This is NOT like "Will You be Mine" Yes, I have read the story, I like it, and am waiting for the author to update it, but this story is nothing like "Will You Be Mine".

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha.

Kagome, Miroku and Sango are all in this story, do not worry! But they do not appear in this chapter. Be patient!

Miztical-Dragon - Thanks for your consent, or whatever. Sounds weird asking for it, but I thought it would be best. I would also like to thank you for pointing out that I had anonymous reviews disabled! I fixed that as soon as you made me aware. And about Hondel, I read "will you be mine" before I read "hondel" and I want to admit, the reason I actually read Hondel was because it seemed so similar to "will you be mine". I was surprised at the similarities, but It didn't even cross my mind that their were parts that were exactly the same.

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The War Between Races
Chapter 2 - Naraku

By: Scaevola
Published 9/16/05
Updated 9/16/05

The palace was quiet for the next couple days. Nobody wanted to incur the Emperor's wrath. Servants and Slaves went about their daily chores, making sure the palace was spotless. Visiting nobles left quickly, or otherwise stayed in their rooms, only speaking with the Emperor if he called them.

The enslavement was Jinji and his family was made public. Held in the great square of the city, the enslavement was turned in to almost a show, both to humiliate and shame the offending family, as well as set an example. The people of the city gathered to watch as Jinji was stripped of his status and prepared for slavery.

InuYasha and Sesshomaru watched with their father. InuTashio was at first hesitant to have his sons with him, but he knew that he could not shelter them for long. They needed to see, to understand, to be prepared for later in life.

They all watched as the slavers brandished their whips, and chained the family members together in a line. Shackles held their arms in front of them and connected them to the family member in front of them. Special necklaces were also fitted to each demon. These were essentially pet collars. They allowed people to see who owned them, as well as allow the owner to leash them and keep control over them.

A simple word was tuned to each necklace, and would allow the owner to punish the slave should he do wrong.

The crowd jeered as they watched one of the new slaves try to fight against the slavers, only to be whipped until he could not stand.

Normally, InuTaisho would not punish someone this way for such a small thing as speaking out against him. However, he had known for awhile that Jinji was plotting against him, slowly seeking out support among lower nobles, as well as several of the more powerful, to overthrow him. InuTaishio had not told anyone that he had found out about Jinji's plans. Yet now that InuTaisho had sent Jinji away, many would know that the Emperor had found out.

InuTaisho remembered the letter that he had received from one of the lords, Naraku. It had come to him while he was campaigning against the humans on Coari.

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Flashback
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InuTaisho was in the middle of his morning inspection of the camp and the soldiers when a Messenger from Daelis arrived. The demon bowed deeply while he held a letter to the Emperor.

"Lord, I bring a message from Lord Naraku of Tartil." InuTaisho took the letter from the demon and dismissed him with a wave of his hand. The messenger bowed deeply once more and left quickly so that the Emperor may read it in peace.

InuTaisho studied the letter closely before he opened it. The letter had been rolled up, as a scroll, and sealed with wax bearing the symbol of a spider. He opened it with his claws and unrolled the letter. He began to read.

To InuTaisho, taiyoukai of the Inuyoukai clan and ruler of Daelis, Naraku, Lord of Tartil sends his humble greetings. Lord InuTaisho, I hope the campaign is going well. Many here at home are worried for your safety and hope that you will emerge victorious from this war.

Rumors reach our ears at home however, of defeat on the island of Coari and Krain. There are those among us at home who hear these rumors and rejoice. I have sent this message to warn you that when you return from your campaign, you may not have the support, nor the position you now have. There are many who are secretly planning to overthrow you, after they gain the support from the public and other nobles against you.

I myself have been approached by one lord known as Jinji. He offered me a high position and wealth in return for his support against you. He, and several other lords, have become very hostile against you I'm afraid. I however, remain strongly loyal behind you and will fully support you when you return. I will continue to watch other nobles for signs of dissent and will inform you of my suspicions.

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End Flashback
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InuTaisho had not forgotten Naraku's aid when he had returned from. In fact, he had made Naraku his own advisor as soon as he returned. It had been Naraku's idea, to send Jinji away, and had spoken to InuTaisho previously, on many occasions, of somehow finding an excuse to send Jinji away as a slave.

That would make sure that Jinji could never plot against him again, for nobody listens to, no believes a slave.

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Sesshomaru and InuYasha were not so fond of Naraku. Unlike InuYasha however, Sesshomaru slowly began to trust him, and just believe that the feeling he had when he was near Naraku was simply there because he had not know Naraku well for very long.

It was slightly disturbing however, when they would watch their father take the advice of a demon they barely knew, and would merely shrug off what their mother said.

Sesshomaru interpreted this to mean that you could not allow love to cloud your judgment when you were ruling an empire, while InuYasha simply worried that the war had changed his father. Years of war and battle, the sight of killing and friends dieing could change any man he supposed.

Both sons forgot their dislike of Naraku however, when their lives became busy, with tutoring in the many languages of demons and the human tongue, as well as the proper etiquette of a lord in Daelis.

Their days became a constant competition, who could compose themselves the best, act the most regal, speak the languages the easiest. Every one of these challenges was one by Sesshomaru.

This did nothing against their relationship however. Sesshomaru and InuYasha were still inseparable, and the small sibling rivalry that arose was often encouraged by the family and others.

The boys would often wake up and be schooled by Silenix for several hours on languages, only stopping once to eat lunch before they would quickly being to cover such topics as philosophy, literature, mathematics, and any other topic that a cultivated person should be knowledgeable of. Sesshomaru and InuYasha hated discussing such things, and were often glad when their lessons ended, leaving them a few hours to relax or play before dinner.

When dinner started, they would have a lesson of a different sort, being taught on how to eat properly and how to act towards other lords. This, was InuYasha's least favorite, and while he could eat properly when he had to, he much preferred to simply eat as fast as he could. When dinner was finished they were allowed to stay away for some time in order to play or read, before they would finally settle down to sleep.

Sesshomaru and InuYasha shared a bedroom together, and after they were alone they'd often stay wake for some time, laughing at some foolish thing the other had said, or discussing the days events.

It was one such day after the war had ended when their father came to them during the middle of the night. A gentle breeze carrying the cool night air came through the window. "InuYasha, Sesshomaru, get up." Shivery, We rose and slipped on our clothes. "Come with me."

They followed their father through the empty halls. It was very dark, yet they had no trouble seeing their tall father walking ahead of them, leading them to some unknown place. After much walking, climbing of staircases, and even a ladder, they found themselves on top of the palace, overseeing the entire city below them.

"This, Sesshomaru, you will one day rule over, with your brother's help. All that you see before you, for as far as you can see in any direction, will be your responsibility." he paused, making sure his sons were listening closely. "You two are my heirs, and this land will be yours when I die. However, I will not have weaklings leading this empire that I have forged."

"We are not weaklings, Father." Sesshomaru was obviously a bit insulted by the wording, but InuTaisho smiled at his son.

"You both are in some ways Sesshomaru. Though you both have the potential to be great demons, you have not been taught in the proper ways to defend your empire. The humans are greedy and will continue to expand, slowly taking more and more of our lands. I doubt they will be content with just Caori and Krain. They despise us demons. That is why I have told Myouga and Jaken to train both of you in the ways of war and fighting. Your schooling will begin the day after tomorrow. Do not disappoint me."

The Emperor then began to walk away. "Come with me."

Both sons looked at each other once before jogging to keep up with their father. The news that they would begin training to fight was exciting, and slightly frightening at the same time. They followed their father for some time, through the empty halls once more, until they finally came to their father's study.

As they went in, InuTaisho shut and locked the door. Neither InuYasha nor Sesshomaru had ever been in the study before, and they looked around curiously at the many books lining the walls and letters that their father had received. Both of their gazes however, eventually ended on two swords hanging on the wall.

InuTaisho, seeing this, smiled. "Those swords are called the Tetsusaiga and the Tensaiga. The Tetsusaiga is a sword that may kill one hundred demons with one swing, while the Tensaiga can save one hundred." He looked at his sons, who were staring at the swords with eyes the size of saucers. "I have been waiting for you two to reach the appropriate ages before I gave you any weapons. These swords, will be yours."

At these words, both of his sons turned towards him quickly, sure that they had heard their father wrong. Sesshomaru, the older son, recovered first. "How will you decide which of us gets which sword?"

"I, will not decide." answered their father. "The swords will." at their confused looks, he told them "You must go and try to draw the sword. If it allows you, it has chosen you. If it rejects you, then the other sword will be yours. Sesshomaru, I will allow you to do the honors."

The older boy slowly approached the swords, before grasping the lower one, the Tetsusaiga. As soon as his hands closed around the hilt, blue sparks flew up and burned his hand. Sesshomaru pulled his hand away to see small burn marks, already beginning to heal. "That sword has rejected you, Sesshomaru." said InuTaisho. "Your sword will be Tensaiga."

Sesshomaru then looked up at the other sword and cautiously grabbed the hilt. When it did not reject him, he nearly sighed in relief. He then took the sword down and put it at his hip.

InuYasha was next. He quickly walked to the Tetsusaiga and put his hand on the hilt. It did not reject him, and his pulled it down quickly before he too, put his sword at his hip.

"You will train with these swords, and master their techniques. InuYasha, you will train with Myouga, while you, Sesshomaru, will train with Jaken. Now, I suggest both of you get back to bed and get some sleep before you are awoke by the Silenix for your morning lessons."

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