Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow, watching the boy shuffle his feet, his previous vigour lost.
"Honour is not won by victory alone. You have already proven yourself a valiant provider."
The change was instant, as he knew it would be, Shippou's watery gaze turning on him even as his shoulders squared. A sharp fang poked out over his bottom lip before he nodded, determination replacing the disquiet that had been sullying his aura.
As he crept towards the stag, claws bared, not even the grass made a sound.
He was so much like the miko Sesshoumaru wondered if they weren't actually related by blood.