Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Okay everyone here is Chapter III it is a lot longer than the first two and goes into more detail. Anyway please review because it's going to get better from here on. Kag & Co. finally appear!

Chapter 3

A BROTHER'S REQUEST

(Western Lands in the Well)

The sun rose swiftly over the Western Lands. These territories had long been inhabited by the powerful silver inuyoukai. They had for many years been ruled by their kind Lord Inutaisho. However, over 140 years ago he finally was taken from this world, and left his eldest son, Sesshomaru, to rule over his lands.

The area was known for its stability and rich soil. The Western Lands extended all the way to the Western Sea and it was there that the lands palace had been built right next to the coast. That wonder was protected by white walls and tall ships that sailed through the seas and even down the Great River to defend its lord's honor.

The palace itself was the true sight to see within that land. Greater than all save one city in the empire, it served as a place of administration and cultural achievements for the land. It held great grounds that were filled with ponds, gardens, and orchards to the delight of the occupants and any visitors who came there.

However, the inside of the palace was even grander. On the walls hung paintings of the greatest families of the empire and their worthiest descendants. The place was filled with glorious rooms where many guests had slept to their delight and comfort. The servants were also said to be the most gracious and virtuous in the world..

If you went deeper within the palace you might see things that were much more interesting, and that were more relevant to our story. Walking down one of the halls of the huge palace one would see the mysterious Lord Healo walking swiftly to answer a summons from his younger half-brother, and temporary lord, Sesshomaru.

He was a very impressive figure his eyes were a deep dark blue, his hair was long and raven black, but his skin was pale. He wore a black cloak which would make him look very menacing indeed, but this was not his true nature, as you will see, he was kind and warm as summer but he was marked by a strange sadness.

However, at the present there was no sign of sadness though his face was set in a serious manner. He walked at a quick pace but he was not rushing. After walking down the elegant corridor for a few moments he seemed to come to his destination.

The door was adorned with sapphires and was crested with a blue crescent moon just above the door. He turned the gold handle and entered the room. Inside were two inuyoukai one of which sat at a large desk that was cluttered with reports.

The one sitting at the desk was indeed the lord of those lands Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru glanced up at him with his golden eyes then made a gesture with his hand and said ", General come join us. We have something important to speak of." Now here was a demon whose looks at least somewhat portrayed his personality.

The other turned to smile at him and added ", What we will discuss will have a special interest to us." This was Magus II the grandson of the Northern Lords sire. He was the middle brother and was well known for his guile and wisdom. In all things he was an image of his forefather including the silvery snowflake upon his brow.

Healo only nodded in answer to Magus's comment then he returned his gaze to Sesshomaru and asked ", What is it that we will discuss."

Sesshomaru replied ", I have as of late found out that the one who called himself Onigumo is in fact the same Naraku that has been terrorizing the lands of late."

Healo sadly shook his head. He had heard of the cruelties of this Naraku and while it was surprising in a sense to learn that the hanyou that had caused so much of his troubles was Naraku, it did not surprise him that he would do such terrible things. He replied quietly ", That is news for some disquiet but as far as I have heard he has made no moves against the West, correct?"

Nothing was said for a moment as Magus glanced at Sesshomaru as if to ask permission to speak. Sesshomaru's answer was silence so Magus decided to answer. Magus relpied ", It is technically true, however, we believe that he was involved with stirring up the panthers in their last rebellion. Also he seems to have set his sights upon the Shikon no Tama."

Healo's eyes widened as he said ", The sacred jewel? That is a concern for everyone."

He paused as Sesshomaru spoke ", I have no interest in the jewel itself. However, I agree that we can not allow this hanyou to use its power. Especially since the shards that remain have such a foolish band of protectors." Sesshomaru's facial expression did not change but Healo felt that this was said in amusement.

Healo looked confused for a moment before asking ", Who holds the last shards?"

Magus looked at his older brother with a guilty expression before answering ", Brother we didn't tell you before because we were afraid that you would do something stupid. And considering the prophecy we thought it wouldn't be wise to have you running around, but since something has to be done we agreed that it is time to tell you. The protectors are a monk, a demon slayer, a strange miko, and…Inuyasha.

For a moment there was an eerie silence as Healo absorbed the words but it was only the calm before the storm. Suddenly his eyes flashed like a flame and he spoke angrily ", You kept this from me! How was he unsealed, when did it happen?"

Magus began to answer but he was cut off by Sesshomaru who stated ", He was set free by the miko nearly five years ago."

Healo looked reproachfully at his brother's and said ", You hid this from me for 5 YEARS? My lord I wish to send a message to him. We could use him as an ally, and as you said his group has shards of the sacred jewel. They must be protected from Naraku, he already has the North if he gains the jewel he will be invincible."

Sesshomaru's answer came swiftly ", No I will not have that half-breed underneath my roof. His presence would hinder my attempts to gain other allies."

Healo responded caustically ", It could be said that most of our current dilemmas stem from your first refusal to accept your brother."

Magus glanced nervously at Sesshomaru fearing that his older brother had gone too far. However, he merely responded coldly ", No General, it was your own treacherous choices that caused all this. It was only by accident that that filth was involved at all."

Healo winced at the blow that hinted at his past mistakes but then straightened and strongly said ", Then I do not have your permission my lord?"

Again Sesshomaru's silence was the answer. After a few moments Healo said with disappointment ", Very well, but you do realize that this all ends tomorrow? My debt will be repaid and my service to you will be over. Then I will do as I wish."

Having said this Healo slowly left the room leaving both of his brothers to ponder his words.

(24 hours later, Near the Well)

Kagome sighed as she climbed out of the old well. She had been secretly disappointed to not have found Inuyasha waiting at the shrine to force her back into the past. She tried pulling up her heavy pack a little more than huffed a little. She mumbled something about Inuyasha never showing up when you really needed him when she heard a small "ahem".

She looked up to see the very same hanyou in front of her. "Aha…," laughed Kagome weakly as she watched the annoyed demon. Besides the fact that his eyes were narrowed she could tell that he was not happy with her by the way his ears were flattened against his head.

The sight of Inuyasha's ears cheered her up as she said "Hey."

Inuyasha however was not amused as he said ", What took you so long? I was thinking about coming and getting you but Shippo dropped one of his little tricks on me."

Kagome gave in irritable sigh as she lifted her yellow pack and answered ", I had to stay after school to make up a test I missed." 'So much for being considerate' she thought bitterly.

However, Inuyasha did silently lift her pack as if it were as light as a feather and said in a less annoyed voice ", Well come on everyone's waiting for you so we can go."

Kagome seriously doubted that any of them except for Inuyasha wanted to go looking for Naraku, but she followed the hanyou without complaint as he led her towards the village. She had been trying not to think about Inuyasha to much lately since she knew that Inuyasha went and saw Kikyo every once in a while.

Kagome had no desire to be a replacement and if Inuyasha couldn't love her for herself well then that was his problem. Still Kagome couldn't help but be a little sad sometimes, she hadn't been able to completely stop thinking about him, but she hoped to get over it in time.

She came out of her thoughts to realize that they had arrived at the village. When they finally arrived at Kaede's house they were met with a surprise. There was a red wolf demon standing at the door with all of Kagome's companions.

She instinctively pulled out her bow and placed an arrow on the string as Inuyasha drew tetseiga and growled ", What do you want?"

Miroku looked at Inuyasha and said ", Wait a second Inuyasha. He claims to have a message for you."

Inuyasha lowered his sword a little and asked in a questioning tone ", For me?"

The wolf stepped forward, he was dressed in a black armor and held a sword at his side. He replied in a calm voice and said ", I bring a message from my master the Lord of the North."

The demon held up a scroll with an official looking seal that consisted of a silver snowflake. Inuyasha slowly reached out his hand to take the scroll as everybody waited for him to speak. However, he silently opened the scroll and stared at its contents. For a moment everything was quiet then Shippo asked ", Well, who is he, and what does he want."

Inuyasha swallowed then said in a strange voice ", He's my brother. He wants me to come to the Western palace."

Kagome gasped and said in a surprised voice ", Sesshomaru wants to see you?"

Everyone gave a questioning look to Inuyasha.

Inuyasha's eyes hardened as he looked at Kagome and said ", It's not from Sesshomaru he's lord of the West nor the North, it's from Healo."

Kagome looked around at the others to see if anyone else knew who he was talking about. However, they were all just as confused as she. She plucked up the courage and asked ", Will you go."

Kagome watched as Inuyasha struggled to answer her as he fought in internal battle with some unknown fact. Then his face smoothed out and he answered determinedly to the wolf demon ", Tell him I'll be there."

The wolf demon gave a solemn bow then swiftly ran away to the West until he ran among some trees then no more could be seen of him. 'I don't like how serious he became' thought Kagome as she glanced at the strangely silent hanyou.

He ignored Kagome's and everyone else's looks and went leaping towards the forest without a word.

Please R&R!