Sesshomaru reveled in the feeling of the wind moving his pristine silver hair. He stood high in the northern hills of the continent and tested the wind again. His brother waited on the forest floor, his face upturned, waiting. They had been hunting for several days before finally catching wind of Haruko and Kenta. His spirits had soared to a height they had not attained since they had departed the western Manor.

"Not far now, they are approaching us as well."

The brothers had been doing their best to remain upwind of the trail they followed so their own scent would be readily detectable to those with the nose and the inclination to care.

Inuyasha nodded and moved off along the ground shadowing his brother from below in silence. He usually chafed internally about following Sesshomaru's lead, a left-over habit from his hanyou years, but this time he had no problem following his older brother.

When he had arrived at the temple and found Sesshomaru cloistered within he had barely been able to hide his shock. The taiyoukai had appeared haggard and empty. His eyes held a haunted uncertain look about them that made Inuyasha recoil; it just didn't sit well with him that his immensely powerful brother had been reduced to the sad state that greeted his arrival.

It took all of the younger Inu's lessons on diplomacy not to blurt out his distress at once. After taking a few days trying to figure out the best way to approach his brother without causing him to withdraw even further into himself, Inuyasha had finally settled on his approach by thinking of Kagome. During her travels with him he had watched her inspire the best in youkai and ningen alike countless times. He was one of those she had been able to encourage time and time again to overcome adversity in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds. Her matter of fact approach to problems often left him with the impression that no other way existed except to solve whatever problem lay before them.

So when he used this tactic with Sesshomaru, he had been pleasantly surprised by his reception of it. He couldn't help but sweeten the deal by egging Sesshomaru into a hunt; nothing brought an Inu back to himself better than a good hunt.

They sped through the forested hills moving ever southward, correcting their path with each change in the wind. It seemed that Haruko and Kenta were doing the same. Inuyasha figured the only reason they hadn't found them yet was the other party was most likely scanning for their youki. The depleted state of Sesshomaru's youki was probably throwing them off.

His pondering was cut short by a short sound above him and the abrupt halt of Sesshomaru's movement. Inuyasha stopped dead in the undergrowth and stilled his breathing, listening intently. He heard nothing. No birds, no squirrels. Just the wind in the leaves and a nearby brook babbling quietly to itself. He looked up to Sesshomaru and watched him for his cue. Sesshomaru stood still as stone and waited, he felt empowered by this hunt, but was reminded how limited his prowess currently was when he tried to reach out with his youki unthinkingly. For the briefest of moments he felt the immense presence of another demon before his own youki lashed back into him with a painful jerk.

Inuyasha became aware of two flames of youki heading toward them cautiously, he reached out with his own and the barriers fell between them. Kenta chuckled off to his right and Inuyasha answered with a grin.

"Took you long enough to come looking." scoffed Inuyasha as the big wolf stood and entered the clearing.

"Can't be too careful." Admonished Kenta. "I had to shake the birds first, and of course find the pup."

Inuyasha glanced up at him as Haruko emerged from the underbrush behind his Uncle and Father. Sesshomaru dropped down silently to join them, looking closely at Kenta before turning his attention to his son. His severe golden eyes measured his heir and without revealing his thoughts, was pleased with what he saw.

Haruko stood proud and silent allowing his father to scrutinize him. He could tell immediately something was wrong with the taiyoukai. The immense presence of his youki that he always kept well in check was utterly absent. He looked tired and Haruko blinked realizing it was the first time in his life he had ever seen his father look worn.

"Chichiue." He spoke before he could stop himself and bit his lip to stop the question on the tip of his tongue. 'What happened to you?'

Sesshomaru knew what he meant and met his eyes for a long moment before speaking. "We need to find those birds." his tone was frigid and cut through the clearing. "They have taken something...of value."

Kenta turned wide eyes on Inuyasha silently asking for an explanation but the younger Inu shook his head 'Later.'

"Where have you been these past moons Otou-san?" Sesshomaru look again at his son. Saw the unvoiced questions held in check by honor and respect. He had to admit, the sight of his son alive and well had been a balm to his troubled mind. Not only did his son seen unhurt, he looked as though he were thriving.

"I have been sheltered by ningen monks as I recovered." Short, succinct and terse.

Everything about his response indicated his high level of discomfort. His son and general looked at him curiously. He was not usually given to indulging silent speculation, but he felt the need to clarify. "The birds have stolen my youki." he said suddenly. "We must find the one who cast the spell and kill him, once this is accomplished all will be as it should." The clearing was quiet for a beat before Haruko responded.

"The birds are concentrated in the south. I had to pass quite a few villages to get back to the point of ambush."

Sesshomaru looked at his son and felt a small coil of tension begin to relax, he'd half expected his heir to challenge his position as alpha after his disclosure of weakness but instead the younger Inu seemed content to aid him regain his strength. The taiyoukai had to admit he felt as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, the determined set of his son's face told him his misgivings had been baseless.

"There was a bird tracking us for a short while, but we were able to lose him in the trees." Kenta's voice broke through Sesshomaru's musings.

He looked over at the ookami and raised a brow.

"Well, he was hunting the pup but he gained a lead before he found me." A wry grin crossed the rangers' face and he glanced over at Haruko.

"They tracked me from the site of the ambush Otou-san."

Inuyasha nodded and stood. "Then that's where we'll start."

Without another word, Sesshomaru took to the trees. His sensitive ears picked up the sound of the rest of them following him. The four youkai sped through the bamboo on silent feet until they reached the clearing where the enemy had lain in wait for them.

Nostrils flared, they each sifted through the smells of travelers, the faint trace of Haruko until they picked out the scent of the two hunters. Without a word they moved as one and set to tracking the birds to their home.

Night had fallen by the time they reached the village of the avian hunters far to the south and east. Silent in the shadows the four canines watched with yellow eyes, counting huts and warriors. The village itself was long established, that much was clear, the jungle held at bay with periodic brush burnings based on the smells that lingered. It was not a war camp; children scampered and squabbled under the lazy watch of contented mothers. This was not a village that had seen much hardship. Absent were the wary reactions of a populace accustomed to attacks and conflict.

Sesshomaru withdrew silently and the others followed him a short distance from the settlement. He looked at each of them in turn, golden eyes burning with anger.

"The one who holds my youki is here." His tone was clipped and savagely controlled. "We will wait until near dawn before flushing him out and reclaiming what is mine." His fangs glinted fleetingly in the canopy filtered moonlight.

A short silence greeted his words.

"Onii-san," Inuyasha's hesitation revealed his inner conflict, "don't you think you should wait..."

"For what?" Sesshomaru's reply was almost snarled and Inuyasha was sent into a rare silence.

He looked over to Kenta and silently pleaded the ookami to help him out. There was understanding and concern in the ranger's gaze, but before the old wolf could speak he was silenced by Haruko's words.

"Otou-sama." He met his fathers angry eyes without fear. "Oji-san is right."

Had Sesshomaru been in possession of his full youki his aura would have swelled oppressively. As it was, he instinctively called upon it for a display for power as demanded of an alpha male only to have it rebound upon him as before; it was all he could do to keep from gasping. He struggled internally, acutely embarrassed by his lack of power. It was not a feeling that sat well with him. Haruko knelt before his father, the taiyoukai watched silently as his son settled his fingertips into the dirt and touched his brow to those steepled hands.

"Otou-sama, allow your humble son to reclaim your birthright and return to you the tools for revenge!" Haruko's voice was quiet and full of steel.

Sesshomaru's burnished eyes considered his kow-towing form for a long moment. Every fiber of his being rebelled against the idea of sending lesser beings to reclaim his power, this was something he must as an alpha prove that he could do. And yet...they were right. Without his beast and massive youki he was simply an inu youkai. There was great possibility that he would hinder the others in battle, as much as he hated to admit it. He knew they were more than capable of accomplishing their goal without his aid, he was suddenly reminded of a comment his father made not long before his death that he had not understood. The great dog general, who had been talking more to himself than his stoic son had murmured "Just because I can, does not mean I should."

As a young warrior, Sesshomaru had not understood or sympathized with such restraint, he had silently rebuked his father within the confines of his own mind. Now, standing here gazing at the top of his son's head he abruptly and painfully understood what his father meant. There are always times the leader must stand back and allow his pack to support him. No matter how much his blood screamed for action, he realized this was not the time for it.

He inhaled slowly and nodded once. "I will allow it."

The utterance of these words had a profound effect. Inuyasha let his breath out in a whoosh of relief, Kenta's posture relaxed almost imperceptibly and Haruko deepened his bow infinitesimally before sitting up and meeting his father's eyes.

"Arigatou Otou-sama."

"Alright, lets work this out then shall we?" The joviality in Kenta's tone was a trifle forced, but no one faulted him for it.

They began setting down their plan of attack for the dawn hours. It was relatively short planning and they were left to wait the remaining hours in anticipatory silence. Presently, Kenta stood and began the short trip back through the thick foliage where they stopped again at the edge of the village.

With a single shared glance the ookami and two inu moved swift and silent, slitting the throats of the village guards before they even realized what was happening. All of them could feel the restrained youki of Sesshomaru in one of the central huts and stealthily made their way toward it. Their main goal was to eliminate the warriors and kill the one who held the incantation over the taiyoukai's power. The trio swept past the houses that sheltered the young ones and their caretakers and slipped inside the main hut at the center.

Sesshomaru stood motionless at the edge of the clearing listening with all his might. He heard the tearing of flesh within and the stirring of what he judged to be seven birds. His eyes flickered left and right with each new sound, not seeing what was in front of him, but seeing the images his brain constructed from the sounds within. There was a sudden keening wail that echoed in the night and almost instantly the taiyoukai picked up the stirring of nearly every being within the confines of the village. It was only with great effort that he remained where he was, waiting.

Haruko stood over the body of the filthy youkai responsible for the death wail that destroyed their concealment. He could feel the bonds holding his father's youkai disintegrate and the power rise up and brush past him with a rush. He turned and blocked a feeble attack from an old bird youkai who looked to be the village healer based on his trappings and body paint. Instead of killing the old one, Haruko simply rendered him unconscious. No need to kill one who presented no threat. Then came a sound that sent chills racing over his skin, he met the startled eyes of his Uncle and Kenta; moving as one they emerged from the animal hide door and met a horrific scene.

Sesshomaru felt elation. Not long after the death cry blew their cover he was completely distracted by the return of his beast. It was a feeling unlike any he'd ever experienced. He felt as though he had been a blind mewling infant and suddenly the world fell before him and the heavens opened. The return of his beast was violent. It was cacophonous. It was welcome.

His beast roared it's relief and triumph and he roared along with it, youki swirling about his tense form. Silver tresses whipping and spinning as his eyes bled crimson; face and fangs lengthening, he was concealed by a youki cloud.

The bird youkai stumbling from sleep, confused and uncoordinated watched frozen in place, breathing ragged from the weight of such a strong presence and killing intent. They stared in slack jawed horror as an immense white demon dog emerged from the dissipating cloud of demonic energy. Vermillion eyes bored into their psyches, their own eyes stung, burned by the noxious fumes rising off the beasts' saliva that dripped from its massive jaws.

Sesshomaru stared at the chaos before him; he was struggling. The rage his beast harbored for these youkai was profound and the taiyoukai found himself dangerously close to losing control. His own anger didn't help matters as it resonated strongly with his beasts' vehement desire to tear them all to shreds. He was clinging to his last shred of control tenuously at best when a warrior came through a doorflap and hurled a spear in his direction with a wild cry. While in no danger of being harmed by this paltry offering of defense it was the action needed to tip the scales and make the rage overpowering. Sesshomaru registered a ghastly howl before he surrendered to his beast.

Inuyasha, Kenta and Haruko stared in dismay at the chaos and terror surrounding them. Females and males alike screamed and fled in terror, the paltry remains of the guards attempted to muster a defense only to be crushed beneath the giant claws of Sesshomaru. He was still a frightening sight even to those who knew him best.

Kenta moved forward swiftly and attempted to flank his master, the great beast swung his head left and struck the running ookami, knocking him backward into the wall of a hut collapsing the structure. A small child, barely old enough to toddle sat crying in front of the great inu, no adult stopped in their panic to lift the terrified child from harm's way.

Haruko found himself staring into the azure eyes of this child of the enemy, hearing his sister's voice.

"Father will lose control, you are to battle with him for the lives of the innocent. Be careful Brother."

"Kuso!" He breathed. "Now!" The mental cry was a clarion call snapping him from his inaction. He dashed forward, moving straight toward his father and grasped the child under the arms. He turned his head and met the concerned eyes of his uncle. "Catch!" he cried while twisting his body and launching the baby toward Inuyasha.

The former hanyou caught the child effortlessly before widening his eyes at some point beyond his nephew. Haruko snapped his head around just in time to catch his father's paw square in the chest. The world turned upside down and Haruko knew no more.

Inuyasha watched his brother swat Haruko hard enough to send him flying into the jungle, and the sound of breaking trees did not bode well for the pup. He glanced down at the grubby child in his arms and leapt out of the village as fast as his legs would allow. Kenta had not extricated himself from the ruins of the collapsed hut yet, and Inuyasha knew there certainly wasn't anything he could do while carrying this kid. He stopped almost a mile from the village and set the child in among the roots of a massive tree. The little bird had stopped crying and stared up at him with wide eyes. He exhaled heavily through his nose and smirked. Reaching down with a clawed hand to ruffle his hair he saw the child didn't flinch away from him. "Good, he'll be alright then."

"Keep quiet little one." he spoke in the language of the continent hoping it was what the kid understood before leaping away and heading back to the growing orange glow where the village stood. He stopped short at the edge of the clearing and took stock of the situation. Sesshomaru stood there bellowing in all his bestial glory, jaws dripping not only with poison but with blood, his white fur was spotted with dark carmine smears and a cursory inspection revealed it was not his own. Absolute chaos reigned. Warriors were few, but stood their ground and some of the women were there throwing anything they could get their hands on. Flaming torches lit in the house fires flew through the air along with rocks and support poles snapped into sharp ends.

"This will end badly." Inuyasha thought. He cursed his inability to shift. He was a formidable opponent, but not truly a match or his brother in this form. He had been extremely lucky in the fight all those years ago at their father's grave. Sesshomaru has severely underestimated him and had not been enraged to the point of not thinking. There was nothing he could do except try and rescue as many as he could before Sesshomaru hunted them down. Madness lay in his brother's eyes.

First things first, he had to get Kenta up and moving. Watching his brother warily he moved to the ookami's side. He was surprised and relieved to see the Ranger's eyes open and trained on Sesshomaru's massive form.

"'Bout time you got here." He growled at Inuyasha.

"How can we stop him?" he replied keeping his sight solidly on the white Inu.

"Not sure." coughed Kenta. "I'll be lucky to get out of this pit before he notices me, that little brush he gave me broke most of my ribs."

Inuyasha's golden eyes reflected the spreading fires as they took in the battered wolf. "Kuso." he muttered. Frowning, he asked "Where's Haruko?"

Kenta shook his head. "I haven't seen him since he was struck away." His head turned in the direction the young lord had flown. Unspoken worry filled both of them to the brim.

Haruko blinked. Dim orange light flickered over leaves such dark green they seemed black. He inhaled and listened. Screams and crashing met his ears, accompanied by the mad howling of his enraged father. An image of the child he tossed to safety flashed in his mind's eye. He sat up suddenly, wincing at the sharp pain that lanced across his torso. His tunic was in shreds and soaked in blood, and his skin was the tender pink that spoke of recent knitting of wounds. He tested the range of motion he was able to achieve and stood carefully. He could feel the youki of Kenta and Inuyasha together in the settlement. He almost missed them in the roiling chaos that was his father.

"Now is the time Brother." His sister's voice echoed in his head and he shut his eyes as though in pain.

"Will one of us not return home?" His mental question was met by silence. Haruko exhaled in frustration and clenched his fists.

"This was not shown to me." The flat tone of the reply was so very like Maeko he could see his somber sister clearly in his minds' eye.

"Then fare thee well sister, if we are not to meet again tell Okaa-san what happens this night." He was silent for a moment before a grim smile curved his lips. "And tell Otou-san it is not his fault." although no reply came to his mind he knew his sister would honor his will, should it prove to be his last.

Inuyasha felt relief flood through him when the youki of Haruko flickered into the edges of his perception. An instant later his nephew materialized beside them and crouched down to check Kenta.

"Can you walk Jii-san?" he asked with a smile.

"Bite your tongue pup, I'm not dead yet!"

Inuyasha shook his head. "Not dead just too slow to stay that way."

Haruko met his uncles eyes and Inuyasha saw something within them that made his stomach try to drop right down to his knees.

"Take him to the trees Oji-san, I'll give you time."

"Kid..."

"Don't worry about it Yasha Oji-chan."

Inuyasha blinked in disbelief as Maeko's nickname for him tumbled from Haruko's lips. He could have sworn the pup's eyes flashed green for just a second.

"Make sure you get out of the way." Now that rakish grin and teasing tone was all Haruko. Kenta started to speak.

"Pup! Don't be foolish!" His words fell on deaf ears, Haruko was already on the other side of the clearing and they felt his youki spike suddenly.

The boys face lengthened and they could hear his bones cracking from where they watched with growing horror. Sesshomaru evidently took notice as well and turned his attention to the new threat. His base mentality assessed this newcomer with interest. This enemy was strong. This enemy was close and unexpected. He reacted as was required, with immediate attack.

He clashed fiercely with the black beast who dared oppose him, this mongrel who invited his ire by interrupting his revenge. No matter, this new challenger would meet that same fate as the vile birds and his bones would feed the forest for eons to come.

Haruko had to admit the first clash with his father was a solid one. He had grown up his whole life hearing the stories of his great and magnificent sire who surpassed even his grans-sire, the great dog general, in power. He and his siblings had been spared actual battle. The years since their birth had been marked by peace and while they had been trained hard and well by the rangers, true battle was something very different. His ribs still ached and the newly torn flesh on his shoulder bled freely, he could feel the prickling sting of his father's poison. Thankfully he was fairly certain his own poison would counteract it's effects.

He lunged across the clearing and bore his father backward with his sudden advance. They were alike in size and strength, but that was where the similarities ended. Sesshomaru carried the dense weight and seasoned experience of a warrior who had been tested over and over again. Haruko knew he had no real hope of coming out of this the victor, but he hoped at least he would be able to draw the enraged inu away from the village.

Inuyasha and Kenta watched in shocked silence as the two great inu clashed over and over again. Haruko's sable coat was gleaming wet in the firelight, and they could tell the pup was fighting a losing battle.

"Come on." grunted Inuyasha, helping the ranger up.

They moved together to the opposite side of the clearing. Once he had Kenta situated with his back against a broad tree, Inuyasha began to peel back the ookami's tunic to better inspect his wounds.

"Leave off, would you." Kenta's tone was short and he pushed at the inu's hands. "I'm already healing, there's nothing to tend."

Inuyasha frowned down at him dubiously.

Kenta shook his head. "Go help the boy before he's killed and we have to explain to his mother how we allowed it to happen!"

For a short moment Inuyasha couldn't help the reflex that drew his hand to the place her prayer beads had once laid. Echoes of Osuwari flashed through his memory and he nodded once before making his way back toward the struggling beasts.

Sesshomaru could feel his opponent weakening slowly. He pressed the attack, flipping the intruder over with the intention of pinning him and crushing his throat.

"Hey you filthy mutt!"

Something flaming crossed in front of his snout and he turned his face toward the irritation. Haruko twisted and slid free of his father, extremely grateful for his uncles' temporary distraction. He took full advantage of this opportunity and charged his father with every ounce of strength at his disposal. They both flew back into the jungle and Haruko felt several trees splinter from the force. Before his father had a chance to rise up, Haruko fled into the dense foliage, the angry snarl that followed him assuring him of Sesshomaru's pursuit.

"No Haruko! Kuso!" Inuyasha scrambled to follow them, they had to snap Sesshomaru out of his bestial rage before he killed his own damn kid! He rushed through the dimly lit jungle. Dawn was coming, which was a small blessing. At least he would be able to see his dark pelted nephew more readily.

Sesshomaru closed in on his fleeing prey. Catching him easily, the taiyoukai leapt upon his back and drove him to the earth. Snapping and snarling the great white inu closed his jaws around the throat of this intruder.

'Wait.'

Haruko froze as he felt his own father's fangs at his jugular pause in their movement and hold him fast. He was confused; what gave Sesshomaru pause. Inuyasha arrived in a nearby tree and stared at the scene before him. Sesshomaru held Haruko firmly by the throat, the rasping sound of the pup's breath making Inuyasha wince. His mind was racing, there had to be a way he could get Sesshomaru to stop. Clearly his beast held sway and could not tell friend from foe.

The white inu shook his head slowly and let out a low growl.

'Stop this!'

There was that voice again, the beast growled once more with a tone of uncertainty this time and Inuyasha held his breath. It was painfully obvious Sesshomaru was fighting to regain control of himself and the former hanyou paid very close attention to the sound of his nephews' labored breathing.

'That is our PUP! Release him!'

The bestial essence of Sesshomaru's youki let out a whine at the anguish in his master's tone and retreated. Inuyasha stilled, watching as Sesshomaru opened his jaws and allowed Haruko's swiftly shrinking form to the loamy soil of the jungle floor. The taiyoukai was reverting to his humanoid form, the beast inside him finally silent. Golden eyes locked onto the still form of his son, limbs akimbo, dark hair thrown over his face hiding it from view. Inuyasha heard a small sound of torment come from his stoic brother an instant before the Lord of the West dropped heavily to his knees and crawled toward his child.

Inuyasha moved forward cautiously as his brother gathered Haruko into his arms and supported his head. The pup's face was a mess of cuts as he cracked open swollen eyelids to regard his father. Sesshomaru swallowed thickly; the corners of his mouth turned down severely and his jaw worked for a moment.

"Why?" he whispered. "Foolish boy, why did you do this?"

Haruko's cracked lips twitched up in ghostly semblance of a smile and he coughed lightly. "It's what Okaa-san would have done."

Seshhomaru's face went slack and he exhaled sharply. Inuyasha waited, but the two of them didn't move, the clearing was utterly still. Then Haruko's eyes rolled back into his head and he went completely limp. Inuyasha chose this moment to intervene, his brother seemed to be in shock holding the bloodied body of his son without understanding in his golden eyes.

"Aniki." He spoke quietly.

There was no response.

Inuyasha reached out and eased Haruko from Sesshomaru's unresisting arms. The younger Inu stood and looked down at his older brother, who looked like a hollowed husk of his former self. This was even more disturbing to Inuyasha than the uncertainty that plagued his brother when they met at the monastery. He was listless, golden eyes unseeing. Without thinking, Inuyasha reached out and punched him in the face. Hard.

Sesshomaru blinked and snapped angry eyes up to look at his brother in disbelief.

"Don't do this to me now dammit!" snarled the former hanyou. "I can't carry both of them!"

The angry words spilling from his brother's mouth seemed to rouse Sesshomaru at last. He stood and took Haruko back, cradling his limp form. Inuyasha nodded and dashed off to retrieve Kenta.

"What happened?" asked the injured wolf. "Where are..." his question was cut off as he caught sight of his lord entering the clearing. Kenta looked at Inuyasha with wide eyes. "Is he?"

"He's alive, barely." Inuyasha replied with a small shake of his head. "Come on, we're going back to the House of the Lions. He may make it, he may not."

The grim set of his mouth was all Kenta needed to see, he closed his eyes and allowed himself to be lifted and situated on Inuyasha's back for the journey west.

When next Kenta opened his eyes, he was met with the sight of finely grained cherry panels arching over his head. He blinked slowly and allowed his consciousness all the time it needed to come fully awake. He heard the gentle trilling of songbirds nearby, and felt a tightness in his torso that spoke of nearly complete healing. Breathing out, he slowly moved himself into a sitting position just in time to see the screen slid open with a sharp click and the face of his nephew appear wearing a lopsided grin.

"Morning Oji!" said Kouga, ignoring his uncle's wince at the loud tone. "I see you're feeling better at last."

"Kouga..." he paused confused. "Where are we?"

The younger Ookami grinned and leaned against the wall, arms crossing over his chest. "We happen to be in the great house of the auspicious Lions."

"Why are you here? Wait where's Haruko?"

Kouga's eyes lost a bit of their joviality. "Kagome sent me to find Sesshomaru several weeks ago. She's lost her standing in the West and is a virtual captive in her own manor."

Kenta's eyes widened. "What? Who would dare?"

"Suzaku of course. He was quite cunning in his manipulations, turned nearly the whole council against her."

"Nearly?"

"The cats and I were her only supporters. It was shameful."

Kenta was shaken by this revelation, they had only been gone a few months, things should not have progressed this quickly unless... He looked sharply at his nephew. "You said Suzaku was the one who turned the council against her? How did he manage that?"

"He showed up conveniently just after Kagome received word of your deaths."

The look on Kenta's face was murderous. Filthy bird! "Does Sesshomaru know?"

Kouga nodded solemnly. "He's with Haruko and Inuyasha right now." Kouga held up a hand forestalling Kenta's next question. "The pup is fine, healing faster then you in fact, and that's really saying something considering how much of his father's poison was in his system." Their eyes met. "That kid's gonna be a formidable force one day."

There was no doubt that Haruko would most likely surpass his father one day. The young inu was barely over a century old and had held his own against Japan's killing perfection. It boggled the mind. Kenta remembered sharply the terror that had clenched his gut as he watched Haruko jump into the fray the way he had.

"You should rest uncle. You're not as young and spry as you used to be." With a quick grin, Kouga vanished from the room and shut the screen behind him with finality.

Kenta sighed and lowered himself back to the sleeping mat.

Kouga entered the room where Sesshomaru was taking council with Liu Bei and Inuyasha. The three of them barely acknowledged his bow and continued talking as he seated himself.

"Lord Sesshomaru allow me to ensure your safe passage home with my retinue!"

The pale inu shook his head. "I thank you Liu Bei-sama, for your generosity. But it is not necessary. My brother and I will make a short journey north while my son and retainer are recovering. I humbly accept your hospitality for another week before we must return to my lands."

"Where must you go Sesshomaru-sama?" asked Kouga. His position as prince of wolves gave him equal standing in this room and he was going to use it to his full advantage. He had promised Kagome he would bring them home and he wasn't about to lose Sesshomaru so soon after finding him.

The inu lord looked at him, face devoid of expression before replying. "I must retrieve my blades and compensate the houshi who sheltered me." His reply was flat, without inflection.

Liu Bei looked at him a moment as though considering something then bowed his head in assent. "I would he honored should you welcome my daughter into your household in half a year's time. She should see her new home soon don't you think?"

Kouga raised his eyebrows in silent surprise. It was well known that Sesshomaru had refrained from arranging matings for his children. His blue eyes slid to the side, considering Sesshomaru's response.

The taiyoukai merely nodded his head in assent. "I have spoken with Haruko and he seems to welcome the match. I'm sure my mate will find your daughter enchanting."

Liu Bei gave a single nod to acknowledge the compliment and set his tea down. They all stood as their host exited the room. Silence reined as they settled back down to the mat.

Sesshomaru regarded Kouga solemnly. "I thank you Kouga-san, for coming here at the behest of my mate, and for remaining here with my heir while Inuyasha and I retrieve my blades."

"Whatever it takes for you to return to Kagome quickly. She needs you there."

Sesshomaru's golden eyes blazed for a short beat before the mask slid into place again. "I will return to her with the swiftness and fury of my ancestors."

His rumbling baritone sent a small shiver up the wolf princes' spine. Heads would roll and Kouga believed the taiyoukai's every word.

Kagome heard a small sound, the sound of a footstep sliding on stone and tensed immediately. She silently waved Kikyo back and focused her attention on the entrance of their refuge. Shippo had not returned in the weeks since his departure, and she worried for him. Another sound reached her ears, a short hiss. and three scratching sounds on the stone. Kagome tensed again, this time for another reason.

'Amaya.' she thought.

This could mean any number of things. Now that she knew it was not an intruder, her mind spun with what news her faithful bodyguard deemed important enough to visit them in their hiding place. She tapped out the return signal and watched the neko's form emerge from the tunnel.

"My Lady." She knelt quickly before Kagome and looked up at her worried face.

"What is it Amaya? What has happened?"

The dark-furred neko bowed her head briefly, a frown marring her brow. "Word has reached us of Shippo's fate. He is being held and interrogated in the Underkeep of the manor."

Her words were calm and level but, Kagome felt her heart tear just a little more at this news. "Is he still alive?"

Amaya nodded but did not elaborate.

Kagome scowled and considered her options. Takeshi and his sister kept a steady stream of information flowing to her in one way or another. The neko siblings were the only two besides Shippo who knew where they hid. Takeshi had been purged early on with the rest of those loyal to Sesshomaru, while Amaya had been able to remain in the castle as an unassuming maid. She kept her head down and none of Suzaku's retinue was any the wiser.

"Amaya, I cannot sit idly by and allow this to continue."

She lifted her head in surprise at her mistresses' tone. Cold, hard, and full of venom. It was so unlike Kagome that the neko had to look twice to make sure it was still her.

"You must contact your brother and have him ready to storm the manor."

"Storm the...?"

"Yes Amaya. You and I will enter the manor in stealth and will slit that filthy bird's throat." Kagome met the neko's eyes for a fleeting moment and Amaya was stunned by the pure hatred and killing intent there. "Takeshi's signal will be prearranged between you, do not tell him exactly what we plan. The fewer people know our intent the better."

Amaya opened her mouth to protest, but then paused. Her brother had gathered a network of rebels to him in the northern mountains, their numbers were enough to most likely win the fight for the manor. There would be casualties, and unfortunately, most of them would probably be the ningen volunteers. As stout as their hearts may be, they were horribly outmatched by the youkai.

She mulled over her mistress' plan. She knew for a fact the two of them were up to sneaking into the manor and that her brother would jump at the chance to reclaim their master's holdings. Satoshi would certainly approve, considering he was beside himself with worry for his red-headed partner. It would only be a matter of time before Suzaku ended his interrogation of Shippo directly and began using Satoshi against him.

"Hai Mistress." she said. "When shall we begin?"

Kagome straightened and looked toward the back of the cave. "In one week's time, we shall reclaim the West."

*A/N* Please Review! I love the comments and thoughts! They really do motivate me! Next chapter...Kagome's attack and Sesshomaru's return!