An Education by UnknownRandomness

Threats To Not Be Taken Jokingly

A/N: I get the feeling the Sesshoumaru portrayed in the manga/anime is a lot nicer than a real-life Sessh would be 0_o Please review!

Prompt: Bellwether - A leader or leading indicator. 

Word Count: 515

They had grown tired of his ineptness. It wasn't entirely Inuyasha's fault that he wasn't a particularly clever or able leader- considering his circumstances and personality, he had done extremely well in helping form this shard-tracking group and ensuring that they survived the many horrific events that met them. But it had come to an end, now that Sesshoumaru was offering to combine forces with them.

Naturally, the inuyoukai would be the leader and they were all completely willing to accept that, apart from the half-demon. He saw his elder sibling as a usurper- first trying to steal his birth right, the Tessaiga, and now trying to steal his pack's loyalty from right under his nose. He had asked Sesshoumaru for a moment alone, away from curious ears and the dai had obliged his request, walking beside him into the forest.

"You're not gonna be the alpha! I am the leader, I formed this group, these people are my friends and you are not gonna take that away from me!" 

Sesshoumaru remained impassive, like a rock face, and the hanyou could feel his irritation growing.

"I don't trust you; 'cause unlike those blind fools back there, I know what you're really like. You're a cruel, heartless bastard who doesn't care about anything but himself. Unlike you, I respect those people and you are not gonna use them for your purposes before abandoning them when they've outlived their usefulness."

The Western Lord rose a brow slowly, and when he spoke it was patronizing in the extreme.

"Why Inuyasha, you are being so very eloquent today. May I remind you that you are the only bastard present."

The younger male growled threateningly, but Sesshoumaru continued as if his brother hadn't made a sound.

"You are right. I do not care for these peasants you associate with and I will not hesitate to dispose of them. But they are incredibly useful to make both our ends meet. Naraku must be destroyed and you and your companions wish for the jewel. This Sesshoumaru does care not what you do with it, so long as it does not affect the West any longer."

Suddenly, the inu rushed his sibling, large hand wrapping around his throat and effortlessly crushing his trachea. Inuyasha struggled for breath, swiping his claws at his assailant's eyes, but Sesshoumaru evaded the blows and tightened his grip. The boy tried vainly to remove his hand, with no success and the inuyoukai watched disinterestedly as Inuyasha's face turned scarlet.

"You forgot whom you are talking with, half-breed. You may not command this Sesshoumaru and if you attempt to do so again, you will be rent limb from limb. I am the alpha and you will do as I say. Any insubordination on your part will be viewed as mutinous. As punishment; I will kill your friends. Is that clear enough for your inferior mind to understand?"

Releasing his death hold from the almost unconscious hanyou's neck, the demon lord turned and walked back the way they had come, leaving his shaken half-brother to mull over his damning words.