The next morning, Inuyasha woke up to find himself covered in a warm, furry cape. He rubbed his eyes and yawned, finding his older brother Sesshoumaru looking straight at him.

"So, you're finally awake." He said tonelessly.

Inuyasha nodded his head.

"I assume you are back to full strength now that you have had a long nights sleep?" Sesshoumaru asked.

"Yes," Inuyasha answered brightly, "I am feeling a lot better."

"Not that your full strength is much to marvel at." Sesshoumaru scoffed, "Now get up." He yanked his fluffy scarf away from the little boy and brushed it off as if it had just been sneezed on by something very repulsive.

"So… what do we do now?" Asked Inuyasha.

"It is not what 'we' are going to do. It is what you are going to do."

Inuyasha cocked his head in confusion, but Sesshoumaru kicked him hard with his right foot.

"Get up. I am not going to give you the luxury of second chances, half breed." He said.

"Hey, that hurt!" Inuyasha winced.

"It is nothing compared to what you will be going through your whole life. Think of it as a reminder from someone who… cares." He lied. "Now do as I say or else I will kick you again."

Inuyasha stood up quickly.

"That's better, now. It seems you have finally learned to respect your superiors." He motioned to Jaken, who scuttled over hastily.

"Yes, My Lord?" he panted.

"Come with me." Sesshoumaru said, "It's time to start teaching this half breed a lesson or two about life."

"Filthy half breed!"

"Don't call me that!" Inuyasha screamed.

"Wrong, Inuyasha!" Sesshoumaru called out to Inuyasha, "You aren't going to be respected by whining and crying! No! You have to do something to make your insulter cringe! Make them respect you, fear you! Even a half demon can set a human into submission! Try again, Jaken!"

"Sure thing, My Lord!" Jaken smiled, "Go away, you filthy half breed!" He taunted, "We don't want you here!"

"And since when do I take orders from you!" Inuyasha yelled, "Even I am a higher class than some old toad!"

"Very good, Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru nodded, "…Even though it sounded pathetically childish." He added under his breath.

"I kind of like insulting people." Inuyasha said, "It makes me feel all warm inside."

"That is the feeling of stupidity and ignorance!" Jaken squealed, "Insulting your superiors will only get you in trouble! And I am so a higher class than you! I may be a toad but im not a half toad!"

"He has a point, Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru said, "Taking on humans or demons weaker than yourself is fine, but insulting your superiors is a dangerous and foolish thing to do."

"At least I would have gone down fighting."

"Cockiness in a half demon is a loathsome quality." Sesshoumaru spat, "Make sure you don't become too proud of yourself. No matter how strong you do get, you are still a half demon."

Jaken stuck his tongue out at Inuyasha. Inuyasha sneered and gave him the finger.

"My Lord! My Lord!" Jaken whined, "He just flipped me off!"

Sesshoumaru glared at Inuyasha. "Come here." He said.

Inuyasha backed up slowly.

"Come over here, Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru said soothingly, "Big brother isn't going to hurt you."

Inuyasha paused for a second and then walked over to him. Sesshoumaru grasped his right hand.

"Is this the finger that you used on poor Jaken?" He asked.

Inuyasha grinned menacingly and nodded.

Sesshoumaru took a heavy rock from the ground. He held Inuyashas hand to the ground, and lifted the rock in the air. He brought it down and ruthlessly smashed Inuyashas hand with it several times.

Before Inuyasha could take a breath, Sesshoumaru pushed him away harshly.

"Cockiness in a half breed is a loathsome quality." He repeated, "Make sure I don't have to discipline you again by my own means. Next time I won't be so nice."

Inuyasha cradled his right hand. It was bleeding, and two of his fingers were broken. But he bit back his tears. He stood up and bowed his head.

"Apologize to Jaken." Sesshoumaru ordered.

Inuyasha remained motionless.

"Apologize to Jaken!" He raised his voice threateningly.

"Im sorry, Jaken!" he screamed, "Forgive me!"

"Well, since you asked so nicely, I supposed I can." Jaken smiled falsely. "Just make sure it doesn't happen again, half breed."

Inuyasha was burning with rage. He didn't care if his brother was a 'higher class' than him--that didn't give him the right to tell him what and what not to do. He wanted to live his own way--not the way his brother wanted him to. He licked the blood off of his hand and squeezed his eyes closed.

Sesshoumaru sensed Inuyashas anger… he was beginning to think that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't form this half demon into a full one. Not in body, not in mind, and certainly not in spirit.