Chapter 35: Brotherly Love & The 411

Perhaps it was the usual karma, or perhaps it was just Inuyasha's brash nature, but the sight that the two saw when they entered the village was not a pretty one. For once Kagome was surprised. Rather than running to find Kikyou he had actually went to fight with his brother. Kagome rolled her eyes.

"What are you doing here, Sesshoumaru?" Inuyasha growled threateningly at his older brother. Looking at it from her experienced view, Kagome found it rather amusing. Knowing the limits of each pretty well, she could honestly say Inuyasha had no idea what he was up against.

"It's none of your concern." Sesshoumaru replied indifferently.

"The hell it's not! I live here!" He had unsheathed Tessaiga, and was pointing it towards Sesshoumaru in his haphazard way. Sesshoumaru merely raised a brow and did not reply, whereas Inuyasha growled again and attacked his brother, whom easily dodged. This really was a one-sided fight. Inuyasha knew it, and so did Sesshoumaru.

"You're not getting the Tessaiga, Sesshoumaru!"

Kikyou glanced uneasily between the two and then whispered to Kagome. "Don't you think we should stop them?"

Kagome smirked slightly. "Sesshoumaru won't hurt him."

The two seemed not to noticed Kagome or Kikyou, but Sesshoumaru knew they were there. He was not so shortsighted as to ignore the atmosphere around him.

"Keep your rusty blade, Inuyasha. It is obvious you need it far more than I. I know how to protect myself, but at the rate you swing that thing wildly... it won't even help you much longer."

Inuyasha snarled. "Are you trying to say I can't protect myself, and I don't know how to fight?"

Sesshoumaru allowed a small smirk to curl at his lips. "I didn't expect you to catch on so quickly."

Kagome watched as Inuyasha seethed, and she noticed the pattern in which he was swinging--he was fixing to unleash the Kaze no Kizu--something far worse for the village than for Sesshoumaru. As he raised his blade, Kagome ruined his plan.

"Sit!"

Without any other warning, Inuyasha slammed face first into the ground. Yelling muffled curses.

"Really, Inuyasha! Do use your brain. You could have hurt the villagers and made such a mess!" Kagome yelled at the Inuyasha-shaped hole in the ground.

"She is right, Inuyasha. It would have done more harm than good." Kikyou said in a firm, but normal voice, then continued toward the hut. Sango, Miroku, and Kaede, who had gathered in front to watch the episode, quietly entered after Kikyou and sat. Kagome snorted slightly, and wrapping her arm around Sesshoumaru, pulled him towards the hut.

"When you can control yourself, we'll be waiting in Kaede's hut, so I suggest you get over it quick." They went on in and sat without looking back.

----------------------

A few minutes later, Inuyasha came in and sat but not before sending a death glare towards his brother. Only then did he spare Kagome and Kikyou a glance. 'Business before pleasure, apparently,' Kagome thought wryly, and then started.

"Obviously there are questions you all are dying to have answered. I can tell by the way you all are staring." She smiled slightly. "Well, go ahead and ask. I'll answer what I can."

It took another moment before anyone asked, but then Sango spoke up. "Why are you a demon? Where have you been? Are you okay? Why's Sesshoumaru here? What's going on? Kaede wouldn't tell us!"

Kagome smiled slightly, and answered. "I've always been a demon. I was born in this time period, and I lived in the future with my mom, while my dad stayed here. They created the magic incased in the well, and decided it would be better for us to grow up in the future than here in the past... or rather, present. I've been in the Southern lands. I'm quite well, and Sesshoumaru is here because I am. And I guess Kaede didn't want to tell you anything because she thought it was my place to do so."

Miroku spoke this time. "Well, why were you in the Southern Lands, Lady Kagome?"

"Because my father is Lord Toshemoto, the demon ruler of the Southern Lands. He has been training me to control and enhance my powers."

They all looked dumbstruck for a few moments, with the exception of Kaede, Sesshoumaru, and Kagome. Sesshoumaru stared indifferently out the small window, and Kaede merely watched them all with mild interest. They all knew what that meant-- Kagome was the heir to the Southern lands. Well, that explained where she had been...

Miroku once again spoke what was on everyone's mind, after casting a quick glance in the taiyoukai's direction. "And why exactly is Lord Sesshoumaru here because you are?"

"Because she is my mate, and she wished to come here." Everyone was slightly surprised when it was not Kagome that answered, but Sesshoumaru.

Kagome mentally thanked Sesshoumaru. She had avoided telling them the straight truth the first time because she was unsure how to say it. Everyone was quiet and Kikyou, Miroku, and Sango seemed shocked. Inuyasha couldn't have been--surely he could have smelled the change in them both, and Kaede apparently knew.

Kagome smiled. "Kaede, why didn't you tell me you were the one that delivered me when I was born?"

Kaede returned the smile. "Ah, child. Ye would have questioned me to death... and your parents had not told ye. It would have been confusing. That, and they asked that I did not tell ye."

Kagome nodded slightly. "Well, I think it is time for a bath... Anyone care to join me?" She asked, clearly indicating to whom she was speaking by glancing in Sango's and Kikyou's direction.

Miroku started to say something, but caught a murderous glare from the taiyoukai and the words died on his tongue. Sango and Kikyou, however, agreed and the three gathered some supplies and made their way to the hot spring nearby.