InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ History of the Generals: Lord Inu no Taisho ❯ Leader of the Dogs ( Chapter 1 )

History of the Generals: Lord Inu no Taisho

Inu no Taisho; arguably the most powerful daiyoukai of time. His journey has taken him across the land of Japan where he earns the respect of many, but the hatred of more. His story begins hundreds of years ago, when he was born in a village on the night of the New Moon. STORY I OF III.

.xx.

Leader of the Dogs

Regal and proud, Inutaisho bowed before the Daiyoukai, accepting his newfound title as the Leader of the Dogs—he had become his father's successor. Eyes downcast, Inutaisho focused on the cracks on the floor as the ceremony proceeded around him. His ears were focused on the words the Daiyoukai was saying; his nose was zoned in on the scent of pride his father was emitting.

"I bestow you the weapon that is wielded by all Leaders," the Daiyoukai stated in a commanding and authoritative voice, "the Blade of the West!" Inukimi, Inutaisho's childhood friend and the Daiyoukai's niece, stepped out from the shadows with a dangerous sword balanced between her hands. Inukimi's mother was the Daiyoukai's younger sister, making her the Daiyoukai's blood relative, and blood successor of the throne since the Daiyoukai did not sire any pups of his own… yet.

Inukimi approached her uncle and bowed in respect. It was the first time since the ceremony began that Inutaisho raised his eyes; his ochre orbs locked with Inukimi's. Her lip twitched and she smirked conspicuously.

It wasn't unknown that Inukimi harboured deep feelings for Inutaisho.

It was also not unknown that Inutaisho did not return those feelings.

"Take it, Inu no Taisho," the Daiyoukai beamed in pride, "take it and accept your position as the Commander of the Legion of Dogs."

For a split second, Inutaisho looked over at his father—time had weathered him down. Though Inu no Muteki still looked as strong and able-bodied as he did over seventy-two hundred moon cycles ago, when Inutaisho was still just a pup, Inu no Muteki was worn out and torn down. He had scars that represented different battles that he had fought; the most significant one being the wound he received while fighting the great dragon, Ryuukotsusei. Though Inu no Muteki had received a large scar across his back from that battle, he been able to wound Ryuukotsusei bad enough to have the dragon flee from the West.

Pushing himself up from his crouching position, Inutaisho locked eyes with the Daiyoukai before reaching over and grabbing the golden-hilted blade. "I accept this position, with all the honour and pride that I have, in being a warrior in the Legion of Dogs."

The Daiyoukai grinned. "And now the Legion is yours, Inu no Taisho."

Both the members of the Legion and the Daiyoukai family cheered as Inutaisho wielded the Blade of the West; a golden-hilted, silver plated, jagged edged sword. He clutched the hilt tightly and turned around, to face the audience. His eyes instantly went to his father's and Inutaisho felt a surge of pride seeing the look of pride in the eyes of Inu no Muteki. Inutaisho was proud of his father—of how the grand demon had been the most excellent of fathers to him throughout the ages, even with no mate by his side. Inutaisho never felt like he lacked a mother. Though he did miss the thought of having one from time to time, Inu no Muteki would always shower him with enough affection that mirrored two parents.

Not one.

"Lord Inu no Taisho," The Daiyoukai called for him. Inutaisho turned around and looked at the Lord of the West—the strongest demon of the time. "You may call upon one demon to be at your side when we walk to the Dining Hall for our meal. It is customary, as it is necessary."

It proves to the world where your loyalties lay, Inutaisho's mind echoed his father's words, you may choose anybody, son, but make sure that the one you choose reflects the honour you possess.

Clearing his throat, Inutaisho looked firmly at the Daiyoukai and said in the same authoritative voice that the Daiyoukai had, "I wish for Inu no Muteki-my father- to be at my side."

The members of the Legion and the Daiyoukai family applauded Inutaisho's decision. In a heartbeat Inu no Muteki was at his son's side, placing a hand on Inutaisho's left shoulder. Both dogs glanced at each other and shared the same toothy smirk that they were known for. Inu no Muteki was more than proud of his son.

"We feast," The Daiyoukai raised his hands, "and nobody in this room will spread the word of the new Leader." The Daiyoukai's eyes were fierce. "The Legion of Dogs is a secret service; demons think they exist, but aren't sure of what reality is. So let us keep it that way."

Everybody bowed their head to acknowledge what he said. Placing his hands back to his sides, the Daiyoukai stepped off of his throne, a goofy grin plastered onto his face: "Let's go… I'm so hungry!"

.xx.

"So sweet," Ounou playfully punched Inutaisho, "you had your old man be at your side for the walk! Muteki made me walk with him when he first became the Leader."

Inutaisho smirked at his uncle. "Evidently I have more brains – and honour—than father."

"Amen." Inu no Muteki nodded; the three demons shared a quick chuckle. "Apart from my lack of honour, I saw the way Kimi was looking at Toga throughout the ceremony." Inu no Muteki nudged his friend who raised his eyebrow.

"Me too. What is going on between you and my daughter, Toga?"

"It's Inutaisho," the new Leader of the Dogs muttered annoyingly. "Where the hell did you two come up with Toga?"

Inu no Muteki shrugged. "I don't really know… when you were younger, you'd try to say Taisho, but always ended up saying Taigo… Toga just came from there. Hell, was cute when you couldn't argue against it. It's still cute now."

Ounou nodded in agreement, while snickering.. They took their seats along the long banquet table and waited for the rest of the Legion of Dogs to be seated. Inutaisho glanced over at his father and uncle. "And besides, Kimi was beyond the line of demon sight throughout the entire ceremony, how could you possibly see the way she was looking at me?"

Inu no Muteki's eyes twinkled. "Call it a father's intuition?"

"You suck." Ounou snorted. "Boy, just mate with my daughter and let's get over it. You're the Leader; she's the successor of the Western Throne. What more could you possibly want?"

"Love."

The answer was so curt, so quickly said, that Inu no Muteki and Ounou's head whipped to the side to stare at Inutaisho. He didn't dare look at them – he knew it was common knowledge that he didn't have feelings for Inukimi, but never did he voice it.

"Love grows," Ounou murmured, "Kimi's mother and I were arranged to be mated."

"And you love her more than life itself now, don't you?" Inu no Muteki nudged his friend and Ounou blushed, nodding. Inutaisho wanted to gag—sure these two dogs were important to him, but they were by no means his friends. Seeing them interact in such a manner was disturbing.

Across the table, Inutaisho saw his two best friends, and fellow Legionnaires: Yabai and Susamajii-Inu. Both demons were laughing with their heads thrown back; amused at the situation Inutaisho was in. Inutaisho bore his fangs and Yabai rolled his eyes, pushing his silver bangs out of his face.

"AND NOW!" everybody looked at the Daiyoukai who was standing at the head of the table, "THE CUSTOMARY SPEECH… Inu no Muteki, if you please?"

Inutaisho wanted to laugh. He hates giving speeches…

Inu no Muteki stood up and cleared his throat, overlooking all the guests at the table. Finally, his eyes rested on his son.

"What should I say?" He began. "What can I say? I raised this boy from the minute he came out of his mother; I've tried to give him every opportunity in his life, hoping that he never missed the mother he never knew. We had ups and downs, fights… big fights—" Everybody laughed, remembering when Inutaisho and Inu no Muteki had scrapped in the courtyard not too long ago. "But at the end of the day, he always knew where his roots were. This boy is my successor in every way: in title, and in blood. I don't think there could've been a better choice for the new leader." He winked at the crowd. "But then again, I'm a biased father."

First there was laughter, and then a standing ovation. Inutaisho stood up and hugged his father tightly, wordlessly telling his old man that he loved him more than anything. When the applause died down, the Daiyoukai commanded for the feast to begin.

Not needing to be told twice, Inutaisho grabbed the leg of a hog.

.xx.

"Leader of the Dogs," Yabai rubbed his chin, which had his signature silver stubble on it, as he walked beside his best friend. "It has a nice ring to it." They finished dinner and the three friends decided to take a stroll through the castle courtyard. The sun was beginning to set and the courtyard was empty—not a soul was wondering; they were all partying inside of the Daiyoukai palace.

"It isn't Daiyoukai," Inutaisho scoffed. Susamajii-Inu and Yabai knew of Inutaisho's desire to become the next Daiyoukai. But the only possible way he could get the true title was if he murdered the current Daiyoukai and all of his successors.

Which meant Inukimi.

Or, if Inutaisho was really lucky, the Daiyoukai could just hand the throne to him which bypasses Inukimi, the actual successor to the throne. But that was as possible as Inutaisho murdering the entire Daiyoukai Family- slim to none. "Maybe," Susamajii-Inu said, excitedly, "if you mate with Inukimi and she becomes the Daiyoukai, then you'd be mated to the leader!"

"I want to be the leader of the West," Inutaisho murmured, "not the mate of the leader. Thanks for your effort though."

"I hate it when he's sarcastic," Susamajii-Inu mumbled and Yabai laughed.

"How about you just poison everybody in the family," Yabai shrugged, "then, by law, the leader of the Legion gets the throne."

"Right. And if everybody finds out that the Leader was the one that committed high treason?" Inutaisho raised his eyebrow. Yabai smirked.

"You get your head chopped off and I become the Daiyoukai, since I am your Right Hand Warrior."

Susamajii-Inu smacked Yabai. "Stop talking shit, asshole."

"Takes one to know one," Yabai muttered as he nursed the bruise that Susamajii-Inu gave him.

Inutaisho rolled his eyes. He had to hand it to his friends; they were the comic relief that he needed in his life. "Being the Leader of the Dogs is great… but…"

"But it's not what you want," Yabai muttered. "We know that Inutaisho, but what we don't know is how the hell you're going to get that title. You refuse to mate with Kimi, and we're not about to commit high treason. What other options are there?"

Susamajii-Inu glanced at both of his friends. "Dogs, the only way that Toga—"

"Inutaisho." The annoyed new Leader corrected automatically and Yabai playfully nudged Susamajii-Inu.

"Oh, sorry great Leader," Susamajii-Inu snickered. "The only way Inutaisho can acquire the title is to not outshine the Daiyoukai—you basically have to suck up to him in all ways possible and there could be the slight possibility that he will bypass Kimi and pass the throne to you. You know," Susamajii-Inu shrugged, "if you suddenly become one of his favourites."

"Right." Inutaisho snorted. "And how likely are the chances of that?"

Yabai shrugged. "You never know—why are you so adamant in becoming Daiyoukai though?"

Inuyasha idly looked at his two friends. "I just am." He had never voiced the reason as to why he wanted to become Daiyoukai so badly. Nobody except for his father knew of his reason and Inutaisho intended it to keep it that way. The three friends made it to the other end of the courtyard where a few demonesses were chitchatting. One of them looked at the three Legionnaires and blushed a rather obvious shade of red. The other two were better at concealing their emotion.

"Hello," Susamajii-Inu curtly greeted them. He liked to portray himself as the colder demon between the three of them. He said it helped keep an air of mysteriousness that he rather enjoyed. Inutaisho and Yabai loved teasing him about it.

The demonesses returned the greeting and stayed to chat for a few moments before scurrying off. Yabai snickered. "They're so in love with you, Toga."

Inutaisho warily looked at his friend. "Trust me, I am well aware."

"Too bad we don't have your cunning charm and rugged good looks." Susamajii-Inu teased as he nudged his friend. Inutaisho grinned devilishly, his fangs glistening underneath the light of the setting sun.

"Not everybody can be blessed, I assure you."

"Modesty works well for you, I see." Susamajii-Inu commented and Yabai laughed. The three demons, rather suddenly, caught the scent of the Daiyoukai's messenger behind them. They turned around to indeed find Kiiyoki running towards them from the other end of the courtyard. He had a rather sullen look on his face and it sparked a little worry in the pit of Inutaisho's stomach.

Kiiyoki never spoke to anybody.

And if he did, he never had a look of worry on his face.

The fact that he was running towards them with a look of worry well… worried Inutaisho. Finally, Kiiyoki approached them and panted slightly. Susamajii-Inu and Yabai exchanged glances and Inutaisho placed a hand on Kiiyoki's back.

"What happened?"

"Dai—" Kiiyoki panted. "Youkai… wants to see you… Inutaisho…"

"Me?" Inutaisho murmured. "Why does he want to see me?"

Kiiyoki finally caught his breath. "I don't know," he responded. "He was pulled away from the festivities and then suddenly sent word to find you."

Inutaisho frowned. "Alright… where is he?"

"His chamber. I think it may have something to do with the Panther Demons but that's all I can say," Kiiyoki urged Inutaisho to go meet with the Daiyoukai in his chamber. "You must go see him, immediately."

Nodding, Inutaisho bade his friend's farewell before bounding towards the Daiyoukai's office. Kiiyoki bowed at Susamajii-Inu and Yabai before turning around and running off—the remaining two remained standing where they were.

"Do you think we have to go out on another secret mission?" Yabai asked Susamajii-Inu who shrugged.

"Maybe? I wouldn't be surprised… the Panthers have been acting up as of late."

"Leader Toga can finally impress us with the skill that's gotten him promoted, eh?" Yabai snickered and Susamajii-Inu laughed while nodding in agreement.

.xx.

Inutaisho bowed to the Daiyoukai before standing up and meeting eyes with him. They were in the Daiyoukai's chamber; a place where he often held meetings with his Legionnaires. Inutaisho made a note to get used to this room; he would be seeing it often.

"I am sorry for pulling you away from your festivities," the Daiyoukai offered. "But this matter cannot be put off."

"I am aware of my duties," Inutaisho's voice was low, "and that it may come before acts of luxury."

The Daiyoukai smiled. "Boy, I know you will make me proud—we have done well in choosing you to lead our secret service."

Inutaisho smiled.

"A few of our dogs have been attacked in the south. I am saddened to say that we have lost a few, but the surviving dogs have made it back to the castle and are being healed as we speak." Inutaisho was in shock—attacked? "Suspicions are confirmed: the Wolf Demons are guilty."

"What?" Inutaisho blared. "In the south? But that's Panther Demon territory!"

The Daiyoukai nodded sullenly. "I am aware. I don't know what game they're playing, whether the panthers are allied with the wolves or not, but we have lost dogs and that is not something we take lightly. So, I propose that we send a little… warning… to Yorozoku."

Inutaisho raised an eyebrow. "What exactly did you have in mind, Daiyoukai?"

.xx.

Characters we have met so far:
Chapter 1-

Inu no Muteki (Inutaisho's father)
Tsukika (Inutaisho's mother)
Sukilyn (midwife demoness)
Ounou (Inu no Muteki's best friend)
Inu no Kimi (Ounou's daughter)
Inutaisho

Chapter 2-

Yabai (Inutaisho's best friend)
Susamajii-Inu (Inutaisho's best friend)
Kiiyoki (Daiyoukai's messenger)
Ryuukotsusei (mentioned in the chapter)
Yorozoku (name was mentioned in this chapter, he is the leader of the Wolves, aka Ayame's grandfather)

At the end of every chapter for this part of the trilogy I will be naming new characters as we meet them. This is because this part of the trilogy will be dominated by OC's, so it may get confusing. I'm hoping that, by listing characters we've met and who they are in relation to the main characters; it will lessen the confusion and will also serve as something to refer back to from future chapters in case we need a refresher on who is who.

ALSO: the Daiyoukai is still nameless; he will be referred to as Daiyoukai until his name is said.