Sorry for the late update, I'm having a hard time keeping my inspiration. The same reason it's such a short chapter. I need ideas! Please help!

Chapter 4

Kagome sighed. She had volenteered to take Toketsumaru back with them to the hanyou village, until things could be sorted out. Unfortunately, Inuyasha had intimidated him, and the boy had run away and hidden. Feeling a faint yokai aura, Kagome entered a nearby room. It seemed empty, and she was about to leave, when she heard, "Are you alone?"

Kagome turned around. "Yes, everyone's looking for you. We were worried." Toketsumaru slowly climbed down from his hiding place above the ceiling. Some of the panels were loose, so it was easy to get to. "Are they really looking for me?" He asked. "No one ever cared about me before, so..." He trailed off looking embarrassed. "Of course, they care!" Kagome exclaimed, wrapping him up in a hug, which he hesitantly returned. "Now come on, we need to get ready to go."

Rikuo sat calmly at the head of the room. He needed to discuss all that had happened with the leaders of the various clans, that were allied with his own Nura clan. Luckily, the annual meeting was today anyway, so he wouldn't have to send out notices. Looking around, he spotted Aotabou, and Kurotabou. Rikuo smiled as he remembered the look on their faces when, not so long ago, they had been promoted, and even gotten their own clans.

"Thank you all for coming, before we begin, does anyone have any news they wish to share?" Rikuo asked. Gyuki nodded, "I have grave news. The Beowulf organization is back, and I think they are highly likely to come seeking revenge. After all, we were the ones who nearly destroyed them all those years ago." "In that case, won't they target Rikuo, since he's the head of the clan?" Zen asked. "They already have." Rikuo stated calmly.

Everyone stared at Rikuo, they Zen spoke up, "Why didn't you mention this earlier, idiot!" he growled. "Because I don't think it was a serious attempt. The kid didn't even know I was a yokai."Rikuo explained. "So what did you do?" Zen asked suspiciously.
"And it had better not be what I think." Rikuo grinned, "I invited him into the Nura clan" he said. "I thought as much." Zen groaned, facepalming.

The room erupted into arguments. "That's enough!" Rikuo bellowed. Everyone fell silent, looking at him expectantly. "Thank you. Now, I asked him to join for two reasons. One, he might be able to tell us more about this Beowulf organization. And two, he's just a confused kid, who was looking for a place to belong. He's not an enemy." Rikuo said firmly.

30 minutes later

"Finally." Rikuo muttered, as they left the meeting room. It had taken 30 minutes of arguing, just for them to agree to wait and see if Toketsumaru could be trusted. Hitotsume hadn't helped the situation, instead choosing to nitpick every point Rikuo made. And as if that wasn't enough, Gyuki had pointed out that,because of his father's involvement in Beowulf's near annihilation, Shoei might be one of their prime targets. Shoei was confident that he'd be able to take down anyone they sent after him, but Rikuo couldn't be sure.

Rikuo walked outside to bask in the moonlight as dawn approached. He closed his eyes and lifted his face to feel the breeze. "Smells like a party in there." He opened his eyes and looked up into the nearby tree. Inuyasha looked down from his perch and said, "How are things going in there, do you know what you're going to do with the boy?" Rikuo hesitated before speaking. "He is going to stay here at the Nura mansion until we find out what the enemies objectives are."

Inuyasha jumped down from the tree. "Sounds like a plan, but what will happen to the brat when you do find out that stuff. Rikuo sighed heavily. "I just don't know. I'd like to have him in the clan, but it'll also depend on what he wants to do, I suppose." Just then, Kagome returned leading a wary Toketsumaru. "Oi brat, where the hell'd you run off to?" Inuyasha growled. "Sit boy." Kagome said, as she tried to get Toketsumaru to stop hiding behind her.

Toketsumaru signed happily as he looked around his new room. It was small and barely furnished, with just a bed and small desk, but it was warm and cozy. He felt safe, something he hasn't truly felt since he'd started living on the streets. Maybe he really could live here, if they accepted him, of course.