Author Note: Wow these chapters are popping up like dandelions! I've had a brainstorm like you wouldn't believe, which is good for you guys since that will mean more frequent updates! So now, enjoy ch. 31! :D

Mother May I

Kikyou stood behind Inuyasha, apprehension weighing heavily on her mind. Never did she think she would meet the great Lady Izayoi, Inuyasha's mother and the Inu no Taishou's second mate.

I wonder what she's like! I mean, she's Inuyasha's mother, so does that mean she loathes humans as much as him, or does she tolerate them? Is she cruel and cunning or passive and manipulative, like Ukitake-sama?

Inuyasha stood before her, sniffing the air and gazing at the clouds. His eyes finally focused on one particularly large cloud with a strange hue. "There," he pointed.

Kikyou looked at the cloud with confusion and repeated, "There?"

"Yeah, Mother's castle constantly moves. It's like a protection thing my old man did for her before he left."

"Inuyasha…I'm sure you have already noticed, but…I can't fly," she gave him a look.

"Hehe, well I can. If you ask nicely, I might even let you hold onto my feet," he smirked at her.

Kikyou just stared at him and lifted a brow, "You were going to carry me anyways, so why should I ask nicely?"

"Tch, you ain't never heard of courtesy have ya? Well fine, we'll do things the hard way!"

The big taiyoukai stomped over to the woman and promptly slung her over his shoulder.

"No! Not this agai—"

Inuyasha vaulted into the sky at a neck-breaking speed. Kikyou tried to fill her air with lungs, but the altitude was beginning to affect her weak human senses.

"Inu-ya-ya-sha! Not so-so fa-fast!" she stuttered, gasping for breath.

"Huh?" Inuyasha looked over his shoulder and quickly halted his pace. "Oops, sorry! Forgot humans can't breathe well up here."

The man reached for her waist, then lowered her until she was loosely pressed against his chest. Her arms firmly grabbed his armor, as the fact that they were floating hundreds of feet in the air set in.

"Don't drop me," she squeaked, looking at him with imploring eyes.

Inuyasha was taken aback, before a small smile spread across his lips as he adjusted the woman to fit more comfortably against him. "You won't escape me that easily, ugly."

When the two finally reached the cloud, Kikyou let out a heavy sigh of relief. Inuyasha gently set her on her feet, keeping a hand at her arm to steady her, in case she fell.

"Thank you," she whispered. "You could have handed me over to Naraku, but you brought me here, to…keep me safe."

A small blush crept into Inuyasha's cheeks as he turned away from her. "Well, I dunno about safe, but… I don't trust Naraku, and if you're here…he can't get to ya." Inuyasha glanced back at her and gave her a warning glare before growling low, "But mind your tongue, wench. Mother isn't too keen on disrespect, got it?"

Well, that wasn't very reassuring. Could she possibly be even worse than Inuyasha?!

Just as Kikyou's mind drifted into panic mode, the large, wrought-iron gates that marked the entrance to Izayoi's castle slowly opened, revealing a bowing man dressed as a vassal.

"Inuyasha-dono, we weren't expecting you to visit so soon," the man said with little trace of emotion.

"Cut the crap, Takemaru. I need a favor from mother, so hurry up and take us to her, will ya?"

The man named Takemaru glanced at Kikyou and blinked. "I see," he said, his tone dropping slightly. "Follow me," he sighed as he spun on his heels and headed towards the beautifully ornate fortress that housed one of the most powerful youkai to ever come into existence.

The audience chamber alone was impressive, but the commanding figure seated at the center made the whole effect an intimidating experience. Lady Izayoi sat regally on a shinning silver throne in the shape of a moon, raised on a platform. The demoness starred down at her visitors with cool eyes. She raised one elegant brow as Inuyasha stepped forward.

"Mother…" he grumbled.

The beautiful lady let her guard down and sighed heavily. "Inuyasha, you haven't seen your mother in centuries! Come here and let me get a good look at you," she smiled sweetly.

The taiyoukai looked unsure, but slowly made his way to her throne and knelt beside her.

"Dear, it's been so long! I've missed my little boy," she stood up and giggled, before one perfectly manicured hand came up and slammed into his cheek, effectively throwing the big man to the ground.

"IS THAT WHAT YOU THOUGHT I'D SAY, YOU UNGRATEFUL LITTLE BRAT!" She sat back down with a huff, then turned her attention to Kikyou.

The girl had watched the scene with budding horror. She'd only ever seen Sesshomaru teach the taiyoukai a lesson, but this fearsome lady certainly made the duo's deadly fights look like a friendly tussle.

"I'm sorry you had to see such an unsightly scene, my dear." Her sweet smile had returned as she gazed at Kikyou with adoring eyes the color of a fresh blooming rose. "Come hither, little girl. I promise I won't bite."

Kikyou hesitantly walked to the throne and bowed low to the beautiful taiyoukai. Lady Izayoi had hair as black as the night and skin as smooth as silk. Two thin stripes, the color of coral, decorated her cheeks, and her eyelids bore the same mark. The gorgeous woman held out her hands and took Kikyou's as if she were a dear friend.

"Such a polite thing, and so young and beautiful, too. What grievance has my disappointment of a son done to thee?" she asked with true concern.

"I ain't done nothin to her!" Inuyasha growled, sitting up and rubbing his red cheek. "I brought her here for you to watch her!"

"Now why would she need watching, hmm? Tell me the whole story, pup," Lady Izayoi asked cooly.

Inuyasha grumbled, but relayed the entire tale of his alliance with Naraku, and their battle with Sesshomaru's group.

Lady Izayoi sighed heavily before saying, "Inuyasha…I can well understand your rivalry with your brother, but involving yourself with this plotting hanyou is something I do not approve of. And to kidnap a girl of all things! I know I taught you better, young man."

"That's why I want you to take care of her till I come back, Mother. She's safer with you than with me."

"So you plan to confront him, do you? Have it your way, then. Just…be careful dear."

Kikyou saw, in that moment, what made Lady Izayoi such a fierce opponent, and a caring mother. She prided herself on trust, but she gave fair and careful warning when needed.

"Izayoi-sama, thank you ever so much," Kikyou said warmly.

"Why, you are no trouble at all, dear. I don't get very many visitors, so it will be nice to have someone to talk to besides Takemaru." Lady Izayoi patted the hand she was still holding, before turning back to her son.

"Go, then, and may the strength of your father be with you!" she commanded as the taiyoukai bowed and swiftly exited the castle.