Times of Change

Disclaimer:  Inuyasha and all of its characters don't belong to me.  Neither does Kurama (he's from the cast of Yu Yu Hakusho).  I do claim all original characters though, even the bad ones.  Well that about wraps it up, let me know what you think at the end!

Learian Words and their translated/loosely translated meanings:

Kreelie- idiot

Tione- sister

Tionto- brother

Eliree- lover

Lireeh-tionto- Heart-brother

Lireeh-tione- Heart-sister

Lonii- Son

Lanii- Daughter

Ceriee- Mother

Cireen- Father

Chapter 16:  Out of the Darkness

            As soon as they entered the chamber Sesshoumaru attacked the giant snake immediately.  "About time you showed up."  Inuyasha said to him as he dodged yet another of the demon's attacks.

            "We were detained a bit."  Sesshoumaru said dryly as poison dripped from his claws onto the creature; making it shriek in pain.  Neither of the two dog demons noticed that Kurama had backed off from the fight and went to join Destiny and Shadow who were standing beside Kagome.  And while all three of them appeared to be relaxed, they were watching the battle very intently.

            "You think to defeat me!?  In my own home!"  Raged the demon snake.

            "No, we mean to kill you in your own home."  Inuyasha taunted but didn't draw the Tetsusaiga because of the close range in which they were fighting.  Instead he used the razor sharp claws that his demon heritage had given him.

            "Well put, little brother."  Sesshoumaru said and raked his claws across the demon's eyes, spilling his toxic poison into them.

            "Cheatersss!"  Shrieked the demon as it writhed in agony, it's body slashing madly about the cave.

            Move!  Shadow yelled, quickly changing his from to that of a human as he grabbed Kagome and leapt out of the way of the snake's slashing tail that was covered in spikes, which secreted a very deadly poison.  Kagome made a choked sound in embarrassment and looked away from the nude Learian.  Shad ignored her and shoved her behind him, his eyes on the three fighters before them.  A second later Destiny and Kurama joined them.

            "Kagome!"  Inuyasha yelled and looked for her frantically.

            "Keep fighting Inuyasha!  Do you think those three will let her come to harm?"  Sesshoumaru growled at him.

            "You cannot defeat one sssuch assss me!  I will not let you win!"

            "Kagome!  Does this thing have a shard?!"  Inuyasha yield and slit open the creature's stomach.

            "I can't see!"  Kagome yelled back and elbowed Shadow out of her way.  "Yes!  It's in its neck, just below the head!"  She yelled.

            "You're mine now!"  Inuyasha yelled and he glanced at Sesshoumaru, who nodded in return.  As one, they fought like a team, getting ever closer to the demon until they slashed through its neck together; the jewel falling into Inuyasha's palm.

            The snake's body began to move then and hundreds of deadly vipers began slithering out of it.  Time to move!  Shadow yelled and grabbed Kagome once again and they all ran out of the opening that Sesshoumaru and Destiny had entered through.

            "What do we do now?"  Kagome cried when she looked up at the sheer rock climb that was in store for them.  Shad set her down and for the first time Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha noticed that he was wearing absolutely nothing. 

            "What the hell do you think you're doing?"  Inuyasha growled and gently pulled Kagome to him.  Shadow glared at him briefly before switching back to his wolf form but he didn't make his frame as small as usual; instead he was the size of a large horse. 

Get on.  He said in a no-nonsense voice to Kagome and Inuyasha.  Can you three make it up?  He asked.

"Of course."  Destiny answered and took a running leap towards one wall and used the momentum from her jump to shove herself off and onto the other side, slowly leaping towards the top.

"Follow the leader."  Kurama muttered to Sesshoumaru and followed Destiny's lead.  Sesshoumaru did they same after shaking his head in wry dismay.

Come!  We've no time to waste!  Shadow growled.

"Sorry."  Kagome murmured and climbed onto his back with Inuyasha's help. 

Hold on tightly.  Shadow warned once they were settled and leaped onto the wall just as the vipers made their way into the room.  Unlike Sesshoumaru and the others he didn't jump, instead he dug his claws into the rock and climbed up the walls. 

Either way was slow going and they were all relieved when they made it to the top of the abyss.  "Let's not do that again."  Kagome said as she slid off of Shadow's back.

"No argument here."  Destiny agreed wearily and Kurama pulled her to his chest.  Although they were both hot and sweaty, they seemed to need the contact right then.  That was when Inuyasha and Kagome both realized that this was the first moment they were able to stop and breathe since the snake's attack.

"I agree."  Inuyasha said quietly and tugged Kagome into his arms and buried his face in her hair.

Come, let's get out of this dark hole.  Shad interrupted the two couples affectionately as he and Sesshoumaru took the lead out of the cave.  The other's followed after them quickly.

            "I hate caves."  Kagome said wearily as they left the dankness of the cave and into the freshness of the rising dawn.

            "I second that."  Destiny remarked and rested her head against Kurama's shoulder.

            "I didn't think we were so long underground."  Inuyasha commented.

            That's because we slept through some of it, wandered around for nearly forever, and fought the snake thing.

            "But it didn't take us long to get out."  Kagome said.

            "That's because Sess and I had already found out how to get to you guys; but it was slow going until we knew what we had to go through and watch out for."  Destiny replied.

            "Like a hundred foot drop?"  Sesshoumaru asked dryly and Destiny scowled mockingly at him.

            "Maybe."  She drawled impishly.

            Come on sibs.  We need to be getting back to the inn.  Shad said and nudged Destiny and Kurama forward a bit.

            "Impatient aren't you?"  Kurama asked.

            To leave this place?  Beyond a shadow of a doubt.  He answered with a bit of a growl.

            "But where do we go after that?"  Kagome asked.

            Shad started to answer but was stopped by a loud, deep-throated call that, oddly enough, was pleasing to hear.  Destiny and Shad both froze at the sound and then another call joined the first one.  The two Learians looked at one another and exchanged a pair of grins that could only be described as wickedly mischievous and they both threw their heads back and to Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru's shock, they both let out howls that would put any normal wolf to shame.  A deep musical call was the answer.

            "Kurama!"  Destiny exclaimed and then jumped straight into Learian as she all but danced in place; Shad doing the same beside her as they both bombarded the silver kitsune.  After a full minute of trying to listen to both of them he started to laugh, a sexy deep baritone that would have melted most woman's hearts in an instant, and waved them off.  Destiny jumped into his arms, kissed him, jumped right back out, hugged Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, and Kagome, and then she and Shad took off into the woods.

            "What in the hell is wrong with them?"  Inuyasha demanded worriedly.

            "That,"  Kurama began as he got his laughter under control, "was their heart-father, the King of the Dragon Clan himself."  He answered.

            "Why is he here?"  Sesshoumaru demanded, distrustful of any dragons, because of the one who killed his father.

            "Silvon comes and goes as he pleases or if Shad and Destiny are in danger.  I suspect his reason for coming this time is because he is curious about what they have been doing and about all of you."

            "Why would he be interested in us?"  Kagome wanted to know.

            "Because you travel with his daughter.  Don't worry, you'll be meeting him soon enough."  Kurama warned them.

            Kurama was very right.  Shortly after they arrived back at the village Destiny and Shad, in his human form, entered the village with two men.  Even from a distance the men were strange looking.  They were both tall and muscular looking, although neither were as tall as Sesshoumaru, but that was were their similarities ended.  The taller of the two had hair the color of a metallic red, and eyes that were a deep ruby red in color but instead of pupils, he had black vertical slits.  The other had metallic blonde hair and eyes as green as leaves with the same black vertical slits as the other had.

            "What are they?"  Sesshoumaru asked.

            "Wait.  Destiny and Shad will present them."  Kurama answered quietly.

            Sesshoumaru nodded but both he and Inuyasha stood a little straighter.  Both recognized the same powerful and confidence that the man had, the same confidence that their father, Tsuyoi, had while he had lived.  Destiny and Shad both walked on either side of the red haired man while the blonde haired man followed two steps behind and stood to the right of the red haired man.  "Well done pups."  Kurama murmured to them; proud that they would be meeting them as brothers united instead of squabbling children.

            "Ah Kurama, it is good to see you again."  Said the red haired man as he reached out his hand to the taller kitsune.

            "And you as well, Majesty."  He answered formally and clasped Silvon's hand in his own.

            "Formality at this late date?  I must admit to be surprised; especially since my heart-daughter decided that you would make a compatible mate."

            Here we go again.  Shad moaned in despair.

            "Alright you three."  Destiny warned and smiled at Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, and Kagome.  Sango, Miroku, and Shippo hadn't joined them yet since they gone back to sleep and none of them had the heart to wake them yet.  "Heart-father, Elder Coliath, I would like to present to you Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands.  Sesshoumaru, I would like to present to you King Silvon of the Dragon Clan and Elder Coliath, Second in command."  She said formally and the two royal members gave the other thoughtful nods of acknowledgement.

            So prettily done Destiny.  Shad teased as he grinned at all of them.  Heart-father, Elder Coliath, this is Inuyasha and his soon to be, when she at least graduates high school, mate, Kagome.

            "Shadow."  Kurama said sternly when Kagome and Inuyasha both started to blush.

            "It is a pleasure to meet you both."  Silvon said with a grin and even Coliath smiled at the two embarrassed young people. 

            By then Destiny had made her to stand beside Kurama and he put his arm around her waist and tucked her in against his side.  Silvon eyes took all of this in and he shook his head in mock despair.  "When are you two ever going to start acting like a modest couple?"  He asked.

            Probably when he makes an honest woman out of her.  Until then they're living in sin with their son.  Shad answered for them, a perfectly innocent look upon his face.

            "WHAT?!"  Silvon and Coliath yelled as one.  That was the first time Inuyasha and the others saw Shad laugh so hard that he actually had to kneel on the ground while attempting to explain, and of course, purposely failed in doing so.  And it was the dawning of a long, new day.

            "My hearing is never going to be the same again."  Inuyasha later complained to Kagome after they snuck off to get away from the ruckus caused by Shad.  For some insane reason the wolf's main purpose in life, now that everyone was safe, seemed to be focused mainly on torturing his heart-father with half true and half made up stories.  The result was often chaotic.  But by now Silvon and Coliath had met all the members of the group and Shippo's adoption had been explained to him as well. 

            "I know what you mean."  Kagome replied as she laid down on the grass beside him and stared up at the clouds.  "We're changing aren't we Inuyasha?"  She asked.

            Inuyasha was quiet for a moment as he thought about her question.  It was true, they had been changing.  Ever since Kurama, Destiny, and Shad had suddenly been thrown into their lives they'd been maturing under their guidance.  "I guess so.  It's almost like we're all being trained to become the best we can be but with the morals and mind set to match."

            "I know.  Destiny is like the mother and older sister figure.  Kurama is, well Kurama; and Shad is like the crazy, wild, and fun brother."  She said and giggled a bit.

            Inuyasha grinned and rolled over onto his side so that he could look at her.  Kagome looked so peaceful just then; her eyes were closed and her entire body was relaxed.  Then she opened her storm colored eyes and looked over at him and smiled.  Her smiles were always so full of warmth and acceptance that he always felt a little pull on his heart when he saw them.  "You're beautiful."  He said and reached out his hand to touch her cheek gently.  Her smile grew even more loving as she leaned into his gentle caress.

            "So are you.  I remember that the first time I was I thought you looked so peaceful and handsome there; but, sad too…"

            "And you couldn't resist my ears right?"  He teased, knowing how much she loved to play with his ears.

            "Of course not!"  She joked and reached up to gently scratch behind one of his ears.  A gentle purring startled her so much that she almost jerked her hand back.  "You purr."  She said in amazement.

            "Only when I'm happy."  He replied and slowly bent down to brush his lips against hers, delicately tasting her soft skin.  Kagome's hand slowly drifted from scratching his ear to the back of his neck, unconsciously trying to bring him closer.  With a smile of pure male satisfaction, he nipped carefully at her lips and let out a surprised yip when she bit back at him. 

            "You're not the only one who has teeth."  She said teasingly.

            "Maybe.  But mine are lots sharper." 

            "I'm not afraid of you."  She said in playful defiance.

            "Oh but you should be."  He whispered as his hands trailed down her sides.  "Because I know where to tickle you."  He added and began to tickle her without mercy.  After a surprised yelp, Kagome desperately tried to wiggle out of his arms, but failing that, she turned the tables and started to tickle him.

            "Hey!"  He protested as he started to laugh helplessly.

            "What goes around comes around, Inuyasha."  She teased.  When they finally stopped, Kagome laid her head down on Inuyasha's chest and listened to his heart beat in exhausted contentment.  Inuyasha wasn't tired but then he had more energy than she did, what with her being human and all.

            "My Kagome."  He said quietly and she hugged him.

            "Your Kagome."  She agreed softly and then added, "my Inuyasha."

            He chuckled and held her even tighter in his arms.  "Always."

            Back in the village Shad was playing with Shippo and Destiny while Silvon talked with Kurama when he suddenly looked up when the wind began to blow.  Think we should check on the kids?  He asked, sniffing the air delicately.  Destiny tossed the ball to Shippo and closed her eyes for a moment as she sought out the two familiar auras. 

            "No.  She answered just in time to see Shippo toss the ball to shad and Shad tossed the ball to her.  She caught it and continued the pattern before answering.  "They're fine.  Just holding one another."  She said reassuringly.

            "Mama, are you talking about Inuyasha and Kagome?"  Shippo asked curiously.

            Destiny grinned and nodded but held a finger to her lips in a secretive way.  "Yes, but let's not tell them."  She half whispered and he grinned back at her, thoroughly enjoying sharing a secret with his new mother and uncle.

            "Okay."  He agreed.

            "You two are still almost as bad as you were when the Clan adopted you."  Coliath told them with a wry smile.  The two Learians both looked at him in mock hurt.

            Not hardly!  Shad said haughtily and he stood up straight.  Our tastes have become more refined.  He added.

            "Yes, instead of just teasing the Clan, we tease however."  Destiny said impishly.

            "We're doomed."  Coliath moaned seriously.  Shippo, Destiny, and Shad all glanced at each other before bursting into laughter.  For right now, life was good indeed.

Shad - Aren't I a wonderful actor?

S.D. – Do you want an honest answer or do you want me to lie?

Shad - Lie.

S.D. – Then yes, you're very talented.

Shad – *growls* 

S.D. – Cheer up fuzz ball.  I'm sure you'll get better.  Now then, on to the reviewers!  To my anonymous reviewer, I wasn't offended when you suggested that Shad and I get together, surprised, but not offended.  Yeah, I'm watching Inuyasha every Saturday night, aren't I special?

Shad – Nope, but next up is Aisuru!  Alright you reviewed just for me.  *smirks at S.D.*  I feel so special.

S.D. – And here we go again with the ego…Next is niasdreams.

Shad – Hey!  I get to do this one.

S.D. – All right all right.  Calm down hairball.

Shad - Ha ha ha ha!  I get my way!  Now then, Niasdreams, you want a lemon chapter?  Ummm…  Keep working on S.D. maybe she'll humor ya.  As for me thanks for reviewing!  *looks over at S.D. and smirks*  They like me more than you.

S.D. – *grins*  Are you sure?  After all, who's writing this?

Shad - Good point.

S.D. – Laura-chan, I'm really not sure if I'll write a lemon for this or not.  Depends on you guys and if I can.

Shad - Ash-chan, I'm glad that you like Kurama and Destiny and Shippo as a family but what about me?  I'm the uncle?!

S.D. – You're not important anymore.

Shad – Aww man!  Thanks for reviewing!

S.D. – Next is Shahrezad1, thanks for the review!  I'm glad that you like having Kurama in this story.  (I wasn't sure how readers would take to that but I'm glad everyone approves!)

Shad – Felix the Phoenix, hey you're cool!  You think I'm great and you reviewed twice just to say how great this fic is.  *grins*  Cooool….

S.D. - And the ego grows…  Twin Star of Suzaku, wow you're violent.  But the snake got sliced and diced pretty well eh?  Thanks for keeping with this story for so long!

Shad - Hey Aisuru!  You reviewed twice too.  How come I didn't notice before?

S.D. – Because you're an idiot?

Shad – You're just jealous that I don't have to go to school.

S.D. – Yeah, you're right.

Shad - As for what could be better…  Food!  Lots of food!

S.D. - *looks at Shad worriedly*  Oookay…  Someone's gone off the deep end…  Liinatu, I tried to e-mail you but my e-mail was bounced back so if you have any questions about Learians try e-mailing me at slayer_destiny@yahoo.com or AOL instant messaging.  My user name is silvdstny.  As for Mikarei, I'm sure Destiny could find a use for her.  I'll talk to you later about that though.

Shad - SakuraKinomotoM, hey cool name.  Real long.  Thanks for reviewing and for being on MY side!  *looks over at S.D.*  Unlike someone else I know…

S.D. – Poor baby, you're just so mistreated aren't you?

Shad - Yes.

S.D. - *rolls eyes*  Hannah-Grey, thanks for reviewing and as for the love interests, well…  They develop as they develop.

Shad – Except mine!  But anyway, next is Slice.  Hey again and yes, feel sorry for me!  I'm abused!

S.D. – I wish you were.  Maybe you wouldn't talk so much.

Shad - Hey!

S.D. – Hi.

Shad – Smart aleck.

S.D. – What'd you expect?  Last up is mizustarangel, it's been a long time since Return of the Forgotten eh?  Well I hope you like this new story too!  All right, I am writing another story called 'Always Doesn't Last Forever.'  No this isn't an advertisement to try to get anyone to read it I just wanted everyone to know that it will not affect how much I update this story.  (Only my schoolwork does that)  So don't worry.

Shad - And as always, thanks for all the reviews and don't forget to leave more!

S.D. – What he said.  Adios!