A little note: Originally this was a interconnected drabble collection created with the prompts from dokuga_contest. However, since dokuga_contest is no longer running, I'll update as I see fit with prompts I select myself.

Disclaimer: I am not, in any way, affiliated with the creators or producers of Inuyasha. No profit is made from this writing.

Tsukiko

The morning air was crisp, and Kagome welcomed it with a smile. The night had been long and sleepless, worry over the pups had kept her awake. Having the cold air brush over her skin was not comfortable, but it refreshed her. And she needed to be awake for what she had planned.

Today she was going to approach Nohime. Today she was going to warn the hanyou that despite being human, she meant business. No one was going to touch those pups, no one.

Determined, Kagome stomped down the hallways. She passed several youkai, all watching her with wide eyes. None of them seemed to be accustomed to her presence yet, which she had to admit, was a shame. But she didn't have time to worry about them right now, she needed to find Nohime, and fast.

She couldn't explain it, but she had a really bad vibe about Nohime's appearance. Of course, the hanyou wanting to take the pups were terrible, but Kagome couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something more sinister going on. Nohime, despite her irrational bitterness, was a logical person, she had to be. She should know that she would never be able to get the pups and live...not if Sesshomaru was involved. So what did this woman have planned?

And why hasn't Sesshomaru killed her yet, anyway? Kagome doubted he cared about her status as an important historical figure.

No, something was astray here, and Kagome was going to find out what.

"So, you are the human my son has taken in," a voice suddenly called from the gardens, which caused Kagome to shriek in surprise and spin around. She came face-to-face with a pair of eyes that eerily reminded her of Sesshomaru, only they belonged to a woman. A woman who was clearly an inu-youkai, with the same silver hair and markings as the man who owned the fortress. Kagome blinked.

"Are you Sesshomaru's mother?" she asked.

The youkai tilted her head to the side. "I am."

Kagome gaped. She had not even given a thought to the possibility that Sesshomaru's mother was still alive. She just sort of assumed that since his father was dead, so was his mother.

The youkai laughed at Kagome's expression and stepped up onto the verandah. "You may call me Tsukiko. My son does not like to ask for help, but when it comes to my grandchildren and that beast of a mother they have, I make it my mission to assist. Nohime is bad news, although I am certain you have already deduced that?"

Kagome nodded.

"Good," Tsukiko hummed. "And you wish to chase her away, yes?"

Kagome nodded again.

"Good, good," Tsukiko hummed again, and then her lips curved into a smirk. "I think we will be great friends."

A/N: Thanks to everyone who has reviews so far! I appreciate it!