AN: Yay, a new chapter. Warning there is a cliffhanger, but the more reviews the faster the next chapter gets written.

CH: 2 Secrets of the Past

Sesshoumaru and Kagome stayed awake during their travel ready to take on any challenge should something hinder their trip. "They really did grow up didn't they?" Kagome said looking at Shippou and Rin.

Shippou was now a tall almost fully grown kitsune youkai. He had long brownish orange hair which he wore tied back with a small blue bow. Sesshoumaru had a kitsune come in to train Shippou to use his abilities. He was very strong for a kitsune, but still couldn't match the strength Sesshoumaru or Kagome have.

Kagome had taken it upon herself to train Rin, who could probably have given Sango a run for her money. Mira and Giza had trained them both in the ways of being royalty. Rin was now a beautiful young lady. She was a few inches shorter than Kagome and had long black hair which she kept braided.

Sesshoumaru nodded in response to Kagome's question. "I wonder when we should start talking to them about getting mated."

"For Shippou there's no rush." Sesshoumaru responded.

Kagome felt a bit saddened by Sesshoumaru's words. She knew he wasn't being sexist and the reason he had said what he did was because although she was in an all youkai family, they couldn't deny the fact that Rin was still a ningen. Sesshoumaru tightened his arms around Kagome when he sensed her distress.

Kagome kissed his cheek lightly. "Hopefully she'll find a mate as wonderful as mine." Kagome whispered in his ear. Sesshoumaru smirked and started rubbing Kagome's back sensually. "You should stop that, we're not alone." Kagome scolded him, but her scent told him that she was more turned on than angry.

"When we get to the Southern Lands, you're not leaving our room for hours." Sesshoumaru promised.

"You keep talking like that and we'll end up with another one." Kagome said though she didn't sound the least bit upset.

A few hours after the sun began to shine through the carriage windows, they began to land. All the children begun to wake right before the carriage touched the ground. Right then, however both Kagome and Sesshoumaru knew something was wrong. "Shippou, Rin, watch your brother and sister and don't leave the carriage." Sesshoumaru ordered and got out.

Kagome handed Sarah to Rin and began to follow Sesshoumaru. "What's wrong?" Shippou asked.

"Just stay." Kagome said in a demanding voice she hardly ever used. She stepped out and caught up to Sesshoumaru.

Jaken watched as the two inu youkai walked away. He had been the one riding Ah Un and driving the carriage. He couldn't sense much danger, but then again Jaken knew Sesshoumaru-sama and his strong mate knew what they were doing.

Kagome and Sesshoumaru walked through the front gates and Kagome gasped at what she saw. Sesshoumaru showed no signs of being uncomfortable, but inwardly cringed. He took her hand to give her some comfort and they walked to the front door, pass what could only be considered a massacre.

'Who could have done this?' They both wondered as they looked at all the fallen bodies. Sesshoumaru never associated much with servants or guards, but for Kagome who knew practically everyone in both castles by name this was incredibly devastating.

Kagome tried to sniff out someone, anyone, who could possibly have survived, but the stench of freshly spilled blood was too strong. They made it into the castle and Kagome ran to the figure in the middle of the floor.

There staining the white tiles with crimson was Inu Yasha. Kagome felt for a pulse and thanked the heavens when she felt a weak, but still there pulse. "He's still alive." Kagome said to Sesshoumaru, who she knew was worried also, though he tried not to show it.

She gently rolled Inu Yasha over and saw a large wound in his stomach, much like the time Sesshoumaru had plunged his hand through him so many years ago. She collected the miko energy that still resided in her and concentrated on healing the wound. Sesshoumaru went about checking others to see if they were still alive.

Inu Yasha groaned in Kagome's arm and slowly opened his eyes. "K-kagome?" He managed to get out.

"Hai, I'm here Inu Yasha." Kagome responded.

"I tried to hold out." He said. His eyes were diverted from hers as if he had done something wrong.

"It's okay Inu Yasha, it wasn't your fault." Kagome reassured him. "Is there anyone still alive?" Kagome asked Sesshoumaru.

"Not in this room." He replied.

"I sent Subayai and some others through the tunnels." Inu Yasha told Kagome. She nodded and helped him up. She supported him to one of the chairs and helped him sit.

"What happened?" Kagome asked.

"Later. Go help the others first." Inu Yasha said. Kagome nodded, but couldn't help, but think Inu Yasha was avoiding something. She went none the less.

Sesshoumaru followed his mate to the tunnels which were a secret underground maze. Only those who knew where they were going would survive to the end of the maze where Kagome hid a secret garden, lush enough to support an army for weeks. As they entered Sesshoumaru put his arms around Kagome's waist and used his youkai speed to go through the maze that he knew by heart already. He and Kagome had often used the garden as a sort of private rendezvous spot.

When they got to the garden Subayai ran to her friend and hugged her tightly. "Is Inu Yasha okay?" She asked almost frantic when she smelled his blood on Kagome clothing.

"Hai, he's fine." Kagome reassured her and she gave a sigh of relief.

"Thank Kami." Subayai said.

"What happened? It must have taken a small army to cause such bloodshed in such a short time. I heard from Giza just yesterday. Where are Mira and Giza?" Kagome asked.

"It happened so fast. I don't know where they are. There was screaming outside and Inu Yasha yelled at us to go to the tunnels. I didn't even see what happened." Subayai said in a sorry voice.

"It wasn't your fault." Kagome comforted her.

"Haha-ue." A little came running up to Subayai and held her hand.

"I'm okay Keiko-chan." Subayai told her daughter.

"We should get everyone out of here." Sesshoumaru stated. Kagome nodded and everyone began to file out of the garden.

They all gathered in the front room. As soon as they entered Subayai ran to Inu Yasha and held him close while holding back tears of joy. Kagome and Sesshoumaru organized everyone to go search the castle and find any survivors. Those who were dead, Sesshoumaru said to gather and he would try to revive them all with the Tenseiga.

Kagome went in search of Mira and Giza. Sesshoumaru stayed in the main hall with Inu Yasha. "What happened here?" Sesshoumaru asked Inu Yasha in a tone that said that he would not be distracted like Kagome.

Inu Yasha sighed wondering how he should start. "An old friend of yours decided to stop by. I don't think you would want Kagome to know about who did this." Inu Yasha said.

Sesshoumaru gave him an intense glare and Inu Yasha whispered something that made him almost lose his mask of indifference. "She'll pay." Sesshoumaru said in a low menacing voice.

"You'll have to tell Kagome, you know." Inu Yasha said.

"I know." Sesshoumaru said and seemed calm about it. Inside was a maelstrom of intense feelings. 'How could she have done this to him? Hadn't she ruined his life enough in past?'

Inu Yasha watched his older brother and could only imagine what was going through his mind. For once in his life he actually felt bad for him.

Kagome came back into the room then. "I found Mira and Giza, they seemed a little ruffed up, but alright." Kagome said sounding relieved. She then noticed the light tension that Sesshoumaru and Inu Yasha seemed to have. "What's wrong?"

Sesshoumaru tensed a bit more when he heard her question. "Nothing Kagome." Inu Yasha spoke for him. "Maybe you should go get everyone else out of the carriage now. They must be wondering what's going on." He said thanking kami that Kagome always seemed slightly easy to distract.

"Oh! I totally forgot. I'm such a horrible mother." Kagome said as she rushed out of the building.

Sesshoumaru gave Inu Yasha a look that seemed to ask what the hell he was getting out of distracting Kagome for him. Inu Yasha just shrugged not really understanding why he just saved his brother for at least a few more hours.

Subayai walked back in and bowed to Sesshoumaru. "All those who did not make it are in the dojo." Sesshoumaru nodded acknowledging her words and went in the direction of the dojo.

Subayai then turned to her mate. "Keiko is in her room." Inu Yasha nodded seeming distracted as he watched Sesshoumaru leave the room. "What's wrong?" Subayai asked as she looked to where Inu Yasha was staring.

"Nothing, just someone trying to escape their past." Inu Yasha said.

"What do you mean?"

Inu Yasha pulled himself out of his daze. "It's nothing. Don't worry yourself." He said and kissed his mate on the cheek.

"Inu!" Inu Yasha turned just in time to catch a flying little inu youkai. Sarah jumped her uncle and began to babble about all the things that she had been doing lately.

"Hey Inu Yasha." Shippou said. Inu Yasha barely got a chance to say anything with the small inu youkai demanding his attention.

Kagome just laughed at Inu Yasha confusion. His daughter wasn't even close to as energetic as Sarah. Kagome decided to save him and pulled her little one off him. "Come on little one. You can visit with your uncle later."

Yukio followed his mother also. Shippou always teased him about being attached to Kagome's hip, but he couldn't really say much since he remembered he had been the same way.

Kagome took Sarah to her room and told Rin and Shippou to watch her. "Maybe you should watch Rin and Shippou to make sure they don't pass out." She whispered to Yukio as she left the room.

Kagome walked down the white halls following the scent of her mate. She looked at all the paintings on the walls as she walked by. The paintings were what had showed her how her parents had looked so long ago. Her mother had indeed been beautiful. A tall female inu youkai will long dark blue hair with light purple streaks and light blue eyes. Her father had short black hair and the deep violet eyes that she had inherited.

A strange question then entered Kagome's mind. She had never seen any family paintings in Sesshoumaru's home. Well not of his parents anyway. She wondered why the only paintings were of Sesshoumaru and Inu Yasha when they were young, but none of them with their parents. She also wondered what Sesshoumaru's parents had looked like.

She found him in the library sitting down lost in thought. "Hey." She said as she took a seat next to him. He seemed to barely register her presence, but in fact she was the only thing he was focusing on since she entered the room. "You okay?" She asked and put an arm over his tense shoulders. He was sitting hunched over slightly with his hands locked together between his knees.

"It didn't work." He said only confusing his mate further. "The Tenseiga, it didn't work." He clarified.

Kagome's mood dropped further. They had found most of her servants were just badly wounded. But almost all of her guards had been killed. With the Tenseiga not working they wouldn't be able to be revived. 'Why wasn't the sword working?'

Kagome laid a kiss on Sesshoumaru's cheek. "It'll be okay." Kagome whispered to him and laid her head on his shoulder. Sesshoumaru took comfort in her closeness although he felt guilty for not telling her the whole truth of why he was depressed. Sesshoumaru leaned back and Kagome cuddled against his side.

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tighter against him as if he were afraid she would disappear. Kagome was slightly confused by Sesshoumaru's actions. She knew he must be upset that his sword was no longer working, but the way he was acting was very odd. She should know after eleven years together.

"I love you." Kagome whispered and nuzzled against his neck in an act of comfort. 'I just wish you'd tell me what's wrong.'

"I love you too." Sesshoumaru said and took in her comforting scent. 'You're too good to me.' He thought as he held her close.

They sat there for a long time, both lost in thought. "Haha-ue, chichi- ue?" Kagome turned to the door to see Yukio peaking in. "Mira told me to call you two for lunch." He said. Kagome gave a small nod and Yukio understood they didn't want to be disturbed. He closed the door silently.

"Tell me what's wrong." Kagome implored him. She frowned when she felt Sesshoumaru tense next to her.

"Please don't." Sesshoumaru said. He knew he would have to tell her sooner or later, he just hoped it could be later. After he had thought out how exactly to tell her. After he had braced himself for what he feared she'd say.

"I won't push. I just wish you'd tell me." Kagome said and laid a gentle kiss on his neck. Sesshoumaru wondered what he had done to deserve someone like Kagome.

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Kagome had left Sesshoumaru about an hour after he had fallen asleep. She was walking the halls in thought when she caught sight of Inu Yasha. When Inu Yasha turned and saw her he turned around and suspiciously walked back the way he had come. 'Oh, no, not this time.' Kagome thought and used her youkai speed to catch up to the hanyou.

"I know you know what's going on with Sesshoumaru. Spill now." Kagome said after she had stepped in front of Inu Yasha.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Inu Yasha said, but his body posture and tone told Kagome different.

Kagome not usually a very violent person was already very frustrated. She grabbed Inu Yasha by the collar of his haori and pushed his back against the wall. "I know you know Inu Yasha, don't lie to me. Sesshoumaru is my mate and I have every right to know what's wrong with him." Kagome said in a voice that reminded Inu Yasha of when he was about to get sat so long ago.

"I really think Sesshoumaru should be telling you about all this. I was only a pup when it happened." Inu Yasha said.

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Sesshoumaru had awoken when Kagome left his side. 'I should tell her. She has a right to know. But what will she say?' Sesshoumaru feared the love that he always saw in her eyes when she looked at him would fade. 'It's a foolish thing, I was young.' He told himself. 'Kagome won't be angry over something that happened so long ago.' He tried to convince himself.

He walked over to the window and saw Yukio being chased by Sarah as Rin and Shippou watched. He had been lonely for so long and then Rin came along giving him a bit of the companionship he needed. Then Kagome showed up and he couldn't have asked for more. But now he had a family and was fully content. 'I won't let her hurt them. I can't lose them like everyone else.'

Memories had always been a painful thing for Sesshoumaru. He hadn't thought about her in a long time. The only thought in his mind was why now, why not before when he had nothing to lose. Or was it because now he did have something to lose.

Sesshoumaru watched his children for a little while longer and tightened his resolve. He had to tell Kagome. He turned his back to the window and walked out the door. He easily picked up her scent now that the blood in the area had been cleaned.

When he heard a crash against the wall he ran to see what was wrong. He saw Kagome pressing Inu Yasha against the wall and demanding to know what was wrong. On some level he felt pleased that she worried so much for him, but on another level he felt angry at himself for making her worry so much.

"I really think Sesshoumaru should be telling you about this. I was only a pup when it happened." Inu Yasha said.

"I agree with Inu Yasha." Kagome turned and saw Sesshoumaru standing in the hall. She dropped Inu Yasha without thinking and he ran off to leave the two alone.

Sesshoumaru walked over and put an arm around his mate and pulled her close. "Gomen, I just wanted to know so I could make it better." Kagome said guiltily.

"Iie, I should have told you." Sesshoumaru held her close for a moment before pulling back. "Let's go somewhere quieter and I'll tell you everything." Kagome nodded and he led her back down the hall to their room.

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Ohhh...so what's the big secret. I know I'm so evil to leave you hanging. Please review and maybe I'll get the next chapter written faster. ^_^

Review Responses:

ShellBabe: Yeah I'm sad that story had to end too, but now I have this one, Taking a Chance, and another fic I have in the works that should be out soon

Mystical Angel: Sorry if you couldn't get it from the first chapter, you kind of have to search for their ages but here they are:

Shippou-16, Rin-15, Yukio-10, Sarah-4, Keiko-5

Dragonruler212: Thanx, it's nice to know that the lemon doesn't deter people from reading

Joyce: Well it's been almost 11 years so yeah they have to kids.

dbzfan: The ages of everyone are above a bit. Everyone from the original group will be making an appearance. Also, I think I've been mean enough to Inu in my other stories, I'll lay off him in this one, don't worry.

Taiyoukai Lord Sesshoumaru: Kouga as a bad guy, hmmm...I don't think he's strong enough and I have a new evil in mind anyway, but maybe he could be an ally of hers. Oh...the possibilities.

Aira^o^: Yay Cake!!! You really think they're getting better, wow, thanks! ^_^

Caley: If you reviewed the last story and told me to make a sequel than you most likely had a hand in this.

AkxTp: Thanks for the review. Means a lot since I know you don't have a lot of time to write them. Anyways, you'll have to wait to hear what Sesshoumaru has to say about who their new enemy is. As for Miroku and Sango having a girl and boy, I'm pretty sure I can make that happen.

Thanks to everyone else that reviewed. I love getting reviews. *hint hint*

~*Shichan