A/N: A small group to thank for last chapter's reviews: Coralinas, Dark Inu Fan, kwiedel, welliegirl16, little25victor, Dragon and Sword Master, and kokoronagomu. And thank you to anyone who put this or its author on their lists.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha characters, manga, anime, movies, etc. They belong by copyright laws to Rumiko Takahashi et al.

One Hanyou Too Many

Homeward Bound

Inuyasha let his brother lead, figuring that it would sooth some of the elder dog demon's irritation if he wasn't being challenged in either appearance or reality. Aside from the fact that Sesshoumaru was the only one who knew where his mother actually lived, the half demon thought the peace they'd achieved by letting his brother walk in front and left to his own thoughts was worth the chafing of his own pride and leadership. Much better the quiet than what had happened the day before.

Rin and Yukari were still being punished, Sesshoumaru's ability to forgive and move on not having grown any since he was a pup even though the girls seemed to have come to some sort of understanding. Presently they were riding Ah-Un, the steed the only way they could have kept up with Sesshoumaru's pace.

"We will rest here while the humans eat," the dog demon declared suddenly, halting in the middle of the road that was thankfully near some large trees that would provide cover from the bright sun.

"Oh, thank you, Lord Sesshoumaru! Rin was getting so hungry!"

"Hn," her guardian uttered before walking off into the forest to have some time away from the group. Inuyasha watched his brother go, knowing Rin's growling stomach had been the only reason he'd stopped at all. The rest of them, his siblings included, could have starved for all Sesshoumaru cared but Rin was special and his actions just then proved it.

"I guess it's ramen time," Kagome sighed. She knew that Sesshoumaru's patience would wear thing if they stopped to find anything more nutritious. Once Rin's hunger had been satisfied, they'd be on the road again for sure.

"I'll get water!" Shippou volunteered, hearing a small brook nearby. "It's your turn to make the fire, Rin," he called over his shoulder.

"Got it!" the little girl called back and made quick work of her task. The fire was blazing nicely by the time Shippou returned with he kettle he'd snatched from Kagome's bag on his way by. Water was put on to boil and lunch was prepared within short order so that growling stomachs would at least stop making a noise that Sesshoumaru found offensive.

After inhaling his favorite noodles, Inuyasha went to find his brother, the elder not far from the tree line. "Should be able to leave soon," he informed although Sesshoumaru was probably well aware of how long it was taking them to eat.

"I tire of this nonsense, Inuyasha," Sesshoumaru informed his younger brother.

"Right there with you," the half demon agreed. "You wouldn't mind if I used Tetsusaiga on your mother, would you?"

"No," Sesshoumaru said bluntly. "I will advise you though that it is unlikely to be of any use against that woman. She wields another kind of power granted to her by our father and it is said that anything that comes in contact with it disappears into an abyss never to be seen again."

"Could mess up her castle real good," Inuyasha mused and was surprised when his brother let his lips curve it what could pass for a smile.

"I do believe her reaction would prove amusing." Surprisingly in a better mood than when the day had started, Sesshoumaru began returning to the group. "Just be sure she has already released your monk from the spell first. Mother can be quite vindictive."

"Understood." For once not arguing, fighting or insulting each other in any way, the two dog demon brothers joined their packs to begin the rest of the journey to Yukari's home.

"Aniue, how much longer will it take to get there?" Yukari called out to her brother, hoping that he would pay at least enough of attention to her to answer her question.

"By nightfall if the current pace is kept," he replied without turning to look.

"Finally."

"You would do well to memorize the way. A dog demon should be able to smell his/her way home in case they were ever to be blinded in battle. Your lack of knowledge is disturbing."

"I have no intention of ever leaving the castle again."

Sesshoumaru refrained from sighing in disgust but he was sure that his siblings felt it in his aura as well as smelled it in his scent. Inuyasha wasn't as polite and let his opinion ring clear. "That's just stupid. You have no way of knowing if that castle will always be there. You need to be able to survive on your own. No thanks to Sesshoumaru, at least I can do that," the half demon lectured.

"You had to, you never had servants."

"I did, and they were a waste of human flesh. Even the youkai servant I have isn't here most of the time."

"How you wound me, Master Inuyasha!" a tiny voice came from out of nowhere, Myouga's familiar tenor catching everyone's attention.

"Speak of the devil. Well, there mustn't be any danger nearby because here's the flea," Inuyasha said, squishing the insect youkai before he could bite.

"I am your most loyal vassal, I always have been," the elderly retainer proclaimed.

"Do not stretch the truth, flea. You serve our family in its entirety." Sesshoumaru paused in his march to glare at Myouga. "The only reason you still live is because of your devotion to my brother. If Father were still alive, your negligence would have been punished long ago. You are fortunate that I have no need of a servant as useless as you."

Inuyasha's brow rose at the surprising news but he didn't comment on it. He would grill Myouga later after separating from Sesshoumaru and his group. "What brings you here? You usually stay far away from Sesshoumaru."

"The Lady Mother is greatly worried about her youngest and requested that I go look for her. I could not find any trace of her so sought you out in hopes of securing your aid. What a delightful surprise to find all of the siblings together in one place."

A green ki whip knocked the flea off of Inuyasha's shoulder and the group, who had been listening to the dog demons' conversation, stopped en masse to watch Sesshoumaru lose his cool. Bright red eyes narrowed in on the flea demon where he had landed against a rock, the energy from Sesshoumaru's attack still sizzling in the air around him.

"Oi, don't kill him, he does have his uses. Maiming is okay though," Inuyasha said when his brother bared his fangs at him.

"What about this is delightful?" Sesshoumaru snarled. "And if Mother was so worried, why did she not come herself?"

"Well, she does have her duties as lady," Myouga said, mopping his brow. "And it is wonderful to see all you siblings side by side without all that fighting that's always going on. The Lady Mother does despair, you know."

"She's been feeding you a bunch of bull crap. And why didn't you ever tell me she was still alive?" Inuyasha asked.

"It didn't seem important. I never imagined that you would come in contact with her or that her youngest would find you and seek your help in getting together with Sesshoumaru. However, now that you have, she would be greatly pleased if you would stop by and introduce your friends. I take it she's already met Sango-sama, Miroku-sama and young Shippou."

"Indeed, speaking of meeting her, it seems there is something she could be of help with," Miroku said, not bothering to hide his set of fangs from the flea.

"Oh, dear," Myouga murmured. "I can see she's been playing games again. It is little wonder Master Sesshoumaru is so angry." Myouga didn't usually address Sesshoumaru so respectfully but it probably saved him an acid bath.

Returning to his post at the front of the line, Sesshoumaru redoubled his pace so that they could make up for the time spent talking to the flea. "What is this news that she has for me? I do not wish to tarry at her side for longer than necessary."

"If I am not mistaken, my lord, it has to do with Tenseiga but you'll have to ask her to be sure. I will caution you though. If she says that she has a way to train you, make sure that Rin-chan is no where nearby. The Lady Mother can be quite careless with the safety of people."

Sesshoumaru didn't bother hiding his snort this time around. "As always," he growled lowly. If he had a choice, he would never let his mother even know of Rin's existence but she likely already knew so it was pointless to hide the fact or Rin.

Kagome studied the back of the demon lord and sigh softly. They had been having such a family moment until Myouga ruined it. "Say, Sesshoumaru, are we not close enough for Yukari to fly the rest of the way? If she transports herself, I think Kirara and Ah-Un could carry the rest of us without trouble. That would end this whole thing sooner, don't you think?"

Sesshoumaru stopped long enough to consider the matter. "Indeed, miko, you are correct. Yukari, you will fly the rest of the way while my brother and the miko fly on Ah-Un with Rin. The monk, fox, and slayer will fly on the cat and we shall end this farce now." Without waiting to see if they followed his lead, Sesshoumaru took to the sky, Jaken grabbing onto his fur for dear life.

Frowning deeply, Yukari did as he commanded, using her youki to ride the air currents as her brother was. Ah-Un grudgingly allowed the other passengers, mollified by Rin's praise and Kagome's heartfelt gratitude. Kirara ended the long line, the engaged couple and kitsune child not an unusual weight on her back.

The rest of the journey was spent in silence, the setting sun turning the sky orange and darkening the landscape. Kagome leaned against Inuyasha's chest, wishing that she could enjoy the scenery under different circumstances. Something began to poke through the clouds and she gasped lightly at the sight. A castle began to come into view, rising far above the mountain top. "Is that it?"

"Yes," Yukari answered. "That is the Castle of the Moon. It is so tall that it breaks through the clouds. Some say that it even floats in the sky." Gaining purpose, the young demoness sped ahead, not sparing a glance for her elder brother.

"I don't recall a castle being here in my time," Kagome whispered. "Do you think it'll still exist?"

"Depends on whether Sesshoumaru's mother lives for another five hundred years." Inuyasha answered. "Although, by the look on his face, I'm thinking her reign might be in jeopardy."

"He does look rather displeased," Miroku answered as Kirara drew alongside Ah-Un.

"Perhaps we should hang back and allow the family time to themselves," Sango suggested. A glare sent her way from the demon lord made her cringe. "Or maybe not."

"Come on, let's go run interference. What's the worst that could happen?" Inuyasha asked.

"Inuyasha-kun!" an unknown feminine voice shouted and a large white dog leapt towards them from the edge of a cliff.

"Need you ask?" his brother grimaced just as the half demon was pounced on. Inuyasha fell off of Ah-Un and would have fell to the ground had he not been caught in large jaws. Sesshoumaru turned his attention on Kagome. "He should learn to mind his tongue."

"I take it that's your mother," Miroku put in unnecessarily.

"Indeed. I give you the Lady of the Moon."

"Aw, she's playing with him like a puppy," Kagome cooed. Sesshoumaru just stared at her aghast. "What? She is." The demon lord could say nothing in return and merely headed for the castle's courtyard. He'd let the miko find out for herself how unlike a puppy his mother truly was.

At least that would be amusing.