Authors note: I meant to put this at the beginning of chapter 1. Please take note that for the sake of simplicity (and the fact that I have no idea how much time has actually elapsed in the Inuyasha animated series) I have thus condensed the happenings of the series from episode 35 "The true master of the great sword" to episode 77 "The panther tribe and the two swords of the fang " into a four week span. "Ties of family" picks up approximately after Ep 77, one month after "the dog demon's heir" ended. Sorry if this causes any confusion

-HyperFerret

Chapter 2

Naraku sat motionless in the safety of his newest stronghold and stared blankly out into the distance his cold, red eyes glazed over in anger. Though nearly a month had passed since his close encounter with Sesshomaru's heiress the handiwork of her fangs was still etched across his body as lingering scars. Even now, some four weeks later, the marks on his person still burned faintly, as if traces of the demonesses's acid saliva had been sealed beneath the scar tissue. And though he had the light of the Shikon jewel shards aiding his recovery and granting him power beyond imagination, the process was still a lingering annoyance he wanted to be rid of. The demon blinked and shot a weary glance over his shoulder. There was a demon lurking.

"Does it hurt you my master?" Naraku heard a gruff voice sound from the shadows behind him. The concern was accompanied by half hidden silhouette of a large, hunkering demon with a sharply pointed snout and glowing red eyes. Naraku recognized this beast as one of his loyal incarnates; the near identical twin of his fallen servant Goshinki.

"Goshuri," Naraku spoke just as he felt the familiar telekinetic pull of his demon servant raise him ever so gently into the folds of a blanket.

"Yes master. It is I," Goshuri responded while taking a cautious step forward from the shadows. As he did, soft moonlight poured onto his jet-black frame and cast a shimmer down the silver crest adorning his neck. "Tell me, what aliments have befallen you, and I will do all that I can to rid them." Naraku narrowed his cold, crimson eyes. This incarnate had not proved as powerful as his elder twin Goshinki initially, however seeming him now, with supple body and finely tuned telekinetic powers, it made Naraku rethink his original assessment of the beast. Perhaps it was Goshuri's time to test his strength.

"These wounds were inflicted by the acid fangs of the demoness Shuramaru," Naraku informed his servant "If you wish to help me, then use this and rid this world of her existence." Naraku paused and raised his hand. Resting neatly in his palm was a large portion of the nearly completed Shikon jewel. "With the sacred jewel's power victory should come easily for you Goshuri" Naraku continued "and perhaps after destroying Sesshomaru's heir you could slay her uncle Inuyasha as well." A horrific roar sounded from the black incarnate's throat and in the same instant the entire building seemed to shake with rage.

"INUYASHA!!" The name blasted through the demons mind and made the tremors stronger "That halfling twit who murdered my brother Goshinki! I'll never forgive him!" Gradually the demon recomposed himself and the tremors subsided. "I will go at once master, and make this Shuramaru suffer, as you have suffered." With that he extended his clawed hand and daintily plucked the glowing red half-orb from his master's palm. Then he turned and started towards the door, leaving a half smirking Naraku behind him. As Goshuri stepped outside he parted his jaws in a menacing half snarl while bitter thoughts continued to race through his mind. "Then once she has fallen, I will avenge my brother…by slaughtering Inuyasha!" Lifting his pointed snout to the air Goshuri honed in on his masters scent trail before taking off in its direction. By backtracking along it, he was sure to find the demons he sought.

Mia remained still, seated comfortably sipping at her cup of tea. She could hear the commotion outside and feel the tremors as an enormous, hulking something maneuvered its way through the village, but still, she was not afraid. She couldn't bring herself to be…. not to of a demon. Finishing her tea, Mia looked only momentarily past her shoulder when the silhouettes of Soma and her parents darted past the side of the inn. Then without the slightest change in expression, Mia reached for her late husband's samuri sword, which was propped neatly against the wall closest to her. Picking up the weapon and tucking it neatly at her side the innkeeper started towards the front of the building; the direction the demon intruder was still approaching from.

Stepping out onto the porch Mia's raven hair was tussled lightly by the heavy pants of the demon intruder. The beast was standing not five feet away, its muscular black frame shifting slightly with each breath. Mia rested a hand on her swords handle as she stared into the creatures blazing red eyes.

"What business do you have here demon." The innkeeper demanded her gaze never wavering. The beast parted its lips, revealing serrated ivory fangs.

"I have come for Shuramaru," the demon answered in a deep, gruff voice, "unless you wish to suffer I suggest you tell me where she is hiding." Mia narrowed her gray eyes, unnerved by the demon's threat.

"I know no one by that name," the innkeeper lied hoping it would drive the intruder away "now leave here at once." The demon snarled.

"You lie. Her scent still lingers upon you and this place. Now tell me where she is." The innkeeper subtlety drew up her sword from its sheath ever so slightly and continued her unwavering stare.

"I don't know," she finally answered truthfully, hoping to discourage the demon once again. To her surprise however, the intruder seemed delighted by her answer.

"Pity…for you that is." The demon reared back its head and gave out a evil chuckle. "Without her protection I am free to devour you all!" Mia drew her sword and braced herself as the snarling black demon lunged at her with open jaws…

Shura shifted uneasily as her dragon mount took another turn she failed to anticipate. Tightening her grip slightly on the creatures frills the demoness breathed out a staggered, nervous puff of air. For some odd reason her senses were off that day. Hard as she tried to stay focused, the demoness found herself worried and restless, but she couldn't explain just why.

Ukuri must have felt the same way, for he too was acting notably unnerved.

"So you feel it too," Shura reaffirmed her suspicion when the dragon jerked suddenly beneath her. Ukuri replied with a soft, uneasy growl and immediately shifted direction. Neither demon needed to confirm with one another what their next destination would be. The foreboding dark vibrations in the air were enough incentive. They needed to return home, and the faster the better.

As Shura leaned close to her dragon friend a sudden, chilling sensation blasted through her body followed by an intense migraine. Wincing hard the demoness clamped her eyes shut, but in the following instant a horrific image flashed before her. It showed a massive black demon ransacking her hometown and devouring the villagers as they screamed in vein for help. The sight was so sickening that Shura herself shrieked in panic and lurched so intensely that she lost her balance and plummeted from her rides back to the soft earth below.

Thanks to Ukuri's reflexes, the demoness didn't reach the ground. Swerving into a dive, the dragon managed to catch his friend just before she bashed herself unconscious. He didn't get the chance to ask what had terrified his friend so badly, for she raced off the instant he released her from his coils. But judging by the speed in which she ran, Ukuri knew something terrible had must of happened. Kicking himself into full gear, the wolf-dragon sped after his companion in the direction of their hometown.