A/N: Okay so a special shout out to Yuti-Chan and Tempest78 for their wonderful reviews this chapter is dedicated to them especially. By the way I plan on having Renkotsu be nice or at least not disloyal.

Chapter Three: A plan in place

Ever since that first encounter with the small little girl, the leader of the band of seven didn't do anything but think, yes think. Something he never wasted his time completely on but for the past five hours since the encounter that's all he's been doing. His four other companions started to worry about their older brother as they looked at each other, fear evident in their eyes as they summed up enough courage to speak.

"Big brother, are you okay?" Jakotsu questioned first causing the others to let go of the breaths they were holding.

The younger male simply raised an eyebrow at the question before offering them his trademark smirk. "Of course I am Jakotsu, especially now that I've though up a perfect plan."

"Plan? Plan for what?" The feminine one of the group questioned with a curious look plastered on to his soft features.

"You'll see soon enough." The somewhat happy leader replied as he sat up against a sturdy tree and closed his eyes.

'Soon enough I'll know the truth.' He thought to him self as a content sigh passed through his lips.

[With Inuyasha]

"Kagome, would you mind if I gave the kids a gift?" Sango questioned wearily as she folded her hands in front of her. Kagome eyed her curiously before nodding her head.

"Of course you can, you didn't even have to ask." She replied as she stirred the currently boiling soup around.

"Well, I needed to ask first before I gave them each one of Kirara's offspring." Sango explained further causing Kagome to tense a bit before relaxing once again.

"Kirara had kittens?" She questioned as she stood up and looked at her. Sango nodded happily as she told her friend the story of how her loyal neko found love.

"Awe they are precious Sango, how old are they anyways?" Kagome questioned as she reached down and petted one of the small animals lovingly.

"About two weeks, it made me a bit sad when I figured I wouldn't be able to give you one. But now you're here, their's about ten of them so I'm able to give each of you your very own." Sango explained as she picked reached her hand out to nuzzle Kirara's head. The now transformed cat demon snuggled into its mistress's touch before granting her permission to take four of the newly born kits. Kagome squealed in delight as she was handed her own, it was the spitting image of its mother, with its creamy white fur and black markings, as well as its two tails. They were adorable.

"She's mated to a ice-neko yokai which means her kits are both fire and ice, their markings are different and the one you have resembles it's mother the most." Sango explained to her as she picked up three more of the cute kits.

"Shippo! Reika! Hiroko! Come here now, your obasan has a surprise for you!" Kagome called out to the three children currently running around the village. In less than two minutes they came towards her laughing and joking without a care in the world.

"A gift momma?" Reika questioned as she halted to a stop prompting her brothers to do the same. Sango and Kagome nodded their heads at the same time before handing each child their very own kit.

"Awe mommy their so cute." Reika beamed as she carefully and expertly cradled the one she was handed; it had snow white fur with dark ebony markings.

"That one I handed you Reika is both a fire and ice neko-yokai, which means she has the ability to control and spit out both elements." Sango informed the fascinated little girl.

"Neko-yokai?" She questioned as she looked down at the now sleeping kit.

"We will all explain it to you children in due time." Kagome intervened as she handed Shippo one that was cream colored with light blue markings.

"Awe they look just like Kirara." Shippo exclaimed as the small kit jumped on to his shoulders and snuggled the side of his head. The young preteen laughed at it's antics before turning towards his mother.

"And here is your very own Reika." Kagome said as she handed her second eldest his very own kit that sported snow white fur and light blue markings. He watched in pure fascination as the small animal jumped in to his arms and licked his nose causing a giggle to come out of the usually quiet boy.

"Momma, can I go back to the clearing now and play with my neko-chan?" Reika questioned as she tugged on her mothers skirt with pleading eyes. Kagome sucked in a deep breath as she fought with her common sense to say no.

"Awe come on Kagome, let her go." Sango added pressuring the young mother even more.

"Okay, but when your brothers call you come back and don't stray off to far you understand?" Kagome stated as she tried her best to muster up a serious look, her kids were just too damned cute for their own good.

"I'll go with her momma." Hiroko offered causing relief to shower over Kagome as she nodded her head in approval. Reika squealed with excitement before grabbing her older brother and running towards her favorite place.

"Well, Shippo you and I are going to go and get some supplies tomorrow morning, after the details Sango and Kikyo have told me I don't believe we can go back without helping." Kagome told her eldest who simply nodded his head in understanding.

"Shippo, I wanted to give you a second present." Sango said causing mother and son to look up with questioning looks. Sango didn't say another word as she walked back towards the hut they were currently occupying.

"What's up Sango?" Shippo questioned as he sat down on the mat with his feet beneath his butt. Kagome followed suit as she sat down Indian style. It took a couple minutes until Sango got done rummaging through her things and pulled out something that was neatly doled in black cloth. Kagome fidgeted for a minute when she realized what it was.

'He's too young for that isn't he?' She questioned her self as she watched Sango hand her son the dangerous object. Shippo took it amazement clear in his green eyes as he undid the string that was holding the cloth together.

"Woowww." He breathed out as he held the deadly piece of equipment in his lean hands. It was a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, a rare piece of art with its golden tip to its black handle all the way towards its golden hilt not stopping until it reached the sheath that was a second away from revealing the beauty hidden underneath its beautiful golden dragon carvings. Shippo was rendered speechless as he stared down at the beautiful weapon.

"Do you like it? It's a bit early for a present considering your birthday is a couple weeks away but I couldn't help it. I was saving it especially for you." Sango stated causing Shippo to snap out of his musings.

"Thank you Sango…I don't even know what to say." Shippo replied his voice cracking a bit at how special it made him feel that his long lost friend never forgot about him. Kagome her self wiped a tear from her eyes as she put a hand on her son's shoulder.

'Never once did they forget about us.' She thought to her self as she offered the kind hearted taijiya a smile.

"I hope you like it." Sango stated earning a weird look from Kagome that clearly read 'are you serious?'

"Like it? Sango I love it." The young boy replied as he set it down gently and threw his arms around the unsuspecting female. Sango was taken back by surprise but it quickly went away as she wrapped her arms around the enthusiastic boy.

"I really got to get use to that, its still kind of weird seeing you grown up." She said as she hugged him tighter.

"So, Sango you've told me Naraku is still yet to be defeated, correct?" Kagome questioned in a serious tone as she nearly spat out the disgusting being's name. Shippo quickly let go of her and sat down straight as he listened in on the conversation.

"Ever since you've left Kagome nothing has been the same. Naraku has continued his rampage among countless people, destroying the lives of both demon and man. It seems as if he's already collected more than half the jewel. All that is remaining are Koga's shards, the band of seven's, and of course yours." Sango explained earning a pained look to recede in the young miko's eyes as the sound of the band of seven.

"I take it he's grown stronger." Kagome finally replied as a moment of silence went through the hut.

"Strong is an understatement dear imouto, it seems as if he with every shard he gains he grows more than ten times as powerful as he did before." Kikyo stated as she walked inside the hut and sat beside Shippo. Miroku and Inuyasha soon followed after as the small group discussed possible plans and technique's to bring the evil hanyou down.

[At the clearing.]

Hiroko sat up against a sturdy tree as he kept his eyes glued on to his younger sister. Thoughts ran through his head at what she told him when they were walking towards the clearing.

Flashback…

"You know aniki I met a man that looked just like you today! He even had his hair down his back the way you do it. Although his is much longer, almost like momma's but much much much longer." Reika exclaimed as she held on to her new pet. Hiroko went silent at the information as he walked along side his twin.

"You mean just like…me?" He questioned hesitantly as he looked down at the forest floor, his braid placed neatly on his shoulder while his own pet was perched on his head.

"Yeah, he was really tall almost like ojiisan; I think if they stand next to each other he might be more bigger." She continued before laughing and running towards the beautiful flower beds that outlined the side of the trees.

'Could it be…papa?' He questioned inside his head as he imagined a tall man that looked like him.

End of flashback….

"Aniki look at these pretty flowers." Reika exclaimed as she handed her brother a bouquet of differently assorted plants that ranged from light blues to pinks to oranges.

"Their beautiful imouto." He stated as he took them from her and smiled. Reika kissed her brother lovingly on the cheek before racing off and making another batch for the rest of the group. The older boy let out a sigh as he closed his eyes and inhaled the riveting scents of the beautiful plants.

'I feel sleepy….' He thought to himself as his eye lids became heavy with drowsiness. With half lidded eyes he watched as his younger sister inhaled a plump red rose.

"No…Reika…" He managed to whisper out before falling completely asleep. Reika's eyes shot up instantly at the sound of her brother's pet hissing, panic quickly took over her as the small kitten fell asleep instantly after sniffing the bouquet of flowers she gave them. Looking down at the beautiful rose in her hand she instantly figured out what was wrong as she threw the offensive object down and ran towards her brother.

"Aniki?" She whispered as her eyes began to feel heavy, with one last attempt at waking her brother she fell in to his lap and let sleep overtake her small being. Sensing danger her kitten quickly transformed in to its original form and let out an ear piercing roar that alerted the village close by. It was still small in size compared to its mother but in another three weeks it would be just as big and just as powerful, possibly even more.

"Well well well, I don't know why aniki even wants these two brats but I guess I have no choice but to carry out his plan." A tall male stated as he walked towards the two children only to stop as the neko-yokai stood in his path. A loud roar erupted from it's small frame once more but was quickly put down as the man threw an array of flowers at its face assaulting its highly sensitive nostrils. With one last meow the small cat quickly reverted back to its smaller form and fell asleep in its owners lap.

"Renkotsu, did you get the brat yet?" His feminine comrade questioned as he made his way in to the clearing. The taller male looked at him, annoyance clear in his features as he picked the girl up and settled her and her kitten in his arms.

"Take the boy." He instructed as he walked off. The cross dresser simply 'harrumphed 'before doing as he was told.

'He looks just like aniki.' He thought to himself as he cradled the boy gently inside his slender arms. 'These two must be his if that's the case, stupid wench, running off without telling us that we had a niece and a nephew.'

"Hiroko! Reika!" A familiar voice yelled out in a panic causing the feminine male to run even faster. After a good fifteen minutes of running he finally arrived inside their hideout.

"Here aniki, this one oddly enough looks like you." He stated as he set the boy down gently on a large futon next to his younger sister. The youngest of the group didn't reply as he stared down at the two sleeping children.

'I know it. I can feel it. I don't need to be a damned doctor to know who they are.' He thought to himself as he studied each of their features carefully.

"You both have done well, so I think you deserve a break. Go and carry out whatever plans you want." He finally stated as he looked up at them.

"You mean it?" The feminine one questioned excitedly as he clasped his hands together. Their leader simply nodded in response as he ordered the other two to do the same. They quickly set off leaving the young male and the two now stirring children to themselves.

"Momma…" The girl stated as she began to stir around, tears sliding down her small cheeks causing him to reach out and place her in his lap.

"Shhh." He said as he cradled her small form to him. The tears quickly left as she opened her big blue eyes and looked up at him.

"Who are you?" She questioned innocently as she rubbed away the sleepiness in her eyes.

"My name is Bankotsu…what's yours?" He replied in a soft tone as the young girl sat up against him and placed her sleeping kitten in her lap.

"My name is Reika." She replied as she looked up and stared in to his deep blue eyes. She didn't know why but she felt oddly close to the man she was currently sitting against.

"Reika…." She heard her brother murmur causing her to jump to his side immediately.

"Hirokoooo." She said softly as she shook him awake. Bankotsu found himself studying the two children carefully. They both had the names Kagome and him had decided on if they were ever to have children; it was far from a big coincidence. Especially since he looked exactly like him.

"Reika? Are you okay?" He heard the young boy question as he opened his eyes and got up. The little girl nodded as she hugged him tightly.

"I'm fine big brother." She replied as she let him go and turned her gaze to Bankotsu.

"Tell me, what is your mother's name?" He questioned earning a worried look to pass through their eyes.

"Why do you want to know mister? And who are you? Where are we? Why did you bring us here?" Hiroko replied as he got up and stood in front of him. Reika quickly got up and hugged her brother's arm.

"Aniki stop it." She stated as she looked up at him.

"I'm not answering your question until you answer mine kid." Bankotsu replied calmly as he stared the little boy down. Hiroko tried his best to keep a strong demeanor but gave up as soon as his sister pleaded with him.

"Kagome…." He finally replied as he looked down at the ground.

"What?" Bankotsu questioned in disbelief.

"Our mother's name is Kagome. And our older brother's name is Shippo; we have aunts named Kikyo and Sango and uncles named Inuyasha and Miroku. Our grandmother's name is Megumi and our other uncle's name is Souta." He replied in a higher tone as he shot his eyes up and looked at him dead in the face.

"What's your father's name?" The older male questioned in an even tone as he tried hard to contain his excitement, their next answer will definitely clear any other suspicions he had about whether or not these two kids were truly his.

"We don't know…. Our momma never wants to talk about him." Reika spoke up as she noted her brother's instant uneasiness. That was all Bankotsu needed to hear as he grabbed the two children and held them in his arms. Reika hugged him back while Hiroko sat there stunned.

"Hey mister, who are you anyways and why do you want to know about our daddy? Do you know him?" He questioned as the overly excited male let them go.

"As a matter of fact kid I know him like the back of my hand." He replied as he ruffled the boy's hair earning a disapproving look to etch its self on his small face.

"Heyyy cut it out!" He bit out as he tried to tackle down the much stronger male. Reika watched, amusement clear in her young face, as the two began to wrestle each other. Bankotsu clearly being gently and winning no less as Hiroko jumped on his back and tried to put him in a headlock.

"Silly Hiroko, don't you remember our karate lessons?" Reika questioned her brother as she noted his somewhat unprofessional moves.

"This is wrestling Reika!" He breathed out as Bankotsu flipped him gently on his back in which he got up and turned to strike at the tall male. Reika just shrugged her shoulders as she turned to pet the two small kittens currently sleeping next to each other.

"I wonder what momma's doing." She thought out loud as she stared out the mouth of the cave. She knew her mother was probably ripping her hair out trying to look for them. And boy was she right.

[With Kagome]

"Where the hell are they?" She yelled out as she began to run around the forest frantically searching for her two missing children.

"Kagome its better if you calm down, Inuyasha is currently knocked out due to the sleeping powder spread through out the clearing. You'll get your self killed if you run around here alone." Sango pleaded with her friend as she reached a hand out to comfort the ailing mother.

"In my current state of condition I don't think any human or demon will think to mess with me." She replied bitterly as she continued to hunt her children down.

"Kagome, don't say I didn't warn you." Sango stated as she lifted her huge boomerang and dropped it on the poor woman's head. In an instant Kagome was knocked out on the floor.

"You had to do it." Kikyo stated as she looked down at her sister figure.

"I know, but I can't help feeling guilty." Sango replied as she slung her hiraikotsu over her shoulder, Kikyo simply nodded before slinging Kagome over her shoulder and walking back towards the village behind Sango.

"I have a small hunch at who did this." Kikyo stated earning Sango's attention.

"What do you mean one-san?" Sango replied as she looked at the pale miko.

"I felt the presence of four jewel shards in the clearing while the children were away; it was not the same power that radiated off of the wolf demon, but a semi-tainted glow. One of which could only belong to…"

"The members of the band of seven." Sango finished as realization hit her.

"You don't think Bankotsu found out about Kagome and the kids this soon do you?" She questioned as fear struck her heart. Kikyo gritted her teeth as the thought of the ruthless mercenaries laying a hand on her precious niece and nephew.

"I honestly have no idea imouto, but as soon as possible we will hunt them down and get the children back."

[End]