Disclaimer: I do not own any of the character from Inuyasha.

Chapter 2: Family Reunion

The Next Day, Near Night

'Inuyasha, we have been looking for the demon I met all day. I think it's obvious he's either gone or doesn't want us to find him.'

'Keh! Like I care Kagome, we are going to find this demon that looks "like me" if it takes all night. Besides, Naraku is dead, what else do we have left to do?' Inuyasha shot back. Look for the few remaining jewel shards, of course. But this demon sounds interesting; I have never met another dog demon with ears like mine. And besides, the other two jewel shards are in Koga's legs, and he won't give them to me unless I kill him, and Kagome wouldn't think to kindly of that.

'Inuyasha,' Miroku began hesitantly, 'we give you our word that we will continue the search until we find this demon, but we are all tired. We must make camp now.'

'I agree,' said the demon slayer.

'Fine.' Humans are so weak. What would they do without me around? I'm going to leave them for a minute one day and come back to find them all dead. The thought of Kagome dead on the ground in front of him did not appeal to him, so he shoved the image from his mind.

After they had made camp, Shippo began to complain of being thirsty. Seeing as Kagome had run out of drinks from her bag, she asked Inuyasha where he smelled water. He pointed off into a general area in the forest, and watched her walk away with Shippo running alongside. It will be okay; she will only be gone for a few minutes, and Naraku is dead. I should try to relax more once and a while. Still, he was concerned. Anything could happen.

In the Forest with Kagome and Shippo

'Shippo go on ahead without me for a few minutes. I ran out of these herbs that reduce swelling,' she gestured to herbs at the base of a large tree, 'so I will need to restock.'

'Okay Kagome don't fall too far behind though,' the fox said over his shoulder as he was walking away. Kagome might be in danger without my demon senses to help us. Inuyasha never appreciates the work I have to do for us.

Shippo continued to walk in the same direction. His "impressive" demon senses had failed to pick up the figure crouched in the trees above him. It stared at him with hungry eyes. Damn it, I can't let more food slip through my grasp, or else I will be eating small rodents off the forest floor. That Naraku scared off all of the smaller demons and animals. Speaking of rodents and small animals, this pathetic fox child would hardly satisfy my hunger, but nonetheless, I need a meal. He leapt to a tree farther down the path to keep up with his prey, a still oblivious Shippo.

'I wonder what's keeping Kagome. She hasn't caught up yet. Maybe I should turn and go…all right!...the river! I finally found it!' In front of him was a flowing clear river. He knelt down to the water's surface and began to drink his fill. Almost as soon as he lifted his head from the water's edge, he smelled a demon, and it smelled like dog.

'Inuyasha, I think I can handle getting a drink of water on my own! You didn't have to follow me!' He glared up to the spot where he smelled the dog demon. That's weird, his smell is different today. He continued looking until he found something; the cruelest pair of eyes he had ever seen. Did Inuyasha turn into a full demon again? But then, wouldn't his eyes be red? No…it's the demon Kagome was talking about. He turned to run and he saw Kagome, who had come to the clearing with the river. She was smiling gently at him, so she obviously did not see the other demon.

'Kagome! Run!' Shippo screamed. Inunobu took his chance with the child's distraction. He was too occupied with the prospect of finally getting a meal after days of not eating anything to notice the same girl he had given the jewel to. He released a loud growl from his mouth and pushed off of the branch he was crouching on, breaking it apart with the force of his legs. Before Kagome could think about what she had heard from the trees in front of her, she saw Shippo, whose neck was now in the claws of Inunobu. The dog demon's eyes were filled with excitement, and was about to begin the task of devouring the small fox child while it was still alive.

'SHIPPO!' Kagome screamed. Inunobu seemed surprised, and saw that the fox brought a companion. It was the same girl to whom he had given Naraku's treasure. That girl. Why is she here again? And why is she trying to save this demon? He followed her worried eyes to the now unconscious fox demon in his hand.

'Please! Don't hurt him!' she cried. He's the same demon I met earlier. If he was this close the whole time, how was Inuyasha not able to smell him?

Inunobu looked at her curiously. The human looked as if she loved the demon as a son. I know too well that demons and humans can never exist together. My father made that mistake…twice. If she cares that much for him, then… I suppose I can spare him. He would have made a bad meal out of himself anyway.

Inunobu walked steadily towards Kagome. His grip on Shippo's neck had been released and he now supported the child with his arm. Kagome looked scared, yet determined, and held her ground. He came within the same range of Kagome as when he handed her the jewel. He held Shippo up by his tail, beckoning her to take the demon away. Instead of hesitating as she did before, she hurriedly grabbed the fox out of Inunobu's grip and cradled him softly.

Tears were streaming down her cheeks. 'Thank you.' He frowned in response as his eyes locked onto hers, sending a chill down her spine. Damn it all I'm still hungry! I still haven't had a meal.

He turned to walk away and leave her to herself like he had done before.

He spared Shippo. He can't be that bad. He must be alone out here. I bet he was just looking for food and Shippo was the first thing to cross his path.

'Wait. Don't leave. You were just looking for food right? I bet you are hungry if you're willing to eat something as small as Shippo. Follow me; I have food back at camp. You can have as much as you like. It's the least I can do to repay you for sparing Shippo and giving us the jewel shard.'

She had, by the time she was finished speaking, captured his full attention. He was curious, as well as angry. I am hungry, but how dare this mortal think that she can help me? I need no aid from a human. But, I cannot deny my appetite, so I will go. Inunobu slowly nodded. She smiled.

'HEY! What did you do to them?'

Inunobu looked up to find a monk and a demon slayer, along with a half breed dog. He recalled with disgust the memory of his infant brother Inuyasha sleeping. He could have ended the infant's life so easily; if only he was not bound to his word to his father's last wish. Whatever happened to Inuyasha, wherever he was, he hoped he was dead.

'Inuyasha, that appears to be the demon that Kagome was talking about,' Sango mentioned as she moved closer to the half demon clothed in red.

Inuyasha? INUYASHA! This was the same half breed that caused his father to die. The only one in the world he had ever truly respected. Filthy half breed. Damn you. Damn you and all you kind! His eyes filled with undeniable rage. Inuyasha was caught a bit off guard by this reaction.

'Aaaaaah!' Kagome screamed. While the group was preoccupied with Inunobu, and vice versa, a lesser demon had snuck up behind them, and was now about to impale Kagome and Shippo, who was still held in her arms, with a very sharp appendage. If I don't kill that demon Inunobu thought to himself I will have no food. That girl, damn her! This is the third time I do something against my will in two days. He cast a sidelong glance at the attacking demon before releasing his red energy whip from his fingertips. It crackled as it flew through the air and decapitated the demon, leaving Shippo and Kagome unharmed.

Inuyasha who had been watching the spectacle, decided to take advantage of the dog demon's distraction. If I don't make sure he doesn't escape, I will never know who he is. Besides, Shippo has claw marks on his throat. I know this demon is responsible! I must make sure he can't move. I can't use Tetsusaiga because it's too big, and it would probably kill him. I need something smaller. He looked quickly at Sango's katana. That's it. He grabbed the katana from Sango's sheath before she could object, and plunged it into the demon's chest, severing a major artery above his heart.

Inunobu felt a hot pain in his chest. He immediately began to feel heavy. He looked slowly down at the sword in his chest, then to his younger half-brother who had impaled him. Damn it. I was careless… He sank to one knee, and Inuyasha removed the sword from its place in Inunobu's chest. Blood spilled freely from the wound and covered his white clothes in red. He allowed himself one last defiant growl, which turned into a gurgling noise as the blood rose in his throat. He fell straight into the dirt in front of him before completely losing consciousness.

'Miroku,' Inuyasha said in a flat voice to a shocked monk, 'I want you to seal him with your sutras so that he can't escape when he wakes up. Use the strongest ones you have.'

'R-Right, Inuyasha.' The monk was fazed by what Inuyasha had just done. Inuyasha didn't even allow the demon to speak for himself.

Three Hours Later

The group sat anxiously around the fire, waiting for the mysterious dog demon to awaken. His wound had not been dressed, because Inuyasha had ordered all of them not to touch him. Kagome looked worriedly towards the wound in Inunobu's chest, which looked extremely painful. Finally all of them drifted off to sleep, except Inuyasha.

'Wake up you stupid demon!' Inuyasha ordered as he stood right above Inunobu. As if responding to the command, Inunobu opened his eyes and let out a bloodcurdling roar of pain. Damn, this demon is so savage. I wonder where he comes from. Sparks of mini-lightning bolts shot from one sutra to another as Inunobu tried to move. The sutras looked almost like they were ready to break, but were holding. Miroku, you actually did something right.

By this time the entire camp was awake and looking both curiously and fearfully at the howling dog demon who was being subdued by Miroku's sutra charms. Its eyes were no longer golden but were glowing red. It was clear Inuyasha had come very close to ending the demons life. He looked awful. To add to the ever growing sight, the wound in his chest reopened, and was oozing blood on the ground around him. Kagome, Sango, and Shippo gasped.

Inunobu gradually calmed down after about twenty minutes. He still growled at anyone who approached, but he was no longer yelling. It was a softer and more deadly noise. How dare they do this to me? I have done nothing to them. I even spared their little fox friend! Inuyasha that damned half breed; I saved that girl and the child and he repays me with a sword in the chest. He coughed, blood coming in small amounts from his mouth and staining the ground beside him. His vision was blurred. He could hear people talking, but not what they were talking about. Not that he needed to hear them to know they were speaking of him. His head lolled to one side and it was a few moments before his eyes would open again.

'Inuyasha, Kagome is right, we cannot get any information from that demon unless he is alive, and unless you let Kagome dress that wound in his chest,' Miroku stated.

'There is no way Kagome is going anywhere near that demon. He can rip her apart.'

'Inuyasha,' Kagome said angrily, 'he is bound by sutras, for starters, and not just one sutra but four of Miroku's best. Besides, he has had the chance to kill me twice and he didn't.'

'Fine Kagome, dress the wound, but if he even makes a move towards you I'm slicing off his head!'

Kagome walked towards Inunobu cautiously. He did not seem to be in a stable state of mind right now. She held out the bandages that she planned to use in front of his eyes, waiting until she was sure he saw them. He growled slightly, but rested his head on the ground and stopped glaring at Kagome. She proceeded to remove the portion of his clothes that covered his torso and cleaned the very gory wound. She then took bandages and wrapped them around the hole in Inunobu's chest, being very gentle so as not to make the wound reopen. His breathing was ragged and he seemed to be losing consciousness. She finished the job on the wound and placed a blanket from her backpack over him.

'Inuyasha,' she said as she walked back over to the group, 'he should recover, just give him time. You really hurt him you know, after he killed the demon trying to get Shippo and I. He didn't deserve that.'

'Kagome don't tell me you're going soft on that monster! He was going to eat Shippo! He is not a good demon.'

Two and a Half Days Later

Inunobu awoke slowly. What happened to me? He glanced down at his chest after being unable to move and saw the bandages. Inuyasha. He glanced around the camp and saw that Inuyasha and the human girl were gone.

'So,' said a voice from behind his head, 'you've woken up. I'm sorry Inuyasha hurt you like that, but he just got so angry when he saw Shippo hurt.' Inunobu nodded. 'Please, if you would tell me your name, it would be easier for us. I'm Kagome.' She gestured over to the demon slayer, the monk, and the demon cat across the camp. 'The monk's name is Miroku, the demon slayer's is Sango, and that cat demon is named Kirara. Who are you?'

'Inunobu…' He spoke his own name and it sounded strange to him. It had been a very long time since he last spoke to a human.

Well at least we're getting somewhere. See, Inuyasha, talking works much better than fighting. 'Are you from around these parts? We have never seen you before. Where do you come from?'

'The Western Lands.'

Kagome looked at him with a growing curiosity. He was from the Western Lands? He did look a little like Sesshomaru, and that energy whip was similar as well. She was interrupted from her thought as he spoke again.

'If you are able, remove these sutras, I cannot move and the position I am in is very painful to my wound. I give you my word I will not harm you.'

Kagome now looked a bit cautious. If she removed the sutras, he would be free to move. Maybe he was just making all of this up to get back at the group for wounding him. Still, it did not seem like he was lying, and she had never gotten as much as a word from their in previous encounters.

'Kagome, I can sense that he is telling the truth,' Miroku announced as he approached them, 'I will remove the sutras.'

The monk walked steadily towards Inunobu. He knelt beside him and removed the four sutras covering each limb. Inunobu rose shakily to a sitting position, receiving no help because they were still unsure of his motives. He attempted to rise, but fell back down onto one knee, and he gave up and sat against a tree that was close by. He closed his eyes.

'Um…Inunobu? I promised that you could have some food remember? It has been almost three more days since you tried to…eat…Shippo. You must be hungry.' Kagome waited for him to nod before making her way over to the bag where she kept her snacks that she brought with her from the well. She figured Inuyasha would not approve of Kagome giving the Ramen away to Inunobu, so she settled on some potato chips and some rice balls wrapped in cellophane. She handed the food to the dog demon and waited until he had eaten to speak again.

'Why did you give me the jewel?'

'You asked for it, and I had no need for it.'

'Please forgive Inuyasha for hurting you; he doesn't know any other way.' She noticed he ignored the last request. Inuyasha sure doesn't get along with other dog demons that well at all.

Inunobu was still a little weak after another four hours of rest, but the pain had subsided and he was now preoccupied with the figure approaching in the distance. It was a certain half demon who wore all red clothes. He was running at full speed towards camp. Pitiful. He has no speed at all.

'What in the hell is this demon doing without his sutras? Are you guys stupid? He could rip you apart!'

'I gave them my word I would not harm them, Inuyasha.' Inuyasha looked amazed that this demon knew his name and shocked at the voice that came out of him. It had the same attitude as Sesshomaru's voice.

'I wasn't asking you demon!' Inuyasha yelled angrily.

'Inuyasha calm down. His name is Inunobu and he comes from the Western Lands,' Kagome said.

'The Western Lands? Do you know Sesshomaru?' Inunobu nodded.

At the Place of Naraku's Death

'My Lord it is Naraku; he is dead! Who could have done this?' asked a small green imp.

A tall figure emerged from the edge of the tree line. He was followed by a young human girl and a small two headed serpent. The figure took in the scene of destruction that lay before him. Naraku was on the ground in many pieces. Seeing as his body had not reformed, it must mean that he was in fact, dead. He took in the scent of the battlefield. His eyes widened in surprise. After at least 150 years, he had found a trace.

'Inunobu,' Sesshomaru said.

'What did you say my Lord? Who is that?' Jaken had heard the name mentioned once before, when he had returned with his master Sesshomaru to the Western Lands. But he could not remember the context in which he had heard it.

'He is my other half-brother, Jaken, and we will meet him soon.' He turned to leave when Naraku's flesh started to twitch in one place. Naraku's left arm began pulsing with an odd energy. Sesshomaru walked over to it and examined it. Is the annoying vermin still alive? No, I do not sense any life in him. Why then is his arm pulsing? As Sesshomaru came to a stop a foot from the left arm, it glowed. It was then that Sesshomaru recognized what it was. My uncle's left arm. I had heard he was slain by Naraku, and it seems the rumors were correct. Interesting, I think I will take this arm for myself. With that thought he knelt down and grabbed the arm and pressed it to the stump attached to his left shoulder. Immediately the arm attached itself to his body. Because he was related to the demon who used the arm, it was not deteriorating. Why did I not think of this sooner?

'We're going. Rin,' a young girl looked up at him, 'sit on Ah and Un, Jaken will take the reigns.' Jaken looked most disappointed

'Yes my Lord,' they both said, one enthusiastically and one half-heartedly.

Night Time On the Path to Kaede's Village, Days After Inunobu Awakened

Inunobu's wound had disappeared completely. As soon as it had healed he had removed himself from the company of those odd people. However, though he was not with them, he was following them. He did not know why, but he guessed that it was because his half-brother traveled with them. He may be a filthy half breed but he was the only one that Inunobu could perhaps speak with about Inu no Taisho. Sesshomaru was not one to talk to, and this half demon, once his defensive personality was calmed, could be very talkative at times. Of course, Inunobu had only seen him talk to the raven haired girl Kagome. He was too far away from the group to hear everything. From what he did catch with his ears, he determined that the girl was going home, wherever that was, and that she kept shouting the word "sit" at Inuyasha. That girl is so different; I imagine her home must be odd as well.

Kagome walked through the trees of the forest to a large clearing, still fuming about Inuyasha insisting that she stay in the Feudal Era with him at all times. That Inuyasha, he can be so infuriating sometimes! Inuyasha was keeping his distance behind her, and the rest of the group was with him.

'Kagome, if you're not back in three days I'm going to drag you back here. Do you hear me? Three days is what you get and not one damn day more!'

'Yeah, yeah.' Kagome sighed as she stepped further into the clearing and into Inunobu's sight. She was heading for what looked to be an old dry well. This girl lives in a well? What is she doing? The group was far enough away for Inunobu to be less careful with his movements. Kagome looked up suddenly as she heard a rustle in the trees. Kagome could not have heard me, her human ears are too weak. But she's not looking at me, she looking below me. He gazed beneath his perch to see a very anxious weasel demon running at Kagome. Inunobu sighed. The girl did dress my wound, the least I can do is save her this once. Inunobu shoved the idea that he had already saved her life once, and that it was her who should be repaying him. So much for going unnoticed…

'Give me the shards of the jewel, I must have them!' the weasel demon squealed as he ran forward. Kagome looked taken aback, since she had not seen the demon a moment ago. She reached for her bow and let loose an arrow. The demon dodged to the side and continued his assault. Kagome began to think that this was the end of her, until she caught sight of a flash of claws. Inuyasha? She looked above her in the trees to where the person had gone, and saw a face she had not seen for at least a week.

'Inunobu! Thanks for saving me…again.' She smiled sheepishly at the dog demon who was less that pleased that this mortal now knew he was following them. Inunobu followed us of his own free will. I can wait at least a little while to go home. Maybe his appearance means he will tell us more about himself. 'Why don't you come back to the camp with me Inunobu? You can tell us whatever you want to tell us there.' The dog demon merely frowned and dropped from the tree to follow her.

Camp

'Kagome, I thought you were going home!' Inuyasha rose from his seated position. She looks happy…is that bad?

'Inuyasha I found someone in the forest. I think he wants to say something to us.' Kagome pointed to a now-emerging Inunobu. He eyed Inuyasha warily, and Inuyasha did the same.

'Kagome, why did you bring him back here?' Inuyasha asked, sounding concerned. Kagome was touched by the tenderness of his voice when he spoke to her. 'What if we were wrong about him and he attacked you? I wasn't close enough to get to you if you got into trouble.'

'Inuyasha, I appreciate your concern, but he saved my life…again.'

Inuyasha looked in bewilderment at Kagome first and then at Inunobu. Thank you. Maybe I misjudged him; maybe we just caught him at a bad time when we last met. There was a silence among the group for a few minutes. Then, surprisingly, it was Inunobu who spoke.

'Inuyasha, I must tell you something before I go. You and I share the same father.'

'What?' the entire group responded.

'Inu no Taisho bore a son to a mortal woman 400 years before you. Inuyasha. I am that son.'

'I am sorry to interrupt,' said a confused Miroku, 'but how could your mother have been a human if you are a full demon? I do not understand.'

'I am getting there monk. As I was saying, our father produced a child before you. The mother was killed by her father, who did not approve of the relationship she shared with a demon. My father used some sort of magic to transform that son into a full fledged demon. Neither he, nor Sesshomaru told me how this was done. It made the child more like an animal than a demon, and he retained his half demon features,' he gestured to the dog ears on his head. 'I was not of any desire to know how this was done, knowing I would most likely despise the answer, but I must confess that I am now curious. I thought that perhaps you would know how a half demon may become a full demon.' That was simpler than I thought it would be. It is useless for me to harbor a grudge against Inuyasha; father's choices were his own. Inuyasha was a mere infant, not even aware of his own surroundings. If anyone is to blame it is that damned human mother Izayoi, but she is long dead.

'If you wish to know the answer,' said a cold voice, 'then I will tell you. The Shikon No Tama made you a full fledged demon. It is the very same jewel that the girl wears around her neck. Now that your conversation is ended, I do believe I have business to finish with you, little brother.'