Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this summer scene... especially for the one who's full of surprises. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.

Latecomers

The Great Dog General gazed intently at Kagome's upturned face, then into the red eyes of the two-tailed cat purring on her lap. Finally, he grunted to himself and muttered, "So it seems. It is a wonder I did not notice before."

Mr. Yamauchi gently pointed out, "You have had other matters holding most of your attention of late."

"True enough," the inu-youkai admitted. "Well, now I am seeing more clearly, and we should talk."

"Of course," the headman agreed with a bow. Turning to his daughter, he said, "Sango, run over to Hideki's and give him a hand with the youngsters. Your own training can wait until this evening."

"Yes, father," she agreed, hastily setting aside her breakfast dishes and excusing herself.

Then Mr. Yamauchi began, "Kohaku, you should..." However, he paused and glanced uncertainly towards the Western Lord.

Taking his cue, the youkai met the thirteen-year-old's expectant gaze and announced, "Sesshoumaru has also returned, and he has something he wished to share with you. I am sure he will not mind if you are accompanied by Kagome-chan." Almost as an afterthought, he addressed the little feline. "I wish to confer with Kirara as well."

Kohaku quickly nodded his acceptance, then peeked at the young woman who quietly sat at the center of all the early morning excitement. Kirara's arrival had set off ripples of speculation. He'd heard just enough to have a few suspicions, but it was frustrating to be sent away before the adults addressed the matter. Shippo caught his eye and winked, and the boy lowered his gaze. Maybe he'll fill me in later.

Shortly thereafter, Kohaku and Kagome were welcomed into the inu-youkai compound by a burly guard who escorted them to the large pavilion at the far end of the central courtyard. "These are his lordship's private quarters," he announced brusquely. "Sesshoumaru-sama is expecting you."

The taijiya led the way up a set of stairs, and stepped cautiously over the threshold, calling a soft, "Pardon my intrusion."

A panel on the far side of the room slid open and Sesshoumaru leaned out, beckoning almost furtively to him and Kagome. Padding softly across the grand room, the pair slipped into what must have been the young lord's own bedroom.

"Welcome back to Midori, Sesshoumaru-sama!" Kohaku eagerly exclaimed, bowing low. The inu-youkai were late in arriving this year, and he'd been missing his summer sparring sessions with the young lord. A soft growl startled him, and he froze mid-bow as he found himself eye-to-eye with the small boy who had Sesshoumaru's knee in a death grip. Straightening in surprise, the teen was even more shocked to find himself looking down on his friend's solemn face. "I'm taller," he whispered.

"Yes," the young lord replied gravely.

A wave of sadness welled up in Kohaku's heart, closing his throat.

Sesshoumaru sniffed interestedly and inquired, "Why does this upset you?"

Kohaku choked on his response. After all, he desperately wanted to catch up to Kagome, yet it unsettled him to be taller than someone he greatly looked up to. Confused by his conflicting desires, he simply shook his head.

Sesshoumaru tilted his head to one side and calmly offered, "Father says that time passes differently for us, but we can still pass the time together."

"Are those his ears?" Kagome interrupted, here eyes fixed upon the child.

"Hnn," Sesshoumaru acknowledged, bringing the youngster forward with a gentle shove. "This is Inuyasha, my younger brother."

"I didn't know you had a baby brother!" she cooed.

With a casual glance in Kohaku's direction, the young lord replied, "Few knew."

Though Kohaku was aware that Inuyasha was much older in actual years, he seemed little more than a baby... two years old at the most. Silver hair fuzzed out around his head like down, and the pointed ears atop his head never stopped moving. The taijiya had never actually met a baby youkai before, but he knew his lessons and promptly sat upon the floor so he wasn't looming over the youngster. "Does Inuyasha-sama speak?"

"He does not have many words, but he understands more than he can say."

Kagome knelt down across from Kohaku and held out a hand, which the little one sniffed in a suspicious manner. His scowl looked so out of place on his cherubic face, and she giggled softly at his show of bravado. "I can't get over those ears! I've never seen a dog demon with puppy ears!"

"That is because he is hanyou."

Kohaku's jaw dropped, but Kagome only shook her head in confusion. In a low voice, the young lord explained, "He is my half-brother. Father took a human mate, but she died over the winter."

"How?" gasped Kagome.

Sesshoumaru favored her with a long look that betrayed little, then answered, "She was very old."

Kohaku was still reeling; matings between humans and demons were rare, and hanyou even rarer. For someone as important as the Western Lord to have kept both a union and a child secret was a testament to the loyalty of his packmates. They must have kept it a secret to protect them... unless... are they ashamed of him...? However, the taijiya quickly dismissed the idea. Bringing him here is essentially the same as claiming him before both worlds.

Sesshoumaru crouched beside the boy and solemnly said, "You have nothing to fear from these humans."

The subtle emphasis worried Kohaku a little. Silently swearing to help the inu-youkai clans protect their young packmate, he offered, "I'm Kohaku."

"And I'm Kagome," the sixteen-year-old miko trainee announced. Small hands with tiny claws still clutched at the fabric of Sesshoumaru's hakama as Inuyasha blinked uncertainly up at his big brother. With a look of longing in her expressive eyes, Kagome exclaimed, "Oh, you're so precious!"

Wide, golden eyes grew wider, and they boy whined softly. Sesshoumaru gently scratched behind his brother's ear, explaining, "His mother always called him that. Precious."

Making a soft sound in the back of her throat, Kagome gathered the little boy up into her arms, cuddling him close. "Oh, you poor baby! Of course you're still precious! Do you need reminding?"

Inuyasha sent a wild and worried look in Sesshoumaru's direction, and his older sibling huffed. Kneeling beside Kagome, he placed his hand on her shoulder and urged, "Learn her scent, little brother. We shall pass some time with her."

Inuyasha snuffled cautiously, then with more enthusiasm as she petted and hummed, inadvertently doing exactly what the boy needed. I suppose this is just another way that humans are no different than youkai. For some reason, it made him happy, seeing Kagome cuddling a little boy who proved that peace could exist between two worlds.

"Now this one, Inuyasha," Sesshoumaru firmly directed, placing his hand on Kohaku's shoulder. The youngster's gaze swung back to his older brother's face, and then he wriggled out of Kagome's arms and sidled over. Tightening his grip, the young lord declared, "This human is my friend."

Kohaku noticed that though Inuyasha was small, he was sure on his feet, showing more agility than your average human toddler. The taijiya held out a hand, saying, "It is an honor to meet my friend's packmate. I am Kohaku Yamauchi, and Midori welcomes you, Inuyasha-sama." The hanyou clambered into his lap and reached up to pat his freckled cheek, and the teen ducked his head to make it easier for Inuyasha to reach. After much sniffing and a tiny lick, the youngster stole a look in Kagome's direction, and Kohaku chuckled. "You can go back to her if you want."

As the young woman welcomed the hanyou back with open arms, Sesshoumaru edged closer and inquired, "Is she what they believe?"

"What have you heard?"

"That she is the embodiment of one of Midori's three great treasures." Watching as Kagome bumped noses with his little brother, he murmured, "She is the Shikon Miko returned."

"Midoriko-sama?" Kohaku gasped.

Sesshoumaru met his startled gaze and nodded. "If it is true, many will want her power."

"But..." he began, though he quickly closed his mouth. He couldn't exactly assert prior claim, for strictly speaking, she was only his big sister's friend. Sango actually had more right to her than he did.

His misery must have been obvious, for the heir to the West gently touched his arm and declared, "I will lend you my strength while you continue to watch over her."

Blushing faintly, Kohaku looked to see if Kagome had overheard, but she was too caught up in coaxing grumbling noises out of a happily squirming hanyou. Reaching over to reciprocate Sesshoumaru's touch, he mumbled an earnest, "Thank you."

End Note: Posted on June 20, 2011. 1,439 words.