Disclaimer: I do not own Inu Yasha, though I do own several characters featured in this sequel.

If you guys liked Kentamaru, just wait I've got a brand new character for you to meet...

Chapter One: The Likeness Between Father and Son

"Frostbitten," Kentamaru scoffed, his black furry hanyou ears twitching as he stared at his reflection in the stream. He reached out to touch his left ear, the tip of which bent forward and could not be straightened.

"Mangled my ass," he snorted, slapping at the water. Water soaked his face. When he was younger he had asked his parents about his bent ear.

His father Inu Yasha had claimed it was his own damn fault for being such a squirmy baby, but that if anyone gave him shit about his ear to kick their ass.

His mother Kagome would usually slap Inu Yasha playfully when he said this, then lean over and kiss her sons cheek claiming that his crooked ear gave him character and fighting wouldn't solve anything.

Kentamaru stood, wiping his face dry with the corner of his black custom haori. Dropped on his head or not, he had turned out all right. He turned on his heel, intent on heading home, his black haori twirling around him.

Kentamaru did not like being mistaken for his father. In his own not so humble opinion he looked nothing like Inu Yasha. There were major differences.

The first difference was a dead give away. Kenta's ears were black, the left of which was crooked at the tip. And while Kenta also wore red hakama pants like his father, his haori differed drastically.

Kentamaru wore a black haori that was cut more like a vest. It was long and came down to just above his knees and was open in the front revealing his toned chest. The sleeves were basically like his fathers but where his fathers cut in a 'V' on the arm was where his ended, revealing his arms.

The final difference was subtle; Kentamaru wore two silver bands on his left hand, one on his thumb and the other on his index finger. He was currently fiddling with them, as he often did to pass the time.

Kenta looked up at the sun, shielding his eyes from the glare, trying to gauge the time. He was supposed to meet Harusan by the Goshinboku so they could arrange to go home together.

'Suppose I better pick up the pace' he thought taking to the trees. He was traveling in the lands his mother and father used to roam. Kentamaru groped at the tree trunk, halting his forward momentum with a jerk. In the center of a clearing stood the Bone Eater's Well. Kentamaru dropped down from his perch and made his way to the well. He ran his claws gently over the edge of the well as he circled it, golden gaze lost in its depths.

When he was just a young pup, his mother told him stories of her and his father, of when they were younger collecting shard of the Shikon no Tama. They were just fairytales to time, bedtime stories. Who could honestly believe that his mother had traveled through this well from the future? And that his mother hadn't been born a hanyou as his father had, but had purified the Shikon no Tama with her miko powers and transformed into one.

The last one was to be expected, the proof of that story was in Kentamaru's left hand.

He had called out to his father one night, when he couldn't sleep and asked him if his mother's bedtime stories were really true. Inu Yasha had explained it all to him and Kentamaru has listened to every word he said with wide hopeful eyes. Inu Yasha was Kentamaru's hero; he never once lied to his son and was the most powerful demon in Japan. Which was saying something since he was only a hanyou.

Kentamaru's parents were something and it was his bloodline of which he was most proud. He had been taught since birth that his being a hanyou was not a dirty or evil thing. He was half demon, the next Inu no Taisho, a quarter human and a quarter miko.

"Thought I'd find you here kid," a voice called from the trees. Kentamaru turned with a wry smile.

"Harusan," he addressed his retainer with a nod as the Inu youkai dropped from the trees. The black clad knight strode forward ruffling his hair, his astonishingly pale blue eyes scrutinizing his young charge.

"You were supposed to meet me at Goshinboku," he scolded lightly, brows furrowed gently. Kentamaru turned his attention back to the well, tracing his claws idly in his mother's initials that she had carved there sometime ago. His eyes traveled to a set of three deep scores next to Kagome's initials. No doubt the work of his arrogant father.

"Yeah well you were supposed to be training me instead of out looking for girls." Kentamaru backfired. Harusan clasped the back of Kenta's neck, shaking the boy and plastered on a wide grin.

"Real funny Kenta." Harusan laughed, releasing his grip on his neck. Familiar with the hanyou he stretched his back, arms behind his head. "Alright I'll bite; what do you want?"

Kentamaru turned to Harusan eagerly, his eyes bright and shining with mischief. With his hands behind his hand, Harusan arched an eyebrow at his charge before closing his eyes all together.

"No," he told him sternly. Kentamaru groaned. "Let's get going." And he turned to walk away.

"I didn't even ask yet!" Kentamaru complained following dutifully behind his retainer. Harusan barked out a short sarcastic laugh.

"Alright kid, one; you're just like your dad. You do not ask for anything." Kentamaru gave a wry grin at that. "And two, you ask… no, demand for that something every damn day." Harusan let his arms down with an exasperated huff.

Kentamaru stuck his nose in the air as they walked, in a perfect imitation of his father. "Maybe I wasn't going to ask that." He crooned.

"I've been you're retainer for 15 years. Uh yeah… you were."

"I wasn't!"

Harusan groaned loudly. "You are so annoying kid I swear it's scary how much like your dad you are."

Kentamaru was persistent. "What if I actually ask for once?"

Harusan rolled his eyes. "You can try."

Kentamaru cleared his throat in mock preparation. "Can I please see the Ebonyx?"

Harusan stretched his arms wide knocking Kentamaru in the head. "Sure, are you ready?" both youkai stopped.

Kentamaru's eyes were glued to the sheath loosely strapped to his retainer's waist. Harusan grasped the hilt tightly and pulled the sword a fraction out of the sheath. A portion of the great black blade gleamed.

Harusan's blade astounded his young charge. The great blade was huge and cut from a hunk of pure onyx. The flats of the sword were jagged and made it gleam in the light. The point and the edges were sharp and he was meticulous about keeping it kept in mint condition.

Harusan slammed it back into its sheath and started walking again.

"That's not fair!" Kentamaru protested, stalking along behind Harusan.

"Life's not fair pup, as your retainer I'm supposed to teach you lessons like that." Harusan quipped. Kentamaru snorted

"It's my parents job to teach me life lessons, your job is to baby-sit." He told him matter-of-factly. "I've been training with my dad for 10 years and haven't even wielded a real sword. And there's a sword over the fireplace!" Kenta was referring to the slim katana that hung in its sheath over the fireplace in the Great Room.

Inu Yasha was uncharacteristically tight lipped when it came to the sword. As a pup Kenta had been astounded by the mystic blade. After all for his father not to use it the blade must be powerful, more powerful than his fathers Tetsusaiga. What power lay in that katana, his father must fear its great power or else he would use it.

When Kentamaru daydreamed of fighting with a sword of his own it was always with that mysterious blade.

"I'll tell you what Kenta," Harusan offered, nudging Kenta with his elbow out of his daydreams. "If you can beat me to the castle I'll let you use my Ebonyx."

Kentamaru's head snapped up at once. He looked eagerly toward his retainer. Harusan was already gone.

Kentamaru drummed his fingers and adjusted his grip on the bamboo practice swords he held in his hands. Harusan had won the race, thought Kenta was positive he had cheated, and opted to have a mock round robin tournament between the two of them and Kei.

It was Kenta's turn to sit and he was to battle the loser out of Haru and Kei. Harusan was laughing as he swung the Ebonyx at the bronze inu youkai, who counted with a sharp twist of his Kwan-dao.

Kei's face was set in a tight scowl as he fought. Harusan barked out a laugh as he brought back the onyx blade, spinning as he attacked again. Harusan used his speed and energy to his advantage, laughing and joking around he looked like a hyper active pup wielding a sword rather than a seasoned fighter. This unique strategy often overwhelmed his opponents.

Kei swung his Kwan-dao, countering with the other end. Kei's kwan-dao was unique as it had blades on both ends of the staff. The blades themselves were unique, silver and bronze plated, virtually indestructible and a deadly weapon in Kei's able hands.

He caught the Ebonyx in the groove of one of his blades, and swung bringing the opposite blade heading straight for Harusan's head. This strike was clearly a finishing move meant to decapitate the opponent.

Harusan didn't even blink, his pale eyes locked with Kei's silver as the kwan-dao stopped a moment from his head.

"I win," Kei stated, his tone ever serious, retracting the kwan-dao. With a flash of light, the pole retracted to a smaller size. Kei strode over to Kentamaru and bent to pick up two leather coverings for his blades. After he covered the blades securely he snapped the staff to the holster on his back.

Kentamaru watched him as Harusan sheathed the Ebonyx and rewrapped the black straps he wore on his hands and forearms.

"Hey you guys cant quit I'm up," Kentamaru informed them. Harusan did not look up from his task and Kei shot him an apologetic glance. Kentamaru's ear twitched suddenly, detecting a presence as his mind registered it a moment later.

"KENTA!" Kentamaru cringed as the child's high pitched voice rang out in his ears.

There was the sharp twang of a bowstring being released and the sound of an arrow cutting through the air. Kentamaru felt the arrow barely graze his left ear and had it not been bent it would have seriously damaged the tip of his ear.

Kenta turned slowly, glaring at the miniature version of himself that sat upon Inu Yasha's shoulders, clutching a bow in his hand. Inu Yasha crossed his arms with a small shake of his head.

"Canis," Kentamaru growled and the little boy with Inu Yasha quaked.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!" he defended, slinging the bow on his shoulder and hugging his father's head, looking ever bit as afraid and sorry as his voice led on. Inu Yasha squeezed Canis' legs reassuringly.

"He was aiming for there to scare you. He's a good shot with a bow aren't you Canis?" Inu Yasha assured his sons.

"That little whelp doesn't know the meaning of aim!" Kentamaru growled dashing at his little brother, dropping on of his practice blades.

Canis yelped and scrambled down from Inu Yasha's shoulders. He grabbed Inu Yasha's red hakama pants, hiding himself behind them, blending in rather well seeing as how he was wearing that exact same outfit.

"I'll teach you to aim at my head!" Kenta roared as he dashed around Inu Yasha to catch and maim Canis.

Inu Yasha rolled his eyes as his sons chased each other in a circle around him. Kentamaru had dropped to all fours, bounding after Canis who stumbled over his own feet, though he was still holding one of his practice swords so he could whop his little brother with it.

"It wasn't going to hit you Kenta, daddy said so!" Canis hollered, completing yet another lap around Inu Yasha who was watching his sons antics with mild amusement.

"Whoa re you kidding brat, you can't shoot!" Kentamaru called, galloping on all fours like a dog. He braked and sprawled out on his stomach and thrust his sword between Inu Yasha's legs, tripping Canis on the other side who landed flat on his face.

Inu Yasha's golden eye's flared as well as his nostrils and he uncrossed his arms and planted his foot on his oldest sons head smashing Kenta's face into the dirt. He removed it quickly enough and turned to Canis, who was up clutching his nose and whimpering.

Inu Yasha sighed, though there was a hint of a smile on his face, and picked up Canis under the arm, who was beginning to tear up. He held the five year old up to his eye level.

"Let me see," Inu Yasha commanded gently but sternly. Canis reluctantly peeled his hands away from his nose, his black ears plastered to his snow white hair.

"Perfectly fine, now quit your whining," Inu Yasha told him. "Demons don't cry,"

Canis sniffled loudly and wiped his nose with the back of his hand. "This one does," he grumbled. Inu Yasha bit back a laugh and brought Canis to his shoulder as he used to shoulder the Tetsusaiga.

"You need a nap," he told him, turning to Kentamaru who was standing straight.

"Are you going to tell me what that was for?" he questioned in the exact tone his brother had just used. Inu Yasha shrugged his free shoulder.

"You insulted your mother." Inu Yasha told him plainly. Kentamaru should have known. Disrespecting his brother would normally not warrant getting his face smashed in the dirt, but by saying Canis couldn't shoot insinuated that his teacher was bad as well, and it was their mother who was teaching the pup archery.

"I get it," Kentamaru said respectfully which surprised Inu Yasha. Harusan and Kei had been standing dutifully off to the side. Inu Yasha turned to them.

"Oi, Haru, how's the kid doing?" he barked.

"He's an excellent fighter sir. I think the kid is ready for the next level of training. He has approached the age where most forms of training cut off." Harusan told him, sneaking Kenta a wink and a thumbs up from behind his back.

Inu Yasha handed a groggy Canis to Kentamaru and motioned him to go back to the castle. Kenta hesitated before carrying his little brother off.

His father's voice drifted back to him.

"He's really ready? Is that why you left hi, alone to fight a fucking lizard youkai?" Inu Yasha inquired in a dangerous tone.

Harusan was speechless. "Sir you were…"

"Tailing him? Yes." Inu Yasha finished for him in an irritated tone. "He saved his first village, though they thought he was me. Keh, I look nothing like that pup he takes after his mother."

Kenta could hear no more but noted the pride and hint of slight affection in his father's voice. He entered the castle via the front door, carrying Canis gently in his arms. The little boy rubbed his eyes sleepily before snuggling closer to Kenta.

"Sorry I shot at you Kenta," he murmured his ears twitching as he bordered on consciousness.

"Sorry I tripped you." Kenta mumbled back as he glanced down at his little brother. Canis was basically a clone of Kentamaru, with no bent ear. His father claimed they both took after Kagome, while she defended that were the spitting image of Inu Yasha.

Kentamaru thought that was foolish, and while he thought he looked nothing like his father, he had to admit he bore more resemblance to him than to Kagome. People mistook him for Inu Yasha, not Kagome. He'd be absolutely mortified if the villagers he had saved this afternoon had started calling him 'Kagome'.

Really, the only difference between Canis and Kentamaru besides their age and their ears would have to be there hands. Canis's hand were harmless, save for the razor sharp little claws adorning each of his fingers, whereas Kentamaru's hand was…

"Boys!" Kenta registered the sound of his mother's sweet voice and smiled. He had been halfway up the stairs but stopped to turn and face her.

Kagome stood at the bottom of the stairs off to one side that led to the servants quarters. A red bandana covered her hanyou ears and she wore a simple white yukata and a green skirt. She was leaning on a broom and smiling up at her sons. Leaving the broom at the bottom she climbed the stairs towards them.

She stopped a step below Kenta and peered at Canis who was curled up and fast asleep in his big brother's arms. Kagome leaned down to kiss his cheek and ruffle his hair gently before she repeated the same on Kentamaru.

"Poor little guy," she murmured laying her hand on Canis's forehead. The little hanyou sniffed the air and twitched slightly.

"Mama," he whined, recognizing her scent and Kagome took him from Kenta and rocked him and within moments he was fast asleep again. She continued with Kenta up the stairs.

"Where's your father?" she asked. Kentamaru shrugged his shoulders

"Outside with Harusan and Kei I suppose."

"Those two causing trouble again?" Kagome inquired in a motherly tone. She had known both youkai since they were twelve.

Inu Yasha suddenly appeared beside Kentamaru, having cleared the stairs in a single bound. He glanced over at the sleeping Canis in his mate's arms and chortled. He nudged Kentamaru with his elbow.

"Tell your mother what you did today." And as with many of his father's statements Kentamaru couldn't tell if it was a question or a statement. Kenta eyed his father with a quizzical look only to find Inu Yasha looking down at him with the exact same expression.

"Oh you two," Kagome chided to break the silence. "Kenta, what did you do today?"

"Fought a lizard youkai," Kentamaru allowed and his dad nudged him again. "and saved a village."

Kagome gasped, although it was a happy gasp. "Way to go I'm so proud of you, you're becoming just like your papa." She leaned over and kissed his cheek causing Kentamaru to blush.

"What hand you use?" Inu Yasha inquired roughly, hiding his embarrassment at being called 'papa' with his gruffness.

"My right,"

"Iron Reever?"

"Yes sir,"

"Cut that sir crap out Kenta,"

"Alright dad," Kenta smiled.

Kagome was curious. "Why not just use your left hand?" she wondered aloud.

"It's too easy," Kenta told her arrogantly. "and people think I'm weird enough already." His last statement got both his parents attention.

"Why do they think your weird?" Inu Yasha demanded.

"Keh, they think I'm you, that's weird enough". He said pointing at his father.

"Keh, you're lucky, village people adore me." Inu Yasha said proudly.

"Well me too," Kentamaru retorted.

"Only because they think you're me!"

"They'll learn to love me more, trust me old timer," Kentamaru proclaimed nudging his father with his elbow. Kagome laughed.

"Uh oh, you've got some big shoes to fill Kenta," Inu Yasha stuck his nose in the air proudly and crossed his arms.

"Keh, pup's lucky I don't wear shoes!" and he turned to rub his knuckles on top of Kentamaru's head between his ears.

"Cut it out you two," Kagome reprimanded her mate and eldest pup. "I swear you two are so alike sometimes it scares me," she shook her head with a smile.

Both men rounded on her in an instant.

"I'M NOTHING LIKE HIM!" they yelled at exactly the same time with identical and synchronized hand motions.

They turned and stalked off in opposite directions, Kentamaru headed for his room and Inu Yasha for the great room. Kagome sweat-dropped and adjusted a still sleeping Canis in her arms.

"Like father…like son,"

Meet Canis. Inu Yasha and Kagome's second and youngest son. I told you guys at the top I've got someone you're all going to like. I meant Canis.

Interesting Facts:

Canis is Latin for...Dog.
A Kwan-dao is a type of weapon, for those who don't know; imagine Lenny of Ren Tao's weapon from Shaman King.
Ebonyx, the name of Harusan's sword is derived from Ebony and Onyx, both meaning black.

To answer a reviewers question...Yes Kentamaru will be getting a girlfriend...as a matter of fact he has two potential girls he's being forced to court and this plays an important part in the plot of this story.

Kentmaru does not hate Inu Yasha, but idolizes him though as he grows older he tends to hide it. Kenta is just trying to grow from under his father's shadow and make a legacy and a name for himself.

That just about covers everything I have to say so I'ma let you people get on with your lives.

P.S...Coffee or Tea?

Deceptress