A/N: Hello, all! Ok, here's chappie 3 of "Dude, Where're My Kids?". applaudes fornwalt because she actually finished something (I have a very short intention span...) Anyway, I'm sorry, but in this chapter there are NO scenes with the twins. Sorry again. It'll probably be the same way in the next chapter too. But I promise that the fifth chapter will definatly focus on Kin and Gin! Pinky-swear! So, please read and review, and enjoy it most of all! I love it when people review saying how much they enjoyed it, or giving me ideas for the next chapter, or if they just reviewed to say hi. I'm open to all kinds of reviews, flames included. Feel free to critisize me on something that you didn't like about this story! Ok, now enough of my babbling; here's chapter 3!

Dude, Where're My Kids?

Chapter 3

Inuyasha cracked an eye open. The kids have been gone for a long time. I wonder where they went? He stood up and walked outside, deciding it was his duty as a father to find them. Inuyasha bent down low to the ground and sniffed, instantly picking up their scent. He followed it for a few steps before coming to some trees. Ok, so they went to the bathroom, but they should have come straight home. Inuyasha started to get worried. There were so many demons about and he began to fear that the twins met up with one of them.

"Kin! Gin!" He called. No one answered. Once again he got onto the ground and followed their scent for a little while. Finally he came to some bushes where their scent was especially strong. They must have sat here for a while. I bet they went into that clearing just beyond these bushes! Inuyasha was comforted by this thought, and he slowly approached the bushes. Then with a sudden burst of speed he jumped over them and growled, something that always frightened the twins into laughter.

But no laughter came. In fact, no sound came. Inuyasha looked around and realized with guilt that the clearing was completely empty. He sniffed the air. There was no foreign demon scent, and it seemed that Kin and Gin's scent just stopped in the middle of the clearing. It just . . . faded away. Inuyasha began to sniff the ground around where the scent stopped. And he stopped.

Kikyo.

She had been here, with his children, not too long ago. And she had taken them, for their three scents mixed together right in the middle of the clearing before completely disappearing. But why would Kikyo take Kin and Gin? He looked up at the night sky, and realized with anger that she had just flown away with them. What does she plan to do with them! They're only children!

Inuyasha raced back to the house at top speed. "Kagome!" He ran inside and almost collided with his wife.

"Where are the children?" She demanded.

"I think Kikyo took them." Inuyasha covered his ears for the outburst certain to follow.

"Kikyo? She took Kin and Gin?" Kagome asked quietly. Inuyasha uncovered his ears and looked at her. She had tears streaming silently down her face.

"That's what I think. They went outside to go to the bathroom, and the next thing I know, their scents are mixed with Kikyo's and suddenly they all disappear. It's like they just flew up into the sky."

"Soul collectors…" Kagome wiped her eyes. "Come on." She went back into their room and pulled out her backpack.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha quietly asked, standing in the doorway.

"I'm going to find my kids." She said stubbornly, but with good reason. "Whether or not you're coming to help me."

"What even caused you to think that I wouldn't help? They're my children too, and I'm just as responsible for them as you are." Inuyasha assured her.

Kagome smiled and continued packing. "We don't want to go unprepared. I'll search for years if I have to."

"And I'll follow." Inuyasha watched as Kagome picked up the two boxes that her mother had given her and packed them as well before zipping the whole thing shut.

"Good." Kagome put the pack on her back and walked past Inuyasha. "Come on."

"Right behind you." He followed.

"It's best to search the place where they left, that might give us a clue to where they are." Kagome said smartly.

"Right. This way." Inuyasha began walking towards the clearing. Kagome shifted her bow and arrows on her shoulder, power-walking after her husband. After a while, they emerged in the clearing where the kids had left.

"Here's where their scent ends. And where Kikyo comes into the picture." Inuyasha motioned towards the middle of the clearing.

Kagome stooped down and began searching in the grass.

"What are you looking for?"

"Anything to tell us which direction Kikyo took the twins." Kagome said the word 'Kikyo' like it was a bad taste in her mouth. All was quiet for a few moments. The air was still, and you could only hear the rustle in the grass as Kagome frantically searched for some clue.

Suddenly a wind began to tear through the air. Kagome stood up quickly and Inuyasha grabbed her, hugging her close for protection. The wind raged for a moment before it stopped. A soul collector appeared in front of them. Inuyasha glared at it, and it stared back with lifeless eyes. Kagome snatched her bow and pulled out an arrow, aiming it at the creature.

"Where are my children?" She demanded, her voice harsh. The soul collector merely regarded her without a word. Inuyasha growled and nudged Kagome. She nodded and released her arrow, which tore the soul collector into several pieces. Something dropped on the floor of the clearing.

"What's that?" Inuyasha asked as Kagome picked it up. It was a piece of parchment, one usually used for drawings. She stood up and opened it, showing it to her husband.

"That looks like a palace crest." Kagome remarked. The picture had two swords, one crossing another, and below them was a demon, growling fiercely.

"You're right. Kikyo must have sent this to lead us to where she is keeping Gin and Kin."

"Or she could be using this to keep us away from Gin and Kin. It could mislead us." Kagome pointed out.

"Well, It's the only thing we have to go on right now. I say we hook up with Miroku, Sango, and Shippo and see if any of them know whose palace this crest belongs too." Inuyasha rolled up the paper and handed it to Kagome, who pocketed it.

"Ok." Kagome climbed onto Inuyasha's back, and he took off towards the village where Miroku and Sango resided.

"Ah man! I was just here, like, yesterday!" Inuyasha complained. (A/N: Miroku and Sango decided to live in Kaede's village, so they could be close to Kagome and Inuyasha.) Kagome knocked him on the head.

"Quit complaining and get to Miroku and Sango's house!"

Inuyasha grumbled something inaudible, and Kagome decided not to question it. The less she knew, the better off Inuyasha was.

"Stop, stop, stop!" Kagome screeched. Inuyasha nearly threw her off in surprise.

"What'd you do that for, Kagome?" He demanded, rubbing his damaged ears.

"Sorry, but I didn't want you to miss their house." She explained, dismounting him and running to the door. She peeked inside. "Hello?"

The house was dark, so Kagome walked inside.

"Hello?" She said, a little louder this time.

"Kagome?" A tired looking Sango appeared from the side door.

"Sango!" Kagome surveyed her friend. "You look tired."

Sango stared at Kagome in disbelief. "Kagome, it's nearly midnight. Didn't you see that no one is outside, and that it's pitch black out?"

"No."

"That might explain it." Miroku appeared next to Sango. "Hello Kagome, Inuyasha."

"Hi." Inuyasha said.

"So, Kagome, what's the big emergency? I mean, you rarely pay us a visit this late at night." Sango sat down as Miroku got a fire started.

"Kikyo took Kin and Gin." Kagome said sadly.

"Kikyo?" Miroku looked up, and Sango immediately went over to comfort her friend.

"Yeah. Apparently she somehow managed to lure the twins out and convince them to come with her, because there was no sign of a struggle. Then her soul collectors just flew them all away." Inuyasha filled the two in while Kagome sniffled on Sango's shoulder.

"Any idea where they went?" Sango asked, patting Kagome's back.

"None. But as Kagome and I were investigating the spot where they were taken, a soul collector came—"

"Came and left us this." Kagome finished. She pulled out the paper and passed it to Miroku, who opened it up. Sango looked over his shoulder at it.

"A crest?"

"Yeah. We think it's a palace crest, and we were hoping you knew where it was located." Kagome wiped her nose on her shirt. Miroku and Sango thought for a moment, staring at the picture.

"I've never seen it before."

"Me either." Both looked apologetic.

"Oh." Kagome looked a bit disheartened. "Well, thanks anyway." She took the paper back, stood up, and turned to go.

"Wait a minute!" Sango said abruptly. "We said we've never seen it before, but we didn't say we wouldn't help you look for them!"

"Exactly right. I for one can't stand to sit idly by while my niece and nephew have been kidnapped." Miroku nodded decisively. (A/N: Miroku and Sango were made adoptive Uncle and Aunt for the twins, and the same goes for Kagome and Inuyasha with Taro.)

"We'll give Taro to Kaede, and head out immediately!" Sango stood up and hurried back into the bedroom. A moment later she came out holding a sleeping five-year-old. Kilala followed Sango, staying close to her heels.

"How has Taro been doing?" Inuyasha asked.

"Oh, you know. The usual. He complains, whines, and basically gets on our nerves." Miroku chuckled.

"Our nerves? He doesn't get on my nerves. He's perfectly polite to me!" Sango glared at Miroku. "And you haven't been helping any with him! All you've been doing is teaching him how to grope women's butts!"

"It's a fine Father-Son experience." Miroku pleaded.

"Miroku! You're married!" Kagome shouted.

"And he's five!" Sango joined in. Inuyasha shook his head.

"Not smart, Miroku." He muttered.

"Here, Kagome. Take him." Sango handed Taro to Kagome before walking calmly over to Miroku.

"Um, heh. I'll stop teaching him those things?" He asked nervously.

"Dang right you will." Sango growled, slapping her husband so a red handprint was left on his cheek. Both Kagome and Inuyasha winced. Miroku bit his lip to keep from crying out in pain, and clutched his wounded cheek.

"Serves you right, Miroku." Kagome said with a nod. "You'd think after twelve years you'd have stopped being such a pervert, but obviously not."

"Got that right." Sango agreed, taking Taro and walking towards the door. "Miroku, I'm going to Kaede's house to ask her to watch Taro while we're gone. Get some supplies together, then you two meet Kagome and I in front of the village."

"Yes, I'll do that." Miroku motioned for Inuyasha to follow him, and the two walked into the bedroom.

"Come on, Kagome." Sango walked out the door, and began to head towards Kaede's house.

"Thanks Sango." Kagome said quietly.

"No problem. We should probably get Shippo to help too. I don't think he's very busy at this moment." Sango said thoughtfully.

"Good idea. Where is he this month?"

"Um…" Sango stuttered. "You know, I'm not really sure. Ask Miroku, he was the one to receive Shippo's last message." She grinned at the thought of Miroku picking mushrooms with Taro, and suddenly one of the mushrooms in his hand grows eyes and shouts out where Shippo is currently residing. It was a very funny thought. Taro had explained it in great detail to her as soon as they had come home.

"Ok." Kagome held open the door for Sango and Taro, and then followed them into Kaede's house. Surprisingly enough, Kaede was already awake with a pot of tea simmering over the fire.

"Hello, Kagome, Sango. What are ye two doing here so late at night?" She asked.

"Kin and Gin were kidnapped by Kikyo." Kagome murmered. Kaede looked surprised.

"Kikyo? She took them youngsters?"

Kagome nodded.

"Oh, Kagome, I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"You can watch Taro for us. Miroku and I are joining Inuyasha and Kagome to help find them." Sango set the sleeping boy down on one of the futons in the main room.

"Of course, of course." Kaede agreed. "He's such a pleasure to have around."

"And, Kaede? Have you ever seen this symbol before?" Kagome unfurled the paper and handed it to the woman.

Kaede was silent for a moment, but then she looked at Kagome.

"Where did you get this?"

"One of Kikyo's soul collectors found us and dropped it. It's our only clue to where my children are." Kagome answered.

"That explains it." Kaede handed the paper back. "That is the crest for Kikyo's palace. (A/N: After they defeated Naraku, Kikyo settled down to rule a palace, but no one knows where it is.) My sister probably gave it to you to lead you to it."

"So she does want us to find her." Sango said rationally.

"Right. Kikyo doesn't want to keep yer children, but she does want either ye or Inuyasha to find her. There must be a motive behind her kidnapping." Kaede decided.

"Thank you, Kaede." Kagome grinned. "Well, we'd better get going. The sooner we find Kikyo's palace, the better."

"Of course, child. Now, ye'd want to head east until you hit Mount Falaku (A/N: I made that up, in case you couldn't tell.), then turn and head north. Ye should hit it about two days after turning. Good luck!" Kaede told them.

"Ok, thank you so much, Kaede!" Sango and Kagome smiled at the elder, and then ran out the door and towards two dark figures at the beginning of the village.

"You brought supplies, Miroku?" Sango asked as Kilala ran from Miroku to her.

"Yes, my dear Sango. I brought food, clothes, and other necessities." Miroku sighed, and the group began to walk.

"Good. And where did Shippo say he was currently living?"

"Uh, I believe he told us it was at the foot of Mount Falaku."

"That's great, because that's where we're headed anyway!" Kagome said, and she filled them in on everything Kaede had told them.

"Well, at least we know Kikyo won't hurt Kin and Gin." Inuyasha stated.

"Yes, but for how long will she keep them before she gets tired and leaves them somewhere?" Miroku asked. Kagome winced.

"Please, Miroku. I'm worried enough without your help!"

"Yes, yes. Of course." Miroku grinned and edged closer to Sango, who began to converse with Kagome.

"So, how's that 'hair spray' stuff of yours work again?"

"Well, it's really simple, Sango. You just open the bottle and spray—"

"PERVERT!" Sango screamed and slapped her husband hard. He fell to the ground from the force of the blow.

"I thought it was ok since we're married, Sango!" He protested. Sango crossed her arms.

"Not on your life, monk."

"This will be an eventful trip." Kagome muttered to Inuyasha.

"As long as he stays away from you." Inuyasha put a hand protectively around her shoulders, and she snuggled closer.

A/N: Ok, there you have it! I hope you liked this chapter, and keep in mind that there will be more to come. Before I part, however, I want to tell you all something. I drew a picture of Kin and Gin. If anyone wants to see what they look like, leave your email address in your review (and be sure to tell me you want to see it) and i'll email it to you. Thanks!