Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters.

A/N: Trigger Warning: There will be small references to miscarriages here and there from now on. I'll put another note when we'll be approaching the heavy and uncomfortable stuff.

Chapter Forty-Two: Confrontations

"What do you want to do, Sesshomaru?" Kimi asked her son. They were currently in his office, he was facing the opened window and seemed lost in thought. She could sense that being away from the girl so shortly after their mating was taking its toll on him; his instincts, much like his brother's a couple of hours before, were going haywire.

Even if Sesshomaru was trying to hide it, he just wished he could have stayed more with Rin, especially because she was now carrying his pup and he had to be sure they were both safe.

The dog demon kept reminding himself that they were fine next to Inuyasha and his mate. Besides, at the moment the safest place was their village and since Rin was still a human, Kagome would have been able to check on her better than any healer that was at the palace; they didn't know how a human body worked, they had never needed it. Jaken had reported to him Kagome had been busy checking on her health as soon as Rin had got off from Ah-Un. It was her job among humans; he would let her do it.

However his mother didn't know anything that was currently ailing her son, she could only presume his restlessness was due to his recent union. After all, every newly mated couple tend to spend the first month always together, rarely separating because they knew it could affect their relationship. But Sesshomaru didn't have a choice; he had his duties as Inu-no-Taisho, duties he had already put aside to spend more time with Rin and make sure she got pregnant so soon.

If Kimi had known the girl was already pupped, would not have believed the strength of will that her son was currently demonstrating. No other demon could remain so composed and focused in this kind of situation, but then, Sesshomaru was no common demon. He had not inherited the passion and fervour that had ignited Toga, which she saw every time in Inuyasha. He was aloof and detached, the same features that had driven her late mate away from her in the first place.

"We are going to talk with Noboru," he declared, still not turning to his mother, "maybe my dear uncle will let me know why he wanted to destroy my lands."

"Well, well, if those aren't my favourite nephew and sister," Noboru cool voice reached their ears as soon as they put a foot in the dungeons. He seemed to be fine with his current location and didn't appear fazed at all; he welcomed them as if they had come to take a cup of tea with him or discuss inane matters. But Kimi knew that his brother could never keep his cold facade in the heat of the moment, contrary to Sesshomaru. Right now, however, she was highly aware of how the three of them were similar under those aspects: they were ice against the intensity that inanimated the majority of demons in those lands, they know how to school their feature perfectly so that they didn't give away what they were thinking to the enemy, their auras weren't warm and keep others at distance. Only a few selected ones were given the possibility to see what was behind the well-constructed mask and they were particularly careful to choose them.

Her brother looked straight in her eyes and she couldn't read anything in his eyes, not even the hate Kimi knew Noboru held for her since the day he had found out she wasn't bonded with Toga. She found herself therefore thinking: had she ever truly known her brother? Had he ever taken off his mask in her presence? Even before they had arrived at the palace and his petty schemes had intruded on their relationship, had he ever allowed her to truly look into his eyes?

"Uncle," the air grew even colder after just one word Sesshomaru uttered, "are you having fun?"

Noboru shrugged. "I had better. These guards are of no company; you could have told Katsuro to set a more appropriate entertainment," he suggested.

"It means I will have to refer to him your discontent," his nephew indulged him, "but for now you will have to make do with my company and that of your sister."

"Suit yourself; these ratholes have enough space for you too. I just hope you won't have to ruin your pristine garments," he mocked.

"You have always been so funny, brother" Kimi commented offhandedly, "was your intent to make us laugh as well when you gathered outside forces to attack this valley as soon as Sesshomaru left it?" Her son glared at her to let her know that he was the know who was going to conduct the questioning, Kimi rolled her eyes.

"Laugh? Oh, I haven't seen anyone laugh nor am I responsible for this unfortunate attack. I've kept myself away from those barbarisms; you know I've never been the fighting type, after all," he replied completely at ease.

"Yes, because you have always preferred to spend time articulating conniving schemes."

"Even that, dear uncle, could be considered as treason. After all, you are required to defend your lands if the need arise and you are a fierce dog demon; you should show all of your strength against the enemy. But then, again, I am sure you have shown what plan your calculating mind can concoct. How long have you been thinking about taking away this reign from me, uncle? Before or after Inuyasha became my heir? Did you feel inferior because a half-demon has more power than you, a priestess has more power than you? It must have been a hard blow for you. Pity you could not show us your real strength," Sesshomaru taunted him. He knew that even if Noboru was cold and composed most of the time, he could not maintain his facade as long as he or his mother. Indeed, he could feel the anger start radiating from him, see the narrowing of his eyes and his jaw clenching. "Did I strike a chord, perhaps?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Sesshomaru," Noboru spat out. "I have no interest in taking away these lands from you, even if I held no love for the half-breed and his wretched family."

"How long are you going to feign innocence?" the dai-youkai asked him. "Will you accept defeat before or after those you hired to kill us confess? How foolish of you to think that those weak demons were enough to defeat even a quarter demon," he smirked. "My father's blood is powerful, uncle, and it shows its prowess even when is highly diluted and mixed with human blood. You'll never win; resign yourself. You can't even kill a child who is three-quarters human. Even my nephews can beat you."

"You are clearly bluffing, Sesshomaru. You have nothing against me; yours are mere lies," Noboru said through gritted teeth; how could Sesshomaru deem an abomination superior to him?

"We will see, we will see."

"Jealousy has never looked good on you, dear brother," Kimi smirked seeing the look on Noboru's face, "it must be hard not to be regarded in the same high way of what you consider abominations." She giggled. "Pity you won't be able to see what those pups will be able to do when older."

Once it had been proven he was the traitor, Sesshomaru and Inuyasha wouldn't hesitate to kill him as soon as possible.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome glared at him as soon as those words were out of his mouth, she would have likely sat him if he didn't have Toga secured in his arms at that moment.

Kaede was scowling at him, while Rin appeared perplexed.

"Daddy said a bad word and now mommy is gonna sit him," Toga chipped in merrily, clapping his hands.

"No, pup, as long as you're with me she won't," Inuyasha replied, still shocked by his discovery. "But do not ever repeat that word, you too Muteki," he instructed, "or mommy will find a way to sit you too."

"Inuyasha," Kagome repeated, gritting her teeth.

"What? I fixed it, see? They know they have to forget the word, don't you, pups?" Muteki and Toga nodded enthusiastically. "Now, go greeting Kaede-baba and Rin-oba while I speak with your mother for a moment," he told them, setting Toga on his feet and grabbing Kagome hand, dragging her outside, not even giving her the time to fight him. Kichiro and Osamu remained there to guard everyone.

"What on earth are you up to? Look, nobody missed the way you gasped as soon as you entered Kaede's hut." Kagome crossed her arms and looked at him expectantly as soon as they found a secluded spot to speak. "What had you messed up?"

"Rin is pregnant," Inuyasha replied unceremoniously.

"What? So soon?" Kagome gaped.

"Well, it's not like you and I waited so much; I mean, I pupped you the first time," he reasoned, then shook his head. "But this is not the matter here, Kagome. Sesshomaru probably stayed away for two weeks because he wanted to get Rin pregnant and didn't care how long it will take. The fucker risked our lives and sent to the gallows innocents demons just because he couldn't wait for another month and... What? Why are you crying now, Kagome?" He hastily brought her in his arms and then cupped her cheek with a hand, the other circling her waist. "Koi?"

"Everything will be for naught," she cried while sobbing into his chest. "Rin will likely miscarriage and those lives would be wasted. It's not fair, not fair."

"Shh, shh, it's ok, koishii." He caressed her back soothingly.

"No, it's not okay," she exclaimed, hands fisting at the fabric of his suikan, and raised her eyes to look at him; fat tears were falling down her cheeks, no matter how many times Inuyasha wiped them. "She will be shattered as soon as she loses the baby, thinking that maybe it is her fault because that's the way women are taught in this era. And this is just the first time, we don't even know how many times she will endure such a pain."

Inuyasha didn't know what to say; she was right, he couldn't deny that Rin was going to suffer immensely. And while his brother could put on his cold facade, Rin was a sweet little child who would probably be destroyed.

"I hope for her that it won't be many times," Inuyasha murmured. "We know for sure that they won't try again once you talk with Sesshomaru, but we don't know when this will happen," he pondered. "As for the rest, koi, Rin has learnt a lot from you; she'll know is not her fault if she loses the child, and she will have your comfort and encouragement every time she'll need it. We can't do anything else for now."

"I know, it's just—damn!" When Kagome swore it was really tragic; she used such words only when the situation was extreme. "No one should suffer this kind of pain, it's not fair," she whispered.

When they returned inside, they saw Kaede hadn't wasted time putting the pups to work, while Rin was sewing and the two guards were alert outside.

The old priestess looked up at them, scowl back in place as soon as she gazed at Inuyasha. "Well, boy, why did ye feel it was necessary to speak that way in front of yer children? I thought fatherhood had taught ye something," she scolded.

"Can it, baba; I forgot to tell Kagome something and had to fix it," he offered, knowing that Kaede would have never believed it, but he still needed to say something to reassure Rin everything was fine. Speaking of which, he didn't know if it was his job to inform her, but Kagome had said she wanted to have a look at her and she couldn't do it if they didn't explain why.

Inuyasha realized that Kagome would have wanted to try and avoid her miscarriages, but they knew that the past couldn't be changed; a son now would have caused a ruckus with the timeline and they couldn't afford such a thing.

The half-demon silently reached the girl. Rin was humming a song and focusing on her work; the pups next to her were singing along while sorting some medical herbs. Sometimes, he thought Kagome was raising them to be some sort of genius given that she had started teaching them the impossible since they had started talking.

"Rin, how are you? You feel fine?" he asked, his concern was evident in the tone of his voice. But it was normal because everyone had seen how Inuyasha had grown fond of the orphaned girl along the years, and even if it was a matter of days before she wasn't under his care anymore, even if she was now officially Sesshomaru's mate, he couldn't avoid worrying for her as if she was one of her pups.

A toothy smile reached Rin's lips and she nodded eagerly. "I am really fine, Inuyasha-nii-chan," she said, calling him this name for the first time.

Both Kagome and Inuyasha stilled for a moment, remembering the person who had always uttered those words and Inuyasha instinctively turned to his mate to check on her. Kagome seemed she wanted to cry again; every time there was a reference to her family on the other side she was always a bit emotional, but she dismissed his concern this time and tilted her head towards Rin to let him know he could continue.

"Good, good. I wanted to tell you some important, ok?" Rin nodded again, Inuyasha was about to continue then seemed to realize it was better if the pups didn't listen to the conversation and asked Osamu to bring them with him. With little resistance, they left and Inuyasha turned to Rin again, stopping her hands with a tug on her wrist and proposing to sit around the fire.

"Is something wrong, nii-chan?" she asked.

"Everything is fine, Rin-chan. Inuyasha just don't know how to approach the subject," Kagome interjected. Rin nodded satisfied but Kaede was starting to look at them suspiciously, especially because Kagome was tense and trace or her earlier crying could still be detected on her face.

"Rin, I presume Sesshomaru didn't tell you yet, but I think it's important to know it as soon as possible so that you can then approach the topic with Kaede or Kagome," he started again. Rin stilled and waited for the rest of his speech. "You're pregnant. I can smell it on you right now and pregnant women usually gave off a sweeter aroma. You currently smell like Sango, even if hers is much stronger because she is further than you in her pregnancy. I'd dare to say that you can't be longer than four o five days along, which means you should be particularly careful," he finally said.

Not that this care would matter, since she will lose the pup anyway, he grimaced.

Rin brought her hands to her mouth and her eyes welled up, Kagome put an arm around her shoulder and let her cry silently. Kaede smiled at her antics. "Are you serious, Inuyasha-nii-chan?" Inuyasha nodded, trying to maintain his composure, but Kagome started crying again and he panicked for a moment. Luckily, Rin thought these were cries of joy, the old hag was another story. "Oh, it's fantastic, I'm going to have a baby, Kagome-chan! A little half-demon that maybe will have Inuyasha's cute ears, isn't it?" she squealed happily, looking at Kagome. "Oh, and the babies are gonna a have a cousin, they could grow up together and train together; they will be like brothers." Kagome nodded with difficulty, wiping her cheeks, Rin hugged her.

"Well, Inuyasha, aren't ye happy? Ye're not gonna be the only inu-hanyou anymore," Kaede interjected.

"Sure, baba, I'm gonna teach everything I know to this pup as if it was my own son," he stated proudly and he would have done it gladly if only he had the chance.

"I can't wait to talk with Sesshomaru-sama about it. I hope it's a boy, he would want a boy first, right?"

"Sure, Rin," he chuckled, but his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Well, I think I am gonna head outside and bring the pups to Sango and Miroku's while you're having your girl chit-chat, uh?" he added patting her awkwardly. Without waiting for a response and eyeing his mate sternly he left the hut and the three women remained alone discussing Rin's pregnancy.

Two days later, when Inuyasha's inner demon had calmed enough, when he had the time to reacquaint himself with his mate over and over and had spent enough with his pups, the hanyou declared it was time for him to head back West.

Ah-Un had arrived the day before with two new guards on its back, chosen by Sesshomaru on purpose to increase the village's defence while Inuyasha was gone and to be Rin's personal guards since Kichiro and Osamu's job was to never leave Kagome and the children's sides.

They had decided to bound the cat to one of its heads so that Inuyasha could easily bring the demon with him and Kagome had charged a couple of ofuda that Inuyasha wouldn't have problems managing if he needed to restrain the prisoner a little more. The half-demon had promised his sons he would be home sooner than they thought and that in the meantime they would have to train hard with both Miroku and Kagome so that they could show him their progress once he was back. They had hugged him tight, Inuyasha had exchanged a heated kiss with his mate – Miroku had covered the pups' eyes – and after another couple of recommendations he had waved goodbye to everyone present and left with the two-headed dragon.

Kagome hoped that everything would be resolved as soon as possible, that their plan would work and that they would be able to nail Noboru so that he, and his accomplices, would no longer be a problem for the West. After all, there was still the question of Sesshomaru and Rin's mating; they still had to present the news to the council and introduce her to court. If they didn't hurry and fix the situation, it would have been even tougher for the girl, especially if someone found out that she was the reason why Sesshomaru had been absent.

Hours later, when Inuyasha had finally arrived at the castle the valley already looked decidedly cleaner and greener than it had two days earlier, although he realized that it still needed some work before the destroyed houses could begin to be rebuilt. His trip back had been rather quick. Inuyasha hadn't wanted to make any stop to make sure he got there as soon as possible and get the bastard who was flying alongside him safely to the palace, where he could be imprisoned and decently guarded before he could be interrogated.

The first thing he did as soon as he reached the main walls was to head towards the military compound and find Katsuro. He dragged the demon along with him, his hands still tightly bound behind his back and the mouth gagged so that he couldn't even try to bite or deafen him. The half-demon dragged him along without caring how he stumbled with his feet, banged against walls or without even giving him time to get up if he fell on the ground. It was definitely brutal treatment, but Inuyasha didn't care; he wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible and to do that he needed the First Commander. The soldiers and commanders he met along his route looked at him halfway between amazed and interested, but immediately looked away as soon as Inuyasha dropped his eyes to glare at them menacingly.

Finally, he found Katsuro in one of the training fields, watching how a colleague taught newbies to defend themselves. He was correcting a young dog demon when Inuyasha called him from the other side of camp.

"Keep your posture less stiff and you'll do better, ok?" Katsuro told the pup before leaving him with the others and reaching the half-demon. He eyed suspiciously the battered cat-demon that was next to him, then looked at Inuyasha, "Is that...?"

"Yeah, come, we'll discuss in a more private location," Inuyasha told him, turning over to head towards the Commander's office. When they arrived he slammed the door behind him and threw the demon to the ground, kicking him for good measure. He turned to Katsuro and immediately asked, "Do you recognize him by any chance?"

Katsuro observed him attentively then shook his head. "Who was with him when they attacked your village?"

"Some fucker named Shion and other three panther demons," Inuyasha readily answered.

"Shion you say? He didn't live in the valley, but I know of a demon with this name that was associated with Noboru; panthers don't live here as you had surely noticed and cats are rare. This one must be one of his group," he offered. "What's your name?" he asked the demon.

"Why do you care? I am dead meat anyway," the cat spat back.

Inuyasha pressed his foot on his sternum quite forcefully. "You want me to bring you back to the village, bastard? I can do it and then ask Miroku to use one of those sutras you liked so much for as long as I want."

The cat paled and started sweating at the mention of the previous treatment; Katsuro raised his brow but let Inuyasha do his job. "N-no, please no that one, no, I'll tell you everything."

"Very well then," Inuyasha removed his foot after he kicked him another time; he usually wasn't so cruel but this demon made his blood boil and he was currently venting on him all his pent-up frustration and rage he had for Noboru. "Tell the First Commander everything he wants to know, and while you're at it repeat to him everything you already told us," he ordered.

Sesshomaru was discussing practical matters with some demons who were currently in charge of returning the valley to its former glory, he was instructing them about methods and time of execution when Inuyasha entered banging the door of his public office, not caring about the mess he was leaving behind nor about good manners. It was not the time anyway.

The dai-youkai sighed and made a sign to demons present to leave them and proceed with the reconstruction, before addressing his brother. "Inuyasha, I should have known it was you who was causing all those annoying noises."

"Keh," he grunted, "can it, I am not in the mood for pleasantries."

"Didn't I tell you to come back just when you were fully in control of yourself?" Sesshomaru inquired. "Wasn't your mate satisfying?" he smirked.

"Oh, believe me, Sesshomaru, I had all the time I need with my mate, but I imagined that I couldn't allow myself to indulge too long in the pleasure of the flesh. I didn't want to cause further trouble by spending two weeks screwing around while others fixed my messes," he fired back.

Sesshomaru shot him a death glare but didn't answer if not with a simple "hn". Inuyasha took a seat in the chair across from his desk, his right leg over his left knee and his posture stiff, a dark scowl on his face. "I brought the fucker here; he's currently under surveillance. He repeated their plans to Katsuro too and you can visit him whenever you like. I also expect you to call a council as soon as possible so that we can bring him there for testimony and settle this business," he informed his older brother.

"Very well, we can have one early tomorrow morning and bring him in at the end of the discussion. I am afraid we will need to bring Noboru too; the elders will want him present when they judged him guilty. Once they have heard the cat's confession there will be no escape for my dear uncle."

"Fine by me," Inuyasha shrugged. "I'll enjoy seeing the colour drain from his face when he will realize he has been condemned to death and that every plan of his has failed," he said with a wicked grin. Then his scowl intensified and he turned it completely on his brother, his posture stiffened more and his anger spiked. "Rather," he began hesitantly, "do you wanna tell me why you saw fit to leave this valley for two weeks just to make sure you got Rin pregnant? Wouldn't it have been enough to do it here at the castle? Or was your luxurious room not enough as a place of conception?"

"I don't think I owe you any explanations, little brother," Sesshomaru replied unfazed by his outburst.

Inuyasha chuckled not at all amused. "Oh, sure, I thought we already settled this matter but evidently I was wrong. I have rights to require explanations from you since my family was threatened too!" he got up and slammed his hands on the desk, the commotion making it tremble, and leaning over his brother, their face mere inches apart. "If you were so keen to pup her the first time you could have paid attention to her smell when you came to retrieve her in the village, but of course you didn't use that smart brain you're always bragging about."

"Like you did it with yours, little brother? Maybe I should have followed your lead and pup my mate when she was merely a child herself," he taunted. "You are not entitled to lecture me, Inuyasha. I suggest you stop this foolishness right now," Sesshomaru murmured again menacingly.

"Why is that, brother? You don't like my brazenness?" he smirked, ignoring the taunt.

"It's none of your business what I do with my mate," his brother replied coldly. "It's not like I inquire about the way you rut with yours; the smell you carry around is already indicative," he sneered.

"Jealous much, Sesshomaru? Come on now, you'll make up for all these years of celibacy," Inuyasha mocked, "you didn't need to create such a mess just for that! I'm just saying that if these were your intentions all along you should have warned me; I would have understood. I've been newly mated too and I know how strong those instincts are. I'm not blaming you for wanting an heir, I'm pointing out your plan's flaws!"

"What's done is done. No one taught you it's pointless to dwell on old issues?" he would never confess that he too regretted the way things had gone and could understand Inuyasha's anger, but that didn't mean he wanted to be lectured.

"Sure, when it's you in the wrong we have to let the matter go, but woe if it's others then, you have every right to complain and make them weigh it for years... if they are lucky of course. In the worst case, you don't even hesitate to kill them. Figures! And I thought that you had improved in recent years, that Rin's company had done you good, but apparently, I was wrong," the hanyou scoffed. "You may not want to kill me anymore because of my dirty blood, but you'll remain the usual bastard I've always known." That said, Inuyasha left the room unceremoniously, not even giving him one last look.

Sesshomaru stood there motionless, staring at the spot where until a few seconds ago his half-brother stood, the half-demon he had always hated because of his own nature for which he was not to blame. And now, within months, he would be the father of another one.

Had he really changed in the years since he had made Inuyasha his heir? Or had it only been an appearance? He acknowledged the fact that he no longer hated his little brother; he had made everyone in the castle respect him for who he was, for his abilities, and for the position Sesshomaru had imposed upon him. Yet for the first time, he realized that while everyone had long since understood what Inuyasha was made of, how dangerous he was, deep down he had always continued to consider him inferior in part. Maybe this was the reason he could not admit his errors, maybe that's why he was so bothered by the fact that it was Inuyasha himself who had pointed out those flaws of him.

The morning after Inuyasha was woken up quite early by Chie, who informed him that he was expected in the council chamber within half an hour and that, for no reason, he could be late. He didn't even have time to eat breakfast, he washed and dressed in a hurry to get to the room and finally tie up loose ends. The sooner they would talk it over with the elders, the sooner he could scratch that itch he had of beating the crap out of Noboru.

Twenty minutes later, Sesshomaru and Katsuro had just arrived and were waiting for him before entering the meeting hall. Apparently, his brother had deemed it necessary to bring the First Commander too since the cat demon was currently under his custody and would later retrieve him when they had explained the situation to the elders.

Upon entering the room, Inuyasha immediately noticed that Goro wasn't the only one wearing a scowl. No one had appreciated Sesshomaru stunt and they were on the warpath, waiting for him to explain his reasons. Only Hayato wasn't angered, but he wasn't calm either. It was easy to recognize the worry in his eyes, something that didn't suit the hawk demon who always wore a playful smile and was ready to crack a joke. He probably understood as well that Sesshomaru already delicate situation had become tenfolds more complicated.

"Look who deigns to show up after two weeks of wandering around," Goro immediately started. "You even waited a couple of days before you summoned us! Have you lost your mind? And what about your supposed heir? He let us fight for two days before he came to our aid; I thought his job was to take your place if the need arises." His tone was harsh and not at all gently.

"I thought we had cleared the last point, Goro," Hayato bit back. "Inuyasha hadn't been warned of the situation here, he surely couldn't read your mind. Besides other demons were attacking his family and his village, the offence had been planned well, isn't true, Inuyasha?"

The half-demon nodded then addressed Goro – those fucking cats really got on his nerves. "I'd appreciate it if you refrain from insulting me in my presence, and if you have something to say, please address me and not my brother. Funny as you speak of us and not them. Should I tell Sesshomaru how you were the only one between the elders who didn't help fight the rouges and let innocent young demons die instead?" Inuyasha just couldn't get over the fact that this old geezer had considered his life more important than that of the soldiers who had died. "I'm the one who saved your hide, so please for once shut up and let the others talk; they have earned their right to."

The elders were now accustomed to their back and forth whenever a meeting was held. The half-demon had respect for each one of them, except for Goro, who punctually tried to ignore or belittle him. Inuyasha would speak rudely to him and silence him every time, which of course didn't please the elder at all. And each time it was worse. Now it wasn't a question of seeing Goro and Hayato fighting, as it had been for so many centuries, but Goro and Inuyasha, even if the hawk demon was always ready to support the latter and have a laugh at the expense of his ancient rival.

And right now Goro's expression was dark and murderous, but he hadn't the chance to answer back, because Sesshomaru immediately turned to him after hearing his brother's words and sharply asked him, "You did what?" his eyes were gleaming with rage. "You are the eldest in this room and should be of example for everyone. Being part of this council imply that you are willing to fight for these lands and even give your life for the youngest among us if needed. Instead, you decided to cower and hide behind someone's else skirt?"

"Watch your mouth," Goro countered, "you were no different; what happened to you? You disappeared for two weeks. All this mess would not have been if you had been present at the time of the attack!"

"Do not change the topic, Goro-sama, answer me! Did you know that I can revoke your right to be on your seat because you refused to fight and help our army? From what my mother told me everyone tried to do his part, especially since we were outnumbered and the soldiers were now at the end of their strengths. I was away, it's true, but what would you have done if we had been attacked not a week ago, but when I was busy fighting Naraku away from the castle? It seems to me that even then you would have found yourself without my help, much less that of my brother who rushed here as soon as he could, even though his children had just been attacked by the same people who had planned this offence."

"You wouldn't dare!"

"I would and I will," Sesshomaru continued cooly. "When we will have resolved the problems that are urgent at the moment, we will also talk about your position and why you felt it necessary to be in idleness."

"Is it true, Inuyasha? Have you proof of what Sesshomaru is claiming?" Kosuke pried.

"I have, Kosuke-sama. Five different demons attacked my village. Four of them tried to kill me and kidnap my mate, while another went to retrieve my pups. Luckily my oldest along with the old priestess managed to erect a barrier strong enough to push him away," Inuyasha recounted.

"Are they alright?" Sayaka inquired.

"They are, Sayaka-sama, thank you. My mate and I killed the ones who went for us, while the other is currently under the First Commander's custody" he added. "We got him to confess and we know who was behind the attack on the valley."

Everyone widened their eyes, but Toru was the first one to speak. "Does all this have anything to do with your uncle's imprisonment, Sesshomaru?"

"What?" Goro bellowed, "You are insane, why in the hell did you imprison Noboru-sama?"

Inuyasha rolled his eyes; the cat seemed to find reliable everyone who opposed both him and Sesshomaru. They really needed to get rid of him.

"It does," the dai-youkai answered Toru, completely ignoring Goro, "my mother's brother had been gathering demons outside these lands to try and overthrow me at the first misstep. His intention was killing all of my father's descendants, thus the attack on Inuyasha's family too."

"Those are serious allegations," Kosuke interceded.

"We are aware," Inuyasha said, "that's why the First Commander is here today to help us prove the point. He had the chance to speak with this cat and he repeated what he confessed in my presence, my packmate and the priestess who resides in my village."

"And what did you find out, Katsuro?" Minato asked the Commander.

"This cat is part of a group of panthers who had been seen often outside these lands in the company of Noboru-san. Their leader, his name was Shion, is the one who tried to kill Inuyasha and kidnap Kagome-sama; they had been killed by them. He said that Noboru-san had been gathering allies, taking advantage of the ones who didn't hold love for Sesshomaru-sama and that they were waiting for some time now. Besides, he had also organized a backup plan in case the attack failed; this is why no one saw him during the battle. He stood aside to avoid being included among the traitors."

"Very well, thank you for your recap. Would you do us the favour to go retrieve this demon so that we can have the chance to speak with him too?" the demoness asked again.

Katsuro nodded then bowed before excusing himself and doing as requested. When he left Inuyasha spoke up again, "I should also add that not everyone Noboru turned to for help was willing to attack my brother and they could be witnesses of his treachery too."

"Who might they be, Inuyasha?" Toru inquired.

"Why, Ayame's tribe of course." He smirked "You met the leader. While it's true that neither Sesshomaru nor I have ever had a friendly relationship with him, and we've clashed a few times, we have never been enemies – well aside from our first meeting which was nine years ago. Koga is the reason why I was already heading towards the West when Kichiro and Osamu reached me. He came to warn me as soon as a messenger from Noboru asked him to join against Sesshomaru and me. They must have heard some rumours that were a little false because they were convinced that Koga would not hesitate to unleash his wolves on us. Unluckily for them, my mate has been honoured sister of their tribe for years, and that obviously means that they would never raise a hand against my family, let alone kill us."

"So the wolf cub who helped you annihilate the last demons who were attacking the valley could testify against Noboru? Is this messenger still their prisoner?"

"Well, he is not very alive right now," Inuyasha confessed, scratching the back of his head. "Koga didn't appreciate some threats to Kagome made in his presence. But he, plus two of his packmates were present when the messenger spoke."

"It would have been better if we still had the messenger to interrogate, but it could be good to have someone ready to back up when it'll be time to judge Noboru," Ryota commented. "But since that is our old tribe and we can speak up for Ayame, not to mention that the cub didn't hesitate to help you defend the castle's walls, they can be considered a reliable source at least."

"Who says that?" Goro interjected – as always the cat spoke without full knowledge of the facts. "He said it himself that this demon is their ally and since the human is considered part of their pack, I'm sure they would do anything to support them. Who's to say they aren't making these things up to make sure Noboru-sama gets taken out? It's no secret that there's bad blood between them."

"Just as it's no secret that Noboru would kill Inuyasha's children without too much trouble, not to mention the not-so-subtle threats he's made towards their mother," Minato added cooly, regarding Goro with a cold stare worthy of Sesshomaru.

"Are you implying that both my packmate and I are liars too, Goro?" Toru asked outraged.

"Why would I? The only ones who I don't trust are the half-demon and the sullied priestess!"

"Goro-sama!" Sesshomaru bared his fangs at him. "I thought I had been clear when I told you that these are not the ways of speaking about my family. You're just making your position more difficult."

"And you just implied that too, Goro. The wolf's tribe is our original tribe; we have been knowing the previous leader for all our life and we know his granddaughter since the day she was born, the same who is now the cub's mate. So you should trust us when we tell you that the source is reliable, especially because they sided with us, they ran to warn Inuyasha the moment the threat presented itself to them – an attitude certainly more honourable than yours," Toru continued.

"Enough of this! We are not here to doubt each other but to discuss the matter of hand, which is deciding what we should do of the traitors that survived and of Noboru, who for now seemed to be the mind behind the master plan," Kosuke interrupted them. "As far as I'm concerned, considering what he's managed to do on the sly from everyone, and also mentioning that he'd grouped enemies not only outside, but also inside these walls, it's too dangerous to let him loose and-"

The dog demon's speech was interrupted by some ruckus coming from outside the council room. A couple of seconds later the doors swung open and two guards in obvious agitation entered and addressed Sesshomaru directly. "My Lord, the First Commander Katsuro sent us. We have a huge problem..."

A/N:

If you thought it was sunshine and rainbows with Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, I proved you wrong - sorrynotsorry. As I said more than once, it's not easy, they have still to work on their relationship but I can tell you, you will be reading a lot of Sess Inu scenes.

If you've read the chapter carefully, you noticed also that I planted more than one seed, there's a lot to come starting with this huge problem the guards were talking about. Any guess?

Review as you like and be safe! Until next week.