Author's Note: Right, my first fanfiction. I'd love to have comments and constructive criticism... I really wanted to delve into Sesshoumaru's past, so if anyone has ideas, let me know. Thanks for reading.

There's always been the question if a being is born evil, or if the surroundings were the cause of the evil being. Either way, demon or human, we all start out the same, as an adorable, helpless wriggling piece of pink flesh. Sesshoumaru was no different- he may have become a bloodthirsty, stone-hearted taiyoukai...but he started out as the innocent infant of Lord Inutaishou and his first wife, Lady Achika...

It was a brisk autumn day, dry leaves cracking under the weight of a taiyoukai and his mate, both walking arm in arm with the other. Inutaishou was of strong build, his muscular body concealed in a breastplate similar to one that his son would wear, shoulders protected with spiked armor, the flowing sleeves of his haori fitted into his navy gloves. Around the middle of his armor was a maroon obi with single stripes of dull blue, knotted into a bow in the front to complete the armor. His silver tresses whipped up into a slender ponytail were teased in the zephyr of wind that picked up, sending the dead leaves that covered the ground into a small frenzy of saffron and orange whirlwind. With his locks yanked up off his neck, his pallid face was more prominent, a narrow violet stripe adorned each cheek, acid eyes ever watchful. A palpable pelt hung loosely from his shoulder armor, trailing down to his feet. Snowy white hakama billowed to his ankles where they were met with coal colored boots. The demon lord held his head up in an aristocratic air; he was omnipotent ,both feared and hated, he was the Lord of the Western Lands. Amber eyes, usually hard and cold, turned to look at his wife, softened slightly at the pregnant woman.

Her identical platinum tassels were pulled into two ponytails at the base of her skull, pink charms dangled at the ties, jingling in the breeze. The demoness had a single stripe on both of her cheeks as well, magenta in color that matched the crescent moon on her forehead. She had replaced her normal attire of armor decked with pink accessories for a simple amethyst kimono with a raven black obi. After all, armor and hakamas were never really proper for childbirth. As another gust of wind tore through the Western Lands, Achika shivered, suddenly feeling a strong arm drape around her shoulders. The demoness looked over to see her husband giving her a reassuring look, a small smile tugging at his lips. Returning the smile, she looked down at her stomach, feeling the child inside kick in protest. Her husband took his arm from her shoulders, placing his hands on her abdomen, laughing gently as he felt the actions of his soon to be born child against her.

"Rambunctious fellow, is it not?" The warlord teased, eyes dancing with amusement and pride at the thought of his unborn child.

"Well, he is your child...he must take after you..." Achika laughed softly, as Inutaishou frowned, shaking his head as they came to a stop in their walking.

"How do you know it's a boy? You know I would love to have a little girl just as well...to be the father of any of your children would be my greatest wish..." The taiyoukai gave a hopeful look at the woman who was with child, as she shook her head.

"Inutaishou-sama, you're too romantic...don't tease me so," Smiling warmly, she continued, "Just call it a woman's instinct...I'm sure he will be here soon..." As she confirmed this, her husband looked over before speaking once more.

"How soon? Has it been nine months already?" He questioned, now beginning to worry if he were truly prepared to raise a child. A child was a colossal responsibility, and the warlord wondered if he was going to be able to handle it. Sure, he could slay demons and fight with a sword like nobody's business, but a child? Could he handle this immense pressure? His wife giggled at him, shaking her head at the sudden surprised look on her spouse's face.

"You seem scared, milord. Is it possible that the great taiyoukai of the West could fear the idea of having a son?" Lightly goading, she winced suddenly, holding her stomach. This action startled Inutaishou. Was the child coming today? Putting his hands under her arms, he supported the woman, as her legs seemed they would buckle soon. She was breathing heavily and the taiyoukai wasn't sure how to take this...

"Don't worry, Achika, I'll get you to the castle in record time, just hang in there," He assured her, wishing that she hadn't insisted on walking today. Refusing his offer, she shook her head.

"No, Inutaishou-sama, I don't wish to be overwhelmed with the servants...Just help me sit down," She smiled weakly, letting him know she was fine. He was going to protest, that the middle of the forest was no place to give birth, that she deserved better then that...but she didn't wish to be in the castle, so he complied to her desires. Lowering her to the ground, he propped her back against a sakura tree, the gnarled trunk swaying in the wind. Undoing his armor, he removed his haori, setting in down so that they could wrap the child in something when he arrived. Achika was mildly panting, yet as Inutaishou studied her, he realized how beautiful the woman was. The demoness looked up at him, her amber eyes as warm as ever, though mildly stressed with the events to come. The man before her seemed so anxious and nervous, his hands shaking. These actions were totally out of character for the mighty lord and she couldn't help but smile as she took his hand, squeezing it tightly. "I'm fine, really..." She told him once more, as he tried to look hopeful.

"Is there anything I can do...I'm not really educated in such affairs..." His eyes darted from her face to her stomach, as if the child would come faster if he stared long enough. Shaking her head at the movement of her husband, she laughed in amusement.

"Just relax...and have lots of patience...lots of it," She bit her lip in pain, her grip on her spouse's hand tightening. Concern flashed through Inutaishou's eyes, as he watched the woman in pain.

"Are you sure, Achika, I—"The taiyoukai asked once more before getting cut off by his wife.

"Inutaishou-sama, with all due respect..."

"Yes?"

"Shut up."

It had been about twenty-four hours since Sesshoumaru had entered the world. He came just like every other demon and human alike, screaming, whining, and crying. Yet, now he was quiet, for which the two youkai were thankful. Achika sat near Inutaishou, nursing the child, her eyes tired and exhausted from such work. The demon lord had his arm draped around her, smiling at his son. It had been a long day for both of them, yet it had been worth the effort. As Achika looked at her son, concealed in his father's haori that wrapped around him tightly, she realized that nothing in the world could replace such a wonderful feeling. Resting her head in silence on her husband's shoulder, Achika closed her eyes as Inutaishou squeezed her closer to him affectionately. They remained there in silence for the longest time until the warlord spoke.

"Sesshoumaru..." He said softly.

"Hm?"

"His name...that's what I wish to call our son..." Inutaishou confirmed as his wife nodded in response.

"It's a wonderful name, it fits him perfectly..." She laughed quietly, considering the fact that the name 'Sesshoumaru' translated to 'The killing perfection' ...the woman could never imagine that her innocent son would ever be a killer. How could he? How could this lovable child become a sadistic murderer? She shook this thought from her head for it pained her to think about it. Another period of silence went by. After a while, a bitter, pungent odor filled the nostrils of the youkai, both grimacing. Sesshoumaru had started to cry; the immediate needs of the child had disturbed the temporary arcadia.

"Dear gods...that smell..." Inutaishou plugged his nose by pressing two fingers on either side, pressing them together.

"Inutaishou, he is a baby...and you're the father. Change his diaper," She said flatly, pulling herself up, handing Sesshoumaru to the warlord. Poor Inutaishou, he was disgusted beyond all reason. How could the mighty youkai bring him self to change...a diaper? It was undignified! Inconceivable! There was no way in the seven hells that the omnipotent taiyoukai, the Lord of the Western Lands was going to...change a diaper. He held the boy in front of him by placing his hands under Sesshoumaru's arms, his nose crinkling in disgust. Sesshoumaru was throwing a 'hissy' fit. Wailing and crying his eyes out from discomfort as his father's haori fell from him, the cloth diaper the only garment remaining.

"Achika, please, isn't there a way that you could change him?" The taiyoukai pleaded, his son screaming now. The woman only gave him a cold look.

"Inutaishou-sama, I have just been in labor...I bore you a wonderful son and once the boy enters the world you instantly think I'm going to take care of every little problem that comes with him? You think I'm going to change his diaper, after being in pain for say the last day or two? I told you, you're the father. You change the diaper..." She said flatly, most certainly not in a good mood.

The inu youkai looked at her, then nodded. It was rude of him to ask her another favor when she had just went through childbirth. He gulped, looking at Sesshoumaru, huge tears rolling down his striped cheeks. He could do this, he could change the diaper, it wasn't that big of a deal. Swallowing, he reached for another cloth to change his son with.

"Achika, if I don't get out of this alive...I want you to know that I loved you dearly---"

"Inutaishou-sama, change the diaper," She growled. It's important to note that one should not play around with a demoness who had just been in childbirth. The woman was rather moody and if that diaper wasn't changed soon, she was going to file a divorce with Inutaishou—even if that didn't exist in feudal Japan.

The youkai lord bit his lip. He couldn't believe this. He was getting jittery over changing a diaper. What if he got some sort of disease? Shaking his head, he knew he had to do this, he had to do this for Achika, Sesshoumaru, and himself. Inutaishou had to prove he was a man, that he could slay a thousand demons and change a diaper.

Laying Sesshoumaru on the ground (who was still crying) Inutaishou began to open the diaper as his eyes watered from such a scent. Gods help me...