He had an empire to build; he had not yet gained his land or his title of Lord of the West. He was just Sesshomaru, Lord of nothing, son of the Lord of the West. He had heard Jaken tell Rin that it might take years, more years than she had to live, to build his empire. No, it would not take that long. The only thing that was standing in his way was Naraku. But Naraku was no more. Sesshomaru had changed a bit over the years but still didn't like his half-brother, but he didn't hold a grudge like he once did. After saving Rin, he had a little more care for life. A little less kill now and ask questions later and more ask questions first and then kill.
Recently, he let his half-brother group go; they were only trying to save Rin, but she didn't need saving. The monk didn't understand why the small child wished to follow him. As he walked on, he spotted them in the village; they were standing near his half-brother and the Miko; he heard the monk ask her, "Why do you stay with a demon?"
The monks must have known, for he told the girl never mind.
That does not matter now; what matters is building his empire, and this was the last chance to do so. The other Lords told him the last time that the next time he came to them, he had better be ready. Yes, he thought he was more than ready. Ready to claim his father's land and his birthright. The West had gone unprotected for far too long, almost 600 years. So now that's what he was doing, making his way before the other Lords.
But this time, he traveled with more than just two followers; he traveled with his half-brother and his small pack. He thought it wise to bring Inuyasha along; he didn't know why, but he didn't want to leave any stone unturned. So now he was walking ahead of them all. He wanted no surprises, and even though Inuyasha was a halfbreed, he was still their father's son. Time was running out. Why his father set these other Lords as granters was beyond him; he thought to kill them all at one time, but there was no honor in that, and his mother wasn't stepping in to help either.
He cursed his father. First, he gives his sword to Inuyasha, and then he puts his birthright to the throne to the other Lords. Stupidity! He didn't trust them as far as he could throw them. They were no allies to him or his father. But his father's wishes were solid, and his words, even in death, could not be overruled.
Sesshomaru glanced back briefly,
Jaken was behind him, pulling Ah-Un, Rin and Shippo were sitting on Ah-Un, Kagome was standing next to Au-Uh, and the monk and slayer were walking behind them with Kirara beside them. Where was his brother, at the back, with the dead one or, shall we say, undead one? Yes, she was granted her life back after the jewel was once again inside of its protector's body, Kagome. Sesshomaru had spoken to her once and only once. She was a wise Miko, and he knew it. He had respect for her, well as much as a demon Lord would give a human immortal Miko anyway.
He wondered just for a moment which Miko, his brother, was going to mate. No, he didn't care; he had more important things to tend to. They were coming upon the other Lords. He could see them in the distance. They all stood with their hand in front of them and swords beside them on their hips. He could see the Lord of the North's cold blue aura around him. He could see the Lord of the East fire aura around him. He stopped before leaving the shade of the Forest.
"We are here," He told the group, his eyes looking back at them. They all nodded and followed him out to the clearing. Kagome and Kikyo could feel the power of the Lords in one place; it made them both a little weak in the stomach. Both of their Miko powers flared up to shield them from the aura of the Lords, and of course, all the Lords could feel the crackle of the Miko's powers. It is said that demons and Miko's had no place with one another, but here they were. They all had their honor, and they all knew that the other had- power. They all knew that the other was worthy of respect.
They all live for the same and by the same four things: Duty, Power, Honor, and even Love.