"Inuyasha, slow down!" Kagome grabbed onto his arm for support. The hanyou beside her was hastily guiding her towards the village. From her chest sling, Misaki let out a sharp cry. "Is someone in danger?"

"Can't you hear?" Inuyasha paused, hoisting her easily over a fallen log. "Look." His clawed finger pointed at a distant black smudge against the dark forest. "He's yelling for me."

"Who is?" No matter how she tried, she could hear nothing but the multi-colored leaves swaying in the wind. Her husband's ears shifted forward. He moved to crouch in front of her. She immediately understood the hint and allowed his arm to hook behind her left knee while she grasped onto his shoulders. He began to jog forward, mindful of the baby between them. Something must have happened. Inuyasha has been so worried about them over the past few months. Inuyasha crouched at the end of the village road beside Kaede's new home. She disembarked gently, soothing the teething infant in her arms. Misaki's teeth were breaking through the skin and she was unhappy about it.

"Inuyasha!" Rōyakan landed on the path. His enormous, furry paws slipped in his haste, landing face first against the dirt path. He recovered quickly. The enormous forest creature stayed kneeled and was still taller than them both.

Kagome glanced at the baby nibbling on her toy. Big blue eyes were focused on the tiny cloth doll as she rubbed her new tooth against its arm.

"I have a letter to deliver. Where is the one called Mikazuki-sama?" Rōyakan straightened.

"She is with Kaede in the village." Inuyasha straightened, tucking his hands inside his sleeves. "Who gave you a letter?"

"Sesshomaru-sama instructed me to deliver this message. It is for her eyes only." The kappa removed a piece of parchment from within his robes.

"They're hanging out in Kaede's garden collecting the last of this year's herbs." Kagome saved Misaki's doll from falling when the baby abandoned it.

"What does the letter say?" Inuyasha's right ear flickered.

"I said it is for your grandmother—stop that!" Rōyakan nearly squealed as Inuyasha snatched the parchment from his hands. It was sealed closed. The enormous wolf demon began to flail in panic as the hanyou fiddled with the parchment. His bulk shook the immediate ground and nearly sent her tumbling. "Give that back! I promised Sesshomaru that it would arrive to its intended recipient unseen!"

"Sesshomaru is sending love notes to Grandmother? Let's see." Inuyasha held the parchment between his hands as Rōyakan began to grasp for it. "Oi, quit that!"

"Give. Me. That. Letter." Rōyakan's voice pitched. "I will tell my lord what you have done!"

"You think I'm scared of that asshole?"

"Inuyasha! Give him the letter." Her tone was threatening. Why must he taunt Rōyakan so? The big guy is only trying to keep his promise.

"Aren't you curious? What does he want to tell Grandmother?"

"Inuyasha, sit!" She rolled her eyes as he cursed her from his crater.

"Thank you, Kagome." Rōyakan retrieved the fluttering letter, clutching it against his chest.

The warmly-insulated home was silent except for the thick paper rustled in Mikazuki's ancient hands. Kagome could see black ink against the cream-colored paper. A familiar thumping made her rub at her eyes. Inuyasha tapped his foot impatiently against the floor of Keade's home.

"Well, what is it?" Inuyasha huffed. "What does the asshole expect now?"

"Your brother demands that we join them immediately at his mother's castle." Mikazuki blinked, holding it closer to her eyes. She did not seem to notice their exchanged glances. The frown on her wrinkled face grew less profound as her fingers trailed down the length of the message. The female continued to read in silence. Her eyes returned to the top of the parchment. The wait was maddening.

"Grandmother, what does it say?" Inuyasha was gritting his teeth together. He was nearly boiling over with impatience.

"Mikazuki-sama!" Kagome raised her voice before Inuyasha could release the yell building in his throat. The inuyoukai slowly raised her gaze. Her eyes were distant. "Please tell us what the letter says. Inuyasha has been very worried about Mayu and the children."

"I have not!" Her husband was immediately defensive. She rolled her eyes.

"Yuki and Airi have experienced their first transformation. My great-grandchildren have their first fangs." Mikazuki spoke softly.

Kagome exchanged looks with Inuyasha. Sango mentioned that Mayu became emotional about Yuki's fangs. Their first transformation must be a pretty significant event.

"That's a good thing, right?" Inuyasha's shoulders relaxed. "Is that all the letter says?"

"'On behalf of the fulfillment of the agreed terms'," Mikazuki murmured. "'...summon you for the observance to an accord...on the Harvest Moon...'"

"What does any of that mean?" Kagome pressed her hands hard against her thighs. Her mother had raised her to respect her elders. It would not be kind to snatch the paper from Inuyasha's grandmother.

"I have not seen an invitation like this in years." The woman tsked her tongue. "It seems that they are declaring a truce between the two houses to end the civil war. It requires representatives from both parties to exchange gifts, preferably those who have suffered from the conflict."

"Not this again." Inuyasha's brow lifted. "It's a fucking trap."

"That is your brother's signature. And Tsuyoshi himself." Mikazuki laid the paper before them. A strong, refined signature stood out at the bottom. A second, larger, signature covered more space on the opposite side. "The document is authentic. They probably used an older treatise as a template. I remember your father driving an accord with the human farmers."

"Humans?"

"It is very difficult to tend animals with youkai instincts. Your father proposed a trading system years ago. Humans raise the livestock, purchased with our coin. In exchange, a percentage of the animals are retained by the humans for their own use." Mikazuki shrugged. "Simple enough, though it caused a great deal of argument on both sides. The youkai did not want to eat food raised by human hands. The humans felt insulted to be raising food for our people."

"So what will this treaty do? Will it really end the fighting?" Kagome watched Inuyasha's claws curl inwards.

"It means that any who oppose the treaty oppose both Tsuyoshi and Sesshomaru. There are not many who would make that decision lightly." Mikazuki's eyes were drawn to her grandson. Her eyes softened. "Have you ever attended one of our ceremonies? A festival, birth, wedding, funeral or such?"

"Why the hell would I want to?" Her husband bristled.

"The first full moon of this upcoming season is reserved for important events. When our children transform for the very first time, the parents generally have a private ceremony."

"And?"

"The first transformation is proof that a child is strong and will survive. To honor that landmark, the family generally gathers to celebrate. We should bring gifts for the little ones." Mikazuki smiled. Inuyasha's fingers twitched. "We must bring the human girl, Rin, and the little kitsune. They might not be inuyoukai but they are kin, ne?"

"Oh, I get it! Like an Oshichiya." Kagome clapped her hands together. She could easily remember dressing Misaki in her white gown. Kaede and Miroku had both offered prayers to protect their baby. Her first trip to the shrine-how I wished Mama could have been there!

"I am not familiar with human traditions, child."

"Am I supposed to believe they're just going to accept a bunch of humans, a kitsune and a half-demon at this big ceremony?" Inuyasha's jaw was tense. "There's going to be at least a few demons there that won't like this stupid treaty. I won't put Kagome and my friends in danger."

"As your brother's personal guest, it would be an act of war to attack either you or your family. It would insult the very spirit of the accord." Mikazuki shook her head. "Look at the letter! Room assignments have already been made."

"What?" Inuyasha bent forward to read the letter personally.

It seriously lists our 'rooms'...like hotel accommodations.

"We will need to find some clothes for you to wear." Mikazuki surveyed Inuyasha's form. "We will be representing our family. Your hair needs a proper wash and comb."

"I am not taking off my clothes for some stupid thing." Inuyasha crossed his arms.

"I can provide the gifts with what I brought. You need not worry." Mikazuki ignored Inuyasha's outburst as she tapped her finger against her chin. "I doubt you have social etiquette. That will need tending."

"Hey!"

"Your wife is beautiful. Something bold, seasonal." Mikazuki murmured, examining her. She flushed under the appraising stare. "There will be some who are jealous that you married so well. Even if you are human, none of them have managed to wed a young, beautiful miko."

Inuyasha snorted, but she watched his posture straighten. Male egos. What am I, some prized animal?


The herd of deer grazing underneath the clearing raised their heads cautiously through the light mist. The changing seasons showed in their expanded girth. Several young bucks ignored the lush green field to do battle, running at one another. The lightly colored females showed white patterns along their spines and expanding bellies. They called softly to one another.

Sesshomaru lowered his muzzle in warning to the children creeping forward. He gently grasped the back of Yuki's neck as the horse-sized puppy continued to crawl forward on his belly. One of the sika raised its head in fear at the sound of the breaking branches. They were downwind from the herd and the scents being carried toward them were enticing. The old trees that lined the clearing smelled rich and healthy and sweet.

They are both impatient. He relaxed incrementally when the female sika continued grazing, albeit with twitching ears. Airi's tail brushed against his nose when she spotted the dark shape crouched amongst the distant cluster of timbers. The pup's dark head swiveled in his direction. Bright green eyes shone as her nose twitched, betraying her excitement.

I understand how they feel. They are hungry. He vaguely recalled the tenderness from his own youth. The arrival of their new fangs made their mouths sore. Learning to eat in their true forms requires adjustment. They have been disoriented. The swish of his daughter's tail against his nose tickled. He was pleased to see them both intently focused on the movements of the herd. Mayu is correct. They need to learn. No more fetching their food.

Mayu's dark coloring gave her an advantage in the fading light. She remained crouched. Despite her size, the herd took no notice of the female. His own muscles tensed instinctively as she suddenly leapt forward, circling around the panicking deer as they began to run. Her teeth snapped dangerously close to one of the sika. As designed, the herd immediately began to flee towards their position. The white puppy beneath him squirmed desperately as the faster, larger deer passed. He nudged his nose against their behinds as the slower sika sprinted past them. Yuki's uncoordinated legs scrambled as he shot forward.

Airi did not budge. She kept her belly against the ground.

Yuki barked excitedly. His shorter legs fought to match his mother's pace. Mayu sped forward, planting her paws as a way to split the herd. She lowered her weight and bared her teeth. Yuki's tail wagged excitedly. Concern spiked through his heart as one of the lesser males lowered its head, intent on charging the creature in its way. The threatening deer was immediately stopped by the force of their mother's jaws. Two more deer were quickly brought down.

He prodded his daughter more firmly with his nose. His daughter whined softly.

Their nearly luminescent child was set between his mother's dark paws. Yuki complained as his mother licked his fur worriedly. He could not escape the impromptu bathing. Airi remained at his side. She looked up at him inquisitively. Mayu growled in their direction. He closed his jaws around Airi's neck and lifted the frozen puppy. He deposited her beside her brother. She fell victim to her mother's worry.

Perhaps they are still too young.

He easily understood her next message. With ease, he sank his teeth into the centre of the first deer. Yuki and Airi watched closely as Mayu's fangs easily took hold of the same deer. Together, the animal was quickly dissected. He tipped his head back to finish chewing the soft, warm flesh.

Airi circled behind his front paws. She lowered her weight onto her front paws and wiggled her hindquarters. Affection for his daughter blossomed in his chest as she sprang forward. Mayu's tail wagged contentedly as the children began to eat. He felt a similar satisfaction at their healthy appetites. Airi pressed her front paw against the deer's neck as she tore at its abdomen. They are mimicking our feeding habits but they lack practice.

Sesshomaru's teeth easily ripped the remaining flesh from the smaller deer. The puppies pounced. There will be no more bringing food to them. The sika were quickly reduced to little more than bones and scraps. Mayu barked with amusement as Yuki twisted a femur from its socket and began to gnaw on the bone. He growled protectively when Airi gained interest.

Mayu pushed her muzzle against his jaw. He lowered his head; her cheek brushed against the underside of his jaw and down the length of his neck. The mixed scents of the grass and the deer and their children were overwhelmed by the female's happiness. It was good that we left the human village. My children are too immature to control their true form.

A weight settled on his front paw. Yuki tilted his head back to bark cheerfully.

Both children followed obediently as Mayu proceeded forward. Crows were already descending upon the remains of the sika. Yuki's tail waved proudly; the femur of the sika was being fiercely guarded from his sister. With a small snort, he lowered his head. The crows fled as he removed a second femur from the sika. They will fight all day otherwise.

The river was cold and wide. Yuki temporarily forgot about his prize, leaving it in the grass, to follow his mother into the stream. Both children mimicked their mother as they lapped at the fresh water. The puppies stood in the river with the water reaching their bellies. Their excitement only increased as he bent his muzzle towards the stream. Soon enough, he felt paws pressing against his face as Yuki stretched to bite at his chin. Airi stood on his front paw to swipe at his nose.

There was a sharp yip. Both children's ears perked as their mother lowered onto her front paws. The female twisted her head to the side. The children immediately left him to finish drinking from the stream. The puppies growled playfully as their mother jumped up and shifted to the side. Her silly behavior encouraged them to chase after her with their short legs. They will be tired soon. He gazed at the faded moon in the sky. The landscape was already growing darker. Jaken can oversee the lesser preparations on his own. We will remain under the sky.

Mayu lowered onto her belly when the puppies' sprightly, uncoordinated play began to quiet. They had simply dropped onto the grass where they had been playing. Their heartbeats began to slow considerably. Airi moved to rest her head atop her brother's. The boy barely stirred. His chest felt that strange pain as his son's leg jerked in his dreams.

This affection weakens me. My children will always be a liability. Guilt followed quickly, prompted by loyalty. It would be far worse to lose them. I learned that lesson when Mother allowed Rin to die.

Mayu's jaws opened wide in a yawn. With a shake of her head she lowered her head onto her paws. It is not merely my children who are exhausted. Mayu may challenge the kitsune's record for falling asleep.

Mother's floating castle was nearly invisible behind the clouds passing. Jaken was likely enjoying his temporary authority to command others. Let him order those fools. His children's first hunt was more important. He moved quietly, finding a softer patch of grass. He felt Mayu draw a deep breath and then she was leaning against his side, groaning with a soft, throaty rumbling sound. Her nose pushed farther into her paws. The flick of her ear tickled his shoulder.

Will our accord end the war? He gazed upwards towards the moon. Like Naraku, he sensed that the civil war was servicing his true enemy. It took considerable power to hide from inuyoukai senses. The kuro miko must be expending considerable energy to conceal her presence. I am no longer distracted. He had yet to find the trail of the creature or her allies.

Mayu could not assist him. Her captors had been careful. No doubt that Haru and Akiye have taken refuge with the human. It displeased him. An honest battle was far preferable to games of trickery. Still, feelings of foreboding plagued him.

What are they scheming?

Mother and her favored spy, a kuro miko and a power hungry noble had joined forces to cause him grief. They had kidnapped Mayu and imprisoned her. His children had been born in an unknown place in the hands of his enemy. Why had they returned Yuki? If the miko wanted his power, why not hold both children and the mother hostage? What was gained by returning his son?

He was irreparably attached to his children. The attack on his son's life had given Mother her lure. If Mother was so concerned with my attachment, why not dispose of them earlier? His mother had been a skilled tactician. From his earliest memories she had shown him that, often, the simplest motivations betrayed the largest schemes. If Mother had despised Mayu so heatedly, why not kill her before his children could be born? I would never have known what happened. It is only because my children were born that I became attached.

He sniffed curiously at the snoring female. I am missing something, a piece of the puzzle. What would cause Mother to play such games? Mother knew that the Tenseiga fully restores the body of the dead. It did not remove that miko's branding mark. Did the fool intend to use her mark to command Mayu? A reluctant assassin?

Mayu's nose twitched as she dreamed.

Tsuyoshi has agreed to the terms. News will reach the kuro miko. If the human truly has a grudge against this Sesshomaru, she will be forced to reveal herself. Tsuyoshi may deal with his fool wife. I will have the miko's head. Haru will pay for crossing me.


Sesshomaru lowered his nose towards the ground. Yuki bounded forward to swipe at his nose. The growling confirmed that Airi was consumed with her attempt to imprison his tail. His daughter's slight weight was not enough to prevent his tail from shifting along the grass. Both children were early risers. The sky was still mauve and only the faintest beginnings of light were beginning to rise from the horizon. The moon was beginning to fade into the darkness.

I do not remember wanting food so often. Despite the sika, both children were already craving another meal. He inhaled softly. His son's claws raked through the dirt, evoking comforting scents with no names. He watched his son eat the tall grass being mashed underneath his weight.

Airi growled, abandoning his tail. She stood on his paw, tail wagging expectantly.

Mayu was scouting for another small herd of prey. The sika were long gone. Other herds had left the area too. The river was too small to sustain sizable fish and the larger predators were beginning to settle into their dens and their nests. Winter was the worst of the seasons for hunting. While it rarely bothered himself, the children were young and ravenous. Inuyasha's human village would not be able to feed two newly transformed inuyoukai. Neither would he subject Rin to witness their feeding habits.

Their appetites will no longer be sated with human-sized portions served on a platter. They need time to master their transformations. It would be foolish to take them near humans. Their size and their strength could easily kill a human. Their play is too wild. Their paws could easily break human bones and their teeth can bend steel. We will visit Rin after the accord is signed. Then across the mountains into the forests where there will be herds to chase. If need be, Mother's castle will have livestock. Father's treaty still stands.

Yuki turned his head to the side and growled. The puppy rolled onto his back and barked happily as he scratched his back. Airi fell on her brother immediately, chewing on his ears. He intervened when Yuki whined in pain. His daughter swatted at his nose. Airi growled, reiterating her demand for food.

Impertinence. How amusing.

Yuki turned to search for his mother's scent. Airi sat on her hindquarters staring at him.

Mayu insisted that it was only temporary. Both children made great demands on her time. The female was not even allowed to bathe in private. Yuki was overjoyed to have her. While the miko had cared for him well, she was human. His son desperately wanted his mother's attention. Airi was possessive. He did not blame Mayu for wanting a few moment's privacy.

Yuki lifted his white head, luminescent in the dark grass.

Both puppies raced forward as their mother returned. The large boar squealed in terror as Mayu placed the injured creature on the grass. She growled encouragement, keeping her paw on the boar's back. Clever. They are too young to chase and make an efficient kill. This situation is controlled. Some need or instinct had settled in them both. It would take time for the children to hunt on their own. A powerful anxiety perpetually reminded him that they were entirely reliant on them. Airi and Yuki kept their distance from the trapped animal.

Mayu ended the boar's squealing in a single smooth twist. Yuki watched with fascination as she efficiently eviscerated the animal. Rin has always wished that I would share a meal with her, but she has human sensibilities.

There were no games this morning. The children urgently began to divide their breakfast. Airi swatted her brother's nose and growled possessively for a portion of the midsection. Mayu lifted her nose as the sun broke free of the distant mountains. Their surroundings began to brighten considerably. The shifting wind swirled new and familiar scents under their noses. The boar had been reduced to little more than scraps.

Yuki went limp immediately as he positioned his fangs. Mayu followed his lead and rose with Airi dangling from her jaws. The boy's hind legs swung freely as he pushed his weight against the ground and launched himself into the air. Mayu's ascent was less destructive on the environment. The cool, moist air ruffled through his fur and chilled his skin pleasantly. The dark female beside him was similarly satisfied. She gained momentum and sped forward playfully, kicking her legs against the air. The winding blue marks which encircled each upper leg from her hips were on display.

She is flirting with this Sesshomaru. Mayu immediately swerved out of reach as he growled. The pup in his jaw prevented further disciplinary action. Her scent betrayed her amusement.

As expected, the castle was reached before midday. He circled the castle once to allow Mayu to descend first. One of the female's black paws rested on the great welcoming staircase as she lowered her head. Her jaws gripped Airi's neck as the youki swirled around her. Once both females were clear of the space, he landed smoothly on the stone. Yuki barked in protest as his neck was gripped but fell silent as the transformation took hold.

I do not remember Father guiding my early transformations.

Yuki sat on the wide stone, shaking his head. Clawed, five-fingered hands reached up for him. Sympathetic to the boy's dizziness, Sesshomaru kneeled to lift his son. Airi was limp against Mayu's back. The girl's cheek was tucked against her mother's neck and her eyes were closed. They will recover with a short nap.

"Move you fools, move!" A shrill voice ordered. Jaken raced onto the open terrace, eyes sparkling with hope. "Sesshomaru-sama, you have returned!"

"Is the castle ready, Jaken?" Familiar scents became noticeable. More than a few visitors had arrived and crossed the open terrace recently. Sharp and sweet spices had been set on the stone in thick, linen bags. The powerful smell of leather lingered from armor and saddles and luggage.

"Nearly, milord! Tsuyoshi and Inuyasha have both arrived!" Jaken stood proudly with the Staff in his grip. "The castle has been cleaned from tip to bottom, the very bottom! I made sure of it! The children's' room has been updated since your mother played her cruel joke. The kitchens have been warned to make food fit for Inuyasha's humans! They did not take kindly to that!"

"Where is Grandmother?"

"Mikazuki-sama is sleeping, milord. The trip tired her greatly." Jaken bowed his head emphatically.

"Did you choose these decorations, Jaken-sama?" Mayu's fingers touched the petals of a plant flowering with large orange petals. The scent was unusual.

"That is kinmokusei!" Jaken immediately crossed the distance. "A gift from one of your distant guests! You have received several gifts of foreign plants. There is another called the kosumosu! Is it commonplace for inuyoukai to gift one another with flowers, milord? I had the kosumosu planted in your courtyard. They are very similar to sakurasou." The stone terrace gleamed in the sunlight. Urns filled with large arrangements of flowers have been distributed tastefully. Their fragrance filled the courtyard. There seemed to be an abundance of white flowers. Large, double bloomed pink roses had been planted in the small square courtyard.

"Rin insisted on being allowed to assist!" Jaken rushed to explain. "She simply required that those roses be there! That human girl is too presumptuous!"

"Come." Mayu only shook her head at the kappa's continuing squawking as she stepped after him. The halls were filled with the same style of white decorations, placing an emphasis on white flowers, banners, trellises. The tatami smelled clean and fresh. The scent of Inuyasha and his humans grew stronger as he neared his private rooms. The scent drifted towards the preferred guest quarters. He defied Yuki's sudden noisy insistence as they climbed the stairs in silence. The female's fear did not escape him.

The servants stare and gossip. They envy her.

"We should put them to bed." Mayu suggested softly. She kept her focus on the toddler drooling against her kimono.

"Jaken." His attention quickly shifted.

"Yes, milord?"

The kappa obediently retrieved the large, ridiculous futon from its place and laid it out in his bedchamber. Mayu freed herself from Airi's grasp and tucked the child underneath a kimono he remembered wearing. Yuki was too tired to protest as he joined his younger sister on the comically larger bedding. The aged retainer immediately left to formally announce their arrival to the castle's guests. The children's tired bones superseded their desires. The reforming of their bones through the force of their youki had left them boneless.

Mayu patted his leg absently. He slipped his fingers beneath her palm to capture her hand. Her scent improved considerably as her fingers interlaced through his own. Her tensed shoulders drooped. "Are you sure this will work? The miko is still hiding."

"She will be punished. This Sesshomaru will find her."

"It isn't in her interest to be found. She will wait."

"This castle is a fortress. The human cannot harm them here." Complex emotions were betrayed by her scent. "What is it?"

"It is unfortunate that they are too young to fly beneath the full moon yet. We should celebrate after the ceremony." So high above ground, the full moon was mesmerizing. If the wind was strong and the clouds were shifting the luxurious breeze would wash over their fur. The air was crisp and cool and fresh. No scent is cleaner than fresh clouds under a full moon.

Hn." Her eyes cut towards him briefly. Rin, Grandmother and Kagome can supervise tonight. They cannot sustain another transformation. Mayu's lips tilted upwards as her scent became clearer. She was not simply teasing earlier.

"I would like to visit that onsen before they reawaken." Mayu rose fluidly.

"Go." The female disappeared beyond the internal screens that led to his personal springs with a spring in her step. The rock beneath them had been carved from the high mountains, onsen included. It has been some time since we have been to the castle. The children will need a bath when they reawaken. Mayu can relax before Kagome and her lot are inflicted upon us.