Inuyasha and his friends didn't stay too long in the attacked village. Moe was right. It was a massacre. No survivors. Nothing but dead bodies covered in blood and burned down houses. Out of the corner of his eye, Inuyasha saw a demon picking at the remains of the dead humans. It was a small rabbit demon (had the lower body and ears of a rabbit, face and torso of a boy – a little taller than Shippo – fur as white as snow).

"Oi! Rabbit!" Inuyasha called out before jumping over to the small demon. Quickly, his friends followed behind him.

"AHHH! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" The demon started bowing frantically. "My family is very hungry and we haven't eaten in days! So I thought I could just take some of these human's left over vegetables and, and…" Inuyasha quickly picked up the demon by its ears and clapped his hand over the rabbit's mouth.

"Jeesh, he sure can talk a lot…" Inuyasha complained.

"Aww, he's so cute!" Kagome said with heart-filled eyes.

"He's a demon; maybe he can tell us something about this so called demon named Midori…?" Miroku suggested.

Inuyasha nodded then removed his hands from the rabbit's mouth.

"Hey Rabbit, do you know anything about a demon named Midori?" Inuyasha asked demandingly.

The rabbit's eyes widened before speaking. "M-Midori?" The young demon thought for a moment. "If I tell you all I know, will you let me live?"

"Hmmm…I'll think about it…" Inuyasha said sheepishly.

"SIT BOY!" Kagome yelled.

"Ack!" THUD! Inuyasha hit the ground rather hard, letting go of the rabbit demon.

"Don't worry; we're not going to hurt you. We're just looking for answers…" Miroku said reassuringly.

The rabbit demon walked over to Kagome and gave her a bow. "Thank you so much human priestess…" he said, then stared up into Kagome's eyes.

"My name is Lossy! I'm a rabbit demon!" Lossy said, gaining more confidence. "You said you wanted to know about the demoness Midori correct?" he asked, turning towards the others.

"Yeah, do you know where she is?" Shippo asked, jumping down from Kagome's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, but, I'm the wrong demon to ask…however, there is an old, wise dragon that lives in a cave on the snowy mountain. He's very old so he is very kind and gentle. He can tell you pretty much anything you want to know about Midori!"

"Really? Can you take us to him?" Kagome asked happily.

"Of course!" Lossy replied. "His name is Ragnov. He knows everything!"

Inuyasha snarled. This scared Lossy and made him run behind Kagome.

"Inuyasha…" Kagome began. Inuyasha flinched, getting ready for her to say those god awful words. It took a moment before Inuyasha realised his face wasn't connecting with the ground. He turned towards Kagome who just stared at him. He relaxed, realising she wasn't going to say it.

"…Sit boy!"

THUD! "Ack!" Everyone stepped over Inuyasha and made their way, following the little rabbit demon. Inuyasha looked up, face covered with dirt, and snarled at the rabbit demon. In turn, the rabbit turned around and poked his tongue out at Inuyasha. 'Once this is over…I'll kill him!' Inuyasha thought to himself.
Rising to his feet, Inuyasha quickly caught up with the others as they made their way to the dragon's cave on top of the mountain.

It didn't take long for the group to reach the dragon's cave. The snow sent cold shivers down everyone spine, including Inuyasha's.

"HELLOOOO, Ragnov…Are you sleeping?" Lossy called out, his voice echoing through the cave.

"Who goes there?" A very deep and stern voice called from the darkness.

"It's me! Lossy! Oh, and I bought a few friends that are in need of your wisdom…"

The ground started to shake and small rocks fell from the ceiling. Everyone took a step back as a large, black dragon head came into the light. He had beautiful black scales and red eyes that made him look very strong and fierce.

"Lossy, you know I don't like being disturbed during my time of rest…" he said in a slow deep tone.

"Sorry, but, they really need your help! So…can you?"

Ragnov sighed. "Travellers, what is it you want to know?"

Miroku stepped forward, clearing his throat. "We wish to learn about the demoness Midori…"

The old dragon chuckled a little. His eyes shifted and they became more pleasant, and less terrifying.

"Midori is a royal dog demon. She is very strong, and very powerful. One you would not want to mess with. Her family has carried a sacred trinket over many centuries. The trinket holds great power, power that if it fell into the wrong hands, nothing but death and suffering could come of it…"

"Hmm…" Miroku thought for a moment. "Perhaps the trinket is what Naraku was after?" he asked, directing the question to nobody in particular.

"Where does she live?" Inuyasha finally asked.

"She lives in the heart of the western lands…in a large compound where she is raising her son…"

"Her son?" Kagome repeated.

"Yes. His name is Senomaru. He is referred to as 'The Great Lords Son' as he is the offspring of a great dog demon, though; very few people know who the Great Lord is. Midori is very protective of her son, as he is the only family she has…"

"Thank you for this information…" Miroku then bowed and gestured to his friends it was time to go. Inuyasha was the first one out of the cave. Lossy was jumping up and down waving goodbye to his new friends. The others turned and waved as they left down the side of the mountain. The dragon sunk back into the darkness of his cave, smiling as the travellers left.

As the group approached further and further into the heart of the western lands, snow began overwhelming them. Finally, snow actually began falling lightly. Kagome pulled out three blankets from her bag and offered two for Miroku and Sango then put the third one over herself.

The only sounds that could be heard were the trees blowing in the wind and the chattering of teeth from the coldness. As day turned into night, temperatures dropped even more. The group decided it would be a good time to rest and so, set up camp. They all sat around a well-lit fire, all having their hands spread out, trying to keep warm.

"You don't think Naraku got to Midori first, do you?" Sango asked.

Everyone went silent. They all hoped they were wrong, but the chances of Naraku finding Midori first were high. Especially after the story Moe had told them.

As everyone began falling asleep. Inuyasha remained the only one awake. His ear twitched as he heard the snap of a twig close by. He quickly stood up and placed his hand around his sword's sheath. Inuyasha's eyes narrowed as he tried to listen for the noise. A fast figure ran past, running in a different direction. Inuyasha immediately took off, following the stranger. Inuyasha hoped it would be Naraku, but those chances were very slim and the fact his scent was nowhere around meant that he couldn't be close by. Eventually, Inuyasha and the shadowed figure ran into a clearing. Inuyasha smirked as he pulled out Tessaiga.

"Hah! Gotcha!" he yelled.

Inuyasha immediately stopped as he saw a young, demon boy standing at the tip of his blade.

"What the-? Who are you?" Inuyasha asked, immediately putting Tessaiga back in its sheath.

"My name is Senomaru. What are you doing on these lands hanyou?" Senomaru quickly snapped back.

Inuyasha's eyes widened. He hated being called a hanyou, even worse when he's called that by a young child who looked no more than 12 years of age. Suddenly, Inuyasha realised who the demon boy was.

"Hey, you're the son of Midori right? Where is she?" Inuyasha demanded. Out from the forest behind them came the others, woken by the commotion Inuyasha caused.

Kagome, Miroku and Sango stood behind Inuyasha. Inuyasha immediately knew what they were going to ask, so saved their breath by telling them.

"This is Senomaru. I caught him sneaking around our camp…"

Senomaru's eyes narrowed, staring at the cocky hanyou. Quickly, he turned his attention to Miroku, Sango and Kagome, realising they were all humans.

"What are humans doing on demon territory?" Senomaru hissed.

Kagome looked at him. She saw something nobody else did. His whole body and face may have acted strong and on guard, but his eyes showed nothing but sadness. Something must've happened, and Kagome was itching to know what it was. She hated seeing people around her upset, especially young children, even if he is a demon she just met. Demon or human, it didn't matter to her. Kagome gestured to Inuyasha to stay back and she would take over.

"We're sorry, we don't mean to intrude. The truth is, we're looking for a demon named Naraku and we heard Midori may know something…" Kagome said, in a calm reassuring manner.

Senomaru's eyes widened. Sadness turned to anger. He put his head down, letting his hair fall on his face. It went silent. In the distance, a few birds flew out from the trees, but that was about the only noise that was made. Inuyasha looked at Kagome who had her usual 'concern' look which meant they were going to get involved in something he wouldn't like.
Inuyasha stared at the boy. He had a very similar look and scent about him, something that Inuyasha didn't quite like. Of course, given the situation, and Kagome almost looking like she was ready to run up and hug the boy, Inuyasha said nothing, but he had the feeling Miroku and Sango were thinking the same thing as he was.

Senomaru looked up at Kagome, and then turned his attention to Inuyasha.

"You're too late hanyou…Midori is dead. Naraku murdered her four nights ago." He said, then turning around to leave.

"Wait!" Kagome called out. Senomaru stopped and turned to face the human girl.

"We're sorry about your mother…" she said sincerely.

Senomaru was shocked. "I didn't tell you she was my mother…"

"No, the dragon from the snowy mountain, Ragnov, told us…" Miroku added.

"It doesn't matter…there's nothing that can be done about it…" Senomaru said in a sad, soft tone.

It was the first time in a while that Inuyasha felt sympathy for the boy. He remembered when he lost his mother. It was a frightening and cold time. Constantly having to do what was necessary to survive.

It was an awkward silence between them. Kagome didn't know what to do to comfort the boy. Miroku, Sango and even Inuyasha could see that.
Inuyasha finally stepped forward to speak.

"Look, we're trying to find Naraku to kill him. So we'll get revenge for your mother…" Inuyasha said, trying to sound reassuring.

Senomaru smirked. "You? A hanyou…is going to kill Naraku?" The thought of the idea made Senomaru laugh softly. Inuyasha frowned. All sympathy towards the boy just went out the window. Kagome had to quickly step in front and push Inuyasha back to stop him from doing something stupid.

Miroku then stepped forward to speak. "Midori…she carried a sacred trinket? Did Naraku get his hands on it?" Miroku asked, very concerned.

Senomaru looked at the monk. He thought for a moment before finally answering him. Everyone stared, all with worried faces as they waited for the boy to respond.

"Yes…"

Everyone sighed in fear.

"But…Naraku won't be able to use it…"

They all stared at Senomaru with question marks hovering over their heads and hope-filled eyes.

"Only a fully-fledged demon can use it…and besides…he only has one half of it. There are two halves to it, and only once they're combined can you use the sacred power…"

"The way you said that…My guess is Naraku does not know it has two parts to it?" Miroku asked.

"No…at least…not yet. If he is to find the second half, he will need to look for me." Senomaru finished.

Everyone looked at each other. They knew Naraku would figure it out eventually, and when he did, he won't be too happy having to go on another wild goose chase. Something suddenly clicked in Miroku.

"Hey, Inuyasha…" Miroku said, turning towards Inuyasha.

"Yeah?"

"This boy needs protection against Naraku and since he will learn soon enough that he needs the second half of the trinket to use the power, he will come looking for Senomaru. Which means, if we take him with us, we'll be leading Naraku straight to us…?"

Inuyasha's eyes widened, but stopped when the sound of laughter coming from Senomaru rang through his ears.

"You? Protect me? That's ridiculous…I'd have a better chance of surviving on my own!" he said in between laughs.

Inuyasha growled before walking over to the boy. His tolerance finally hit the roof. Before he had a chance to speak, his face was connecting with the floor.

"Sit boy!" THUD! "Ka…go…me…"

"Senomaru…" Kagome began in a heartfelt voice. "We need your help in finally catching Naraku…please" Kagome finished, cupping her hands together.

Senomaru stared at the human girl. If his mother didn't survive against Naraku, there was no way he could get revenge on his own. Perhaps the only way was to go with this pack. It's true, he didn't like the fact he would be getting protection from a hanyou, three humans, fox kit and a cat demon, but he had nowhere else to go. Sure enough, once Naraku learned that he had the second piece of the trinket, he would come after him. With this in mind, Senomaru finally turned to the group.

"Fine. I'll come with you. But let me get one thing straight…in no way will I ever consider any of you one of my companions. This may be the only way to get revenge for my mother's death…nothing more, nothing less." He finished.

Miroku sighed. 'Children can be so stubborn sometimes…' he thought to himself. Kagome walked up to the boy and touched his shoulder and nodded. Inuyasha finally got up out of the snow with a snarl on his face.

The group walked back to their camp and sat, once again, around the well-lit fire, making sure to keep warm. The group now had an extra companion travelling with them and were now one step closer to finding Naraku.


As Sesshoumaru returned to his companions from his usual patrol, something made him twitch. He looked up into the night sky and felt as though something terrible had happened, but had no idea what it was. He quickly shrugged it off and returned to where his servant Jaken and ward Rin were sleeping. Sesshoumaru was careful not to wake either of them up.

As it got further into the night, Sesshoumaru's senses were alerted when he sensed something in the distance. Naraku. Quickly pulling out Tokijin, Sesshoumaru raced off into the forest towards Naraku's scent. Stopping at the edge of a river, he saw Naraku sitting on the opposite side under his baboon pelt.

"Your senses are as sharp as ever, Lord Sesshoumaru…" Naraku snickered.

Sesshoumaru narrowed his gaze. What did Naraku want this time?

Naraku pulled out Midori's necklace, dangling it from his hands. "Recognise it?" he said sheepishly.

Sesshoumaru stared at the necklace for a moment. He did recognise it but made sure it didn't turn into an expression on his face. 'Midori…' he thought to himself. What was Naraku doing with her sacred trinket? Did that mean Naraku just killed her?

"My curiosity got the better of me, which is why I came looking for you, Lord Sesshoumaru…"

Sesshoumaru still said nothing. He still had a cold, heartless expression across his face, waiting for Naraku to speak.

Naraku smirked. "I found out something that may interest you…" Naraku paused for a moment. "Midori has a son…"

"Why would that interest me?"

"Because, he looks a lot like you…"

Sesshoumaru unconsciously widened his eyes slightly in shock.

"By the expression on your face…it tells me that there is a slight chance he is yours?" Naraku began laughing.

Sesshoumaru's expression went back to normal. He then jumped over the river and slashed at the baboon pelt. As usual, it was nothing more than a puppet. The body disappeared into dust, along with Midori's necklace.

Sesshoumaru paused for a moment. He hadn't seen Midori in over 100 years. It's true, they did mate back then, but they were young, they weren't in love, at least, that's how Sesshoumaru thought of it. 'What was Naraku's purpose for telling me this…?' he thought. Sesshoumaru made his way back to Jaken and Rin. This time, he had too much on his mind to bother with being quiet. Jaken and Rin woke up as Sesshoumaru returned.

"M'lord! You're back!" Rin shouted with excitement.

"Ah! Lord Sesshoumaru! What's the matter M'lord? You look troubled…" Jaken exclaimed.

"Jaken…"

"Ack! Yes…M'lord?"

"Look after Rin while I am gone."

"Yes M'lord, but, uh, where is it you're going?" The little green imp asked curiously.

"None of your concern…" Sesshoumaru's words were cold and harsh, ending the conversation. With that, Sesshoumaru took off in flight, heading towards his homeland; the heart of the western lands. Usually Sesshoumaru never let whatever Naraku said get to him, but this time Sesshoumaru really did take interest.

Was Naraku just making up stories to get inside Sesshoumaru's head? Or was it actually true? Whatever it was, Naraku obviously did it for his own gain. Sesshoumaru knew that, but he still continued his journey to find out the truth.