What's up readers! Time for chapter 21 to take off! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Chapter 21: A Short Reunion and A Day Off!

"Seriously," said Kagome as she put Kotaro against the tree, "One injury after another." Kotaro twitched his face and regained consciousness. "Yo everyone!" responded Kotaro as he raised his hand. "He looks fine to me…," muttered Inuyasha as he stared at the hanyou. Kotaro grinned while scratching the back of his head, "So much for breakfast eh?" "And what the hell were you thinking bringing her here?" exclaimed Inuyasha while pointing at Rin. "What do you mean?" Kotaro shouted back, "How can you expect me to leave her all alone in the forest! Plus, Kagura was after her!" "Oh, you don't know the half of it!" answered Inuyasha twitching his eye. "Ok, that's enough! Break it up, you two," said Sango as she tries to stop the argument, "Arguing isn't going to help right now. We'll explain everything later but right now we have to bring Rin back to Sesshomaru."

"I have no idea who this Sesshomaru person is…," remarked Kotaro, "But he's probably looking for you now, Rin." "Yes," answered Rin as Kotaro patted her head. "I'll be back," said Kotaro as he got up. "Hey! Where the hell do you think you're going?" asked Inuyasha in his angry tone, "Do you even know who Sesshomaru is?" "Nope," answered Kotaro instantly as he started to walk but paused for a while as he saw a man walking out of the woods. "Lord Sesshomaru!" cried Rin as she ran towards him. "Wha… what?" muttered Kotaro as Rin ran towards Sesshomaru, "That's… Sesshomaru… but… he's a demon…"

"Where have you been, Rin?" asked the silver haired demon with purple stripes on his cheeks and a crescent moon located on top of his forehead. "Looking for breakfast," answered Rin still holding the fish Kotaro gave her, "Then Kotaro saved me from danger." "Kotaro…," said Sesshomaru calmly as he looked at the severely injured hanyou, "Hmph. Another half-demon." "Hey, hey, hey," said Kotaro feeling slightly irritated by his comment, "It would be nice if you don't call me that, even though most people would call me a demon." "Hey! How dare you talk to Lord Sesshomaru like that!" said a squeaky voice from behind, "Lord Sesshomaru, allow me to take care of this half-demon." "Again with the half-demon!" shouted Kotaro feeling more agitated. "What do you want Sesshomaru!" said Inuyasha he drew out Tetsusaiga, "If it's the sword then forget about it!"

"Hmph," Sesshomaru let out as he turned and started to walk away, "We're leaving." "What?" shouted the green imp demon wearing a dark red robe holding a two headed staff, "Lor… Lord Sesshomaru, you can't possibly!" "I said we're leaving," said Sesshomaru with a warning tone, "Kotaro was it? We'll meet again."

After Sesshomaru and his group left, Inuyasha sheathed his sword and said, "What was that about?" "Ok! I'm lost and confused!" shouted Kotaro putting both his hands up, "I need an explanation before my head blows!" After explaining the relationship between Sesshomaru and Naraku as well as Inuyasha, Kotaro finally got it and said, "Oh! So he's your brother!" "HALF brother!" shouted Inuyasha feeling agitated by Kotaro's comment, "And it's not nice since he's constantly trying to get rid of me to get Tetsusaiga." "Oh come on!" replied Kotaro, "At least he's not trying to kill you and your friends as well as killing innocent people for pleasure." "Aside from that, how's your wounds?" asked Miroku concerned about the hanyou's injuries. "Vast recovery!" replied Kotaro immediately as he stretched himself. "Don't lie," said Kagome as she pulled his ear, "You've been taking too much damage recently and don't even think about another excuse." "Ear, ear, ear!" Kotaro whimpered as he reached for his ear. "I think it would be best if we wait for Kotaro to recover," suggested Sango as she looks at him. "What?" exclaimed Kotaro as Kagome released his ear, "Don't underestimate me! I can fight, even in this condition!" "And if you keep doing so, you'll soon get killed!" Sango shouted back at him which silenced him. "Fine!" said Kotaro surrendering, "You win, I lose! But I am NOT going back my grandpa's village!" "Too bad, Kotaro," remarked Inuyasha, 'That's the closest village we know other than Kaede's village." Kotaro could feel a stone crushing him as he heard Inuyasha's comment. "Oh no… I'll get more injured there instead…," Kotaro thought to himself feeling dead.

-At Kotaro's grandfather's village-

"Welcome back, Kotaro and friends!" said Tetsu as he saw the gang entered the gate, "That's some bruises you got there."

"Please… you know what happened so let's skip to 'make yourselves a home', alright?" asked Kotaro ironically as he face palmed himself. Tetsu just chuckled and let the gang to rest in the mansion. As they entered the sewing room, Kotaro's aunts and female cousins poached onto him and giving him a hug which almost suffocated him. While his uncles were laughing and bringing up the old days when Kotaro got injured that badly. Inuyasha found it amusing which started a fist fight between the two dog hanyous ending with a sit command from Kagome to prevent Kotaro's injury from worsening.

-In the guest room-

"Why don't we take the day off?" suggested Kagome as she raised her hand.

"The day off?" said Kotaro as he laid down, "How come?"

"Something tells me that if we leave you here, you'll eventually come after us," replied Kagome as she crossed her arms. Kotaro became silent hearing her comment and said, "All right, day off, woo!"

"I can't believe I'm agreeing to this!" said Inuyasha as he laid down, "I'm taking a nap!"

"Yeah, you do that while I go outside," said Kotaro as he walked out of the room.

"I think someone should keep an eye on him," suggested Kagome feeling worried about the recovering hanyou. Without a moment to lose, Kirara just ran after him which led Sango to be the one to keep an eye on him. "I'll do it," Sango volunteered as she went after Kirara.

"Well that settles it then," said Miroku as he got up, "I think I'll be getting some fresh air."

"Guess that leaves you and me, Shippo," said Kagome as she looked at the fox demon.

"I think I wanna train," said Shippo, "I've been thinking about what Kotaro said."

"Want me to help?" asked Kagome as she smiled at him.

"Sure! Thanks Kagome!" said Shippo as the two of them exited the room leaving a snoring Inuyasha.

-Outside of the village-

"Kirara, where are you going?" asked Sango as she followed her feline companion. Eventually they arrive near a river with a tree close to it. As she got closer she could see the hanyou throwing pebbles into the river. "Kotaro?"

"Huh?" Kotaro let out as he turned, "Oh Sango! It's just you. How'd you find me here?"

"Kirara showed me the way," answered Sango as Kirara leapt onto Kotaro's head.

"Yeah, I figured," said Kotaro as he held Kirara and scratched her head, "So this is my favorite play place. Used to play near the tree here and throwing pebbles. Want a round of skipping stones?"

"Skipping stones…?" asked Sango feeling confused.

"Yeah! You just throw a pebble or stone across the river then it'll skip and eventually sinks," explained Kotaro as he demonstrated it to Sango, "See that! Takes practice as well, but I think you can get it right at the first try."

"How would you know?" asked Sango out of curiosity.

"Don't know," answered Kotaro immediately raising his shoulders, "Have a feeling."

As Kotaro put on his huge grin Sango took the pebble in his hand and tossed it across the river which skipped a few times before it sank down. Kotaro whistled as he looked at how far Sango's pebble skipped and said, "Told ya! You know… it's been a long time since someone played this with me…"

"Huh?" said Sango confused with his latter comment.

"It's been years since I played with my other friends…," answered Kotaro as he gazed at the river, "Been three years since I played with Izumi…" After mentioning Izumi's name Kotaro went silent for a while as Sango saw the sad look on his face which rapidly changed to a 'I'm fine' face. "Don't worry about it!" Kotaro responded whilst grinning, "Knowing her, she'd be cheering me up right now… So I won't be sad!"

Putting on a faint smile Sango got closer to Kotaro and patted his head. Kotaro twitched his ears as he blushed. "Not to mention getting patted in the head…," Kotaro thought to himself but this was interrupted as he sensed something in the air. "What's wrong, Kotaro?" asked Sango as Kotaro stood up. Kotaro moved his ears up and down as well as sniffing the air and answered, "Evil is drawing near…" Kirara too sensed the sudden evil aura as her fur stood up. "Yeah… I know…," Kotaro answered Kirara as he looked even more intense, "Sango! Let's get back to the village!"

"What?" Sango said even more confused with the situation.

"It's much safer back there," answered Kotaro as he gave Sango a gentle look. Sango nodded and rode the transformed Kirara back to the village with Kotaro catching up from behind.

-At the village-

Soon Kotaro and Sango arrived at the village with Tetsu waiting outside. "Now where did you two disappear to?" asked Tetsu with a joking tone. "Somewhere with a tree and river," answered Kotaro with a serious tone, "You should be able to sense it too, right?" Tetsu raised his right eyebrow as he smiled. "Yup," answered Tetsu as he held onto his walking staff, "But don't even think about getting involved with it."

"Why not?" Kotaro demanded an answer from his grandfather but got a glare instead.

"You know the rule," Tetsu stated as he pointed to the back, "Get inside and don't come out."

Feeling frustrated Kotaro led Sango into the village which had a barrier put up around it. "Sango!" shouted Kagome as she waved at the two, "Where were you two?" "Oh um… somewhere," answered Sango as she looked at the frustrated half-demon. "I can't believe I'm not involved in this fight!" shouted Kotaro as he crossed his arms feeling pissed. Inuyasha was feeling the same way as he got sat earlier. "Tell me about it!" he cried feeling more pissed, "What does your grandfather mean by 'guests are not allowed to fight in the village'!" "That's a rule!" Kotaro shouted back at him, "I could be involved in this but due some injuries I can't! Eh… Where's Miroku?"

Looking around Kotaro finally found him being dragged by Tojo, "Yo uncle!" "Yo!" responded Tojo as he waved whilst dragging the monk, "Found him near some of the village girls." "Feh," Inuyasha snorted as he knew what Miroku would so all the time they come across a village, "Should have known." Kagome and Shippo were shaking their heads while Sango endured smacking him. With the clueless Kotaro turning his head, trying to examine the situation but failed to do so.

"Guess that's everyone," said Tojo as he dropped Miroku, "Don't worry about any demons coming this way! We'll take care of this!"

"How can you guys take care a hoard of demons?" Inuyasha shouted pointing at the outside.

"Calm down boy!" Tojo assured as he patted Inuyasha's shoulder which slammed him towards the ground.

"Oh…," Kotaro let out as he looked at Inuyasha, "That's gotta hurt."

Inuyasha slowly raised his head and muttered, "Wha… what the hell just happened…?"

"You didn't tell them?" Tojo asked surprisingly while drinking the bottle of Sake he brought, "HAH! We happen to have a retired priest who has taken a liking to martial arts… therefore we are physically capable of killing demons… somehow…"

Everyone looked surprised with what Tojo said but Kotaro wasn't that surprised since him, too, was trained under his grandfather. "Please… don't be surprise," said Kotaro as he put his arms behind his head, "You'll get used to it. In fact, don't be surprised by what's about to happen now!"

Soon the evil which Kotaro and Kirara sensed earlier has arrived in front of the village. With Tetsu standing outside of the barrier protected village, he could see a particular demon stepping forward. "Human fool," said the grey gargoyle like demon as it looked down at Tetsu, "If you value your life, move!"

"I'm sorry," Tetsu said while turning back looking at Inuyasha and the others as he dug his ear, "Did I hear something…?" Listening to his comment, the demon crushed Tetsu. Inuyasha, Kagome, Shippo, Miroku and Sango were shocked upon seeing the old headman being crushed immediately but Kotaro smirked, "Seriously… I told you guys not to be surprised!"

The demon removed its claw from the ground only to find the old man standing on it. "Wow, that's some punch you got there!" said Tetsu as he examined the spot where he stood, "I could've been killed!" "What!" said the demon as it sent its other claw towards Tetsu but missed. "Missed again huh?" said Tetsu as he stood on top of the demon's head, "Better luck next time!"

Taunted by the old man, the demon began swinging around in hopes of hitting him but crashed the barrier which burned part of its claw, sending it screaming. "Bah! OLD MAN!" shouted Kotaro, "Stop fooling around and finish him already!" "Calm down, Kotaro!" Tetsu shouted back, "Don't you think you find this demon familiar?"

Kotaro felt confused hearing his statement but Inuyasha finally got what he meant. "Old man!" shouted Inuyasha as he tried to enter the battle, "That demon's Naraku's reincarnation!" Before stepping outside the village, Inuyasha got a shock from the barrier sending him out cold. "Yeah…," Kotaro muttered, scratching his head, "That's what happens when we try to get out without permission…"

"But this is Naraku's reincarnation we're talking about!" said Kagome to Tojo who was still drinking his Sake, "Tetsu can't possibly defeat it plus the other demons behind him." Swallowing a mouthful of Sake Tojo answered, "You know… for a priestess's reincarnation… you're overreacting…" "What…?" Kagome muttered. "He IS a retired priest remember?" said Tojo in a reminding tone.

"So what is Naraku up to?" asked Tetsu as he stood at the entrance of the village. Not answering his question the demon sends its claw towards Tetsu but was stop by him using a hand. "Oh please!" said Tetsu as he emits a force which pushed the demon backwards, "I don't intend of using all my strength in defeating you. Heck! I don't even intend of using my spiritual powers against you! Now tell what me what Naraku's up to as well as the three humans with him!"

'Fool! You'll know nothing!" roared the demon as it charges towards Tetsu along with the hoard of demons. "Hmm!" Tetsu smirked as he turned back, "Take a good look at what I'm about to do, Kotaro. It'll be useful to you."

Time began to slow as Tetsu concentrates energy into his right palm. Ready with his position, the demon soon reached Tetsu only to be annihilated by his strike followed by a thunder roar. As the lightning passes through the gargoyle demon, it continued until all the other demons are annihilated as well leaving nothing left.

The sky cleared up as the demons were eradicated as well as the barrier being removed. "Phew!" Tetsu whistled wiping off the sweat on his forehead, "Some demons…" Kagome, Shippo, Miroku and Sango were even more surprised to see the old man defeat a hoard of demon with a palm while Kotaro was waking Inuyasha up. "I guess my job is done here," said Tojo as he drank and walked away. "Now…," Tetsu started looking at the others, "Let's get to business."

-At Tetsu's room-

"What?" Inuyasha yelled looking at the headman, "You single-handedly defeated Naraku's demons! How is that even possible?"

"Like I said, dog boy…," explained Kotaro as he squeezed his forehead, "Old man's a retired priest… now he's a martial arts teacher of some sort…"

"That's mere impossible!" Inuyasha proclaimed, "I didn't even sense a spiritual energy from him! Not only back then but now too!"

"I tend to hide my spiritual energy from everyone else, if that answers your question," answered Tetsu as he scratched his chin, "Now back to business!"

With that Inuyasha sat down as the group hears what Tetsu have to say. "From I saw from that demon…," Tetsu started as he closed his eyes, "Naraku created him so that he can destroy you all along with any other thing in its way and get the jewel shards."

"Keh!" smirked Inuyasha as he looked more pissed, "Typical Naraku!"

"So far that's all I could see from the demon," answered Tetsu with disappointment, "I'm sorry I can't give you any other information."

"That's fine, Tetsu," said Kagome with a grateful face, "Thank you for everything."

"You don't have to thank me," said Tetsu shaking his hand, "But you should help Kotaro here."

"What?" Kotaro exclaimed as he stood up, "What do you mean by that?"

"He may act like a kid at some times," continued Tetsu, "But he's pretty reliable."

"Oh so I'M the idiot huh?" Kotaro shouted as he pointed at himself, "I thought we'd agreed not to leak sensitive information to others!"

"They ARE your friends, right?" asked Tetsu as he looked at Inuyasha and the others, "So they SHOULD know you more better."

"Not by EMBARRASSING me!" shouted Kotaro as he scratched his head violently putting smiles on everyone's faces. "All right then," Tetsu said as he stood up, "I believe you will be staying the night here?" "That would be nice, thank you," thanked Miroku as he bowed in front of Tetsu who did the same. "Oh I almost forgot!" Tetsu remembered and turned towards Inuyasha and Kotaro, "Would you two see me at the dojo?" "Uh… sure… I guess," said Inuyasha hesitantly while Kotaro answered, "OH!"

-At the dojo-

"So what is it that you wanted to see us two?" asked Kotaro as he stared at the headman stretching.

"You saw what I did earlier, right, Kotaro?" Tetsu answered looking at him seriously, "So I'm just thinking that I should teach it to you two."

"What is he talking about?" asked Inuyasha as he looked Kotaro.

"Oh yeah!" Kotaro spoke suddenly, "You were out cold back then so you didn't see what happened! But the problem is that we don't have spiritual powers! How on earth are we supposed to learn Lightning Paw?"

"Psst," Tetsu blew as he heard Kotaro's statement, "You don't need spiritual energy to master this move. You just need to concentrate your thoughts until it becomes energy. Demon energy is similar to spiritual energy, therefore you two should be able to master it."

"Wait, wait, wait!" Inuyasha interrupted shaking his head, "I'm confused! What Lightning Paw? And demon energy similar to spiritual energy?"

"It's easier to show than to explain so watch properly," said Tetsu as he did the same pose from before and slammed his palm against a boulder placed in the middle of the dojo, breaking it into pieces followed by a thunder roar once the impact was formed. "Wow…," mumbled Inuyasha as he saw nothing but dust of the boulder, "How'd you do that!"

"Just like I said before," Tetsu answered Inuyasha, "Concentrate your thoughts."

"This is great!" Inuyasha proclaimed, "Now you don't have to risk your life in order to use that move Shiro's sword did!"

"Oh really?" Tetsu asked with a curious expression.

"What risking my life!" shouted Kotaro at Inuyasha, "It just so happens that the sword's full power awakens at that moment!"

"No way man!" Inuyasha shouted back, "We should get Shiro's sword checked out next time. But right now, you've got a move to master!"

"Like hell that's possible!" shouted Kotaro with an angry face, "It takes about one whole year to master this move! The shortest is one month! Now how am I supposed to master this move while travelling with you guys?"

"You're joking, right?" Inuyasha asked with a sense of humor but Kotaro and Tetsu didn't laugh.

"It's true," answered Tetsu seriously, "The longest was one year… while the shortest is one month… That's why you should start now instead of talking."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah!" cried Kotaro as he tries to concentrates his thoughts onto his palm, "I'm trying damn it!"

"What about you, Inuyasha?" asked Tetsu as he looked at the half-demon, "Aren't you going to master it as well?"

"Somehow…" Inuyasha muttered, "I can't believe I'm saying this but I can't…"

"At least you've got guts to admit defeat," said Tetsu with a smile as he patted his shoulder, "Take care of him."

Inuyasha nodded to Tetsu as he left the dojo leaving Inuyasha and Kotaro behind. After staring at Kotaro, now clutching his wrist and concentrating his thoughts, Inuyasha left him alone for him to master the Lightning Paw.

Done with chapter 21! With Kotaro trying to master a one-year long move. How will this affect the gang's search for the sacred jewel shards and a way to defeat Naraku and Makintaro? Find out next in chapter 22! See you soon!