Disclaimer: This piece is based on 'Inuyasha', owned by Rumiko Takahashi. No copyright infringement intended or implied.

The Challenge

"Waah! My Tessaiga! What have you done to my beautiful Tessaiga?"

"Saved my life from that backstabber, Shishinki." The sword in question lay between smith and taiyoukai, black, star-lit clouds of power skittering over its surface. "I need you to remove that attack."

"What? Impossible! I can't do that-"

"I also need you to forge a second sword."

"But-"

"I already have one? But, this one will be for Sesshomaru."

"Sesshomaru!" The smith flinched. "But, but, but-"

"He's already been to see you, I take it?" Hard, golden eyes glinted, and the taiyoukai smirked. "Glad to know you refused him."

"Refused him! Do you know what he threatened to do to me? He's merciless! Absolutely merciless!"

"I know." Something in the chill voice silenced the smith. The amber eyes met him squarely, and then looked up towards the ceiling of the cave, as the taiyoukai uncrossed his arms and set his hands on his thighs.

"Sesshomaru is young, headstrong, self-centered, and arrogant," said his father sadly. "Right now, all he sees is power. All he judges by is power. He fails to realize, that to reach his full might, he needs compassion. He needs to care about others." The taiyoukai reached down to caress the shimmering blade. "He won't learn that on his own, and I probably won't be around to teach him-assuming I could."

"Master-!"

Darkened eyes stopped his protest. "You've been complaining about lack of a challenge. I give you one. I want a sword that is Tessaiga's other self. As Tessaiga can destroy a hundred lives to protect the weak, so this sword must be able to save a hundred lives. It will be born to teach its master compassion, and be unable to kill. When it is broken, it will heal itself. And when its master shows compassion, you will forge the attack you remove from Tessaiga into the new sword, that he may perfect it."

"And then, Tessaiga takes it back." The smith knew the taiyoukai, who merely nodded.

Totosai lifted Tessaiga and examined it. He was silent for a very long time. Then, he set it down.

"I'll need your fang."

Author's Note: This is the uncut version of the piece submitted to the Issekiwa community for the prompt "Might." It was originally published on January 21, 2010 at http:/ community. livejournal. com/ iyissekiwa/ # cutid1 (remove spaces). The entry took first place.

This piece is a sequel to "The Once and Future Black Tessaiga."