Disclaimer: I do not own Inu-Yasha or any of the original characters. I do not own the original Inu-Yasha plot. What I do own are my ideas, original characters, and my creative mind.

Naraku's Child

Chapter 1: Important Guests and Birthday Games

By Ethril Dragon

Kiyomi giggled silently and hid under the bush as she watched her personal guard look around frantically for her. She grinned and stayed as still as possible until finally her guard moved away. Out of all the games she played this one was her favorite. Kiyomi would hide from her guards and watch as they ran around trying to find her. Only after several hours of searching would they find her with one of her older siblings. She was very good at hiding. Kiyomi was able to mask her scent so that she smelled like her surroundings. The only person who could ever find her was Kanna.

Kiyomi very slowly crept out from underneath the bush she had been hiding under. She glanced around before standing up. With a few pats from her little hands Kiyomi brushed off her kimono. She looked around again, her eyes scanning the area before she made a mad dash for the door leading into her father's palace.

Before she was able to make it, strong arms wrapped around her midsection and lifted her up. She squirmed and looked over her shoulder at her rather tall father.

"And where are you off too my little escape artist?" Naraku asked as he carried his small daughter into the palace.

"I was going to find Kanna," Kiyomi said with a big, innocent smile. She squirmed in her fathers arms until she was free of them so she could scramble up onto his shoulder. She was still small enough to be carried on his shoulder.

Naraku laughed softly and shook his head. "Kanna is busy right now Kiyomi, you'll have to find something else to do."

Kiyomi pouted and crossed her arms over her chest. "There's nothing fun to do anymore," Kiyomi said with a huff. "Shippo is always training, Kanna is always helping mommy, mommy is always busy running the palace, and you're busy with whatever you do," Kiyomi wrapped her arms around her father's head and sniffled.

Naraku sighed and moved his arms so he picked up his daughter and held her upside down. "That's what happens when you're grown up koi."

Kiyomi giggled as her father swung her down and held her upside down. "Then I never want to grow up!" She announced and started swinging back and forth in Naraku's arms.

Naraku chuckled again. "You won't be saying that when you grow up and find a man you love."

Kiyomi stuck out her tongue and crossed her arms over her chest again. "That's yucky! I don't want to marry some icky man!"

Naraku couldn't help but chuckle louder. He knew she wouldn't believe that when she was older. She would meet someone she loved and she would want to mate with him. The question was would Naraku be ready and willing to let his little princess go when that day came?

"Why don't you go get ready for lunch?" Naraku said as he set his daughter down. "You'll need to take a bath and dress in something nice. We have important guests coming today."

Kiyomi looked up at her father adoringly and then ran off, her arms spread out around her as she laughed. The antics of his small daughter brought a smile to Naraku's lips.

Kiyomi laughed while she ran towards her room which was conveniently located next to her brother Shippo's room. She was laughing so hard that she didn't notice Shippo until he tackled her in the hallway. Kiyomi made a sound of surprise and fell onto her side, rolling as she did so that she would maybe end up on top of Shippo. "What was that for oniichan?" Kiyomi said with a pout.

Shippo laughed and stood up, letting Kiyomi stand up as well. "I have a surprise for you," He said mysteriously.

Kiyomi perked up immediately and her pout disappeared. "Surprise? What surprise?" Instantly she was reaching into Shippo's pockets to find her surprise.

Shippo grinned and dodged away from her hands. "You can't get your surprise till tomorrow."

Kiyomi pouted but walked into her room. "It better be good!" she called out behind her at her red haired brother. "Or else!" She threatened as she turned in her doorway to wave a finger at him.

Shippo laughed and went into his own room to change. "Oh it will be, you'll see!"

Once the siblings were ready the two of them made their way to the dinning hall.

'Father was right, important guests are here for dinner!' Kiyomi thought happily as she sat next to her friends Rin and Kohaku. She was so happy! With the adults all sitting at one end of the table Kiyomi was given the chance to sit next to her best friends.

"Father says we will be staying here for a few days," Rin commented where she was sitting with her back perfectly straight and one hand delicately placed in her lap. Now and then Rin would covertly looked over at Kohaku.

Kohaku blushed as his and Rin's eyes met. They both looked away quickly. Kiyomi noticed their odd behavior and swore to herself to ask Kanna or Shippo about it later. Maybe it was just a big kid thing.

Then again…They were a lot older then she was. Once again Kiyomi realized just how much younger she was. She was turning 7 soon and everyone else was in their late teens. But she was turning 7 soon! Maybe that's why everyone had come to visit! Kiyomi perked right back up. The only other person that was her age was Miroku and Sango's son Haru and he wasn't even there!

Kiyomi started humming the Happy Birthday song to herself as she ate. It was pretty obvious to the child what was going on and that knowledge only excited her more.

Yup, her birthday had to be around the corner. 'Shippo's surprise probably has something to do with my birthday!' Kiyomi thought excitedly. 'But he said I'd get it tomorrow…is my birthday tomorrow?' she could never really remember when her birthday was exactly, but her family did. 'So if Shippo got me a surprise then…Tomorrow's my birthday!' Kiyomi felt like squealing but contained herself.

Shippo sighed softly and shook his head gently. 'Looks like she remembered what tomorrow is,' he thought as he looked over at Kanna. Kanna wasn't eating much; she never did.

Dinner ended like it normally did, with the adults telling the children it was time for bed. Only Kohaku stayed behind. Naraku almost had to order Kiyomi to go to bed but in the end Shippo was able to get Kiyomi to follow him back to their rooms.

"Are the preparations ready?" Sesshomaru asked as Kohaku took a seat next to his adopted parents.

"Absolutely," Naraku replied as the adults watched each other. "Everything is ready for tomorrow."

"They better be," That was all Sesshomaru said as he stood and headed towards his guest quarters. Kagura stood and bowed to Naraku and the others before following her mate.

Naraku sighed and shook his head. "He'll never change will he?"

"I'm sure he might one day Naraku," Miroku said as his now uncursed "cursed" hand wandered over to the very lovely backside of his wife.

Sango froze and then her hand swung around, slapping Miroku hard in the face. "HENTAI!" She yelled while jumping up.

"Some things never change," Kagome said as she watched her friends fondly.

"Some things will never change," Naraku said, agreeing with his mate.

As soon as morning came around Kiyomi was up, dressed, and rushing into Shippo's room to wake him up. "You promised me a surprise!" She told him as she bounced up and down on her brother's futon.

Shippo groaned but did in fact get up. "Let me get dressed Kiyomi. I'll show you your surprise after that ok?"

Kiyomi squealed and hurried out of the room so her brother could get dressed. She instead darted into Kanna's room to see if her sister was awake. Kiyomi didn't get the chance to surprise her sister since the void demoness was already up and dressed.

It didn't take long for Shippo to get dressed. "Do I get my surprise now?" Kiyomi asked when Shippo joined her and Kanna.

Shippo shook his head. "After breakfast silly." He laughed as his smallest sibling seemed to become aggravated by his constant time delays.

Kiyomi grumped and hurried ahead of her brother and sister to the dinning hall for breakfast. She wanted the surprise Shippo had promised her so she ate her breakfast quickly and waited impatiently until everyone else was done. When Shippo finally sighed and told her he was done Kiyomi was out out of her seat and dragging Shippo outside where he told her her surprise would be.

"Come on Shippo!" Kiyomi yelled with a wave of her arm. She laughed as her older brother raced after her. Kiyomi grinned and did the cartwheel he had taught her. Kanna was close behind, floating more then running. She was smiling softly, but more for Shippo then for Kiyomi. "Where's my surprise you promised me?" Kiyomi said as Shippo jumped up and over Kiyomi, landing in front of her.

"You'll see it soon, but close your eyes real quick." Shippo said with his taunting grin.

Kiyomi pouted but didn't argue. She closed her eyes and felt Shippo take her hand. Kanna gently took her other hand and the two of them led her forward. "You'll have to crouch, we're not supposed to be here," Shippo whispered. Kiyomi focused on her senses and heard a slight lift in the air.

By her estimation they were close to the cliffs to the south of her father's palace. Kiyomi did as Shippo said knowing full well they weren't supposed to be this far from the palace; at least she wasn't supposed to be. Shippo and Kanna were both old enough to take care of themselves while she was still too young to fight. She felt Kanna and Shippo crawl forward slowly and she did too.

"Ok, open your eyes!" Shippo whispered. Kiyomi opened her eyes and gasped. There on the road were her mother, father, uncle Sesshomaru, aunt Kagura, aunt Sango, and uncle Miroku. They seemed to be waiting for something.

Kanna adjusted her mirror so they could hear what was being said. "He should be here soon. He said he would," Lady Kagome said while biting her lower lip. "It's been 6 years since we last saw him."

Lord Naraku nodded. "He hasn't been back since his visit to see Kiyomi when she was a year old."

Lord Sesshomaru stood there with his arm down by his side. Kagura stood by his side, the side where he had lost his arm.

Out in the distance, a cloud of dust was forming. It came closer and closer by the second and Kagome started to look excited.

As Kiyomi, Kanna, and Shippo watched, a white haired demon ran into view. He was wearing red and on the top of his head were what looked like triangle shaped dog-ears. Kiyomi tilted her head to the side. Who was that and why was her mother so excited to see him? Even Shippo was tense with excitement. Kanna was as impassive as ever though Kiyomi saw a glimmer in her eyes.

"Who is that Shippo?" Kiyomi asked softly. She felt a strange tingling go down her spine as she watched the white haired demon with wide eyes.

"That's Inu-Yasha"

"Who's Inu-Yasha?" Kiyomi asked as she watched the silver haired stranger interact with the adults. She hadn't noticed them at first, but both Rin and Kohaku were down on the road as well.

"Inu-Yasha is an old friend of everyone; from before you were born!" Shippo said as he bit his lip. He wasn't supposed to talk about what had happened in the past, especially around Kiyomi. Both Naraku and Kagome had forbidden him from mentioning it.

Kiyomi watched as the adults welcomed Inu-Yasha, and then led him towards the palace.

"Come on, we better get back before we're spotted."

'To late,' Kiyomi thought as the silver haired hanyo looked up towards them. Another shiver went through her as their eyes seemed to meet over the distance. She had no idea who this 'Inu-Yasha' was, but she couldn't help but smile at him.

As much as Kiyomi wanted to stay on the cliff edge and watch this newcomer she did eventually get up to follow her brother and sister. "What's he like?" She asked as she skipped up to walk beside them.

Shippo thought for a few minutes. "Last I saw him, he was rash, loud, stubborn, annoying, and an overall idiot," Kiyomi heard past the insults.

"Sounds like you really like him."

Shippo chuckled and shrugged. "You could say that."

Kiyomi continued to watch her older brother as they snuck back towards the castle. Their father had instructed them to stay in their rooms; Kiyomi specifically. Kanna and Shippo were typically allowed to do what they wanted when they weren't in lessons, training, or doing chores.

'What is Shippo not telling me?' Kiyomi thought as she half skipped back to her room. 'It has to do with before I was born…but what could it be?' she continued to wonder as she half paid attention as her nursemaid walked in with a really nice looking kimono in her arms.

Kiyomi was so deep in her own thoughts that she didn't even pay attention as her nursemaid helped her into the formal kimono that she was supposed to wear. It wasn't until the nursemaid bowed and left the room that Kiyomi realized what had happened.

"Eww! I hate dressing up!" Kiyomi complained to herself as she looked down at the fancy kimono she was now wearing. Kiyomi stuck her tongue out and was tempted to pull it off and put on her favorite blue kimono when her door opened.

Kiyomi looked over her shoulder and a large grin spread across her face when she saw her mother. "Momma!" Kiyomi yelled as she launched herself at her mother.

Kagome laughed and grabbed her daughter before Kiyomi knocked her over. "Are you ready to eat sweat heart?" Kagome asked with a large smile of her own.

Kiyomi nodded happily as she hugged her mother around the woman's neck. She momentarily forgot about the horrid kimono she was wearing.

"We've got a big surprise for you sweet heart, do you remember what day it is?" Kagome asked as she carried her growing daughter towards the feasting hall.

Kiyomi laughed. "Of course I know! It's my birthday!" The little girls voice was full of pride and joy.

Kagome smiled. "Do you know how old you'll be?" she asked as they drew closer to the doors.

"I'll be seven!" Kiyomi said proudly as her mother placed her hand on the door. She held up her fingers to emphasize her new age.

Kagome smiled and kissed her daughter on her head and then kissed the fingers that were being shoved into her face. "Close your eyes dear."

"Is it for my surprise?" Kiyomi asked, her eyes wide open.

Kagome laughed and nodded. "Yes dear, for your surprise."

Kiyomi squeezed her eyes shut and listened intently as the door was opened by her mother. "Alright, open your eyes."

Kiyomi opened her eyes and smiled as all her friends and family yelled surprise. 'Not much of a surprise since I knew something was going to happen!' she thought as her mother set her down. Kiyomi raced over to her father's open arms so he could toss her up into the air and catch her. Her entire family had come, including Sango and Miroku's oldest son and their baby daughter.

The party was wonderful for Kiyomi. There was laughter, singing, games, dancing, playing, large amounts of sweets, and of course presents. Kagome had insisted on many of her times birthday customs; which included the birthday song much to Kiyomi's pleasure.

The only thing that stood out was the white haired demon that had arrived earlier that day. Kiyomi glanced at him from time to time, and caught him openly staring at her a couple of those times. He didn't participate heavily, but he did talk to the other adults. Kiyomi was starting to feel a little disrespected after the cake was cut.

'He didn't even sing!' she thought as she finished her third slice. 'He could at least pretend to be enjoying my birthday party! The other adults are!' even Sesshomaru was participating more then the new comer named Inu-Yasha.

Kiyomi snuck over to Inu-Yasha while no one was looking and stood behind him for several minutes until he finally sighed and turned around.

"What is it kid?" Inu-Yasha asked, his hands in his sleeves.

Kiyomi frowned at the white haired demon for several seconds, just glaring at him. "Why didn't you sing?" She finally asked with an upset pout.

Inu-Yasha almost took a step back in surprise. 'She's a lot like Kagome was,' he thought as he looked down at the seven year old girl that was Kagome's daughter. "I don't sing shrimp."

Kiyomi puffed out her cheeks and glared harder. "I'm not a shrimp!" she said, her fist in the air in challenge. By this time a couple of the adults had noticed and Kiyomi's parents were told.

"Behave Kiyomi," Naraku said as he walked up to his daughter and Inu-Yasha.

Kiyomi pouted and held out her arms to her father. "But he called me a shrimp! And he didn't sing my birthday song!" Naraku sighed and picked up his daughter.

Naraku wasn't sure where she had gotten this side of her personality from.

"Inu-Yasha doesn't sing sweet heart," Kagome said as she approached. "And Inu-Yasha used to call Shippo a shrimp when he was younger as well."

Kiyomi stopped struggling and glaring and blinked in surprise. "Really? Shippo let Inu-Yasha call him a shrimp?"

Kagome laughed nervously but didn't tell her what Shippo really did whenever Inu-Yasha name called.

"Soo…it's just a game?" Kiyomi said slowly, looking from her mother to her father for a reassuring nod. When both her father and mother nodded Kiyomi stopped pouting and grinned.

'Games are fun. If this is a game, then that means Inu-Yasha is trying to play!' Kiyomi let out a soft slow chuckle that made Inu-Yasha's ears twitch. The inuhanyo had a very bad feeling about that particular sound.

"Play time!" Kiyomi yelled as she pulled free from her father and launched herself onto the unsuspecting Inu-Yasha. She ended on clinging onto his back as Inu-Yasha flailed haphazardly.

"Get this pipsqueak off of me!" He yelled as Kiyomi giggled madly. No one moved to help, though there was a lot of laughter as everyone watched Kiyomi attempting to "play" with Inu-Yasha.

"Um…shouldn't we do something?" Rin asked nervously as Inu-Yasha finally got a hold of Kiyomi and was now attempting to hold her still.

Shippo snorted and shook his head. "He won't actually hurt her; I did the same thing to him."

The event went on for another good five minutes until Kagome went to take her daughter from Inu-Yasha, who at that point had been holding Kiyomi upside down. Being a spider demon, it had been easy to climb around on Inu-Yasha and avoid his grabbing hands.

Kiyomi was still laughing happily when she was removed from Inu-Yasha by her mother. She was a little out of breath, but she had a better opinion of Inu-Yasha after that bout of playing.

"Alright Kiyomi, I think that's enough playing for now," Kagome said with an apologetic smile to Inu-Yasha, who was muttering and cursing under his breath.

"Aah, but we were having fun playing!" Kiyomi said as she relaxed in her mother's arms.

Kiyomi looked up at her mother with her red eyes. Kagome sighed and shook her head. "Don't you want to open your gifts though?"

Once again Kiyomi's current focus was overridden and she squirmed until she was out of her mother's arms and ran over to where her gifts were stacked up.

"She is way too much like you," Inu-Yasha told Kagome once the demon child was distracted.

Kagome stuck her nose in the air. "You never knew me as a child, so how would you know?"

Inu-Yasha smirked. "Because Souta used to act like that too. It's obvious she got it from your side of the family."

Naraku laughed and gently grasped his mates hand to lead her over to their happy daughter.

Inu-Yasha stayed behind, content just to watch everyone else enjoy the festivities. His eyes landed on the small child that looked so much like her mother even if she did have the red eyes of her father. He felt his heart squeeze almost painfully as her smile seemed to light up the entire room.

He had to leave, and soon.

A/N: This rewrite is done. The original chapter was fine really, but I found some changes that needed to be made.