Chapter 5

Izayoi smiled as she walked towards the house her father built with Toshiro. They were coming back from a visit to a nearby village and couldn't wait to get home to their families. They walked closer and closer seeing a group of children running around with each other as several adults standing by. They smiled as they heard screams from children before they started running.

"Mommy!"

"Daddy!" Izayoi and Toshiro knelt as three children ran at them. Toshiro smiled as he picked up a two-year-old boy with bluish-silver hair, pointed ears and dark blue eyes. Izayoi had a two-year-old boy with black hair, pointed ears and golden eyes and a two year old girl with brownish-silver hair, fuzz covered dog ears and bright golden eyes collide and hold her tight. They both stood with smiles and others came running followed by the adults.

"It's about time ya got home." Taro said taking the little girl from her.

"What do ya expect?" She smiled as he kissed her.

"How was the trip?" Shippo asked as he caught his son as he took off running once again. He lifted the two year old with red hair, green eyes and little fox ears atop his head.

"Yori let your brother and sister get to the house." Kagome said as she walked over with Inuyasha and a little two-year-old girl ran up to Izayoi and Toshiro. The girl had silver hair, gray eyes, and dog-ears. Izayoi laughed as she bent and ruffled her younger sister's hair making her giggle.

"Dad," Toshiro said looking away from his son and mate. "We ran across someone." Inuyasha raised an eyebrow as Izayoi continued.

"We really should keep our eye on them. We had to fight one of them. It took us a day to get enough power to come back. The guy we fought said something about his group is looking for people with special powers." Inuyasha gave a small nod before he saw another group of children running up to them. They had a two-year-old girl with light brown hair and dark blue eyes running with a black haired, grey-eyed girl, and a boy with black hair and dark honey eyes with pointed ears.

"We should take a trip to talk to my parents." Taro said and watched the adults nod.

"I think we need to go tell Uncle too." Izayoi said as they heard calls for the other children. Izayoi knelt down with a bright smile as Hanna's boy with the black hair and dark honey eyes ran up to her.

"You back!" He squealed as she hugged the boy. She smiled as she let go of Kenta letting the two run off to play with the others.

"We should head out soon." Izayoi said standing back up.

"You two need to sleep." Kagome said making the two look at her with a smirk. "Don't give me that look you two know you can't push yourself." The twins rolled their eyes before they started walking away. "Taro, Akia…." The two looked at their mother in law as Inuyasha chuckled. The two turned to look at each other. Taro grinned before he walked up behind Izayoi and picked her up startling her.

"Taro!" She scolded and was only answered by his grinning face. She glanced over seeing Akia grabbing Toshiro's ear and pulling it down to her.

"Alright, alright!" He called making Akia smile, let go, and started to push him along. "I'm going, Akia, I'm going."

"You guys watch the kids for a bit?" Taro asked walking back over as Izayoi continued to try to get free.

"Yeah, we got them." Inuyasha said with a smirk at his daughter who was trying desperately to get free from her mate's arms to no avail. "Izzy, I don't think you're going to be getting free." He said making her scowl at him as Taro laughed and started walking away.

Izayoi and Taro ran through the forest and across the land with their twins in their arms. As the sun sank it was time t stop for the night. Taro set Katara with Kenta while he went to find food and Izayoi watched the children and set a tiny camp. She smiled seeing her mate come back with several fish to cook as their twins slept.

"They missed their nap." She said looking over to the twins cuddled together as she moved closer to Taro.

"I still can't believe they are our kids. I can't even believe how we went from being those kids always arguing and fighting to falling for each other…"

"Then we went onto mate and have kids…. It seems like yesterday we were attacking each other and our dad's had to separate us." She laughed making him chuckle at the old memories.

"I wander how my parents are gonna be…" He thought aloud. "They haven't seen the kids since they were a few months old." He said looking at the twins.

"Then again we never wanted to take them on the long trip." He nodded as the two sat together just watching their twins sleep.

The next morning Taro and Izayoi work up to their twins giggling as they climbed into their parents laps.

"What are you two doing this early?" Izayoi asked with a smile as the twins giggled and looked up at her and Taro. "Are you guys ready to get going and see your grandparents?" the two nodded quickly making their parents stand up, gathering their things and heading off with the twins in their arms again. They stopped looking at a cliff with a large waterfall.

"Who's there?" Came a voice making the twin look around as Taro walked out with Izayoi following and the twins walking between them. "Prince Taro… We didn't know…." One of the wolf demons said making Taro smirk.

"It's fine, Takuya. Are my parents in?" He asked as the wolf nodded and led the way to Koga and Ayame who came out to stand on the ledge. As Taro and Izayoi walked out farther Ayame took off running to Taro who hugged her tight as Koga made his way down as Ayame hugged Izayoi.

"What are you two doing here?" She asked pulling back from another hug from her son and started pulling him behind her along the ledges only to be stopped when Taro stopped. She turned to see Taro reach down lifting a little girl into his arms making her eyes go wide as she saw Izayoi do the same with a young boy. "You brought them out here?"

"Figured you'd wanta see them." Taro smiled at his mother who looked at the girl as she laid her head on her father's shoulder sleepily.

"You were just going to try to go as long as you could without telling us?" Koga asked with a smirk as Izayoi grinned. "Let's get in the den and we can talk more." The group walked along the ledge and behind the waterfall. They set the twins on their own feet before walking farther in where they saw the rest of the wolf family. Mina stood and ran to Taro as the others made their way over to them.

"Taro!" They heard before they turned see Izayoi before they turned to hug her. "What are you two doing here?"

"We need to talk to your mom and dad." Izayoi told Mina. Koga looked at her confused as she looked at him. "It's just some information we want to pass on."

"Alright leave them be." Koga said before Izayoi knelt and started talking to the twins making the others only just now realize the children were there. Jiro was standing and talking to Taro when he realized.

"You brought the twins?" He asked watching as they listened to Izayoi.

"Yeah, figured you would all want to see them." He smiled looking at the twins looking around.

"Daddy?" The girl asked making him look down, as the others still couldn't believe Taro was a father.

"What's up Kirei?" He asked as he knelt down in front of her.

"I'm hungry." She said looking at him with her golden eyes as he ears swiveled on the top of her head.

"I have some food over here. Come on." Akio said leaning down slightly with a smile. Katara look at her father as he gave a smile and nod before looking at his son leaning against Izayoi as she still knelt.

"Ouji, you want to eat to?" Kenta looked at his father and nodded before he followed his sister and grabbed a hold of Akio's hands. Izayoi and Taro stood up as the twins followed their uncle.

"Cute nick names." Mina smiled at her brother.

"Well they fit them." He smiled.

"Taro, what are you passing along?" Koga asked as Taro shook his head looking at his mate as she talked to Mina softly.

"Izayoi's the one with the information. It was something about people she and Shiro fought."

"Fought?"

"Yeah, something like that." He said before he looked over at Izayoi. "Mate." He said making her look at him. Koga and Ayame still couldn't believe that the two were mated and over the last two years they only talked for moments at a time but it was still a shock when he called her mate and not by her name or the nicknames they had.

"Yeah?" She answered walking over to him.

"Dad wants to know what you know." She looked over to Koga still looking between the two when she started.

"Shiro and I were out at another village and one our way back we were attacked. He only wore us down like he was play with us and he said that he was part a group who are out looking for people who are special and have special powers."

"Special?" Koga asked.

"That's all he said. He only said that when Shiro and I were completely worn down so we couldn't do anything to him. It took us another day and a half to get back to where we needed to just to get home."

"We don't know what they meant or anything but if you hear anything about them, you know what's going on." Taro said making both his parents nod. Suddenly they heard a cry making Izayoi take off to find the twins while Taro looked in the direction of his kids as Izayoi came walking out with Katara on her hip crying into her shoulder.

"What happened?" Ayame asked moving to Izayoi's side as Taro reached out taking the girl making her calm almost instantly.

"She is a little shy and just got scared." Izayoi said as she looked around from her father's arms.

That night Taro sat with Katara in his lap as he sat looking at the stars "pretty!" Katara said pointing at the sky making her father laugh.

"It is pretty. Almost as pretty as you." Taro smiled at his daughter making her giggle. "It's a shooting star. Make a wish Kirei." He said pointing at the star as she smiled brightly before Koga walked out and sat beside them.

"What are you up to?" He asked as Taro glanced at him with a smile.

"We watchin' pretty stars. Right daddy?" Taro smiled brightly and gave a nod. Koga watched his son smile brightly at the little girl and every time she called him daddy, the smile got brighter and brighter.

"Yup." He looked at his dad.

"Last time I talked to you out here you were trying to avoid her scent. Any reason now?" He asked making Taro chuckle and shake his head.

"Katara just likes to look at the sky at night. Izzy's already asleep. She still hasn't recovered fully from her fight." He said softly as Katara yawned and leaned against his chest. "You heard anything from Saburo?"

"No. The last time I heard anything he ran from the den and swore he would have his way." Koga said looking at his eldest son. "Any indication he's going to the village?"

"Nothing yet but like I told you before, if he goes after Izzy I will not hold back. He's not going to go near my mate or my pups and get away with it. I will kill him." Koga nodded as he looked at the sleeping girl in Taro's arms.

"Taro, you do what you have to protect yourself, your mate and your pups. I want to find a way to save your brother but if he continues to push it there may be no way to save him." He said softly looking out at the night sky.

"Dad…." Taro said trailing off looking from his father to his daughter. "I'm sorry for disappointing you. I know you always wanted me as your successor but…"

"You found something better." Koga said with a smile before he sighed, turning to look at him. "When you were born I always thought you would be the successor and be just like me. You've proven that somewhat as you got older, but you've turned into something I never even thought you could."

"I'm sorry."

"Son," Koga said making Taro look at him. He knew his father only used the word Son when he was being serious. "You have nothing to be sorry for. You've grown into a better man than I could have wished for, you've found your mate, and you've survived and gained the mutt's respect. Not many could have gotten as close to his little girl, and here you are, mated with kids of your own…" He said the end watching Taro smooth a hand over his daughter's head.

"Taro?" They heard making them turn to see Izayoi walking over with a blanket wrapped around her. "You coming to bed?" She asked walking up to crouch between the two men.

"I'll be in in a little while. Try to get some sleep." He said making her give a small nod before kissing his cheek before she went back to bed.

"You two really were meant to be together." Koga said watching as the young woman left.

"I better put Katara to bed. She's used to cuddling with her brother." Taro smiled as he stood up and was about to leave only to be stopped by Koga who stood up and faced his son.

"Taro." The two looked at each other. "I really am proud of you. I thought you were making the worst mistake ever not taking over the pack, and not having your family here but… son, I am glad you picked your own way to go."

"Dad…."

"Have a good night. I guess you, Izzy and the kids have to leave in the morning to go to Sesshomaru."

"Nah, we came here and Shiro went with Akia and Hikaru to Sesshomaru to talk to him since Otohime is still living at the castle."

"So you'll be staying a while?"

"Probably a few days. Let you and mom have some time with the twins." He smiled looking at Katara as she cuddled closer to his chest. "I know mom's not too happy about me not being here with my family and not mating a full wolf demon but I don't think she minds when she sees the twins." He smiled brightly before he continued to walk to join his mate and son for bed.

Two days later Izayoi and Taro walked in the little clearing by the den as his entire family wanted to have an outing. The twins ran with their aunts and uncles as their parents were walking not far away.

"Iz, you want to head home tomorrow?"

"We probably should. Besides Shiro should be home in the next few days and we can talk about what we're gonna do." Taro stopped making her stop and look at him confused as he pulled her closer to him. She smiled as he grinned at her, neither one noticing those watching not far away.

"You know, I never thought they would wind up like that." Masaharo said as he stood with Mina, and Akio.

"Don't stare too much." Jiro said walking over to join them. There was a crash and the younger children screamed making the adults turn in time to see the younger children running and someone standing with his sword ready. He smirked as he watched the children with his green eyes before he lunged after them stopping short when Izayoi and Taro landed in front of him.

"Well if it isn't the little puppy. Where's your playmate?" He chuckled as the wind blew his long white hair gently. Izayoi narrowed her eyes as she glared at the demon.

"You know this guy?" Jiro asked as he landed beside his brother.

"He's the one Shiro and me fought."

"I wouldn't call that fighting." The demon laughed as Izayoi growled. "Just remember I let you live when we fought. You owe me, and I think we'll start with you moving so I can collect what I've come for."

"What did you come for?" Taro asked as the other adults made it to their side and the adolescents stayed with the children.

"I believe that mate of yours would have already told you."

"Special power…." Izayoi trailed off and looked at the children. "The kids."

"You really are lucky to have such a wonderful mate. Smart and beautiful, if you weren't mated-"

"Shut it!" Izayoi yelled as she growled even more.

"Mommy." They heard, as Kenta looked at her move her stance. The demons looked at the two looking worried before he started to laugh.

"Well that would explain you being so defensive, and why they are wanted the most. Well besides that human Inu dragon." Izayoi's eyes went wide before he started walking towards the children only to have Izayoi charge at him. "You want to try this again?"

"You go near my pups I will kill you." She said as her eyes started to bleed red and her growls and snarls became louder. Only to have him throw her back before she charged again.

"Mina, get the kids out of here." Koga said. "Go with her." Ayame nodded as they saw the twins broke through.

"Taro!" Mina called not being able to get to her niece and nephew. Taro was about to attack when he heard his name making him turn and see the twins running at him. He wrapped his arms around them and ran over to his sister and mother.

"Daddy no!" Kenta called as he and his sister held tight to Taro.

"Go with your aunt. It's gonna be fine." He told them as Katara shook her head.

"Mommy…." She said making Taro turn and sees the flash of Izayoi's red eyes.

"It's alright you guys go and we'll get you when we're all done." He said handing them to his mother and sister before turning and grabbing Izayoi as his father and brothers attacked the demon. "Iz." He said as she tried growled trying to get free. She twisted getting out of his arms only to run her claws into the demons shoulder only to have him bring his sword around cutting into her side. Koga and his sons charged trying to separate the two when Taro grabbed Izayoi pulling her out of the way of the four wolf demons.

"Perhaps we will have better luck going for that Inu-dragon human." The demon smirked before he disappeared leaving Taro to wrestle and hold a demonic Izayoi on the ground.

"Taro." Jiro said running to his brother's side. Taro was struggling with Izayoi as she thrashed about trying to get free. Jiro reached out to help only to have Taro growl.

"Get her sais!" He growled at his brother making him back up and try to find the two sais that had fallen off when she was thrown. "Don't touch the handles!" Jiro found one lying in the grass before he looked around for the second with his two brothers as Koga ran over to help Taro.

"Just like the mutt." Koga said as Jiro brought the two sais over to them.

"Put them in her hands." Taro said

"That's like giving a maniac a weapon." Akio said.

"I can hold her, just do it." He commanded as his two brothers followed orders. Koga heard his name in time to see the twins running towards them. "Dad…"

"I got them." He said running to the twins as Taro held his mate as she snarled at him. He bared his fangs as his brothers folded her fingers over the sais.

"Mate." He said harshly making her blood red eyes turn to stare at him. The red started to fade leaving her with her gold eyes only to have them shut and she relaxed under him. "Iz…" He whispered as he smelled the blood as it started to soak the ground.

"Taro you have to get her back to Kagome." Jiro said looking at the wound. Taro nodded and looked at Koga holding the twins as they tried to get to him and Izayoi. "I'll take care of them." He said. Over the last two years Jiro had been the only one if Taro's family able to make the trip to visit often. He stood up and ran to his father trying to calm the twins.

"Alright Iz hold on." Taro said pulling her into his arms as Akio grabbed her sais as Koga and Jiro made it to his side as he stood.

"Mommy!" Kenta called from Koga's arms as Katara called cried into Jiro's shoulder.

"We'll be right behind you, go." Koga said as Taro took off.