Author's Note: Wow, loved the reviews! Thanks to all my friends for supporting me. Alora-sama for being a butthead and listening to me on my depressed rampages. Rae-sama for inspiring me to actually write a fanfic with Inutaishou, because she knows she kicks arse as an Inutaishou roleplayer. Michelle, for listening to my rambling in American Government about anime and tapping that post-it note with your gel pen. And for letting me borrow Sailor Moon on DVD. xD Heh. You guys are great, as well as all the others who reviewed. Um, let's see. Mild violence in this one and some suggestive-ness. All in good fun though. nn But nothing gross because hentai is nasty and vomit provoking. So, without further ado, the story:

Rubbing his forehead in attempts to come up with a way to get this across, Sasame began, "As a friend, I wish to make you aware of certain factors. Sesshoumaru is your firstborn son, making him heir to your lands. The Western Lands is a good piece of territory, meaning other demons will go after it, including myself. I will overthrow you, Inutaishou, but only if I feel it is necessary. It is an unwritten rule that the parents must train their first born to carry on in their footsteps, should the parents be unable to protect their property down the road. If you do not start training Sesshoumaru, no one will be there to guard the Western Lands, making it easy prey. After all, the Western Lands is the most plentiful area in Japan, no one will go after the Eastern and Southern Lands when they can attack yours. You already know that the Eastern Lord is seeking your lands as well as your wife. I do not wish to hurt you, because I am your comrade, but as a fellow taiyoukai, I am always looking for ways to expand my power," The Northern Lord came to a stop for a moment, letting this all sink in. Inutaishou didn't show any emotion, though he was rather shocked with what information his friend offered him.

"You would kill a comrade just for more power?"

"Hai, for it all comes down to power, Inutaishou. That is all people respect, how much power a person has. I killed my parents for power as well as my brothers. When I lose interest in one of my mates, I kill her off too. For if a person can no longer be any use to me, then I remove them," Sasame said nonchalantly, Inutaishou's eyes widening ever so slightly. To kill one's family members for power? Had Sasame become so consumed in dominating everything, that he had no feelings? "But I do not wish to kill you, Inutaishou, merely to warn you. If you do not start training your son in two years time, I will kill you. Though as your friend, I would be killing myself in the progress, as a rival, I would be gaining more power. Because if you do not have a trained son in about fifteen years time, I will slaughter your family for no one will be there to stop me. You must remember, Inutaishou, I am the most powerful taiyoukai in all of Japan. I have no emotions, nor feelings for anyone or anything. Everything is a pawn in my eyes, a way to get closer to my desires," The demon finished calmly. None of his words came off as a threat, for they were all done in monotone, but Inutaishou was surprised at this. He couldn't believe this man in front of him! A monster! He suddenly felt as if he didn't want to be Sasame's friend any longer because of his incessant disloyalty. Still, Inutaishou didn't want to be the Northern Lord's enemy.

"With all respect, my son will only be eight, please, don't make me rob him of his innocence at such a young age. It would kill my wife to see her boy so hateful," Inutaishou requested, choosing his words carefully.

"I'll kill your wife if her son isn't there to protect her," Sasame replied coolly. "Two years, Inutaishou. Enjoy having your son innocent right now. Because if you wish your bloodline to continue, you will train that boy to be a warlord from hell," Standing up, he went to the doors, looking back, "I apologize, Inutaishou, but you must remember power. It is the only thing that will get you anywhere in life." This said, the Northern Lord left, off to flirt with more women most likely. As for Inutaishou, he just sat there, letting this all seep in. He didn't want to make his son a hateful being at such an early age. Recalling his own training to become a warlord, Inutaishou didn't want his son to suffer such pain. But, he didn't want his son to die or be powerless. Dear gods, what was he to do? Should he tell Achika? She would most certainly protest; she was completely enthralled with Sesshoumaru, loving him as only a mother can love a son. He would have to keep this from her until the time was right. Perhaps if he didn't tell her the extent of Sesshoumaru's training, she would be satisfied. Yet, this wasn't the time to think about it. He had to go masquerade as an aloof lord who had not a care in the world. Sighing as he stood up, he felt a tug of guilt linger in his chest, making his breathing heavier. The warlord shook this feeling off, making his way through the door.

"Oof! Get off of me! You're so fat and you're squishing my lungs!" Sesshoumaru yelled at Arya, trying to pry the girl off of his legs.

"I AM not fat! You're just a weak little boy who can't even defend himself, let alone fight!" The inu girl said, pushing her knees harder into his thighs, making Sesshoumaru yelp. Finding strength, he finally pushed her off, then pinned her down to the ground instead.

"Ha! Beat that, cootie girl!" The boy smirked, until he felt a tug at his collar, lifting him up into the air. Sesshoumaru found himself looking into those cold amber eyes again, making him wince as he prepared himself to be struck. But contrary to his thoughts, the child was embraced by Inutaishou, the lord resting his head atop his son's. The boy squirmed a few moments, embarrassed that he was being hugged so in front of his 'friend.' Yet Arya didn't see any problem with it, for she suddenly embraced the taiyoukai's leg.

"Inu-Papa!" She declared, still attached to Inutaishou's leg. The man smiled warmly, ruffling Arya's hair with his free hand. After seeing that it wasn't that big of deal, Sesshoumaru returned the hug. It wasn't that often his father embraced him, so the boy took it for what it was worth.

"Father?" The child asked, still pulled close to the demon's chest. Sesshoumaru was almost certain he saw a tear in his father's eye. But when he looked back at him again, he saw the tear was gone. Inutaishou did not want to lose his son. He couldn't believe that he was going to train this innocent child to be rampaging killer. But that didn't matter now. Nay, he should live every moment with his child and not worry about such things. Inutaishou sat down the boy, looking him over.

"Yes, Sesshoumaru?"

"Are you...all right?"

"Never better, Sesshoumaru," The man lied, and his son believed him. For Inutaishou could conceal any emotion he desired, a trait his eldest son would learn later on. Looking to the little girl beside him, the warlord spoke, "Arya, I see you were beating up my son, hm? He doesn't take too well to that..." Laughing softly, he noticed his son blush while Arya beamed.

"Yes sir!" The girl replied, not afraid of the taiyoukai in the least. Inutaishou was kind toward children, usually the only people he showed emotion to. Nodding, the taiyoukai looked at the two for half a moment, afraid that if he blinked, they would be teenagers right before his eyes. Even with an extended life, time seemed to go by so fast for Inutaishou. He knew the day of Sesshoumaru's training would be right around the corner, the idea forever engraved in the depths of his thoughts.

"Well then, I suppose we should get you two to dinner. I'm sure everyone is waiting for you both, and I guess myself as well. Come now," He told them, leading the children to the dining hall.

Inutaishou found it hard to enjoy his meal or any of the other festivities for the rest of the night. He was distracted with gloomy thoughts, though no one noticed, not even his wife. Achika continued to babble on all sorts of things, none that her husband could recall later on. Sesshoumaru attempted to start a food fight with Arya, but with no avail as he received a rebuking from his mother the moment he picked his hand up to launch a bread roll. Yet, throughout the night there seemed to be a stricken silence between the Northern and Western Lord, the other casting each other sharp looks with their piercing eyes. After the meal, there was dancing, held in the magnificent ballroom. Sasame made it a point to dance with every single one of his fifteen courtesans. The Southern Lord and Lady danced as well yet left early to retire to the rooms they had been given for the night. Single, and bitter because of this, the Eastern Lord stood off to the side, scowling in a corner. No woman had shown interest in him for he was cruel and malicious, yet he had showed interest in Achika. For it was true indeed, the Eastern warlord had his eye on the Inutaishou's land and wife, always watching the couple in disgust. Aware of this, Inutaishou kept away from the taiyoukai, keeping Achika close as he danced with her. The Western Lord was as powerful on the dance floor as he was on the battlefield, making him an amorous and intriguing lord, a type of man that was usually only found in sappy romance novels. Achika looked at him starry-eyed, somewhat parading her 'catch' around the dance floor yet still making it appear as if Inutaishou was leading. Inwardly, he found this amusing, but he loved the woman dearly and allowed her to have her happiness. He refused to be like the fickle Sasame; he would stay with one mate, even if it were considered proper for a lord to have several wives. But how very wrong he was, unaware at the time that he would fall in love with a second woman.

"Oh, Inutaishou-sama!" The demoness exclaimed, her face slightly pink with too much saké. Coming to a close in their dance, the couple finished the step perfectly, as Achika fought the effects of too much rice wine. Inutaishou chuckled; he had chosen to refrain from alcohol, for he knew what too much saké would do to him. There would no longer be that feared respect for the Western Lord if he was drunk beyond all reason. Feeling Achika nuzzle at his chest, Inutaishou looked down at his beautiful wife. No one would say anything about her state, or they would deal with her husband's wrath later on. "Isn't it wonderful? Such a lovely night," She mused, her words slurred, her hair in need of brushing.

"I think it's time you head to bed, Achika. It's late," He reminded her, always the one who was under control...for the most part. Holding in a sigh, Inutaishou remembered his son as well as all the other children had been sent to separate guest rooms. Perhaps his wife needed a set bedtime if she was going to be so ridiculous. Though he had to admit, she was sort of cute in this way.

"Awww, but Inutaishou-sama, I want to stay up," Here, she fumbled a bit, her husband catching her.

"Achika, everyone is going home or to their room for the night. Don't you think we should do the same?

"I guess so. May I go get a drink of water first?" She pleaded, like a child. Giving her a soft smile, Inutaishou pulled away, making sure she could stand on her feet.

"All right then. I'll go ahead to our room. Can you make it to the kitchen and back? You must me careful with these sort of things," He teased, while she nodded.

"Of course! I'm the Lady of the Western Lands. I can perform the effortless task of getting myself a drink," Achika defended. The warlord shook his head, joining the people that were heading out the door.

"Just be careful, and hurry back to meet me; I'll be waiting up for you." He repeated to his somewhat absentminded wife before leaving. Blowing him a kiss, she made her way to the opposite door, on her way to the kitchen. Things began to look a bit blurry but nothing she couldn't handle. Saké numbed Achika's senses, so she was caught off guard when she felt someone grab her from behind while she entered the kitchen. Pressed against a wall, she found the blood colored eyes of the Eastern Lord staring back at her, a possessive look lingering in the cold orbs.

"What's this? A drunken maiden out on her own? Too bad all the servants have gone to bed, for no one shall hear your screams," His voice dripped in wickedness as he pinned her to the wall, his strong grip able to hold her wrists in place. Achika's chest was heaving as she managed a growl.

"Leave me be! I have no business with you!" She proclaimed, trying to escape from his hard grip.

"Oh, but you will be having business with me," Smirking maliciously, his tones indicating things to Achika that she wished she hadn't heard.

"Don't you dare touch me, Hirata!" The woman screamed at the warlord, though her cries were in vain. "I told you long ago that I cannot love you!"

"Ah, my dear, but it is not love that I look for anymore. As long as it's a beautiful woman, lust will satisfy me," Hirata said in his perverse tones, his crimson eyes looking the demoness up and down. With sharp reflexes, he grabbed both her wrists in one hand, pulling her arms atop her head, keeping Achika jammed to the wall. Using his now free hand, he menacingly ran his gaunt fingers through her platinum hair and then callously grasped her chin forcing her head up to look into his depraved eyes. His degrading touch infuriated her so much that she snapped her fangs at him. He withdrew quickly, clucking his tongue. "Feisty, aren't we?" Achika only scowled in response.

"If you don't free me, I swear to you my husband will..."

"Will what? Stab me with his sword?"

"No. First I'll see how many times your arm will wrap around your stomach. Then I think I'll try to see how far your sword will go down your throat before it strikes something vital. And then perhaps, this Inutaishou will rip you limb from limb and use your remaining blood to write my apology letter to whatever family you have left," the Western Lord hissed darkly. Flabbergasted, Hirata spun around to strike his adversary, but he was too late. Seething, Inutaishou connected a clenched fist to dislocate the baffled Hirata's jaw. Crumpling to the ground, he cradled his face; the Eastern Lord did not get up. Inutaishou went to Achika who was leaning against the wall in shocked silence; he pulled her close to his body. She shook uncontrollably and began to weep enfolded in her rescuer's arms. Comforting her, Inutaishou looked over to the Eastern Lord, watching blood trickle down his face. "Be glad that this little situation stays between us. I don't think the Northern Lord would take a liking to discovering his hospitality has been mocked by such a vile snake in his midst... " A growl deepened in Inutaishou's throat as he stared coldly down at the viper youkai. Hirata didn't even deserve to have legs in his more human form. Rather, the wretch should be cursed to crawling on his belly for the rest of eternity. Declaring this truth, Inutaishou escorted his wife to their room for the night, never once looking back at the Eastern warlord.

The husband and wife lay there in their double futon, neither of them able to get to sleep. Achika was shaken from such an assault; Inutaishou furious that someone would put a violent hand on his spouse. They just lay there, Inutaishou stripped to only his hakama while his wife wore only her under kimono, both serving as makeshift pajamas for the night. A silence passed between them as Achika slid closer to her protective husband; hearing his steady heartbeat slowed her own pounding heart, calming her nerves and bolstering her playfulness.

Patting his arm she cooed in babyish tones, "Such a big, strong man you are. Saving this poor little damsel in distress."

"What?" Her husband raised a slender brow questioning her coquettish actions.

She replied by reaching over and kissing the man deeply, wrapping her arms around his bare chest. Inutaishou rolled his eyes before closing them, pulling her flush against him as he caressed her lips as well. His hands went to the shoulder of Achika's kimono, slowly unfolding the overlapping material. But before the two were to 'enjoy' themselves, and further turn this into a sappy, clichéd romantic love story that has everyone regurgitating in the end, Sesshoumaru entered, sparing us all from the schmaltzy details.

"Father? Mother? I couldn't get to sleep and...um...what are you guys doing?" The boy had opened the door, staring at his parents with widened eyes. Achika blushed, yanking the shoulder of her kimono up, as Inutaishou pulled away, clearing his throat. It was as if the two were love struck teenagers in the back of a car, both getting caught for their behavior.

"Sesshoumaru, dear, I didn't know you were still awake. Your father and I were just..." How could she word this in terms a six year old wouldn't be grossed out? "Snuggling..." Her son crinkled his nose, his tongue stuck out.

"You were kissing again, weren't you? Dear gods, get a life," The boy said haughtily, rolling his eyes. His parents were so stupid at times. Inutaishou sighed, rubbing his temples.

"Sesshoumaru, is there something you wanted?" The man inquired, as his son looked down.

"Well, I had a nightmare and I couldn't fall back to sleep...and so... I was wondering if I could stay with you two?"

Inutaishou was about to say 'no.' That a child should get used to being afraid every once and a while. That Sesshoumaru should learn to—

"Awww! Of course, Sesshoumaru! Don't be scared!" Achika smiled, opening her arms welcomingly to her son. Her husband frowned. Stupid interruptions. Stupid wife. Stupid maternal instincts. The boy beamed, running to his mother's arms, almost tripping over his under kimono. Achika's eyes softened as she embraced her son, running fingers through his now loose hair. Inutaishou just turned over on his side, groaning. Making a man out of this "mama's boy" was going to be a lot harder than what he first thought.