Chapter Three

Sons of the Crescent

Pain, buzzing whirling pain that spread from his heart and worked itself outward into his blood stream. It hurt to think, it hurt feel, and it felt like every bone his body was breaking then rearranging itself in meticulous order. His vision swam and the last sight of his brother being attacked was the only thing that seemed to be in his mind. The terrified look that passed over Mangetsus face as the Nekos elongated fangs struck into his neck and drew ever closer to his life giving pulse was all that Engetsu could remember. That and the sound of his own voice as he screamed out for its little brother.

Then everything seemed to clear, the pain faded and his sight returned only this time the sight before him was covered in an opaque cloud of red. Actually everything seemed even clearer then before. His sense of smell seemed stronger and his hearing was so acute it seemed like the very forest had a pulse. Though all of the color was gone from his vision there was still that coating if red and a throbbing in his head that hungered for blood, the blood of those who had dared to attack his brother.

The Neko Youki that had had been recently attacking the younger of the twins suddenly felt their fur stand on end as a blood freezing howl rent through the air. Pairs of frightened crimson eyes turned to stare into the scarlet tinged eyes as another feral growl was scent whirling through their already twitching ears. The low and deadly growl ran through the wind, but this time a message was imbedded into the hideous sound. A message then rang in their ears until large paws took away the last of their lives. A message that howled with fury," You will DIE for such INSOLENCE."

LORD OF THE WEST, SESSHOMARU

Sesshomaru sniffed the sir once more as he headed closer to the boundaries of his land. The scent of Neko blood was the most prominent, but there was also an underlying scent of Inu demon blood as well as something else. Whoever the Inu demons were, they had a very familiar scent that smelled of cinnamon, sage, and oddly sakura blossoms. It was very pure and very odd scent for demons, especially Inu.

Sesshomarus brooding was interrupted by an irritated growl from Ryuu as he remarked," Lord Sesshomaru truly this endeavor is a waist of time as I know you can smell the blood of the Nekos."

Sesshomaru allowed his lips to curl up in distaste as h bit out," These are my lands, do not question my reasoning behind protecting them." Ryuu let out an indignant huff but decided to keep his big mouth shut. After all Lord Sesshomaru rarely ever showed emotion and for him to visibly be mad or anxious was a sure sign of trouble.

The fellow Taiyouki traveled along in silence until they reached the clearing they had originally set out for. It was at the very edge of the western lands and normally Sesshomaru would not travel this far, but as soon as he saw the clearing he was glad he had.

The Nekos had all been mauled beyond recognition and obviously were taken of, but their murder was still there. Before Sesshomaru stood a large white dog demon that was half the size of his own true form. The demon had raging crimson eyes and an even darker crescent on his brow. Though the dog was now surrounded by the three most powerful demons known to man, he showed no fear. In fact the dog was snarling viciously at them as he stood protectively over the body of what seemed to be a fallen Inu.

"Let's just kill them and get this over with," Ryuu snapped as he took a step forward and began to draw his sword.

The wooden handle of a large scythe stopped him from going any further as Toru remarked," Just watch and wait, Lord Sesshomaru seems to know theses boys."

Sesshomaru looked back at the Taiyouki ad silently thanked Toru for his assistance before he started to take a step toward the dog. What happened next seemed to be some chain reaction that started with Sesshomaru having a major out of body experience. He was not one to things in an impromptu manor, but this time every move Sesshomaru made seemed to be out of instinct and he had no control over his own body. Sesshomaru got within two feet of the snarling Engetsu before he held out his hand, palm up.

Engetsu snapped slightly as one of the demons approached him and he was preparing to attack him before a scent hit his nose and he smelt a strange yet familiar combination of spices that seemed to be the demon's scent. The strangers smell helped to clear away the fog that had entrapped Engetsus mind long enough for him to take two steps forward and begin to sniff at the upturned hand. Engetsu let out a little whine as he sat back on his hind legs and licked the palm of Sesshomarus hand.

Sesshomaru inwardly smiled at this reaction as he gently patted the large dog on the top of his head where the mark was. "Its alright, no one will hurt you," Sesshomaru whispered lowly to Engetsu so that only he could hear.

Engetsu seemed to understand as he slowly began to shrink and his fur started to thin out. Within a minutes time a young boy that was the mirror image of Sesshomaru stood before all of the shocked Taiyouki. "Arigatou…………father," Engetsu managed to get out before he fell forward into the awaiting arms of Sesshomaru and the dark world of unconsciousness.

BACK AT THE WELL

Kagome couldn't help but smile as she looked up the old walls of the well and spotted the blue sky above. "It feels like I'm home," she whispered softly as Kagome started to climb up the well and towards the sky. As she reached the top a clawed hand reached out and took her own.

"Need some help maam," a soft but obviously male voice asked as the hand hauled Kagome up and out of the well. Standing before her was a short silver haired boy with twitching puppy ears sticking out of his bangs. He was wearing a red kimono that was obviously to big for him but it also looked surprisingly familiar to Kagome.

"Is your name Kaminari?" Kagome questioned curiously as she looked over the familiar fire rat haori and the fluffy ears. As the boy shook his head Kagome asked," Could you take me to Inuyasha?"

"Yeah, my daddy is with uncle Miroku and Auntie Sango," the boy now dubbed Kaminari remarked with a wolfish grin. Then he took Kagomes hand and lead her through the woods.

Kagome fallowed after the boy but with some difficulty as he seemed to be either very fast or very hyper. So much like Shippo Kagome thought as a small tear ran down her face, she missed him so much. She missed everyone from the feudal era very much and she could not help but wish she could stay. Soon they entered into the clearing where the two newly built huts were and Kagome nearly jumped for joy at what she saw.

Sango and Miroku where playing and laughing with two seemingly seven year old boys and one nine year old girl. While Inuyasha and a red haired Inu hanyou were playing with two obviously twin girls that were utterly adorable. "INUYASHA, SANGO, MIROKU," Kagome burst out as she broke into a run and raced to hug her friends, no her family.

Inuyasha was the first to hear her as he turned in time to spot a much older looking Kagome come running out of the forest with his eight year old son. "KA, KAGOME," Inuyasha stuttered as he ran to meet Kagome half way. Soon Kagome and himself were embracing fiercely and Miroku and Sango soon joined the group hug.

"I missed you so much, I'm so sorry I left I never meant to leave without saying goodbye," Kagome whispered into Inuyashas shirt as silent tears watered the robe.

"Shh it's ok Kagome," Inuyasha whispered soothingly as he stroked her ebony locks of hair.

Kagome sniffled slightly before she asked," My sons, they are missing have. Have you seen them?"

Miroku, the ever serious, answered by saying," They passed through her not but a couple of hours ago, but Kagome I think you may need to explain some things?"

Kagome nodded as she backed away from the hug and whipped away a few tears before saying," I'll gladly explain."

"Come on everyone let us go inside," Seika, the hanyou, called as she ushered the children inside for lunch then turned to the adults.

"Yes, I agree, Lets go in to talk," Sango remarked as she took Kagomes hand and they headed inside.

Kagome smiled despite herself and the story she was about to tell as she sat down around the fire. "Well where to begin, hmm well it all started not long before the final battle, while I was bathing in the hot springs. You see Sesshomaru came and……………"Kagome told them the whole story of what had happened sense that faithful night to the day she woke up with only a note instead of her boys to greet her.

Inuyashas reaction was expected but still rather painful on the ears as he shouted out," HE DID WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Kagome let out a soft sigh as she removed her hands from her now hurting ears and replied," Inuyasha please calm down, it happened thirteen years ago."

"Don't defend him Kagome, that bastard deserves to die," Inuyasha snarled.

"I'm not defending him Inuyasha, but he is the father of my sons and you shall not kill him," Kagome snapped.

Inuyasha gapped slightly in stunned silence as he watched Kagome get up and stomp out of the room. Sango, Miroku, and Kilala were close being her as Kagome set out in a determined fury for Sesshomarus castle and her sons.

BACK WITH SESSHOMARU

A nebulous cloud of swirling black seemed to hang over his sight as Engetsu slowly regained consciousness. A low groan passed through parted lips as a bright light broke through the middle of the warming darkness. Suddenly his eyelids sprang open and the dull light of the room revealed a wooden roof hanging overhead. His mind swam as he tried to register where he was but all Engetsu could come up with was, There should not be a roof in the middle of the forest.

Faintly Engetsu heard the soft sound of someone beside him saying, "He is awake. Go tell the lord." Then a cooling cloth was draped across Engetsus forehead and a soft ancient looking hand started to remove the bandages that had miraculously appeared on his chest. "You heal well young one, almost too quickly," the soft voice remarked again.

Engetsu finally gathered up the strength to look beside him and see the archaic Inuyouki that was at the moment replacing his bandages. Suddenly instincts kicked in as he realized what was happening and Engetsu quickly grasped the wrinkled hand in a hard but not overly harsh grasp. "Where am I? What happened to my brother?" Engetsu choked out in voice that did not seem his own.

The old healer was obviously senile or quite brave as she did not react at all to the hand now holding hers all she said was," You are in the castle of Lord Sesshomaru and your brother is in the room beside you. He is fine but unconscious."

Whatever else Engetsu was going to ask was quickly broken off as the door opened with a swish and an ever passive Sesshomaru followed by Toru walked in. "How are you feeling Toru," asked with a kind smiled as he leaned down and took over the healer's job.

Engetsu blinked slightly in surprise at the kind tiger youki as he answered in a firmer tone then before," I'm feeling fine." As Engetsu spoke he proceeded to sit up without any hesitation or pain.

Sesshomaru nearly bit his lip to stop himself from telling Engetsu to sit down, but instead he asked the question that had been plaguing him. "Why did you call me father earlier," Sesshomaru asked sternly.

This time engetsu stood up fully, with Torus help of course, as he answered," It was a mere instinct caused by your scent, though if you are Sesshomaru and your mate is Kagome. Well, then I am your son and so is Mangetsu."

Ryuu and Honou, who had been standing by the door, both laughed as they remarked," Sesshomaru has no mate you silly boy."

Sesshomaru on the other and completely ignored the remarks as he stared at Engetsu in hidden awe my son. "Kagome, you know where she is," Sesshomaru asked in an almost whisper.

Engetsu nodded and remarked firmly," Yes, I know where she is, but I will not tell you. She does not wish to see you." Engetsu seemed cold and indifferent on the outside almost a perfect mirror of his new found father but inwardly he was jumping up and down as he thought I found him, I found my father. "Now may I see my brother, he has never liked being in places he does not know, and I really don't want him to freak out with his injuries," Engetsu requested firmly.

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow in curiosity but nodded in agreement before he turned and walked out of the room. Engetsu followed closely behind him as they walked into the room adjacent of the room they had previously been occupying. Mangetsu was sleeping heavily on a futon resting in the middle of the sparsely decorated room. His clothes were folded neatly beside him and from what Engetsu could see his entire neck and upper body was bandaged.

Mangetsu groaned slightly as he wandered into the world of the conscious, his first sight being that of his brother. No Impossible his brother was, his brother was smiling, it was small and gentle and to anyone else unnoticeable, but it was still there. "Brother, what happened?" Mangetsu asked as he began to sit up.

Engetsu helped him into a sitting position before he replied," We were attacked by Neko demons and now Sesshomaru is helping us. He is are father Mangetsu, we finally found him."

Mangetsus eyes widened drastically as he began to look around the room until he spotted the hidden demon lord. "Are you really our father," Mangetsu asked with barely contained excitement.

Sesshomaru raised both his eyes in curiosity as he starred at the newly awoken boy. He is so different from me or his brother, he so innocent, I wonder why Sesshomaru asked himself. "Yes, I am," answered Sesshomaru after his slight relapse into his own thoughts.

Mangetsu jumped up and nearly knocked Engetsu over in the process as he rushed forward to hug a very surprised Sesshomaru. "I'm glad we found you Otou-san," Mangetsu remarked as he gave Sesshomaru the best bear hug e could.

Sesshomaru on the other hand simply stared down at the boy in awkwardness. He had never really been hugged by anyone except Rin and she was about a foot shorter then Mangetsu not to mention she was female. This on he other hand was just plain strange, he had of course always wanted children Rin being proof enough of that but this was so sudden. Does this boy know nothing of how he was conceived, or does he just not care. The other seems so much more reserved I can't imagine that they are twins Sesshomaru thought vaguely before Mangetsu relinquished his hold.

Before another word could be spoken between the trio the ever well timed Jaken burst into the room. "Mlord pant Mlord there has been a dragon attack on a village near the castle," Jaken gasped out as his buggy yellow eyes turned to the now stoic Taiyouki.

"I must go, I will be back soon," Sesshomaru remarked as he headed for the door, or at least he tried but a hand appeared out of no where to grab onto the sleeve of his haori.

"Let me go with you," Mangetsu pleaded with his large golden eyes.

Engetsus cold voice made him drop his hold though as he remarked," No little brother we will both stay here, you are still injured and I see no reason to burden Sesshomaru during battle."

Mangetsu looked ready to cry but he nodded and walked back over to Engetsu as Sesshomaru headed once more for the door. Before he left though Sesshomaru called out," I will return before dinner."

Mangetsu broke out into another happy smile as he heard his new found 'father's' remark about returning home for dinner. Speaking of which, his stomach seemed to be complaining about its recent lack of nourishment. Engetsu let a small smirk cross his visage as he heard the clearly defined growl of a hungry stomach coming from his brother. "Come let us go see if we can find something to eat, I also want to know who the lord of this castle is," Engetsu remarked as he headed for the door. Mangetsu merely nodded enthusiastically as he chased after his brother.

The twins slowly walked down the endless corridors of the castle, using only their noses to guide them to the enticing scent of cooked meat. As they headed down one of the more decorated hallways a few of the pictures lining the stoned walls caught Engetsus attention. It was a picture of a middle aged male silver Inu standing beside an extremely beautiful female silver youki who held delicately in her arms a bundle of a small baby. Engetsu had to bite his lower lip to stop himself from smiling at the cute and obviously loving couple. His eyes traveled below the painting to a small inscription that read 'Lord Inutasho and his mate.'

Though that was not the main thing that caught his attention, it was the inscription of the painting beside that one. The inscription read plainly 'Lord Sesshomaru.' Engetsu could barely contain himself as he let his eyes rise slowly to take in the form of the man in the painting. Engetsus normally calm and emotionless countenance fell into a look of utter and complete shock as his eyes meet the equally gold orbs of his father inside the picture. His mind whirled around as he tried to place the fact that his father was, was, well his father was THE Lord of the Western Lands. Engetsu had easily noticed the way Sesshomaru had carried himself with dignity and honor and the fact that his clothes where made of fine silk, but he would have never come close to guessing the truth. He had simply thought that he was a high ranking general or a vassal at the most, but this was just too much.

Engetsu barely noticed as the small clawed hand of his brother wrapped around his own hand and dragged him away down the corridor and towards the aroma of food. His mind was doing circles as he finally got one coherent thought through his mind, LORDLY my foot the man was a LORD.

HIDDEN IN THE RUINS OF A DARK CASTLE

Cold red eyes stared into the depths of a partially cracked white mirror, the scene of the two brothers playing clearly in the dusty depths of the reflecting surface. An even colder smirk appeared on the pale skin of the man sitting before the mirror. One word broke the silence of the trashed room this word he murmured and an echo murmured back the word," Kagome."

Sinister laughter broke through the silence once more, causing the boys ebony locks to sway in his mirth and shake of the layers of dust that had coated his body. "Revenge shall come yet father, for I will make Kagome pay for her crimes in the blood of her very kin," the man jeered in voice that cracked in its misuse. He stood and exited the nearly nonexistent room in swift steady strides that did not seem to match the pale and weak looking appearance of the Sixteen year old boy.

He exited the castle all together before he took out a small wooden instrument that vaguely resembled a flute. Then he raised it to his mouth and began to play, the sickeningly sweet melody that came from it seemed to float through the air and call the evils of the world to it. Crimson eyes appeared out of the darkness of the forest and then suddenly disappeared as the creatures that owned those inhuman eyes went in search of their quarry.

BACK WITH KAGOME

Kagomes angered stomp through the wood turned into a frantic run as she felt the unmistakable shiver of yoki in the distance, and if the smoke coming from not to far away was any indication of danger, well lets just say she ran faster then ever before. "No a village," Kagome cried out as she ran towards the smoke that was billowing into the sky at an alarming rate.

As the trees cleared away Kagome came upon the unwelcoming scene of two adult dragon youki feasting upon the dead of the village. There muzzles where covered in blood and chunks of flesh and one of the dragons had a wooden spear lodge into its flank. If the scene before her was not enough to set off Kagomes emotionally controlled powers then the small child that now hung limply from on of the dragons jaws did the job.

Anger rolled off Kagome in waves of purifying energy as she reached for the bow that was attached to her back by a leather cord. It had been nearly thirteen years sense Kagome had last used her bow, but she still managed to notch an arrow and take aim at the dragons with the graceful skill of an expert shooter.

The dragons both raised their heads as the strong scent of power reached their noses. Both the bloody creatures let out a dirge like call as they prepared to charge at this pitiful human that dared to attack them during such a good feast. Though they were too late as one arrow after another was released and lodged into their hides and burned away the flesh until only two piles of dust was left in their wake.

Kagome sighed as her eyes that had been previously burning indigo with her purifying powers, returned back to their stormy slate (a kind of bluish grey) color. She was about ready to approach the mangled corpses and begin a small funeral ceremony before Kagomes senses went off like crazy. She looked around n search of the youkai she was looking for but her neck started to burn to an almost unbearable level and that's when Kagome knew she was in trouble.

SESSHOMARU

Sesshomaru left the castle quickly carrying only his swords along with him as he headed for the village that was only a few kilometers away probably around roku (five). Sesshomaru could easily see the smoke in the distance and sense the unmistakable pull of youki, but their was also the strong sense of foreboding coming from the village almost like the feeling he got when he was around Mikos.

Sesshomaru decided to land on the outskirts of town just in case there was any unknown dangers lurking about, but as he approached the village he knew something was wrong for the mark on his chest started to burn with such pain it was almost unbearable. Kagome He thought in surprise as he reached the clearing that lead to the village. What he saw before him was the most amazing, surprising, and annoyingly arousing sight Sesshomaru had ever laid eyes on.

Before him was the miko that had haughted his dreams for over a decade. She was posed in battle position with an arrow notched on her bow. She did not even notice his presence for her entire body was focused on the two murdering dragons that stood before her. Sesshomaru had to mentally stop himself from going to her aid as the angry miko completely desolated her foes. Though it was not her destruction of the creatures that surprised him, rather I was the purple glow of her eye and her even odder aura. Last time he had seen her Kagome had contained a light blue aura that all mikos possessed, but now, now her aura was blood red in the center then slowly fading to green color that look suspiciously like his own poison. How is this possible, Sesshomaru thought in contained awe as he watched her release a sigh and return to normal.

He realized that she had sensed him to late as Kagome turned to face him, her hands already having notched another arrow to her bow. Tough her eyes where not on him rather then on something or some one behind him. Sesshomaru turned his head slightly so that he could see what she was looking at. There was some more smoke in the distance back from where he had come. My castle, no the boys his mind screamed out.

Kagome raced forward and past him as she screamed out," MANGETSU ENGETSU."

Ok guys well here is the authors note. I hope you all enjoied this chapter and for those of you who hate cliffies you are going to have to wait some time for chapter four. I have two 3 page essays and a sceince fair project due soon and I will not be near a comp for almost all of christmas so Im afraid you will have to wait. now I know this is the time I am suppose to give review reponses but I got a bunch of reviews and it would take forever for this to come out if a responed to them all. Though I thank every single last one of you who reviewed from the bottome my heart.

Also for those of you who asked for Kagome to save her sons. Well really could not do that so I made her fighting some draogns just for you. Dont woory though Kagome will not be weak and always in need of saving in this story but she also will not be all powerful. Being that I am a a roleplayer I hold strong to the rule of no god-mding evn in my writing.