Chapter 9-Love Chosen

(Previously in Chapter 8)

"Rin!" said Sesshomorru looking at the one on the figure left (his right) as he saw her face full of life and cheer as he remembered her.

"Kanna?" Kagura who was quite surprised to see her fellow incarnation here in this very castle with the other girl.

However, the most surprising thing that happened next blew everyone's surprise clear out of the water as the figure in the shadows of the room stepped forward allowing the light from the torches in the room to show his face and features to everyone. "Inuyasha!" said Sango whose heart went all a flutter when she saw his face even though she gasped when she saw the tattoos on his face.

"Hello Sango as well as everyone else here. Surprised to see me I take?" said Inuyasha as he proceeded to walk further past them with Rin and Kanna beside him as he gracefully sat on his throne with both girls standing on either side of the throne.

"Allow me to introduce our Master and Lord...Inuyasha the long lined descendant and reincarnation of Inuyasha: The Legendary Silver Fanged Phenom," said Voodoo who bowed as did the other druids, and Fang's dog pack.

(And now Chapter 9)

Inu...Inuyasha?" said Sango in disbelief that she unknowingly dropped her weapon from her hand without thinking.

"You were expecting Naraku or Kane?" said Inuyasha jokingly smiling and giving off a small laugh at seeing her shocked expression.

Kilala had gone from her attacking form into her little cat form in a heartbeat as she started to rush towards Inuyasha, only to be stopped by the much bigger dogs who didn't like cats and like those even remotely close to their master. "Let me pass! I wished to be with Inuyasha," said Kilala hissed in her animal tongue that only Shippo as well as Inuyasha understood though no one knew that the ruler of this home knew that he did.

"Dream on cat. No one here gets near our master unless he says so," said one of the dogs in animal tongue making Inuyasha frown slightly.

"Enough! Let Kilala pass. She has been by my side on more then one occasion and you will treat her with respect. OR ELSE!" said Inuyasha fluctuating some of his power from his throne making the room shake from such force as his eyes glowed a dangerous red making the dogs back in fear of the wrath he would unleash upon them.

Kilala though terrified for a second because of Inuyasha's power felt overjoyed that he let her near him and leaped on his lap snuggling and rubbed against his stomach as she let out purrs of affection towards him. Inuyasha patted her head and scratch her ears gently as only he could that made Kilala love him even more. It was a shame that not everyone in the room was thrilled to see him and give him such affection as every other guest to this natural fortress were all still in shock. Finally it was Sesshomorru who spoke up after eyeing Rin next to his brother that snapped him out of it. "Rin come to me now," said Sesshomorru as he wanted Rin by his side once more.

No! I'm staying here with daddy," said Rin definitely clinging to Inuyasha's left arm tightly surprising everyone in the room that Rin did and had openly defied Sesshomorru and had called Inuyasha "daddy".

"What?" said Sesshomorru as everyone else was thinking along those same lines though Kilala didn't really mind as she was content with her position with Inuyasha.

"You heard Rin my big brother. She wants to stay with her father as she has enough of her cold hearted and emotionless uncle," said Inuyasha as he used the same left hand Rin was afraid to let go of along his arm and patted her head reassuringly.

"What sorcery is this that you would have Rin stay with you and not me? The one that gave her a second life!" said Sesshomorru as he drew Tokijin while Inuyasha remained as calm as the wind.

"Sorcery? If you mean showing Rin how a real father acts, not spoiling her, and teaching her to be a true lady then that I suppose could be called sorcery as it does have a name. It's called love Sesshomorru. Love for a daughter as only a father can. Perhaps when you settle down and find the right woman to bare you children then you'll know. Till then don't even think about going near Rin...or Kanna," said Inuyasha threateningly making it clear to everyone in the room he would not let anything harm his children.

"Wait! Kanna is your daughter too!" said Kagura making half of the group jump in surprise as they had nearly forgot she was their.

"You sound surprised Wind Sorceress. Perhaps if you paid more attention to her recently you would know that Kanna wants nothing to do with Naraku," said Inuyasha as a gentle hand that was Kanna's squeezed his right hand making herself known to him making him squeeze her hand back.

"This is some sort of trick by Naraku Inuyasha. She is playing out her innocents like she was in trouble so you would show mercy to her. When you least expect it she will turn on you," said Miroku who started to walking forward only to stop after hearing a dangerous growl coming from the direction of Inuyasha as the said demon showed his teeth in a snarl.

"Look what you've done you fool it was bad enough to feel a small display of his power through him when he yelled at one of dogs from the pack, but now you will the death of us all," said Kagura as she stepped back cautiously getting her fan ready for defending herself.

Gently removing his hands from Rin and Kanna Inuyasha picked up Kilala, who mewed in sorrow at being removed from her warm spot on his lap. However, her mood changed when she was placed in Rin's gentle and caring hands. "Rin! Kanna! Go with Fang and his pack and leave the room. Rin you are to go with Serenity and continue your studies in the library with her. Kanna you are to go with Voodoo and have him train you in the arts of the druids as he will teach you a few things. Do you understand?" said Inuyasha in a quiet and serious voice of that was the calm before the storm.

Rin and Kanna nodded their heads immediately knowing full well from Inuyasha's talk with them several days ago after the incident with Inuyasha's training room how angry he really was when he used that tone of voice. "Yes father," said Rin and Kanna in unison as they hugged one of his legs each and ran to Fang and his pack who went into a tight nit group with Voodoo out of the room

After the Head of the Druids left and shut the door carefully Inuyasha struck before anyone could even register what had happened. One moment Inuyasha was there and the next...he was gone! Only to reappear after slamming his right shoulder into Miroku's side sending him into a pillar where after a snap from Inuyasha's fingers did a druid closest to the monk acted. Mumbling words the robed raised a hand a Miroku sending thorn filled vines from his robes to wrap around the perverted monk tightly digging into his clothing and then his skin. Miroku let out a scream as the thorns pierced his arms, legs, and around the mid area of his chest. Inuyasha then appeared before the monk, grabbed his head, and slammed it back against the pillar making Miroku wince in pain. The said monk could now see only through his one eye as Inuyasha's hands covered the other as well as the rest of Miroku's face as the monk's one eye stared into Inuyasha's two demonic red ones making the monk go pale. "Don't...you...accuse...or...insult...my...daughter...AGAIN!" said Inuyasha squeezing Miroku's head making Miroku scream in pain as the pressure wasn't exactly healthy for him.

"Inuyasha stop it he knows now," said Shippo who ran up to Inuyasha and grabbed his leg in a form of a hug to make the half-demon stop.

It must have worked because two LONG seconds later Inuyasha released his demon grip on Miroku and motioned for the druid who cast the spell on the monk to release it. It was then that after Miroku collapsed two druids came over to the man and picked him up to the medical area of the castle to be fixed. Inuyasha looked down at Shippo who had eyes laced with fear, happiness, and sorrow written over them. Inuyasha smiled a hearty and honest smile at the young fox demon before patting him on the head. "That's my son for you," said Inuyasha quietly as his eyes no loner glowed red, but went back to the red, yellow, and green like eye combination that showed tiredness in them.

"So...son?" said Shippo in disbelief at what Inuyasha just said to him now staring at him bug eyed, but in a happy and good type of way.

"Would I consider you anything less?" said Inuyasha picking up Shippo and giving him a fatherly hug that the fox boy greatly appreciated.

"Thank you Inuyasha! Thank you!" said Shippo as he was slowly, but finally getting the family he wanted in life that he had been deprived of for so long.

"Any time Kit. Anytime," said Inuyasha as he put Shippo down gently for the first time since...ever!

"All right enough of this family moment type crap! I want answers to what the hell is going on," said Koga who was getting impatient with Inuyasha as was Kagome who like her, didn't like this one bit.

"I'm afraid I must agree with the smelly wolf as well...to an extent Inuyasha. We deserve an explanation," said Sesshomorru who stilled had Tokijin in his hand though now it was slightly forgotten to him.

However, it wasn't to Inuyasha and decided in his infinite new wisdom to do something about it. "You want answers Sesshomorru? Fight me for them?" said Inuyasha calmly, but with a hint of aggression in his voice.

"What? You mind repeating that again?" said Koga who thought his hearing had left him for a moment.

"Come on Sesshomorru. A true warrior communicates with others through himself and his weapon that are an extension of him. You fight me like a true warrior you will have your answer," said Inuyasha reading Tetsuigia slightly along his waist.

Sesshomorru was no fool. Quite the opposite as he looked his brother right in the eyes calculating his chances of beating his brother this time around. Before it would have been no contest with the way he was and how he fought last time. Though had Inuyasha tried hard enough back then he probably would have made him sweat a couple of times and the fact that the Lord of the Western Lands had only one arm was proof of that. However, he couldn't refuse a challenge. Especially if it concerned his brother giving him the answers he needed could only be given through fighting him. "Very well I accept," said a calm, but cautious Sesshomorru as he had been both shaken and surprised by Inuyasha power and over how his younger half brother could wield it so easily.

Inuyasha took out Tetsuigia still in its sheathe and held it just below the hilt of the sword as he had yet to draw it to transform into the great sword that they all knew fully well existed behind it. "Let's see how could are you before I draw Tetsuigia," said Inuyasha as he stood he stood in front of Sesshomorru several feet away from his brother.

"Your overconfidence is your undoing Inuyasha," said Sesshomorru who horizontally slashed at Inuyasha with Tokijin at his half brothers head area.

(Elsewhere)

It had taken all this time to repair and strengthen his weapon that was his double bladed sword, but it was well worth it in Kane's mind. "My new and improved sword will soon spill blood in the form of a half-demon named Inuyasha," said Kane as he let the repaired end of the blade cool as he sat down to rest from recently attaching the new blade while it was still hot so it could mold in easier with the broken stem of its counter part.

(Back at the castle in the caves)

"CLANG!"

However, the blade never made it to his head area or near the neck as Inuyasha blocked it like he wasn't even trying with the hilt of Tetsuigia. Even more surprisingly Inuyasha did not even flinch or even waver at the strength of either Tokijin or Tetsuigia. "Your faith in your sword is yours," said Inuyasha calmly smiling at his brothers frustration as his big brother that was Sesshomorru swung again and again, only to be blocked by Inuyasha's sheathed Tetsuigia as that was blocking every attack as its half-demon master blocked by spinning on end it to meet the blade or with the hilt (being the other).

Sesshomorru was now getting annoyed as he tried some low swipes at Inuyasha's feet only for the said half-demon to take simple steps backwards as if they were nothing. Everyone could only look on in awe as Inuyasha for the first time ever was holding his own against a Tokijin wielding Sesshomorru with a sheathed Tetsuigia. Sango was the most impressed out of everyone with Kikyo being close to a tie with her and Shippo being a close third. 'Incredible' thought the three as Inuyasha dodged another attack and was now had himself back to back behind a surprised Sesshomorru.

Kagura just stayed silent and kept her face a mask of stone and observed this battle, but deep down she was silently cheering for Sesshomorru. 'Regardless who wins this contest I know both can help me be free from Naraku,' thought Kagura.

Kagome and Koga were not exactly thrilled by this and felt Inuyasha was a threat to them no matter how good his intentions were to killing Naraku. The fact was like most beings they had half-demons with a growing passion, which was why when they recovered all of the sacred jewel shards Koga was going to use it on Kagome to make her a full blooded wolf demon before having kids with her so they wouldn't have to have half-demon children of their own. Truth was they expected Inuyasha to do all the hard work and die in the process and though they would 'mourn' him after his death they would be celebrating inside knowing he was gone and the threat of him being too powerful was gone. That was another reason Kagome had kept the rosary on Inuyasha so long before Kikyo had unknowingly removed it during the fight above the waterfall. It was to keep Inuyasha in line and for him to know his place as their obedient servant whether he had wanted to be or not. 'This could be a problem,' the two thought as they looked at each other quickly knowing they were thinking the same thing.

Finally, Inuyasha had enough fooling around and got serious as he blocked yet another horizontal attack with authority like manner in the form of a spin before unsheathing Tetsuigia and stopped the blade right as touched Sesshomorru's neck drawing blood from it as well as pain, which registered to Sesshomorru he was defeated. "Do you yield?" said Inuyasha in a serious voice.

"Yes. I respectfully yield to you Inuyasha you are the stronger of us," said Sesshomorru who was slightly afraid when the pain in his neck registered to his brain did not have it in his voice.

"I accept your response...respectfully of course. Did you find the answers you seek?" said Inuyasha who smiled as he slowly removed Tetsuigia from Sesshomorru's neck and put it away in a single swordsman like manner.

"Yes. I don't know how you did that Inuyasha, but I now know what you have become and I couldn't be more proud of you as a brother until now," said Sesshomorru who for once showed a genuine smile to Inuyasha, which made very one except Inuyasha become shocked.

"Good. Meanwhile since its getting late in the day and I sense you are all hungry lets go to the dining are of this place and get something to eat," said Inuyasha in humble voice as he picked up Shippo who made a fist and punched air in excitement as he was famished.

"What about Rin and Kanna?" said Sango making everyone stop to think about the two children.

"If I know my Kanna she has been watching with her mirror and has now gone to inform Rin that were meeting for dinner in the dining hall," said Inuyasha who smiled at what seemed to be nothingness, but knew that somewhere in this castle that was his a little girl, holding a magic mirror, was walking to see her sister, and was smiling back at her father.

"Oh well if that's the case I guess we should go then," said Sango as she picked up her fallen weapon as she remembered she didn't have it in her hand when she had become shocked at seeing Inuyasha's knew form though she was rather pleased with it.

"Yes I would hate to keep my little girls waiting and to starve my only son so lets go and get some food. Follow me," said Inuyasha who snaked his arm around Sango's waist so easily she didn't know it was their till she realized Inuyasha was beside her and had a solid grip on the side of her waist with is clawed hand making her blush a vibrant red all across her face.

(Moments later)

Had Miroku seen this certain event between Inuyasha and Sango he would have been severely pissed by Inuyasha's actions. That is if he weren't already recovering from his assault from Inuyasha as well as the druid. After he was healed by the druid's magic he was told he along with the others would be eating in the dining hall. He was then escorted now to the dining hall by a flank of druids who didn't trust the holy man and were ready should he have tried something in anyway to disrupt the peacefulness of their master's heart. "Here it is," said one druid pointing to a door on his right that was one of several doors that could lead into the dining hall.

"Thank you druid I shall be entering to eat with my friends now," said Miroku in a polite manner as he limped ever so slightly towards the door only to be stopped by one of the druids.

"Word of warning monk. Watch your mouth and actions or they will get you killed faster then you can say 'Wind Tunnel'," said the druid making the threat easy to understand as the perverted holy man could only pale at the druids words knowing that if they wanted to kill him they could have.

"I shall be...mindful of this wise and...powerful druid. Thank you," said Miroku as he respectfully walked past the druids and into the room that was of average height and size. Nothing too exquisite, but still nice and well lit for everyone.

When he entered however he found he was the last one to enter the room as everyone was waiting for him to sit down so they could eat. Kikyo sat next Inuyasha on the left of him while Sango sat on the right each in a staring contest as both anted the affection of the host that was Inuyasha. Neither got it though as the winner of such attention came in a four way tie between Rin, Shippo, Kanna, and Kilala (little cat form) who were playing with each other in a game the three had made up in the little kiddy table Inuyasha had placed near his seat so he could watch as if he feared they be gone when he turned his head to see them next. Inuyasha mumbled in an audible whisper something under his breath before finally turning his attention to the two ladies he had harmlessly deprived of his affection for the others. 'I'm so lucky,' thought Inuyasha who mentally smiled evilly to himself as he smiled a charming smile outward to both ladies making both blush under his power.

Miroku saw that Sesshomorru was seated at the opposite end of Inuyasha at the table while Kikyo's reincarnation Kagome and her mate Koga sat an almost disrespectful length from Inuyasha. None of this mattered to Miroku...except with the fact that Sango was trying to be more caring towards Inuyasha then a normal friend would be. He was beginning to hate Inuyasha more and more as the thought of torturing the half-demon with his sutras became more appealing every second. That and having help in the matter of hurting Inuyasha wouldn't hurt him either as he sat next to Kagome who was next to Koga. It was no common knowledge that there was no love loss between Inuyasha and both Kagome and Koga. 'I will have to speak to Kagome and Koga tonight about getting rid of Inuyasha. I will not have him take Sango away from me as she is MINE!' thought Miroku as he silently gripped his staff tighter under his arm so no one would see him do it.

"Time to eat," said Inuyasha as he simply snapped his fingers and several female demon maids came out with trays of food for each of them with the exception of Kikyo who had told Inuyasha earlier that she could not eat as she was not able to due to her...condition.

However, Inuyasha told her it would be all right as he had the druids make her a special liquid potion and meal that she could eat that would increase her powers ability to last longer despite not having a complete soul and using soul collectors to stay alive. In fact according to Voodoo who had prepared the meal for Kikyo that she would it would make the souls she had already absorbed last longer then they normally would. "Thank you Inuyasha," said Kikyo giving him a quick kiss on the cheek making Sango glare at Kikyo with jealousy.

"Its all right Kikyo. After the dinner I need to talk to you in private about something important. Is that all right with you?" said Inuyasha calmly though he was internally nervous, but suppressed it knowing how important their conversation would be.

"Of course Inuyasha," said Kikyo calmly though she couldn't help, but wonder what they were going to talk about.

Kikyo wasn't the only one as Sango was wondering and slightly dreading that private conversation as well. 'I have to ease drop on them to find out what they are talking about,' thought Sango knowing that this could make or break her love for Inuyasha and she damn wasn't going to go back to that fool of a monk Miroku.

The dinner had been mostly quite from Kagome, Koga, and Miroku while Sesshomorru spoke to Inuyasha about him taking the title of the Lord of Western Lands since he was the stronger of the two demon brothers. Inuyasha respectfully accepted as it was both true and fair as he had been exiled for so long from home and now things would finally be set straight in their family. After the dinner Voodoo and Serenity took Rin, Shippo, Kanna, and Kilala to their massive room where everything was set up for the new additions to the family. Sango and the other with the exception of Kikyo (who had stayed behind with Inuyasha to talk in private) had been shown their rooms that were separate from each other much to Sango's happiness and Miroku dishearten hand. Now mere moments after everyone had turned in Sango sprung into action to find out where Inuyasha was to try and overhear his conversation with Kikyo. 'Now's my chance,' thought Sango as she had been snooping around for sometime only to hear voices that she knew belonged to that of Inuyasha and Kikyo.

"So Inuyasha what did you wish to speak to me about?" said Kikyo smiling innocently at him though one would have to be an idiot not to notice that she had a small sway in her hips as she walked towards him.

"I needed to talk to you about our relationship Kikyo," said Inuyasha and Sango could have sworn that his voice had lost some of its happiness.

Kikyo apparently noticed it to and frowned slightly, but kept her voice just as happy as before as she put both hands on each shoulder. "What about our relationship Inuyasha?" said Kikyo though she was starting to feel a slight worry in her heart.

"Kikyo I want you to know I love you with all that I am (Kikyo gasps), but...I'm afraid we cannot attain the true happiness from a romantic that we both desire and wish for. I'm sorry Kikyo, but I...I can't love you anymore in that way," said Inuyasha whose eyes were filled with sadness as was Kiyo's who felt her clayed heart crack and break in her chest.

"No! Inuyasha...I...I..." said Kikyo, but couldn't continue as she broke down crying in his chest holding him tightly as not to let him got.

"I'm sorry Kikyo. That kiss at the waterfall before I fell was in a way the beginning of the end to our relationship. This unfortunately, for the two of us in this relationship has reached an end. In fact, there is another...another who has stolen my heart and I cannot deny what I feel. Forgive me," said Inuyasha as he wrapped his arms around her body and kissed the top of her forehead.

"I...I forgive you Inuyasha. I know how many times you have forgiven me so I will forgive you as your heart is its own master. But even though our relationship is over I will forever...love you," said Kikyo who gave him one solid kiss on the lips and walked off pressing back the tears she thought she would never shed.

Meanwhile a certain demon slayer was shocked at what had transpired and though she wanted to run to Inuyasha and tell him everything she could see the hurt in his eyes and knew that later would be more ethical when the wound in his hearts wound had healed at the proper moment to tell him. 'I just have to play the waiting game,' thought Sango as she had plenty of time as Inuyasha was not going anywhere and she would make sure of it.

(A/N: Whasssssssss Uuuuuuuuupppppppppp! Hey everybody I'm back to deliver a major update once more to you as I know you've missed me. Come on you know you do or else I wouldn't have gotten so many people who have this on favorites, alerts, and reviewed my story. Any who I'll work on the next chapter eventually I have one more pain in the ass exam to take care of so I won't update again till AFTER Tuesday because I'm going to take a little one day vacation playing PS2.Also it helps give me inspiration. If you guys want to help I accept every and all suggestions as long as they are within reason. Who knows maybe at the end I'll surprise you all with this fic involving the whole Inuyasha, Sango, and Kikyo romance situation. No promises though. Just saying I might. Though my brain is burning up something for it. Don't forget to review. PEACE!)