Author's Note: Sorry! I haven't updated in forever! But anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter. Let's see. I'm sorry about Inu-Papa being a jerk. And... Er, the little scene at the end...I felt so bad writing it. I felt like I was sinning or something. Ack, I'm such a wimp. But before you get this weird idea about me, know that I don't mean to offend anyone. After all, Achika and Inutaishou are married. I meant it in good fun. Perhaps it'll serve as a warning not to let your guard down with alcohol. XD But, it's not that bad when compared to a lot of the cheesy fanfics. And if you don't agree with the Inu-Mama/ Inu-Papa fluff, that's fine. Just keep in mind that this is a fanfiction. They aren't real characters. The fluff is for fun. No, a relationship wouldn't happen that fast...but it's supposed to be sappy romance. End of story. So don't get mad at me! Um, now that I've defended myself...enjoy.


Sesshoumaru stood there quietly for a moment, trying to take this all in. The great Inutaishou-sama was alive? But who? Who would have such power to bring back the warlord?

"Mother, if this is another one of your ways to get attention, I must let you know it is indeed bothersome. I don't have time for your fabricated nonsense," Sesshoumaru gave a dark look at the demoness, his patience waning.

"You think I would lie? Lie to get attention? Lie about something this serious?" she was panicking now, her lip quivering. Inutaishou was never patient. And the demoness knew that hell wasn't going to do anything to assist in the calming of the warlord's infamous temper.

"No, but you would sleep around with other lords to get attention, wayward wench." Inutaishou's voice rang strong. Taken by surprise, the entire group looked to him. They weren't sure how he had arrived; yet somehow he had managed to introduce himself without his wife or sons picking up his scent.

The lord was magnificent. His garments weren't in the best condition yet his supreme stature was able to compensate for his ragged clothes. Dirt smudged his face and clothing, though some of the sheen in his garments shone through the earth. Still keeping his silken locks tied back, his appearance really hadn't changed. Armor decked out his perfectly chiseled body, the fur pelt draped across his back, and his normal attire of a haori, hakama, boots, and gloves were all present. He squinted slightly, a nefarious gleam lurking in his piercing eyes. His lips parted back in a scowl, baring his fangs in anger. A bone-chilling aura exuded from his body, his mere being enough to scare away foes. Inutaishou was not happy.

"So this is how I have been rewarded. I come back after all these years by some chance to find that my first son has tried numerous times to kill his brother, my wife to have gone insane and stray to other men's bedsides, and on top of that, I discover my own family talking ill of me. Do not think that because I have been in hell means that I am not aware of what has been going on." His hands were wound tightly in to fists, his gloves threatening to tear.

At first, no one was really sure how to take this. It was unbelievable. Inutaishou was a legend in the minds of InuYasha and his friends, a tale that women told their children to scare them so that they would not wander off. He was a great lord that old youkai liked to reminisce about and recall old memories of fighting along side the warlord. It was as if he were not real, as if this being before them was nothing more than an illusion. But to Sesshoumaru and Achika, he was all too real. Swallowing hard, Sesshoumaru tried to keep a hold on his fear and bitter hatred for his father. There were only two things in life that Sesshoumaru feared: harm coming to his few loved ones and his gruesome bastard of a father.

"Inutaishou-sama," the frightened son began, doing his best not to show his fear, "It is good to see you alive and well again." His father turned to him, eyes ready to kill. With quick motions that even Sesshoumaru could not catch, Inutaishou had his first born by the throat, pinned against a tree.

"You think me stupid, boy? That this polite talk is going to make up for all the humiliation you've caused me? Let me see here. You've attempted to kill your brother, tried to steal a sword that was meant for InuYasha, and robbed my tomb. Have you no respect for your family?" Inutaishou growled. His son swallowed harder, looking at his father.

"I have no respect for my family because my father was the one who was responsible for the plethora of scars adorning my back. And I have no respect for InuYasha because he was your spoiled son and responsible for taking my left arm," he snapped. Deepening his growl, Inutaishou choked Sesshoumaru so he could scarcely breathe.

"And I suppose you left out your mother on purpose? Do you have respect for the whore?" the warlord jeered. Eyes slitting, Sesshoumaru made a futile attempt to claw out his father's eyes.

"Oh, let him be!" Achika sobbed, setting Rin down. "Stop Inutaishou-sama, please. He isn't a pup anymore. Stop punishing him; stop trying to control him," she pleaded. For a moment, Inutaishou did nothing except keep his death grip on Sesshoumaru's throat. Yet, the lord suddenly dropped his son to the ground, no sympathy in his eyes.

"As of now, you are no longer the Western Lord. I will be taking over from here, filth," he then kicked Sesshoumaru before turning to deal with Achika. Terrified, the woman took a step back as he approached her, his eyes set. His armor clanked with each heavy step, his sash snapping in the wind as he came closer yet. Coughing up blood, Sesshoumaru watched this, unable to do anything as he felt his neck throb. He was utterly humiliated. It wasn't the same embarrassment though that he felt when around his mother. True, Achika's stories did aggravate him but when his father beat him around like this, Sesshoumaru felt hopeless. Being male, the young lord didn't like showing weakness. He was supposed to be feared, hated; yet when he was tossed around like a rag doll, the fear he had worked so hard to create was destroyed. Pounding his fist to the ground, he ignored the looks he was receiving from his brother. Rin came to her lord despite this, hugging his arm.

"So, Achika, you believe I'm treating Sesshoumaru like he's a pup? And what do you call your babying him, hm? The pompous little bastard needs to be cut down a few pegs. He does not show me the proper courtesy and respect that I demand and deserve." Inutaishou grabbed his wife's arm, twisting it so she cried out in pain. "Which brings me to the point that you aren't very docile either. Do you have any excuse for your behavior? Because I'd just love to hear what you have to say this time." Looking to him with saddened eyes, the demoness whimpered.

"I'm sorry, Inutaishou-sama, lord, sire," she spoke cautiously. She wanted to scream out. She wanted so desperately to yell at him and tell him that what he said was wrong. But she feared for her safety and more importantly, Sesshoumaru's. Achika knew quite well that Inutaishou would not hesitate to beat her son when he became enraged. And his impatience was proved by Sesshoumaru's training sessions. His little patience had dwindled to nothing now; he was a monster. Whenever Inutaishou was angry in the past, he would find a way to calm his temper. But as he stood before his wife, he showed no signs of relenting. His youkai blood was pulsing in his veins, tempting him to hurt her more, to vent out his hatred. She was weak in his eyes; he could easily bring harm to her. When his eyes flooded red, Achika knew this was not her husband. He never desired to bring her this much suffering.

InuYasha had been watching with intent eyes. He had very little memories of his father. Even though he wasn't too fond of his brother or the woman that birthed Sesshoumaru, the hanyou knew that this was not right. Something had to be done. Bracing himself for what might come, InuYasha stepped closer to his father.

"Father, please, hear me out. I am fine now. Sesshoumaru couldn't get the Tetsusaiga from me. Our fighting isn't nearly as involved as it used to be. I know I am unaware of everything that is going on, yet I don't think Sesshoumaru's mother needs to be involved. It isn't worth the time to slap people around," InuYasha said rather calmly as his brother scoffed. It seemed fear had forced some manners into the hanyou. Turning to look at his second son now, Inutaishou paused, taking in what he said. It had been long and long since he saw his precious son. Guilt tugged at him. He hadn't been there for the boy at all. And now InuYasha asked a favor of him? Surely he could spare one. The hanyou deserved it.

"I see then," he said quietly, his ways quickly changing when addressing his youngest son. "Now go to Sesshoumaru and shed your womanish tears over him. The smell of salt is unbearable," he callously shoved Achika away, now approaching his second son. Achika did as she was told, though she would have gone to her boy either way. She embraced Sesshoumaru's head, weeping as she hugged him. Kagome and the others were still afraid. They really didn't know how to take this "family reunion." Inutaishou hugged his second son for a moment, and then pulled away before continuing. "InuYasha, I must apologize to you. I did not mean for this all to happen. So much has occurred while I have been...away. And I am sorry you had to witness that 'event' with Sesshoumaru and his mother. They don't know their place, you see. I had to set them straight," he gave a soft smile, ruffling InuYasha's ears. Glaring at the hanyou, Sesshoumaru tired to calm his mother, all the while his anger waxing. How dare Inutaishou do this. Just because InuYasha's mother was a human, his father's heart went soft for the half-breed.

"Father...I...I don't feel this is right though. You just hurt them," InuYasha chanced, "I don't understand." The hanyou was completely bewildered, though with good reason. He'd seen Sesshoumaru's mood swinging mother along with his violent father all in less than half an hour. It wasn't digesting all too well in the hanyou's mind. Inutaishou let out a gruff sigh, scratching behind his ears.

"InuYasha..." the warlord said softly. How was he supposed to explain everything right now? His head was too clouded with fury. He needed to tell his son a great deal. Inutaishou never had a "man-to-man" talk with the boy anyway. "Come now, this is not the place to discuss such events. We will go to the castle. And bring your friends along too. I would like to get to know them." Again, the taiyoukai smiled before turning back to his first wife and son. Sango and Miroku didn't know how to take this. They looked to Kagome who gulped, afraid to go against Inutaishou's wishes after what she had seen. Catching the miko's drift, they decided it might be wise to follow the lord. If they did, they might just keep their heads.

"Sesshoumaru, Achika, we're leaving. I'm not going to leave you out here blubbering," he mumbled, grabbing his wife by the wrist and pulling her up. He may have been mad at the demoness yet she still belonged to him, he still owned her. Inutaishou did not wait for his first born though. Instead, he walked off, his claws firmly around Achika's wrist. Suppressing a growl, Sesshoumaru stood, Rin held close to him as he tried to keep his temper. He wanted to kill Inutaishou. No, Sesshoumaru was not fond of his mother's strange habits and her stories, yet he did love her. And he didn't like seeing her pushed around by his father. But what was he to do? If he said anything that contradicted his father's desires then it would only cause further trouble. He would have to think of something. Keeping his cold visage, Sesshoumaru said nothing of the situation. He only followed his father, his brother and friends close behind.

"Inutaishou-sama, you're hurting my wrist," Achika said softly, doing her absolute best not to anger the warlord any more. Her husband only looked ahead, his mouth withdrawn in a tight line. "Please, milord," she whispered. Still, he gave her no response. Then, trying to be friendly toward him, the demoness attempted to place her head on his shoulder, nuzzling him softly. Inutaishou shoved her head away, not in the mood for affection. Achika attempted to curl her hand in his, yet he only tightened his grip on her wrist, making her wince. "So, when we get to the castle, Inutaishou-sama, what do you plan on doing? I thought maybe I could rearrange some furniture or perhaps go back to tending to my gardens or maybe even—"

"Do you ever shut up, Achika?" Inutaishou snapped. Hurt, Achika blinked a few times to try to stop more tears from falling.

"I...I'm sorry. I just thought that maybe because you were so mad was that you hadn't talked to anyone in a while. And, well, I missed you milord."

"Why do you think your rambling would help me feel better?" he scoffed, tugging her along, "I figured you were quite happy living with the Northern Lord or the Eastern Lord or whomever you were busying yourself with."

"I wasn't trying to disobey you..."

"Oh, really? Is that right? So you are telling me you just accidentally wound up having a relationship with them?" By this time, the castle had come into view, the magnificent structure towering above everything else. Inutaishou shoved the massive doors open, not bothering to give anyone a welcome to his home. He knew he was on the verge of losing his temper yet again, and he did not want InuYasha's friends to have to see another display.

"No.I went to them...because I needed someone to take your place, I needed something to fill up that emptiness. When you found the human I thought you didn't want me. I... I'd never been so emotionally hurt before. I just missed you, Inutaishou-sama. I know you aren't perfect and I anger you... but despite all that...well, I love you. And I've been so empty without you."


Dinner that night was awful. I remember there just being this awful taste in my mouth the entire time, even though the food was well prepared and the desserts were marvelous. But knowing that my life would soon belong to that beast was ruining everything. Our parents talked of wedding plans and how we were to be such a wonderful couple and that we would have wonderful children and how everything would be wonderful. If I heard one more thing about how this damned wedding was to be wonderful, I knew I was going to keel over and die. So, I just zoned out during that time, trying to smile and feign excitement. But because I was so unaware of everything around me, I didn't catch the full meaning of what Inutaishou and Sasame were discussing. Of course, Inutaishou and I had been forced to sit next to one another. And, of course, Sasame had to sit next to his best friend. And with the two together, life wasn't going to be improved.

"Hells, Sasame, I don't know what to do about this. Why am I cursed with such a woman?" Inutaishou muttered to the kitsune, talking between bites of food.

"Did you try asking your parents about another wife instead?" Sasame asked, swigging down a glass of saké.

"Yes."

"How about compromising?"

"Yes."

"Having several wives?"

"Gods yes. It's as if my parents have their minds set on torturing me. She's just too uptight. She can't take a joke. And she doesn't even act girly. How is she supposed to be my wife if she doesn't swoon over me?" Inutaishou grumbled, shooting me a look. This I ignored. I was not going to be a part of it. Or at least try not to.

"Well, it's obvious then. You have to loosen her up. Flirt with her. Woo her," Sasame snickered. How..."wonderful." I wish I could have left the table. Or killed him. Either way, it would have been nice.

"Right. Do tell me how I am to go about doing that with the shrew over there," Inutaishou sighed. I heard a chuckle from the kitsune, and I recall their voices being so hushed for a few seconds that I couldn't pick up what they talking about. This put me on edge, but I pretended to be occupied with enjoying my meal.

"I promise, it'll work," Sasame's voice was then audible.

"Really?" Inutaishou had an unsure tone in his voice, something very strange for the taiyoukai.

"I assure you. The harder she slaps you, the more she likes you. Works every time." Sasame was too smug. I was desperate to figure out what on earth they were speaking of. But then, I felt a wandering hand fall to the back of my seat and then suddenly violating my personal space. A blush heated my face as I turned to Inutaishou, him giving me this stupid grin. Embarrassed and angered, I did what any self-respecting female would have done in this situation. I clenched my fist and punched him square in the jaw. I then stood and left, not looking back at what my parents or any of the other guests. Sasame's cackling could be heard as I walked away, slapping Inutaishou on the back.

"Oh, she loves you!" the kitsune snorted. "You should see your face! It's priceless!"

Needless to say, I was finally wedded to the young lord, only a few months after that little "event." I won't droll on with the details concerning the wedding. My traditional wedding kimono was annoying though. And I wept the entire time while Inutaishou had this constant scowl. We were both forced to say our vows and when it came time to kiss, I bit his lip. It was quite a sight. So, I'm sure you can imagine how later that night went.

"All right, now that you've completely ruined our wedding and made a fool of both me and yourself, you could at least fawn over me now and tempt me," Inutaishou demanded as we both sat there in bed. I don't think I've ever felt that uncomfortable.

"I'm not sleeping with you."

"How are you to bear my heir then?" Inutaishou looked rather impatient. I knew he didn't love me but well, he was still a guy and he still had his stupid desires.

"Adopt."

"...Excuse me?"

"I'm becoming a woman of the church. I won't be having your child." There. Problem solved.

"Fine, like I care. Our parents will just have our throats," Inutaishou rolled his eyes as I got out of bed, fists wanting so badly to punch him again.

"I don't care. They can kill me. There's just no way. No way that—" At this point, I had opened the door of our room and there was this short older maid standing in front of me. I had this itching feeling she might have had an idea of what was going on because there was this knowing sparkle in her eyes. "Um...yes? Can I help you?" The woman presented this tray to me holding a bottle of some sort of liquid and two glasses.

"Complementary saké, milady," she said, pushing the tray to me. All right, so I might as well come out and admit it now. I was a goody-goody. I'd never had alcohol. I wasn't going to touch it now.

"Uh, no thank you. I'm leaving."

"Oh, but you must take it. It would be rude not to." Inutaishou had gotten out of bed, taking the glass and pouring himself some liquor.

"Well, don't want to be rude," he said, guzzling down a glass. I fidgeted.

"I'll just be going now—"

"What's wrong, Achika? Afraid to have a glass?" Inutaishou taunted, already on his second.

"No, I just don't want any—"

"You're a wimp."

"No, I just want to—"

"What's wrong, the demoness can't take a glass of alcohol? Aw, too bad." All right. He was starting to push it now.

"No, I told you. I don't—"

"Shrew. Wench. Cu—"

"Shut up! Just shut your filthy mouth!" The nerve of that man! Were all men really this vulgar, this stupid? "I'll take a glass if it means keeping you quiet." I was nervous. Cursing myself for my stupidity, I took the bottle from him, pouring myself a glass. Closing my eyes, I swallowed it in one gulp. Rice wine is very bitter. It felt like my tongue was going to shrivel up.

"Wow, she actually could do it." Inutaishou chuckled, wiping his mouth.

"Of course I could." I then had another glass. And another. And just one more after that. I had to prove to him that I could do it. But after a while, Inutaishou started to look really attractive. I don't know why. I just remember wanting him to hold me and love me. His face was flushed, and he seemed so happy as he took another glass, finishing off the bottle. His eyes were so much softer then. His laugh was genuine. His face was perfect. And the way a few strands of hair escaped his tie, framing that perfect face. I'd never realized how handsome the lord was. And as I began to look at him more and more, I thought to myself how I wanted him.

I heard a soft chuckle from the maid and a click of the door. Inutaishou's eyes flickered as the candlelight played upon the amber pools. Then the light danced across his chest.

"Achika...Maybe we should start over...I never realized how beautiful you were..." Suddenly, I kissed him, hesitant at first but then more passionate. His arms wrapped around me, returning the kiss. Fine, I would love the man. I'd be his wife. Whatever it took.

And people wonder why I like my alcohol.