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

Chapter 3

Family Reunion: Part Two

Both Inuyasha and Inunobu looked up at the voice that had spoken to them. Since they were both technically little brothers to him, he could have been talking to either of them. Inunobu knew better though.

'Sesshomaru!' said Inuyasha, angry with his older brother for not ever mentioning that he had another brother. 'What are you doing here?'

'Silence, Inuyasha, my business lies with our brother Inunobu. He seems to forget that he has a duty to carry out as prince of the Western Lands. I am here to bring him back. If he refuses, then I have no use for him, and I will slay him. Well, Inunobu, what do you say? Will you return when your Lord asks you to?

Inunobu glared at Sesshomaru. How can he treat me as an inferior? I am no half breed! If it is a fight that will solve this matter, then so be it. He cracked his knuckles. Sesshomaru's lips curved into a tiny arrogant smile. Meanwhile Inuyasha looked confused. He was sure something was being communicated between the two demons, but he was not sure what. Inunobu answered his question by making the first move.

You will not bring me back to that prison so easily Sesshomaru. Inunobu unleashed his light whip at Sesshomaru, and Sesshomaru responded by blocking it with his own. Sesshomaru coolly stared down his opponent as he drew Tokijin.

'So, your response is no. Very well, then you may die!' Sesshomaru's sword flashed in the air for a split second before giving off a wave of destructive blue energy. Inunobu smiled evilly as he jumped over the wave and lunged in midair at Sesshomaru, poison glowing on his claws. He slashed at Sesshomaru's chest, which the demon lord easily dodged. Sesshomaru's gotten even faster, this could be a problem. Sesshomaru gracefully moved behind him and tried to impale him. Inunobu ducked, pivoted with his hands on the ground, and delivered a swift kick to Sesshomaru's abdomen.

'Incredible!' Miroku commented. 'They are both powerful indeed. Inunobu is at a large disadvantage fighting unarmed though.'

A beastlike growl was heard above Miroku's talking, and attention was redirected to the battle. Inunobu stabbed with his claws at Sesshomaru's face, and the older demon dodged backwards, doing a reverse somersault, a move that would have been impossible without his recently acquired left arm. While upside down on one hand he slashed Tokijin and caught Inunobu across the thigh, drawing blood. Both demons jumped back for a break.

'Sesshomaru, where'd you get the other arm? Don't tell me I have to cut another one off,' taunted Inuyasha from the sidelines. Sesshomaru looked extremely annoyed at this comment.

'Are you telling me that a mere half breed took one of your arms, brother? I thought you were better than that.' Inunobu joined in the taunting of his opponent, but wondered how Inuyasha succeeded in removing the first arm.

'Silence. You are both half breeds to me.'

Inunobu's gaze hardened as he attacked again. Sesshomaru was an extremely skilled swordsman, far beyond what Inunobu had seen 200 years ago. He blocked every strike, whether it was from a claw or from the light whip. Inunobu decided to test this swordsmanship. He jumped off the ground and began to spin, letting loose a light whip from each hand and allowing them to swirl around him like ribbons of glowing red. This spinning attack hit Sesshomaru once, drawing blood at the base of his neck. All of the other attacks were blocked. Damn it, how can I win this without a sword of my own?

Inunobu's movements are reasonably fluid, and there are no openings, but there must be something. Sesshomaru watched Inunobu twirl with the whips attacking from every direction. There! He saw an opening between the light whips, and he brought his left hand into a fist and smashed it into Inunobu's face, sending him sprawling along the ground. Sesshomaru took full advantage of this. He held Tokijin horizontal to the ground and parallel to his body.

'Dragon Strike!'

Inunobu looked up to see enormous streaks of lightning radiating from Sesshomaru's sword. The ground splintered into thousands of pieces as the lightning merged into one bolt, and headed in Inunobu's direction. The lightning shaped itself further into a giant dragon head followed by a very long slim body. Inunobu had a mere split second to react. Damn, what in the hell is that? I can't stop it…the only thing I can do is minimize the damage it does to me. I will jump right through that lightning dragon's mouth.

Sesshomaru looked on through the destruction his own attack caused. There was a chance that Inunobu was still alive, but a very small chance that he was able to still fight. Fool, he may have gotten stronger than he was when I last saw him, but he had no where near the power to attack Tokijin without a weapon of his own, much less when I, Sesshomaru, am his opponent. He looked through the chaos to see, much to his surprise, a very singed looking dog demon emerge from the lightning storm. He was too close to block Inunobu completely. Sesshomaru blocked one of his clawed hands with Tokijin, and the other slashed through his armor and clothes, and proceeded to wound his chest. The wound is not that serious, and I believe he was injured more than I, Sesshomaru thought. His assumptions were correct.

Inunobu stood poised for another attack after he had hit Sesshomaru with his claws. Damn, I'm not going to last much longer. I can barely keep my eyes open. He decided to take advantage of Sesshomaru's recovery time and escape. I cannot go back to the Western Lands, I won't. He used his whip one last time to make a good-sized cloud of dust then turned and leapt. He landed on the ground at least 60 feet away before he felt something burn across his ankle. He looked down, and to his dismay, found Sesshomaru's green light whip wrapped around it, emerging from the dust cloud. Sesshomaru has such an excellent sense of smell. He felt himself be pulled backwards.

Inuyasha, Kagome, Shippo, Sango, and Miroku looked in awe at the destruction the demon conflict had produced. They had a view of both sides of the dust cloud created by Inunobu. On one side they saw Sesshomaru, hand extended with a green whip connected Inunobu's leg, on the other side. Sesshomaru made a flipping motion with his wrist and it caused Inunobu to be flown backwards.

Inunobu, I do not wish to kill you, yet. If you have truly found a place among these ingrate humans and that half breed, then you may live. I will not allow, however, one of my father's sons to become a wanderer, savagely eating any hapless creature that passes its way. You will be punished. Sesshomaru waited for Inunobu to get close enough, and impaled him through torso, deliberately missing all vital organs. Inunobu's body lurched; he was positioned in a very shaky standing position in front of Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru looked into the eyes of one of his younger brothers, which were starting to glaze over. Black hung on the edges of Inunobu's blurred vision. Inunobu allowed himself one last gasp of a breath before slumping against Sesshomaru's shoulder, then falling to the ground. Tokijin slid out of Inunobu's body slowly as he fell. The demon was clearly unconscious from Sesshomaru's perspective, and it looked to Inuyasha as though he was dead.

Sesshomaru spoke, 'You,' addressing Kagome, Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo, 'does my brother have a place amongst you? I will not allow him to be a savage wanderer, it tarnishes the family name. If he indeed travels with you, I will spare his life. If he was merely passing by and your meeting was coincidence…he will die.'

'Inunobu is traveling with us now. He is not savage Sesshomaru. If you had taken the time to get to know your own brother you would know that.' Kagome defended.

Inuyasha cast a questioning glance at Kagome. He did not like the prospect of this demon staying near them, but Inunobu most likely new as much about their father as Sesshomaru, and he would be willing to talk about Inu no Taisho. Fine, he can stay, but I reserve the right to kill him. Miroku and Sango gave similar glances, and Shippo's was one of fear. He did not want to be thought of as food ever again.

'Very well, I shall take my leave,' said the Lord of the Western Lands casually.

One Week After the Battle

Inunobu opened his eyes very slowly. His head felt awful, and his body felt even worse. He took in his surroundings. He was sitting beside a burned out campfire, and he estimated it to be about midmorning. He noticed that he had no clothes to cover his upper body. The must have been drenched in blood. He winced as he recalled the beating he had suffered at Sesshomaru's hands. It was no wonder their father chose him to be the next Lord of the Western Lands. His limbs felt like dead weights. For the first time he noticed Miroku and Sango talking to each other. They were facing Inunobu, while Kagome, Inuyasha, and Shippo faced away. Sango rose and started rummaging through Kagome's large yellow bag. How does a girl of her size carry something like that? Inunobu thought about what could be in the bag until he was interrupted by a voice,

'Oh, so you're conscious,' Sango practically whispered to the injured demon. She was worried he might become agitated in the company of so many new people. 'You've been out for about a week. You should try to be more careful when you go into battle.' Her voice was warm. Why does she treat me like I am one of the group? This must be Kagome's doing. Inunobu made a move to get up.

'No. You must not move yet, your injuries are very serious.' She placed one hand on his chest to stop him from rising. He made an effort to speak, but found that he lacked the energy. The most he could do was stare at her. 'I will tell the others you are awake, and don't worry about Inuyasha, Kagome threatened him and he agreed not to question you about anything until you are good and ready.'

Inunobu gave her a questioning look. Threaten him? What could Kagome do to Inuyasha? The thought of a young woman holding power over a 200 year old half demon was amusing. He would have to see this for himself.

Soon the entire group was aware of his awakening. They stood their distance but watched him intently. He noticed that nothing held him to the ground this time. No sutras. These humans cannot possibly trust me. What have I done to earn it? He waited a while before he felt like he had the strength to speak.

'Where is…Sesshomaru?' he asked very softly.

'Gone. He left after he stabbed you.' Kagome replied.

Sesshomaru was not easily sidetracked from his goal unless he found something that suited all of his needs, and such a thing was rare. It is not possible for the group to have fought him off. They only faced him with one arm, he imagined, in their previous encounters with the Lord. With that sword, he was damn near invincible.

'How?' was Inunobu's next question.

'How did we get Sesshomaru to leave?' she asked. He nodded. 'Well, the only thing he wanted was to make sure that you had some attachment or claim somewhere, and that you were not ruining your fathers name by acting like a savage beast.' That sounded to me like I was accusing him. I wonder if it came across that way.

'You mean like trying to eat wandering fox children?'

Yep, definitely came across that way. She wondered if he understood exactly what she had just said. Sesshomaru meant that, if he ever saw Inunobu alone in the forest, jumping from tree to tree looking for meals, Sesshomaru would kill him. I would think that Sesshomaru would want to preserve what was left of his family, especially Inunobu, who was a full demon.

'Attachment? Does that mean…I must stay here with you people?' I do not fear Sesshomaru, in fact, without that sword there is not guarantee he would have won. That was one hell of an attack.

'And what is so bad about staying with people who are willing to patch you up when you're injured, Inunobu?' Miroku questioned. Inunobu smirked. This human addresses me so casually, and under any other circumstance, I would rip him to pieces. A rush of pain burned through his body as he adjusted his position to what he believed would be a more comfortable seating arrangement. The pain seized him and he toppled over and slumped on the ground. For a few minutes, no one moved.

'What are you people doing? Can't you see he needs help to get up?' was all Inunobu heard as a pair of arms hoisted him back up into a seating position. 'Sango,' Inuyasha said, 'you are the closest so come here and hold him upright till he comes to all the way!' Sango obeyed slowly. She sat directly behind Inunobu and steadied his shoulders. Miroku, who was now seated, took full advantage of the situation, and began to softly caress Sango's backside. Her face became redder and angrier by the second. She was both blushing very deeply and getting very angry.

'Miroku…this isn't the time or the place. We are trying to make Inunobu feel comfortable here. He no doubt feels very insecure being so weak in our presence. We do not want him to think us odd!'

'Oh, don't worry about that, you were strange the second I saw all of you,' said an amused looking Inunobu to Sango. The rest of the people standing around them looked amazed that Inunobu was even capable of a sense of humor, let alone be able to make a joke. A very tired Inunobu started to speak again.

'Sango, thank you, but I am fine.' With that said Sango grabbed her giant boomerang the hiraikotsu, and proceeded to chase an already fleeing Miroku around the camp. Before he lapsed into unconsciousness again, Inunobu asked one last question.

'Where…did Sesshomaru get that sword?'

'The Tokijin,' this time it was Inuyasha who spoke up, 'came from the fangs of a demon that broke my Tetsusaiga, it was recent, within the last year.'

Tetsusaiga? The Tetsusaiga? The blade that can kill one hundred enemies with one sweep of its blade is here? For the first time he noticed that the sword strapped to Inuyasha's waist was indeed the Tetsusaiga. No wonder Sesshomaru hated Inuyasha; he had been after that sword ever since he learned of what it was capable of. Well, that and the Sounga. He had already noticed that Sesshomaru wore Tenseiga.

'What happened to the Sounga?'

'I,' Inuyasha proclaimed triumphantly, 'banished it to hell…with a little help from Sesshomaru.' Inunobu laughed a little at first before allowing himself to be engulfed in a much needed sleep.

The Next Day

'Inuyasha,' Kagome whispered to the half demon as they stood over Inunobu's sleeping figure, 'do you think Inunobu will be able to move around much when he wakes up?'

'How the hell should I know? Just because he's my brother doesn't mean I know him. I mean, I didn't even know he existed until just recently!'

'Well, you are half dog demon; don't you know how fast you heal?' Kagome responded,

'Yeah well I've never been hit with that attack without anything to protect me from it. At least Tetsusaiga's sheath would have helped me. I wouldn't have jumped right into the damn thing.' Inuyasha began to think for a moment. Maybe Inunobu could have won if he had the Tokijin. The fact that the Dragon Strike from Sesshomaru had not completely incinerated him is amazing as it is.

'Inuyasha,' whined a tiny fox demon on his shoulder, 'maybe if you had tried to stop the fight instead of standing there like an idiot, then we wouldn't be in this mess!'

'Shut up runt.' Inuyasha knocked Shippo off his shoulder, and to the fox's dismay, he landed right on top of the resting Inunobu's chest. Out of reflex, Inunobu's hand shot out and grabbed Shippo's tail. Shippo screamed loudly, awakening the demon. Inunobu immediately released his grip when he realized what he had done.

'AAAAH, D-DON'T EAT M-ME!' Shippo scrambled across the camp and scurried up a nearby tree. Inunobu opened his eyes, noticing that the pain from before was now a very tiresome ache. He clutched at his throbbing, but not bleeding, chest to brace himself as he stood up. That turned out to be a mistake, as he was still very lightheaded. He stumbled and forcefully leaned back against a tree to stop himself from falling over. When the people around him saw what was happening, they surrounded him and attempted to hold him up, with the exception of Inuyasha and a still petrified Shippo.

These mortals continue to help me as though I am a pathetic child. I will not stay with them and I will fight Sesshomaru if I have to. 'Get away from me!' Inunobu snarled. Sango, Miroku, and Kagome stopped, and gave helpless glances to the struggling dog demon. They were frozen in poses that seemed half decided to help Inunobu, and half afraid of being attacked.

'I don't need any help from you. Can't you see I am fine?' he spat, then let out a small cough. As if to warn them further, he lifted the hand from its resting position on the top of his bandages and let his claws glow green with poison.

'Inunobu! You are staying with us for a while and you better get used to it. I vouched for you when Sesshomaru was going to kill you. Just shut up and sit down. If you want to leave after you have recovered then be my guest.' Kagome spoke in a very serious tone. He's just as stubborn as Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. It must be a genetic thing. I can't even begin to imagine what his father was like.

Inunobu lowered his glowing claws in defeat. Damn it Kagome, what the hell is wrong with you. I have done nothing but cause trouble. I should have just made a meal of her that day I gave her the jewel. If I had known she would be such a pain…but…could I really possibly be accepted here? I cannot deny that I am alone but is my fate to be thrown in the company of humans? He resolved to think more later. He did not want to ruin his chance of being able to stay, if it turned out that he wanted to. He shakily made his way over to the roasting meat on the fire, this time not denying the help offered by the humans.

A Few Days Later

Inuyasha and friends walked steadily towards Kaede's village…again. Kagome had an important test she needed to return for. Inuyasha stood at the head of the group, sulking as usual because Kagome needed to leave again. Kagome walked with a bright pink bicycle; a bored looking Shippo in the front basket. Miroku and Sango walked near each other, much to Miroku's delight. Last, trailing at least thirty feet behind the companions was a silent Inunobu. His arms were crossed on his chest, and he stared off into nothingness, wondering how it was that he was still staying with these people. His wound had healed, but he still remained as a member of the traveling party. Kagome, Sango, and Miroku were on good terms with the demon, although they did not carry out many conversations. Inuyasha glared at Inunobu a lot, and Shippo was still afraid of being eaten to go anywhere near Inunobu. These had been the travel arrangements for at least two days. Inunobu did not know where they were going; he imagined it was wherever Kagome lived, since she said that she needed to go home. He had dismissed the idea of Kagome living in a well.

They neared the Bone Eater's Well, but Inunobu had no idea that the well was the destination. He was still thinking. I don't remember Sesshomaru ever being that strong. Whenever he fought a couple hundred years ago, he would always win by staying one step ahead of his opponent. Not that he wasn't strong then either. But that Dragon Strike…damn…I have to find a way around that. Perhaps if I had a sword of my own…

'Alright, I'll see you guys later. I will be back in a couple of days. Well bye…Inuyasha what are you doing?' Kagome stopped mid sentence when she noticed Inuyasha getting ready to jump in the well with her.

'Kagome don't tell me you've forgotten something that important! I'm going to grab another box of Ramen to bring it back! If your memory is that bad it's no wonder you complain about how badly you do on these tests.'

'Why you…you…I'll…SIT!' Inuyasha crashed into the ground face first.

Inunobu stared wide eyed at the subdued half demon. How did Kagome do that? Was she a sorceress or something? If she possessed some kind of magic then she could probably do the same thing to me. Kagome, meanwhile, had noticed the expression on Inunobu's face.

'Oh, sorry, I guess you've never seen this before Inunobu. You see those beads around Inuyasha's neck? They are called-'

'Nenju beads of subjugation,' Inunobu interrupted. 'Inuyasha, how could you possibly allow yourself to become ensnared in a human trap like this?'

'Ah shut up bastard, it's not like I wanted these!'

Kagome sighed. 'Ok well come on Inuyasha lets go.' They dropped into the well and out of sight. At this point, a very confused looking Inunobu rushed to the side of the well to see if they had survived the fall without injuring themselves.

'What…what happened to them? Where have they gone?' Inunobu demanded.

It was Miroku who spoke up. 'Kagome lives on the other side of this well. Inside it is a magical portal that transports her into her home era, 500 years in the future from this day. Strangely Inuyasha and Kagome are the only ones who can pass through the gateway.' He explained all of this to a still very confused demon. He thought the matter over in his head on the walk to Kaede's hut.

As they remaining members of the group walked into town, the villagers pointed and stared at Inunobu. He was becoming very angry, and he turned his back to the village. Kaede walked out of her hut to greet them. She approached Miroku, Sango, Shippo, Kirara, and a figure whom she assumed to be Inuyasha.

'The village welcomes all of ye back. I hope ye have fared well in thy travels. Inuyasha,' she asked the figure, 'why has ye changed ye clothes to white? I believed that the Red Robe of the Fire Rat was like armor to ye. Inuyasha? Why do ye ignore me?' Inunobu, who was now listening, realized that the woman was talking to him. By her voice, he could tell she was very old, that and her scent. He turned around to find a short, plump, old priestess, with an eye patch covering her right eye.

'Are you speaking to me, priestess?' Inunobu asked in a very cold, unfeeling voice. He deliberately locked eyes with the priestess and sent her a very cold and calculating stare. Kaede became very alarmed.

'Who are ye? Where is Inuyasha?'

'Lady Kaede,' Miroku began, 'this is Inunobu, he is Inuyasha's other half brother. Kagome and Inuyasha went back through the well. Inuyasha will be back in a few minutes and Kagome in a few days.'

'I see,' Kaede stated, still eyeing the new demon carefully. She thought to herself. I will keep a close watch on this demon, he does not seem right.

In Kaede's Hut

'So, ye are a full demon born of the Shikon no Tama. My sister was also a priestess, and she guarded the jewel until her death. As you are probably aware, Inuyasha hunts for the Shikon Shards and for the demon Naraku. Fifty years ago Naraku pitted Inuyasha and my sister Kikyo against each other and it resulted in Kikyo's death. Inuyasha was sealed to the Goshinboku. Naraku is a wicked demon indeed,' Kaede finished.

'Naraku was a wicked demon Lady Kaede.' Miroku revealed his right hand and she gasped when she saw it had no Wind Tunnel. 'Inunobu killed him, and Kagome has Naraku's shards.'

'That is indeed wonderful news. Ye must allow the village to throw a celebration.'

'I have one question,' everyone turned to look at Inunobu as he spoke, 'what is it that allows Kagome to go through that well?'

'Kagome is the reincarnation of my sister Kikyo, and thus the Sacred Jewel was reborn in her. As long as she has the jewel she may travel back and forth between realms. Why do ye ask?'

'No reason.' I must be able to go through that well. When my father used the Shikon no Tama on me, its power was transferred to my body. If it is indeed the jewels power that the well draws on, I should be able to pass. 'I will return in a moment.' Inunobu stood up and walked out of the hut. Once he was far enough so that the people in Kaede's hut could not see him he stopped. At least there is one use for this ridiculous ability I possess. I will need it to pass through the well unsuspected. Light began to surround Inunobu in an orb-shaped ball. He emerged from the ball of light, and rushed off into the trees to find the well. I will have to wait for Inuyasha to return, he would never allow me to pass into that gateway without a fight. But it is no matter; the offer is too enticing; seeing the world 500 years in the future, he thought as he ran, gathering speed. He realized the running was making him thirsty so he diverted his course to where he smelled fresh water. He emerged into the part of the forest that housed the river, and froze.

Sango the demon slayer filled up the strange see-through containers that Kagome had brought back some days earlier. They were very lightweight and convenient. I think Kagome called them water bottles. Her era must be so interesting. She looked up and dropped the bottle. Before her stood a vicious looking dog, the same size as any typical wild dog. The canine's eyes were a liquid golden color, and almost seemed to give off a light of their own. The dog carefully and silently approached the water's edge, eyeing Sango dangerously. He lowered his mouth to the river and drank slowly. As soon as he was done he ran back into the forest in a blur of speed.

I am almost at the well. I can see Inuyasha walking back to the place where I left Miroku and the others. He can't pick up my scent when I am downwind. As soon as Inuyasha vanished from sight Inunobu leapt to the well's edge. He waited a moment before jumping in, sure that the well would take him. He grinned inwardly to himself when a purple light engulfed him.

A/N: Another chapter completed. I have a ton of time to kill at home so I will try and update daily. I plan on making all chapters as long as they have been so far if not longer. Thanks for reading.