The conflict between The Panther Demons and Inuyasha's family, was a turf war. Inuyasha's father was Lord of the western lands; the same dwelling place of the Panther tribes. Before Inuyasha was born, the Great leader of the Panthers challenged InuTaisho and lost. After InuTaisho's death, Sesshomaru became Lord of the Western Lands (though he did not take residence there; choosing to live as a nomad.) The Panthers found him in the east when Inuyasha was 150 and attacked again. Sesshomaru sent word for Inuyasha to come to his aid but by then Inuyasha was already sealed to the sacred tree; which Sesshomaru took as insult. He fended off the Panthers with a gathering of Eastern demons to a standstill. Then the Panthers retreated only to return once the sacred jewel re emerged.