Chapter 4: They Are Mine

Kagome screamed as they appeared on the other side of the well, "What the hell are you doing? Get off me you stupid idiot!"

Renji jumped off her as fast as he could, only to fling himself against the well's walls.

Kagome glared at the Shinigami.

"Well, are you going to answer me or just stare at me and drool?"

Renji sputtered, "What just happened?"

"You followed me home, you moron." Kagome leapt out of the wall and started to walk away when she heard Renji call her.

"Wait," he said as he climbed out of the well, "Where are we?"

"That doesn't matter to you. Now jump back in and leave me alone. I have to-oh, shit!"

Four teenage looking boys appeared out of nowhere and tackled the unsuspecting woman. "Get off me! You guys weigh a ton!"

"But Mom! We missed you so much!

"We thought you were never coming back!"

"How could you leave us behind?"

"Do we mean nothing to you?"

Kagome rolled her eyes at all four and sighed, "Stop being so dramatic. You knew I was leaving and where I was going. Now, tell me, do I want to know now of the mayhem and chaos that you caused, or do I want to wait till we get home so that I can mentally prepare myself?"

Renji was speechless. The woman barely looked twenty-two and she had four teenage children. He didn't know what to say.

One of the boys looked at his mother and grinned, "I'd go with mentally prepare yourself."

The other three snickered, "Yeah, Mom. Mental preparation is exactly what you're going to need."

"I'm not going to enjoy," she smirked, "But your grandmother gave me the perfect idea for a punishment."

Her sons took a step back at the look in their mother's eyes. The youngest gulped, "Mom, you're scaring me."

The look intensified, "Good, maybe then you'll learn to listen to your mother." She looked at Renji, "Why are you still here? Didn't I tell you to leave?"

He glared at the Daiyoukai, "I'm not leaving till I have answers."

She sighed, "Damn," looking at her sons, she continued, "Masumi, Kaito. You get to baby sit the Shinigami while we go home. He's your responsibility. If anything happens, I'm going to teach you a lesson not even your father was about to endure. Is that understood?" She glared at her sons as they nodded vigorously.

"Where's Mamoru?" She looked at her third son.

"He's at home. He refused to leave as long as you weren't there. He's been running everything and says he doesn't trust the incompetence that decides to surround you."

She rolled her eyes. "He would say something like that. I have a special assignment for him. I think it's one he will greatly enjoy."

The trip to the palace was short and filled with silence. The quadruplets knew never to interrupt her when she was serious. There were some things that she wouldn't let slide; this was one of them.

On arrival, Mamoru was waiting for them at the gates with a not-so-happy expression, "Where the hell have you been? The Northern Lord has been here trying to seek and audience with you for three days! Do what you know what I said to keep him pacified? I told him that you were out patrolling your lands! I had to lie to the Northern Lord! You are so lucky you are cute and adorable and that I like you or I would let you find a way out of this yourself!"

Kagome sighed and looked at the Shinigami between her two youngest sons. "Mamoru," she sighed, "I'll go talk to Takeo. Send him to my study. Also, you need to prepare some clothes for a special assignment that I'm putting you on." He raised his eye brow, "I'm sending you to stay with my mother."

He looked surprised but quickly let himself grin. He was one of the men that had wanted so badly to meet her mother. He had been one of the few to joke about mating her.

"I want you to protect her. There is a man she is currently seeing that I don't want anywhere near her. He is dangerous and I hate him." A quick flash of hatred and fear passed through his eyes.

He knew what his Lady was capable of and it was not something he would want unleashed on anyone...okay maybe a very, very select few.

Nodding, he excused himself and went to tell the Northern Lord his Lady would meet him in the study.

Kagome looked at her sons, "Okay, put him in a guest room and send guards to keep watch over him." She looked at the Shinigami, "You are going to stay in your room until I call for you. If you try to leave my guards will attack. I am in no mood for foolishness and nor will I tolerate it. Am I understood?" Her voice booked no argument.

By the look in her eyes, Renji knew she was could back up any threat she put on the table. He sighed in resignation and nodded, knowing he was going to have to wait to get his answers.

Kagome went straight to her study. As she entered, she was surprised to see the Northern Lord reading one of the scrolls in her mini library. "This One apologizes for making you wait Lord Takeo."

Takeo looked up, "Now, Kagome is that anyway to treat me?" He chuckled; she had managed to perfect the same exact look Sesshoumaru used to wear. "Come now, little one. We are alone."

Kagome nodded and smiled, "Sorry, I found a straggler in my territory and I guess I'm still on edge. He practically fell out of the sky on top of me." She mentally rolled her eyes as her statement. "Now, to what do I owe the pleasure of the visit?"

Takeo frowned, "Well, I was talked to the Eastern Lord not too long and he is demanding to know what you are going to do about the South. We understand that it is still under your rule; he demands that you relinquish your rule over them. I don't think he understands all the good you are doing. He doesn't seem to like the idea of a woman leading two lands and doing an amazing job."

Mizuki had sent Ichigo home without allowing him to ask questions. While he had been reluctant, she wouldn't take no for an answer. Ichigo had not forgotten how stubborn the woman could be and did exactly as she had said.

This gave Mizuki the chance to go about the house doing her chores while her father was out doing whatever it was he did when he disappeared and her son at school.

Hearing a knock at the door, she pushed the start button for the laundry and walked to the door.

"Hel-oh, hi Hayato. I was expecting you to later." She smiled. "Aren't you supposed to be at work?" She asked.

The smile he was giving her sent chills down her spine. While she was finally accepting what her daughter had become, without making her Ningen just appease herself, she had always trusted Kagome's judgment. When Kagome said she would kill the man standing in front of her, she knew that her daughter meant every word. Kagome would truly kill Hayato if it meant keeping her family safe.

"I took the day off and wanted to surprise you." He made his way inside without being invited. He had found it odd that she wouldn't let him in but opted not to say anything.

"Is everything okay, Hayato?" She made herself as normal as possible but Hayato had caught on.

He had always been sensitive to her moods and actions. On more than one occasion, he had laughed about it and said they were meant to be together. He saw her toying with the bracelet Kagome had given her the day before.

"Mizuki, is everything okay? You seem a bit nervous." He followed her into the kitchen.

She smiled, "I'm just worried about Kagome. She has a lot on her plate and I don't know how things are going for her. She doesn't tell me everything, thinking that it's not something I need to worry about, but in the end, she's my daughter and that's enough of a reason to worry."

He frowned, "If she's too busy to come and visit, why don't you call her?" He was not happy to hear that one of his hits wasn't near him. He could work around that, he just didn't like it.

Mizuki sighed, "They don't have any phones where she is. The only way for us to talk is if she's here."

"Where is she?"

Mizuki narrowed her eyes imperceptibly, "She goes to villages that are in need of medical care."

He looked thoughtful, "That's strange. I thought she was fresh out of high school."

Mizuki saw the suspicion in his eyes. "Kagome hasn't been in high school in a long time."

His eyes narrowed, "She should have dropped out. It's a child's duty to advance their education."

Mizuki frowned, "She graduated with straight A's. She's a good girl that helps a lot of people. Kagome has done more than any normal girl should ever have to do."

Hayato got a strange glint in his eyes. "What exactly has she done?"

She kept her frown. "Kagome has lived the life of a traditional Miko. She did her duties at the shrine and took some business and medicine classes before she did what she felt were her calling. She gave up a normal life to be a traveling healer."

He pretended to be surprised. Inside he was angry. The woman sitting in front of him was lecturing him and didn't know her place.

He stood abruptly, "Where is she, Mizuki?"

Mizuki fingered the bracelet and mentally shouted Kagome's name hoping she would hear. "She's wherever she decided to go this time around. I cannot tell her what to do. She has her own responsibilities."

He took deep breaths, trying to calm himself. Mizuki was usually a very subdued woman. He didn't like the fire in her eyes. He was a dominant male to say the least and he wasn't about to let his female speak out of place.

"What are you hiding, Mizuki?" His voice was strained.

She didn't like the look in his eyes. It only served to reinforce what Kagome had said. She stood up and went to make some tea to clear her thoughts. She didn't like how he was acting.

Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself for whatever was about to happen. "There are some things people don't talk about with others. This is one of those things."

He staked towards her and grabbed her arms, "What are you hiding? What's going on? Where is she?"

Mizuki, for the life of her, couldn't figure out why he was acting like this. Why was her daughter so important? When she asked, he pushed her towards the counter and blocked her in.

"You are mine, Mizuki. That means your kids are mine too."

That strange glint in his eyes scared her even more. She pushed him away and ran outside. Angry, he ran after her.

Kagome froze in the middle of her meeting with the Northern Lord. They had been discussing the Southern Rebellion.

The Northern Lord looked at the little Dai sitting on the other side of the desk. He had long since accepted her insane ways. She seemed to know things that no other had known. He found it curious that she had changed the West for the better after defeating the South.

While the North and West had been allies since before the time of Inu Taishou, he was doubtful at best about her skills. When she showed an apt for organization, business, and war strategy that had never before been seen, he had tried to get her to reveal her secrets. Unfortunately, she had an intelligence and silver tongue better than any he had ever seen, except for one and she took after her mate more than he had realized.

Instead he had befriended her. While her trust was difficult to gain, for he had adamantly refused to believe all she had to say in regards to the South, he did gain it after the Southern family proved to be just as ignoble as she had claimed they would be. He proved to be a valuable asset in planning to defeat the Southern family.

It had taken him sixty years to prove himself, but she had come to accept him as a father figure and in return he treated her like his daughter.

The Northern Lord looked as she tilted her head as if listening to something he couldn't hear. "What is wrong Kagome?" The concern in his voice brought her out of her musings. He was surprised to see an intense look of hatred he knew wasn't directed at him.

Kagome nearly snarled, "Excuse me, something of great importance has been brought to my attention and I need to go there as quickly as possible."

The Northern Lord frowned, "Kagome, what's going on?"

Kagome walked to the door and told a servant to bring Mamoru and the man that had come with her. She didn't even wait for the servant to bow before she closed the door.

Kagome studied the youkai in front of her. She saw him shift in his seat, "Can I trust you?" He looked insulted. "I do not mean to insult you, but I can trust my children, it doesn't mean I will bare my soul to them. My question to you, is can I trust you more than just one ruler to another. It is no secret we see each other as family. You see me as a daughter and I see you as the father I never had. Now I ask you again, can I trust you?"

Takeo actually looked at the little Dai once more. She was no longer the unsure, naïve, and trust worthy person he had met, oh so long ago. She looked like a leader. She looked like she had something to protect and she would destroy anything that threatened that something. He saw something that was far more dangerous than anything or anyone he had and would ever meet.

His expression grew serious, "You can trust me with anything Kagome. On my honor and blood, you have my word that you can trust me. I would never betray you. Now what is going on?"

"My mother is in danger and I need to leave. She has called for me."

Takeo was confused. He hadn't heard anything, but he had leaned not to question certain things about the little Miko turned youkai.

"My mother doesn't leave her and neither was I birthed here. On my lands, there is a portal that allows me to travel to my original home. My eldest knows how things are run. I ask that you guide him. I won't be gone long." She sighed, "Please, I cannot lose my family. They are all I have left on that side."

Takeo nodded and gave her a small hug just as Mamoru and Renji walked through the door. "Go, little one, and eliminate the threat to all you hold dear."

When Kagome arrived at the shrine with Mamoru and Renji, she nearly went feral at the sight that was before her. It took all her control not to rip the man apart.

Hayato was standing over her mother getting ready to hit her. By the looks of it, he already had.

Kagome snarled as she caught sight of her mother and threw him into a tree. She barked at Mamoru and he pushed Renji next to Mizuki and crouched in front of her as instructed.

When Renji tried to do anything, he was met with a vicious growl from Mamoru and a hand from the woman next to him. He bent down and gathered her in his arms to make it easier for her to breathe.

Hayato pulled himself up from the ground and groaned. "What the hell?" He shook his head, trying to clear his mind of the fog that was threatening to take over. When he finally saw what had attacked him, he tried not to laugh.

"I told you, Takaki, you may be dangerous, but I am deadly. I thought I told you if you did anything to her, you would find out what is out there."

He narrowed his eyes and sneered, "What could possibly be so deadly about you?"

She smirked, allowing her fangs to show. "Do you truly want to know?"

His smirk was far more grotesque than her perfectly innocent yet completely predatory smirk.

Kagome disappeared from his sight and the only thing he saw that indicated she had moved was the blur of white that was her kimono. All he felt was her grabbing his neck before she threw him into another tree.

He grunted in pain. When he finally stood again, he pulled out a knife he kept hidden. Holding it in front of him with the blade facing sideways, he crouched low.

Kagome let her claws elongated as she waited for him to make his move. He ran at her and tried to slash her chest.

Kagome side stepped and laughed, "Is that all you can do?"

He did a horrible imitation of a snarl and she frowned.

Hayato gave a roundhouse kick, which Kagome caught. "That's not how you kick, this is." Kagome returned the kick and was satisfied with the crack she heard when she made contact with his ribs.

He flew into the first tree and gasped at the pain. He fell to his knees and clutched his side. Getting to his feet shakily, he looked for the knife he didn't realize he had dropped.

Kagome caught what he was looking for and let him think she was clueless. She pulled out one of the chop sticks in her hair as she waited for him yet again.

Hayato had completely missed her actions, as he was too focused on trying to get the knife before she found it. A quick question as to where that strength came from passed through his head, but he immediately pushed it to the side. He put all his attention to trying to keep hers from that blade he thought would give him leverage.

Kagome felt like rolling her eyes at his antics. He couldn't fight to save his life. That thought made her grin. No, his laugh wouldn't be saved. He hurt her mother; he would pay for every wound she received and then some.

Hayato made a dash for the knife, but as he landed, all the air in his lungs escaped him. Winded, he still stood and repositioned his weapon. "You got me for a minute there, but it won't happen again." He charged at Kagome, who side stepped, and he continued his way to Mizuki.

Kagome noticed too late what he was planning. By the time she saw him by her mother, Mamoru's hand was through his side. Mamoru had missed because the ningen had tripped at the last moment.

Kagome saw what had happened. This ningen had gone for her mother. When this thought registered, she saw red.

Mamoru didn't move from his spot as the ningen stumbled backwards in disbelief.

Kagome charged and maimed the man that hurt her mother. When her inner inu was satisfied at the punishment they had delivered, her vision returned to normal. She gave a satisfied growl at the mangled body of the despicable ningen.

She looked at Mamoru and he grinned, "Are you okay now?"

Kagome frowned, "No, we need to take her to the hospital. Pick her up, gently, and follow me." She looked at Renji, "Leave. I have enough problems to deal with and you aren't one I need added to the list."

Renji frowned, "No, I want answers. I think I've been complacent enough. I'm going with you to the hospital and you're going to answer my questions."

Kagome glared, "I'm not going to argue with you. So your questions better be worth it." Her gaze returned to Mamoru who appeared by her side with her mother. "You better be able to keep up, Shinigami."

Her and her guard disappeared from sight and Renji cursed. He knew he wouldn't be able to keep up in his gigai. Stepping out, he told the soul in his gigai to return to Urahara and he took off after the two youkai.

After an hour of looking, he finally gave up when he couldn't find them. Using shunpo, Renji returned to Urahara's shop irritated and pissed. That woman was more trouble than she's worth.

Even as he thought all this, he couldn't understand the rapid beating of his heart or the odd butterflies that were in his stomach. He hadn't felt that way since before Rukia met Ichigo. Oh, he knew that they were seeing each other. No matter how hard they tried to keep it a secret from him and Orihime, Renji knew. He wasn't as stupid as people thought he was. He started spending less time with both of them. When they started questioning him, Renji just smiled and said he had more things to do.

Arriving at the shop, he saw Orihime standing outside deciding whether or not to go in. Renji laughed and Orihime turned around so quickly she fell. He caught her before she hit the ground and she smiled.

"Thanks Renji."

He smiled. They had gotten closer after when he found out. He didn't have the heart to tell her the truth so he was trying to get her to notice Uryu. The poor Quincy had been hinting his love for years now. She was still so oblivious and hung up on Ichigo.

"Don't worry about it. Is Urahara here?"

She shook her head, "No, I was waiting for him. I had a couple of things I wanted ask. Where have you been?"

He shook his head, "I was with that Kagome chick. I have no idea where, but I'm pretty sure I was a prisoner. How have you been?"

She blushed, "Well, Uryu asked me out."

Renji held her at arms length. He smiled, "And?"

She nodded and her blush grew.

He gave her another hug that she returned. That was how Uryu found them.

At the hospital, Kagome ran to the counter, "My mother needs medical attention, immediately."

The nurse behind the desk looked up and gave her some forms to fill out.

She threw clip board against the wall and spoke in her coldest tone, "I said immediately. If I don't see a doctor out here in one minute, there will be hell to pay. If my mother dies, I will sue you and the hospital for everything your worth. Am I clear?"

The nurse nodded reverently, and called for a doctor all the while hitting the hidden security button.

The doctor's arrived before security, "Hello, my name is Takahashi, Kenichi. Now, what seems to be the problem?"

Kagome turned her emotionless mask to the doctor and gestured for Mamoru to bring her mother her mother forward. "She was attacked and lost consciousness on the way here."

The doctor gasped at the sight of her mother, looked at the nurse that had called him and glared. He gave an order and all hell broke lose in the hospital. By the time Kagome was truly aware of anything, Mamoru was standing next to her while they were in the waiting room.

It took a while for her to come out of her mood. She looked up at her trusted general. "I want you to stay with her. I need to deal with the mess at the shrine. If the have any questions, call for me."

Mamoru looked at his Lady carefully. On the outside, she looked every bit the leader she was. On the inside, he saw a tired and scared little girl that was worried about everything. He smiled his kind, gentle smile, "Go and do what you must. I've been in this time once before. I'll not answer any questions and call."

Kagome wanted to kiss him. Instead, she opted for nodding and disappearing. Mamoru laughed at her antics; then remembered why he was here.

He remembered the feeling of holding her mother and had loved every moment of it. When he had told his Lady that he wanted to mate her mother, he hadn't been joking. He had seen her the one time he had come and he knew she was to be his mate.

He had already fallen in love with the little ningen that Kagome had spoken of so fondly. The stories she told and the paintings, or pictures as she had called them, she showed had made him fall in love. When he saw her in person, he realized that they had not done her justice. He had been ordered to stay in the shadows the only other time he had come.

Mamoru sat and laid his weapons to the side as security came. "Sir, we are going to have to take your weapon."

Mamoru looked at the poor excuse for guards. "You really think I would relinquish my weapon?" He sat back and eyed the guards reaching for their own, "Well then, if you can lift it, you can keep it with you till I leave. I warn you, Kage no Kouri is temperamental and weighs a great amount. Ten no Kaminari does not like to be wielded by anyone other than me. Do not blame me if you cannot lift them."

The lead guard scoffed and reached for the katana only to feel a shock numb his arm. He glared at Mamoru and instead reached for the odachi. Before his hand even reached the weapon, he felt the temperature drop in the general area. Ignoring his instincts, he tried to lift the odachi only to be surprised that it didn't budge. Eyes widening, he looked at the man that stood from his seat.

Following his eyes, he saw the doctor approaching.

"I'm looking for the young woman that was with you."

Mamoru narrowed his eyes. "You can speak to me."

"I can only discuss this with family."

"She is my intended."

The doctor nodded, but looked skeptical. "Okay. I have good news and I have bad news."

A/N: I know it took me forever to upload this chapter, but my dear readers, I was met with every writer's mortal enemy…writer's block. Yes, I had the dreaded writer's block and that I must apologize for making you wait. I hope you like this chapter! Please review! It makes us writers feel loved! So, please, send me love with reviews! Also, thank you for being patient and hope this is good. Lady, I hope you love this chapter! Alas, Merry Christmas everyone!