The Great Lord of the Western Lands snorted. He was disgusted with himself and his momentary lack of control, no matter how brief.
He had to fulfill his duty: it was his responsibility and his honor at stake. This was even more important and dire than any rivalry between him and his brother. The Fang could wait.
With renewed determination, Sesshoumaru wiped his sword on the deceased youkai's garments and stood up, turning to face his brother. In the span of his contemplation, the half demon had retrieved his sword and was standing with the help of it, his mate at his side, her adopted pup now clinging to her neck. Blood still flowed from the various injuries the hanyou had received as he growled, perceiving the demon lord as a new threat to him and his pack.
Sesshoumaru sighed inwardly, this was undoubtedly one of the hardest things for him to do, but it was his duty… and his brother's as well.
Brother… it had been a long time since he thought of the half-breed as such, but it was true. And in matters pertaining to the Western Lands, it was binding. As much as he hated it, Inu Yasha was the heir as the second son of the late Lord of the Western Lands, Itsutanyo, their father.
Inu Yasha was never one of great patience, and the sudden lapse of silence was finally getting to him. "Sesshoumaru, what do you want?" His eyes were full of confusion as he added more quietly, "And why did you stop him?"
Demon and half-demon eyes met momentarily, the unspoken question between them – why did you save me? Answered with the proud gaze and unsaid reply – only I, Sesshoumaru shall say when you die.
Sesshoumaru sheathed Toukijin. No, he would not fight his half brother today. There were more pressing matters in need of attention, "Inu Yasha, " his voice was grave, not taunting as it normally was, "brother," now this surprised the hanyou even more, the term sounded almost… endearing, "I, Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands, decree that you , Inu Yasha as Prince and heir apparent of the Western Lands, upon the honor of our father's blood, must answer the cry of the land and defend our ancient inheritance from those who would ravage it."
Inu Yasha took a step back, stunned by his brother's words, and in his confusion and frustration only eloquence came to his lips. "What the HELL are you talking about?"
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A small child ran panicked through the halls of an ancient castle. No longer able to contain herself, she began crying as soon as she reached the main hall. "Mother! Father!!"
A tall female demon with short purple hair stood at the end of the great hall. Upon hearing the shrill cry, she turned just as the little girl pounced into her arms. Holding the sobbing child close, the demoness placed a soothing hand upon her small head. "Daughter, hush now and tell Mother what is troubling you."
Looking up at her mother, tears streaming down her face from her silver eyes, she struggled to calm herself down enough to speak. "Mommy… Arashi, he… he's dead!"
The demoness's eyes widened in distress as she looked down at her crying kit. With a shaky hand, she brushed aside the girl's bangs, revealing the mark of the Eastern Lands. She gasped loudly and held her daughter even tighter as a single tear slid down her cheek. Gathering her courage and resolve, she left silently to find her mate, bearing the grim news.
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Sesshoumaru sighed. He was never one for… explanations. The ancient decree should have been obeyed without question. But of course, the hanyou was rebellious as always, refusing to conform to the ancient traditions of the Inu Youkai.
Looking into his half brother's eyes, the Lord of the Western Lands noted the sheer confusion plainly shone in them. For a brief moment, the Great merciless Lord felt a pang of guilt; the half-breed had never been taught the way of their clan and was truly clueless.
"You, Inu Yasha, will return with me to our ancestral home. As Prince of the Western Lands, you are bound by duty to protect and defend our territory in times of unrest and war." Sesshoumaru hesitated a moment before adding, "Despite your mixed blood, brother, you are our father's son. And although I did not approve of his choice when he mated with your mother, he was still my father. I, Sesshoumaru, will honor his legacy, and fulfill my duties as Lord of the Western Lands."
The look on the hanyou's face clearly showed that his was simply stunned speechless.
This is a first. Sesshoumaru almost smirked at the thought. Perhaps he should approach the half-breed this way more often; it was just as satisfying as taunting his shortcomings while they were fighting.
The human female looked between Inu Yasha and Sesshoumaru in confusion as she held the kitsune pup close. "You mean there is going to be a war? …a demon war?"
Sesshoumaru blinked and looked at Kagome as if he just now realized she was standing there. "Yes, the Lord of the Eastern Lands is gathering his army even now to attack my lands. And I also, must take leave to gather my own to defend against them." He turned to leave, but not before throwing a final comment back to the hanyou. "Inu Yasha, you will come. Not for me, but for Father."
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The servants cowered in the shadows of the throne room. Their lord was furious and they had every right to fear his wrath.
The Lord of the Eastern Lands was stricken with grief and loss, and he released this emotion the only way he could – though anger and a thirst for revenge and blood.
He glared at his court officials as they kneeled before him. Breathing deeply, he attempted to control his rage – for now. "Who killed my son? Where was he? How did this happen?!?"
"My…my Lord…" his retainer stammered, "Prince Arashi has not been seen within the Eastern lands for the past moon."
"What?!" He shouted as he stood. "Why was this not brought to my attention? Where did he go?"
"Ano…" one of his retainers mumbled. "We don't know…"
"You don't…?" The Lord clenched his teeth as he tried to compose himself. He might have been a master of his emotions, but these idiots were testing even his level of control.
The youkai lord's ears twitched as he heard an annoying, yet familiar squawk. A large midnight black raven youkai flew in one of the high vaulted windows of the throne room and landed at the lord's feet, panting in exhaustion.
Suddenly a clawed hand wrapped around the raven's throat and lifted his weak body into the air, making it even harder for the bird to breath. The raven found himself face to face with a very enraged youkai lord, "Who. Killed. My. Son?"
The fowl struggled and squawked for a moment, unable to inhale or to answer. "My… my lord, Yoroishi! I… this humble servant tried to save him. But they attacked so suddenly. We were just passing through and…"
Yoroishi growled and tightened his grip on the feathered neck. "Stop rambling! Now, tell me! Who killed my son?!"
The raven gulped nervously, as her tried to remember the correct response. "The… the brothers of the west, Lord Sesshoumaru and Prince Inu Yasha…"
The youkai lord's eyes turned red momentarily as he flung the bird youkai across the room and turned to his royal officers who were still kneeling before him. "Gather every able demon in the land. Blood will be bought in blood, and life paid for with life. I will not rest until I have retribution! Now go! We prepare for war."