"There is nothing wrong with her."

His mother's declaration had Seshoumaru narrowing his eyes and Inuyasha scowling, "That bullshit! She looks like hell. Her skin is fucking gray!"

Lady InuKimi pointedly ignored the half breed and turned her attention on her son. "She is healing from the inside. It's a sleeping trance. Her body is not accustomed to wielding too much power and so much raw power has torn fissures inside her reishi ducts. It will take some time for her to heal herself. It's best if she rest for the time being."

Kouga frowned, "I don't get it. What's wrong with Kagome?"

"None of your business." Was the simultaneous reply of both brothers.

Lady InuKimi raised a brow at the hanyou.

"Seshomaru, what is the half breed doing here? I do not like such filth in my home."

Inuyasha's face grew white.

Seshomaru's words were sharp and cutting, "Inuyasha is part of my pack. He will be treated with due respect."

Inuyasha's eyes widened just as his mother's face grew pale at the implication. Her bangs lowered to shadow her eyes as she spoke in a low voice, "You accepted that filth after everything your father did to me?"

"And what of what you and Father did to me?"

Lady InuKimi clenched her jaw, "We were trying to protect you."

Her words struck a chord inside the daiyoukai and his words were icy cold, "Then you should have sent me with her, rather than separate us."

His mother flinched and she turned her head away. Silence permeated the area for a few seconds when the sound of painful coughing caught everyone's attention. Inuyasha was doubled over, blood pouring from his mouth. His pupils were blue as he collapsed and red started seeping into his eyes, as his fangs elongated.

"Heal him."

Kouga made a sound of disgust and backed away. Lady InuKimi looked incredulous, "Heal him? I think not. Trash like him deserves to die."

The words were no sooner out of his mouth that Kagome's eyes popped open, her eyes a pure golden color. Her back arched towards the sky and her right hand extended towards Inuyasha. Golden tendrils started forming out of nowhere around the white haired half demon and soon he was covered with them. The retching continued but the red receded from his eyes.

Seshoumaru jumped towards Kagome and gathered her in his arms, "Kagome! Open your eyes."

When she didn't respond and just kept staring sightlessly towards the sky, he realized that she wouldn't stop, not till Inuyasha's pain ended. His eyes turned red and he turned his face towards his mother, snarling, "Heal him now!"

When she resisted, his snarl grew thunderous, "If Kagome dies because of your pride, Mother, I will kill you myself!"

Her face a mask of shock and fear, his mother slashed her wrist and grabbed Inuyasha's mouth. Not caring of the disgust on her face, Seshoumaru held Kagome closer to him and watched as his mother dropped a few drops of blood in his half brothers mouth and then murmured various incantations. His body slumped and his eyes closed. Kagome followed suit.

"What is she?" Kouga breathed.

Seshomaru remained silent. His mate had claimed the half breed as pack, unknowingly and was extremely attached to him. He would not destroy her happiness by kicking out the insolent pup. Besides, he looked down at his mate, and traced her cheek with his claw, her affections were secured with him. She loved him. And he never let go of anything that belonged to him.

Picking her up, he took her into his mother's home where she could rest. Ah-Uh followed suit by picking up his half brother and tossing him over his back. Lady InuKimi watched in silence as her son turned his back on her once again. She couldn't help but feel bitter at this turn of events.

She wanted to blame Kagome, but she knew it wasn't the child's fault. Her future was filled with darkness itself. She had truly wanted to protect Kagome but had she been wrong? The girl was maturing into her powers too quickly. Her body won't be able to take so much strain.

She looked at the silent sky, which was her only companion now, and not for the first time, wished for Higurashi.

On the other side of the well.

"Mom! Kagome! That thing!"

Souta's cries were hysterical, as Higurashi lay slumped against the door. Kagome's eyes had been horrified. She wanted to help her, but it was time. She had raised the child and now she couldn't bear for her to be thrust into a confusing situation. Kagome needed her. Tears slipped down her cheeks as she was overwhelmed with helplessness.

"Azumi."

She turned to look at the elderly man standing behind her. His eyes were pained but he held out a hand to her.

"Grandpa." She murmured, her voice thick with tears.

However, through his own tears, the human smiled, confusing her, "There is someone here to see you."

"But Kagome - How can you -"

"Just come and meet our visitor. You too, Souta."

The boy turned heartbroken eyes towards him, "It took Kagome, Grandpa! We have to save her!"

"This person can help."

Souta jumped to his feet, anxiety emitting from his ten year old body, "What? Really?"

Higurashi stood up and hurried to the front yard. Her mind was a maze of panic. Kagome needed her but she couldn't help her.

She stopped in her tracks, when she saw the person standing waiting for her by the ancient tree. Her eyes widened in disbelief. Hair as white as snow, a dazzling smile and eyes filled with joyous tears, Higurashi fell to her knees, as they turned to jelly, "Lady InuKimi."

Her Lady leaned down and hugged her, "I have missed you dearly, Higurashi."

In the Darkness...

"My Lord, we have found her. She is still alive."

The man leaned against the wall, his eyes half lidded as he studied the male in front of him. Those blood red eyes glinted, "You don't say. And where is our quarry?"

"That is the problem, my Lord. She has two protectors, and they are very strong."

"Hmm? Two?"

The man trembled as a smile started forming on his Master's lips. He had a bad feeling.

"Yes, my Lord."

He swallowed as his Master looked at him expectantly.

"The sons of Inu No Taisho."

The smile vanished, replaced by a raised brow, "So they have already bonded. So, it's just a matter of time before our little bird raises an army."

"Should we kill her beforehand? She is just waking up to her powers."

The man smiled and pointed a finger towards the messenger.

The man stumbled back, terror written in his gaze, "What are you doing, my Lord!?"

He shrugged, "I find your face a sore sight. So, I'm getting rid of it.

Strands of red energy shot of his finger, not unlike Kagome's, and wrapped themselves around the messenger's face. He screamed in horror and pain, as the burning energy scorched off his face.

His Master grinned and then burst into laughter, a beautiful tinkling sound, "Ah," he sighed, once he was done, "Maybe it's time, I paid a visit to my daughter myself."

AN: In the nest chapter, Seshoumaru gets grounded by his mate for being rude to his mother. Meanwhile Kouga tries to get too handsy with Kagome which gets him grounded too. Inuyasha gets no screen time because he was stupid enough to get shot with an arrow. Also, Kagome's father tries to drop by but most probably won't because of all the traffic these days.

(I have found out that this story is being plagiarized under 'Until You Remember Me' on textnovel. I am very upset by this but am unable to report it this incident. If any of you are members of this site, will you please report this?)