A/N: It's summer, but I try to make some progress on my stories, so maybe I will be updating in the future. For now, enjoy a bit of an AU where Touga lives.
Success
A tall, lanky young man in pure white robes approached a maple tree in a sedate pace. His silver hair and golden eyes matched these of the man sitting under the tree. There was a low table with papers scattered on top of it behind which the older man was sitting, obviously enjoying a warm, sunny day while working. His swords were neatly laid on the mat beside him.
"Lord Father," the younger male stopped in front of the other. "This one has successfully evaded the half-breed. May this one request a sparring with your lordship?"
His words were formal, pride in his tone. The sitting man lifted his gaze from a document and raised an eyebrow.
"You have evaded your younger brother?" he inquired.
"Correct. This one has not seen him in quite a while. The little beast must e still sniffing around the courtyard," the young man ran a hand down the length of his furry pelt thrown over his right shoulder. He was pretty pleased with himself.
"Alright then..." the man smirked. "Would you care to step over there?" he pointed to the spot to his right. His eldest son obediently did as he was told.
Then he looked at his father.
"As you can clearly see, I am a bit... pressed... with other matters, so I have to deny your request, Sesshomaru," Touga couldn't help a small chuckled at the expression of outrage on his son's face while he looked at the tiny hanyou pup napping on the coils of his father's pelt.
"Can't you just push him off?"
"And risk waking up the precious little creature?" Touga was quite amused. "Let this be a lesson, Sesshomaru. Let the sleeping puppies slumber and play with them when they are asking nicely. And, my son, never assume where your foe is. Else you might find yourself coming losing. When you don't know where the other is, proceed as if they were ahead of you."
"This one shall remember your teachings," Sesshomaru promised.
It wasn't battle training, but there was wisdom in his father's words. As he looked at the napping puppy Sesshomaru decided that next time he'd make sure the brat was distracted with toys before he went to ask for training with their father.