Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, Rumiko Takahashi does, and she's doing a wonderful job. Come on, how can you not love the woman responsible for Moko-moko-sama (sp?).

Author's Notes:

Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed! You are my inspiration!

Oh, and as for thanking reviewers, in my previous stories I thanked reviewers individually, but I'm terribly inconsistent and it became difficult to keep track and I was always worried that I had forgotten to thank someone, so from now on I'm going to give a broad (yet sincere) thank you, and then respond to whichever reviews seem to inspire a response. Like, if there is a question, or if someone said something specific that I wanted to comment on, or if I feel the need to defend myself (I've never gotten any flames, people are so nice, but I wrote a terrible ending, and I knew it was, and someone politely asked what happened, and I felt the need to explain. Because I felt guilty for losing that story like I did.), or if there's something I agree w/ or disagree w/ or you get the idea. And no worries if there's nothing to respond to in a review- there's nothing wrong with it, I've written reviews that were one word, and I've written really long ones. Both are great, but "cute!" Which is, in my opinion, completely appropriate for some stories, hardly inspires a response, you know? So, here are the responses.

thealchemist'sdaughter: Thank you! And I loved that part too. There's actually a part like that in another story I wrote (Rin is Bored) where Rin gets to ask a question (only one) and he has to answer truthfully, but he can refuse to answer and make her pick a different question. It went on like that for a while! Hehehehe, sooo much fun. I guess I really like the idea of Sesshoumaru-sama being forced to answer a question. It's so much fun!

DSK: Actually, the way this story came about was I was daydreaming about Sesshoumaru explaining to Inuyasha why it was that he keeps Rin with him, and I started thinking about it more and more until the idea developed into this story. I didn't want to rush it right into the couple chapters though, there are at least a couple that I think would be more likely to come up first, but I'm really looking forward to writing that one, so I think it will come up relatively soon.

Psycho Demon-Witch: Yeah, embarrassing questions are fun, and Inuyasha is kinda mischievous, so I doubt he would pass up the opportunity to ask a bunch of embarrassing questions. But, not that many come to mind right now, so there might not be more embarrassing ones in the next couple chapters. As always, I adore recommendations so if there is a question you think should come up please share.

On with the story!

"Speaking"Inuyasha thinkingSesshoumaru thinking

Honor

Inuyasha's laughter slowed to an awkward chuckle and died. Sesshoumaru may have admitted embarrassment, but he certainly didn't look affected. His gaze held that 'be flattered that this Sesshoumaru is acknowledging your presence' lack of expression, and his body was relaxed yet oddly straight postured. His apparent lack of interest led to a very sudden, very intensely awkward silence. Well, awkward for Inuyasha, anyway.

Baka hanyou, look at you squirm. No self discipline, unlike this Sesshoumaru.

Agh! Why doesn't he say something! Damn you, Sesshoumaru, looking so smug! I should smack some expression onto that face! Grrrr….. Say something damn you!

"Is something the matter, Inuyasha?"

"Shut up! I'm the one asking questions!"

"Then ask something."

"Grrrr… Why?"

"Because that's why you came here."

Gah! He's always got an answer! Oh, I know!

"Not, that! Why?"

Sesshoumaru just stared at him.

"Don't forget, old man, you've got to answer my question!"

Sesshoumaru's brow contracted ever so slightly, but Inuyasha noticed.

Ha! Got ya!

"I am not old. In fact I have been challenged for the right to our father's titles on more than one occasion because his old followers thought me too young to be effective as Lord of the Western Lands."

"That doesn't answer my question, baka."

"What is your question?"

"Why?"

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed.

He's doing this to get under my skin. I will not give him the satisfaction of thinking he's succeeded.

"Why what, specifically?" He said, looking rather bored.

Hmph. I hoped that would last longer. Oh well, a victory is a victory.

"Why did you agree to this?"

"To repay my debt for saving my life. You know that."

"Yes, but why do you feel the need to repay me, of all people, it's not like you asked me to save you."

Sesshoumaru looked Inuyasha in the eyes.

"Because I am honor bound to repay that debt."

"What the hell, Sesshoumaru? You have no qualms about slaughtering innocent passersby who happen to be in your way, but now some hanyou saves you and you're going out of your way to repay me? What's your deal? Where do you draw the line?"

Hm. You really don't get it, do you? Well, might as well explain.

"Inuyasha, I was brought up in a very different culture than you, and in a very different way. You were born a hanyou; it was known instantly that you would inherit the Inuyasha Forest; that you would live among humans with your mother, that you would never inherit father's title. You were ridiculed and demeaned and attacked at every opportunity. You owed your life to your parents, and you now owe that sword to father, but they are both dead. You are responsible only for those that you choose to take into your protection. I, however, was born the first born son to the Inu no taisho. It was known from the moment I was born, before I was ever even named, that I would be my father's heir and successor. From the moment of my first breath, I became responsible for the safety and well being of the western lands in their entirety. Because of my status, I am held with respect, I am obeyed by my followers without question, and given whatever I demand. But in return I serve them as well- I provide protection, and order. I have no life outside of service to my land and my people. And I was brought up to do precisely that. You cannot know the importance of honoring ones debt; because you have never known what is was to be in debt to another. I have been taught, from the time I was young enough to understand the words, that I am a servant, first and foremost, and that I must never take what I have not earned, and always reward those who serve me. All people should strive to never take more than they deserve, but as Lord of the Western Lands I must set an example for my people, and give them reason to follow me, so I especially must live an honorable life."

"Wow."

Wow. So he's not evil, just seriously warped. But then, what about-

"But what about all those innocent people you've slaughtered throughout the years?"

"Innocent? Don't be foolish, Inuyasha, only pups are innocent, all adults are tainted. Besides, when has this Sesshoumaru ever gone out of his way to kill someone uninvolved? Only those who knowingly obstruct justice are punished. Those that are uninvolved may be sacrificed in the interest of justice. You, for example, were not involved in your creation, you're parents were. But you are an abomination, and in the interest of righting the wrongs of your parents, you must be destroyed."

"You self righteous prick! Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Think?" Sesshoumaru purred with a smirk, "This Sesshoumaru knows who he is: Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands."

Inuyasha growled.

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End Chapter

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Wow. This story isn't coming out nearly as warm and fuzzy as the daydream that inspired it. But I'm sure when I get to that part of the story it will be warm and fuzzy (if not a tad sad, but how could it not be? Still, sad in a hopeful way, in my opinion.) But enough of this, spoilers are evil! I think I will have Inuyasha ask about Rin next, but no guarantees. My muses are fickle and random, so I might go to a different question next. Also, as I've mentioned before, I am not consistent. Just because I've updated 3 chapters in two days, doesn't mean I am the sort of author that updates often. I will usually update in clusters. A few will get posted, and then a wait of several days or even longer. Looking at this story, I really don't think there will be a formal ending, which is pretty selfish on my part, but I just don't see any point to an ending, other than letting you know there won't be another chapter. I don't know, I have no idea how I could end this effectively, and I'm not about to go and add an ending for an ending's sake like I did w/ Rin is Bored (author cringes: if you do read it, you may want to skip the last chapter. I adore that story through every chapter except the last.)