Chapter 4

Tsuin's Treasure

"Hush little baby don't say a word," Kagome sung in a very low voice to her child to try and sooth his crying, "momma is going to buy you a mocking bird. And if that mocking bird don't sing mommy is going to buy you a diamond ring. And if that diamond ring doesn't shine your father's going to have to make someone die. Then I will yell and scream. Then your father won't kill no more and he won't take any other whore. We will all be a happy family. You, me, daddy, Koinu, Rin, and Miyori too."

Memories of singing that song came back to Kagome as she awoke to a strange sound the next morning. She turned around and saw Koinu having the Tetsusaiga unsheathed for the first time and hitting it against a tree. Good thing she was use to him making sounds that would wake her up by now. It had been that way since he was a baby. He never cried as bad as he did when he was poisoned long ago, but he did cry. Kagome could only sing to get him to sleep, but the song she was reminded of she never song to Koinu. It was one that she had only sung to her son Tsuin right after Sesshoumaru admitted he loved her.

Tsuin was different then the other two, well she didn't know that for sure. After all she didn't know how he probably acted, but things were different when they were babies. There was Koinu and Miyori who were clearly dog hanyou's, but then there was Tsuin. He looked nothing like a dog youkai; even though Sesshoumaru had claimed eventually he would grow stripes. He looked more human then anything with his black hair. Well not exactly because she could remember his strange red eyes. Sesshoumaru had said he received the red eyes from his youkai grandmother, but she hated those eyes and his hair, which was similar to hers. She thought about something when she laid eyes on Koinu for the first time, but she didn't dare say what she thought to Sesshoumaru. She would never tell him that she thought it was strange that he had the same colored eyes and hair as their old enemy Naraku did.

"Koinu what are you doing?" Kagome asked after rubbing her eyes and confronting the waking world.

"That stupid guy who you claim is my father cheated me out," growled Koinu as he kept hacking away at the tree, "this sword won't even make a cut."

Kagome just looked at him with a little smile on her face. He just didn't understand. The Tetsusaiga hadn't been used in awhile now. The only possible way to get it working again would for Koinu to use it while protecting a human. He probably had no clue that the sword's only purpose was to keep him from transforming into a blood thirsty youkai bent on killing everything in his path. That brought on more questions. If Koinu had the Tetsusaiga now then what was stopping Tsuin, Miyori, and the resurrected Inuyasha from transforming? Were they all alike Sesshoumaru who was cold and emotionless in battle and could never loose their cool? Kagome shuddered at that thought. She would always love her children no matter what, but two smaller versions of Sesshoumaru wasn't something to look forward too. She just couldn't help but think both her and Koinu could never be accepted again like they were three years ago.

"Koinu do you know where your father is?" Kagome asked as she approached her son.

"I have no clue," replied Koinu as he didn't take his eyes off the Tetsusaiga.

Kagome put her hand on Koinu's shoulder, "you taking all of this pretty well. I just assumed you would be a little freaked out because of our little time traveling trip would have freaked you out."

"I am surprised I am doing just fine too," he said as he finally sheathed the Tetsusaiga, "I mean after all no one here has ever heard of Kurt Cobane, but for some reason I feel as though I belong here!"

"That's understandable. After all you were born here."

"There are a lot of things I don't know about my birth or things you just haven't told me."

"You will understand it all one day Koinu. For now lets stay focused on the present. I am sure your father will allow us to use today to get settled in, but then your going to be training everyday after that until you can defeat Tsuin."

"Do you love Tsuin and my sister?"

"Yes I do. I will always love my children no matter what. And just to let you know your sister's name is Miyori."

"Miyori. That is actually a pretty name."

"Yeah. Hard to believe it was your father that came up with it."

"Do you love him?"

"What's up with all the questions lately?"

"Well we can't leave until my father gets back so you might as well explain a few things. Why is it that you and him seem so distant from each other?"

"Well I guess I still love him, I mean I did three years ago and I haven't felt nearly the same way for anyone else since then. Its just that we have been separated for three years and he just expects us to pick up where we left off at. Everything is just moving too fast for me at the moment."

"Can you at least tell me why you left with me three years ago? That part I am still not clear on."

"I am sorry Koinu I forgot all about that. I guess that would answer a lot of your questions."

Both Koinu and Kagome leaned up against the tree Koinu had been hacking earlier as has mother told the story his ears were dying to hear. He always just assumed his mother and father grew apart and he had to by raised by his mom while his siblings got their father. He never would have guessed that the castle had been attacked and he was bitten by a spider which poisoned him. Nothing could be done about it, there was no cure. So his mom took him into the future hoping to get the poision removed. She couldn't come back because the well had been placed under a curse that made it so if she did return he would have died, but now she had that sapphire which deflected curses.

"Who is this Naraku?" Koinu asked after hearing the story still unsure at some of the terms and names his mother used to tell the story.

"Nothing but a coward," Sesshoumaru's cold voice interrupted.

Kagome turned her head towards her mate who came with some kind of bundle of various items in his arms.

"Where did you go?" Kagome asked Sesshoumaru.

"Better have been some place worth while," snarled Koinu as he got up and stalked towards his father, "that was all total crap. You left my mom here without any protection."

"I went to the Western Lands to prepare for the arrival of you two and creating a barrier from a long distance takes too much energy," stated Sesshoumaru, "If I were to have been attacked I would have been helpless."

"So from what you just said I am guessing all that matters to you is yourself and not the safety of the woman you took as your mate?" asked Koinu.

"Were in a war right now," Sesshoumaru simply noted, "everywhere I go is a battlefield. In a battle you should never allow a woman to throw you off."

"Can you believe this stuff?" Koinu asked his mom as he turned around and faced her.

"That just how things are in this era Koinu," she started to tell him, "us woman are good enough to start a war over, but when it comes to the actual war nothing we do during it matters."

"She is exactly right," responded Sesshoumaru as he dropped his items on the ground.

He handed Kagome a kimono, which was dark blue, light blue obi, and a golden dragon stitched into it. Kagome took it with a surprised look on her face. It had been a long time since she had touched the silk material of the kimonos Sesshoumaru usually supplied for her. He then handed another piece of clothing to Koinu. It was a suit that was almost like the one Inuyasha had worn except it was black and had red stripes on it. Koinu took that with no problem. He didn't want to walk around all day with clothes that matched his fathers.

"If we got at normal youkai speed we will arrive there soon," stated Sesshoumaru, "I will carry you Kagome and Koinu will follow behind us."

"I thought I was too slow for you," mocked Koinu.

"In order for your mother to not got sick because of the travel we will go slower then usually," replied Sesshoumaru, "slow enough to the point where you will actually have to go slower then slow."

Sesshoumaru was lying. He planned on going his top speed so they could get to the castle sooner. He just told Koinu that so he wouldn't have his son ahead of him. That was all he needed right now, his three-year-old son who seemed to have a huge attitude problem learning that he was faster then him.

---------------------

To Kagome that journey to the Western lands wasn't a problem at all. It only took about three hours. To Koinu and Sesshoumaru though they had been the three hours of hell. Sesshoumaru had been trying to go as fast as he could and kept trying to tell Koinu that they both needed to slow down. That hanyou just had a need for speed and was always close to passing him. Sesshoumaru should have been happy that his son ended up stronger then him since it was tradition in their family to always give birth to stronger offspring, but letting Koinu know he was faster would ruin the whole training process.

"Wow," gasped Koinu as they stopped in front of the castle entrance, "so this is the place I lived at before grandma's house and our apartment."

"Sure is," replied Kagome as she hopped out of Sesshoumaru's arms.

"When we enter Koinu will be led to his room by servants so he can tell them if he wants any changes to it or anything before he is sent down to get his own supply of clothes and other items,"Sesshoumaru informed Kagome, "you will be sent to your room to get settled in for a few minutes before I need to speak with you in my office."

"I have my own room this time?" asked Kagome.

"Don't get to excited," Sesshoumaru growled, "I just moved into a different room since you left. It's attached to a similar room that I will give to you since they are both smaller then my old one. You will still sleep with me though."

Koinu decided to tone out of that conversation. He didn't want to her about their personal life. Instead he looked around the huge gardens and hills that surrounded the castle. He had never seen so much outdoors in his life. That was when he smelled a scent rushing towards him. It was accidentally of course because he didn't want to be rude, but the scent was almost similar to Sesshoumaru's."

"Brother!" cheered a happy male voice that caught Kagome off guard.

Kagome stopped look at the castle and turned back to Sesshoumaru. She then let out a gasp. Standing in front of Sesshoumaru was the cutest thing she ever saw. It was Inuyasha, but different. His height reached up all the way to Sesshoumaru's knee. He was so little and so cute. He was even wearing the robe of the fire rat.

"Inuyasha," started Sesshoumaru, "was everything in the castle fine during my absence?"

So this was the fate of the one Kagome had once had a crush on? Somehow he had been summoned back as nothing more then a little kid? Must not have been that bad. After all he seemed happy and it was nice to think the full Inuyasha had returned. What about Kikyo though? Was she alone in heaven now? And most importantly was her life still in danger by Inuyasha? Did he even know who she was?

"Nothing went wrong at all," answered the small Inuyasha, "Rin watched over me."

"Inuyasha," Kagome couldn't help but say out loud.

The chibi Inuyasha looked at her with his big golden pool eyes of his. She could see curiosity all over his face. Clearly he didn't know who she was.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"Her name is lady Kagome," Sesshoumaru replied, "She is my mate and she will be staying with us."

"Neat," replied Inuyasha with a smile on his face, "she can see my new toys later."

"And I heard those toys need picked up so you better run along now," demanded Sesshoumaru as he led Kagome and Koinu into the castle.

The little Inuyasha nodded as he ran off through the hallways. He looked happy here. Hopefully she and Koinu would be too.

"Its nice for you to let Inuyasha stay here," Kagome told Sesshoumaru as he walked along beside him.

"I just wanted the sword," Sesshoumaru stated, "he will be removed from the castle soon. I don't need him killing you."

"Please don't remove him," Kagome pleaded, "it seems that he looks up to you. And it doesn't look like he will be in any battles anytime soon that would cause him to transform."

"Fine Inuyasha can stay, but if one thing goes wrong he will be removed."

"So what do you think about this place?" Kagome asked Koinu whose eyes were on all the artifacts scattered around the castle hallways.

"Looks pretty boring," replied Koinu with his arms crossed.

Kagome giggled at Koinu's reply. He would soon understand and get use to his surroundings. It was then that she stopped. She felt a familiar feeling. One that she hadn't felt in three years. There were two jewel shards coming towards her. She looked ahead and seen two woman. One appeared to be in her thirties in human years, she only had a few grey hairs in her head full of a bluish color. She had strange red eyes. Kagome could tell she was a demon. Then there was a girl standing right beside her. She couldn't have been a day over then sixteen. She had black hair that hung over her shoulders and brown eyes. Everything else about her was pretty plain. Clearly she was human.

"Kagome," started Sesshoumaru, "this youkai here is Aoi. She will be your personal servant."

"Pleased to meet you," Aoi said to Kagome as she and the human came closer, "I will help you to the best of my ability and this here is Katsu. She will help you too. She is a servant in training."

"I am also pleased to meet you Lady Kagome," stated Katsu.

Kagome only heard a little bit of what they were saying. She was busy thinking. Both of them had their jewel shards located on their shoulders. Why did they have jewel shards? And why was Katsu training to be a servant? Last time she had been there Sesshoumaru had never had any human servants. Why now?

"Kagome go with Aoi," Sesshoumaru pretty much commanded, "She will get you settled into your room. Katsu and Koinu come with me. Katsu will come to your room once I am ready for you in my office."

Kagome nodded as she stood still while Sesshoumaru, Koinu, and Katsu walked past her. It was only her and Aoi in the hallway now.

"Do I get my own servants?" Koinu asked Sesshoumaru as they walked through the hallways.

"Dog hanyous with rocks in their ears don't get servants," Sesshoumaru said pointing out the stud Koinu kept in his ear.

Koinu just let out a growl as he turned his head away from Sesshoumaru's back and tried to look somewhere else. He ended up looking at Katsu. He wanted to apologize because he had ended up giving accidentally giving her the evil glare that was meant for his father. She didn't say anything, all she did was flash him a smile.

---------------------------------

Kagome looked around her room. Sesshoumaru must have been crazy when he called this room small. It was about twice the size of her apartment room. It looked pretty empty though. The carpet was royal blue while the walls were light blue. She had a balcony with dark blue drapes and that was about it. There was a dresser, a mirror, a vanity, and what looked like a feudal aged version of a couch that was probably for her to rest on. There was nothing else laying around.

"After your trip to Lord Sesshoumaru's office you can come back in here to rest on that cushioned thing over there or in Sesshoumaru's bed," Aoi informed her, "then you need to go down and pick out what clothes you need made."

"Hey Aoi," Kagome started, "I know Lord Sesshoumaru has accepted me, but why does he all of a sudden have a human servant. Who is that Katsu girl and why is she here?"

"I really don't know why she is the only human servant here," Aoi answered, "she is training to be Princess Miyori's personal servant. She started training here three years ago, but she is rarely here so don't expect to see her much."

"Oh I see. A servant for my daughter right? That must be a big job."

"Katsu must just be the laziest person I have ever seen though. How can she train to be Miyori's servant if the only days Katsu shows up is days Miyori isn't here."

"Where did you and Katsu get your jewel shards?"

"Oh that's right you can see them. My father gave me mine before I died. Katsu I guess just found hers. She appears to be pretty strong for a human."

"Since she is here today then I assume my daughter isn't."

"Right. Tsuin and Rin are here, and everyone is thrilled about the return of prince Koinu."

"Oh yes Koinu is a bundle of joy to have around," Kagome said in a sarcastic tone.

"Lady Kagome," a voice said from behind the large oak door which Aoi opened reveal Katsu, "Lord Sesshoumaru is ready for you in his office."

Kagome nodded as she was once again led through the hallways. She had barely been here for half an hour and she already felt uncomfortable. She was being confined to a room, which could have been her cell, escorted through the hallways by servants who could have just been her prison guards, later she was to go and pick out clothes which would be a lot of kimonos making that her uniform, and now she was going to see Sesshoumaru who really was like a warden. After a few turns down the hallway Kagome and Aoi stopped proving they had gotten to their location. Aoi stared at Kagome for one brief second before tapping on the door.

"Come in," barked Sesshoumaru's voice.

Aoi once again looked at Kagome, "He wants to talk to you alone."

Kagome sighed as she opened the door and stepped in. There he was. Sitting behind his huge desk glaring at her as though he wanted to bite her head off, or at least her neck like he did when Miroku and Sango spoke with Koinu in a separate room. Her neck was still swore from what he called 'her remarking.'

"Any problems with your new bedroom?" he asked.

"Yeah," answered Kagome, "it's a room without a bed."

"I told you that you were to sleep with me in my room," he responded.

"I know," she said, "but the room needs something. Its just so empty and you can't expect for me to already start sleeping in the same bed with you on my first day back."

"We will discuss this later tonight. For now we need to take care of this letter you received."

He was referring to the note Kagome had handed him earlier that was soupposly written by Miyori. Sesshoumaru walked past Kagome and opened the door. He peered out for a second before shutting it again."

"Kanna," he whispered.

He moved his full attention to the corner of the room where a girl with white hair who was carrying a small mirror appeared. What was Kanna doing here? If Kagome could remember right wasn't Kanna one of Naraku's most loyal servants? Why would she had appeared on Sesshoumaru's command?

"I want Tsuin in this office now," he told the youkai of the void.

Kanna nodded as she left the room just as she came in, by fading into thin air. Once again just Kagome and Sesshoumaru were left alone in the room. Kagome couldn't believe it. After a three-year separation she would be able to see her son Tsuin. Last time she saw him was right before Koinu started to get sick. Tsuin had been crying a lot so Kagome would pick him up and sing him lullabies. Come to think of it not only did she make up songs for him, but he was really the only one she ever sung them too. Miyori never cried or threw a fit while Koinu took her singing as an opportunity to see who's voice could go the loudest. Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru's back which was the only part of him facing her. As much as she would have liked to take advantage of the awkward silence she had too many questions that needed to be answered.

"What is Kanna doing here?" was the first question to come out of Kagome's mouth.

"After her and her sister were caught trying to bring my brother back to life I told them I would either kill them or they could win forever freedom by helping me with this war."

"Did Kagura agree?"

"No. She holds a grudge against me, but since I thought Kanna's ability to spy using her mirror was helpful enough I allowed Kagura to escape."

"Why are you calling Tsuin in now? I don't have any complaints, but I thought you were going to do something about that letter."

"I am. I am going to take care of this Naraku business once and for all."

"I heard Miyori won't be here tonight."

Sesshoumaru didn't respond. He just stood facing the corner. His head didn't even move until the creaking of his door was heard.

"One day hopefully you'll learn to knock on that door," Sesshoumaru growled.

"I was told this was urgent," Sesshoumaru's voice replied.

Wait. Now that confused Kagome. Was Sesshoumaru talking to himself? No that wasn't right, the second voice was coming from the open door. Kagome turned and almost wanted to scream in amazement. Standing before Kagome and Sesshoumaru was the one she knew as her son Tsuin. He was tall with long black hair that reaches past his shoulders. His scarlet red eyes scanned the room as he shut the door behind him.

Kagome hated to admit it to himself but she was scared of her own son. She once again thought about how Tsuin looked like Naraku. He was almost an exact match to the hanyou Sesshoumaru killed three years ago. The only thing that reminded her that this was her son and not her enemy was the two red stripes on each side of his face.

"What do you want father?" Tsuin asked in a voice that was exactly identical to his father's.

"For you to actually take my advice," answered Sesshoumaru, "how many times have I told you now to cut that hair?"

"I will once you cut yours," snapped Tsuin.

Now that surprised Kagome. If it wasn't for Tsuin having Sesshoumaru's voice she could have mistaken him for a black haired red-eyed clone of Koinu rather then a copy of Naraku. She always assumed since he had lived his whole life with his father he wouldn't ever dare to snap back like that or have anything near a Koinu like attitude.

"Then you can have this," replied Sesshoumaru as he walked back to his desk, wrote something down on a small piece of paper, folded it, and then placed it in Tsuin's hand.

Tsuin took it and quickly unfolded it, "whatever you hope to accomplish by giving me this obviously didn't work the first time so what makes you think it will work this time?"

"This time the situation will be better taken care of. Make sure and get all of that done before our invasion into the southern capital."

"Fine. If it will get you to stay off of my back for awhile then I will take care of it."

"Good. Then your dismissed."

Tsuin didn't spare his father another glare as he left slamming the door behind him. What ever Sesshoumaru had scribbled down on that piece of paper probably wasn't anything good to Tsuin. Her son didn't even notice her because of it. Or did he not know who she was and just assumed her to be a guest or servant?

"What was the point in all of that?" Kagome asked, "I didn't even get a chance to talk to him."

"I was just showing you this thing will all be taken care of."

"I don't see how passing him a note that I couldn't even read helps me think you will take care of your future. I thought I would get a chance to talk to my son who I have not seen in three years."

"Then you can be dismissed."

Kagome ran to the door so she could hurry up and catch up with Tsuin. She almost opened it, when she suddenly stopped. She turned and faced Sesshoumaru again.

"You know I am your mate," she said, "not your vassal or prisoner you can't treat me like you have been doing lately."

"Kagome," Sesshoumaru responded as he finally faced her and looked into her eyes, "if you want to be treated like my mate then act like my mate."

Kagome didn't reply. She just opened the door and ran out. She wanted to catch up with Tsuin. She thought she would have to run, but instead she spotted him leaning against the wall with his eyes shut.

"Tsuin," she breathed.

"Yes?" he asked while opening one eye and looking at her.

"I guess you don't know me," Kagome said, "I am-."

"My mother," Tsuin cut in, "I could tell by your scent."

"Well you know that's good. I am sorry for not being there and all of that, I am sure your father explained everything to you."

"No he didn't. I will believe whatever you tell me though and I will forgive you, as long as your back."

"Well you seem nice. Can't wait to meet Miyori soon. Then maybe we can all catch up."

Tsuin then seemed to let out what sounded like a chuckle as he removed himself from the wall. It was then cut short from what sounded like a horrible cough. Kagome thought about what the note had said about Tsuin getting sick. Finally Tsuin had recovered as he dug something out of his pocket and put it in Kagome's hand.

"I knew you would come back," he told her, "that's why I kept your treasure."

"My treasure?" asked Kagome as she opened up her hands.

Tsuin had given her the blue Game boy Advance SP that she had left behind three years ago. He must have somehow got a hold of it. Kagome flipped on the switch and found out it wouldn't turn on.

"I don't know what's wrong with it," he said, "one day it just went off and it won't come back on."

"It doesn't have any power. If I ever return back to where I came from for a little while I will charge it back up."

"That's good then."

Tsuin then began to walk away down into the hall.

"I have to go," he stated, "I will see you later, I also smell the scent of my older brother."

"Yeah. I guess we will all get to talk to each other later. Bye Tsuin."

Kagome couldn't believe how smoothly that went as she watched Tsuin walk off. None of it made any sense though. Sesshoumaru hadn't told Tsuin about her, but yet he didn't care about why she left as long as she was back. And what was with the chuckling he made after she mentioned Miyori. Well at least she got to meet her youngest son, now all she had to do was be reunited with Miyori and maybe her and Sesshoumaru could work on all becoming a family again, well hopefully.

(End Chapter 4)

AN: Sorry for the long update. School is killing me, but because you have all been good reviewers I gave you all two extra pages in the chapter and I even skipped school today to get this done...sssshhhh no one tell my mommy!!! Also if you have a question or seem confused about something feel free to email me or contact me on MSN or Yahoo messenger.

MSN:

Yahoo: kagome08arrowoflove

I also have a message board that you can post on:

Inuyasha'smistress: Yeah pretty much.

Halfbreed Kagome: Oh trust me I already have this story planned out and thanks to Miyori were going to learn how wonderful Sesshoumaru's training method worked out.

corlee1289: I know I have emailed you, but I don't think I answered all of the questions. Um when it comes to Japanese terms I only drift in and out of them, like sometimes I will say youkai and then I will say demon, but I just basically use the ones used in Inuyasha.

Sarah: 00 next time you do that could you at least put different things in each review so I can keep myself entertained.

Artee and Sporky: Well you have all met Tsuin now so maybe you will understand why Sesshoumaru wants to treat Koinu the way he does.

BLack-hole-dOWn: Throws a shoe at you

Lightning/Wolf Demon: No lemons and limes. I would actually make one if I could, but I am not good at writing them.

Dark Inu Fan: There I tried to help you out a little bit in this chapter