Disclaimer: InuYasha belongs to Rumiko Takahasi and her publishers. No profit is made from this story. No copyright infringement is intended.

Authors note: I am so sorry for the ridiculously long delay in posting this chapter – it was written a long time ago and I kept thinking I could improve on it, but it has defied all changes – so it is being posted as originally written. There are only one or two chapters left and I will try to get them written in a timelier manner!

Chapter 27 – Tea and Netsuke

InuYasha stared at the small carving that rested in the palm of his hand with undisguised skepticism.

Glancing at his mate he commented "Sorry, but I just don't feel anything coming off of this" then glancing at his counterpart and Tsuru added "do either of you feel anything?"

At their negative head shakes he raised an eyebrow and holding out his hand offered the netsuke to his mate.

As Kagome's hand neared the small object she suddenly snatched her hand back as if burned and shaking her head whispered "You don't feel it? There's such power radiating off of it. Hold your hand flat so I can get a better look at it, I don't want to touch it."

Taking great care not to get too close Kagome leaned over InuYasha's hand studying the small carving.

Sounding slightly perplexed Kagome commented "Well if you hold it in one direction it looks like a small figure eight, but if you just turn it so it lays on its side it looks like the symbol for infinity."

Keeping her distance, but peering at the carving with equal intensity the little Princess stated "I can feel the power this thing is giving off, but what's infinity?"

Straightening up Kagome sighed "How about we make some tea, have a bite to eat and I'll explain infinity."

As everyone sipped their tea, well a tea like herb Tsuru had discovered, Kagome gathered her thoughts "In reality infinity is a very simple concept, it refers to something that goes on forever or has no end, like the idea that if you think of the largest number imaginable, you would always be able to add one to it or double it, there simply is no end. In fact the concept of infinity is used extensively in mathematics, but unfortunately math is not my strongest subject." A sharp glance in her mate's direction forced the poor hanyou to swallow the snort that was halfway out of his mouth as she continued "Some cultures represent the idea as a snake or dragon swallowing its own tail."

Squirming with excitement the little princes nodded her head exclaiming "Yasha and I learned about the dragon that eats his own tail and goes on forever, but what does that have to do with our relic of great power?"

Shaking her head Kagome sighed "I don't know, and what really bugs me is the fact that you and I can feel the power coming off of this thing while InuYasha, Yasha and Tsuru don't feel anything."

In response to Kagome's statement Tsuru poked the tiny relic with the tip of a sharp claw and confirmed "Not even the tiniest whiff of power. As far as I can tell this relic must be of exclusive use to humans while youkai are left totally unaffected. You mentioned that the King had assembled a number of scholars back at your capital; perhaps the best course would be for us to get all of you and the relic back there as quickly as possible."

Pulling her attention away from the relic Kagome shook her head exclaiming "Oh Tsuru you've been such a great help to us, but we can't drag you all the way back to the capital, you have your own problems to take care of."

Smiling gently the crane replied "You will need some help returning to the palace and as much as I want to get back to my beautiful Kayo I must see your quest through, all of you are responsible for the return of my powers, I would not be worthy of my Kayo if I did not make sure that all of you made it safely back. Not to mention the fact that now that InuYasha can travel via his youki you will need someone who can fly to transport the Princess and Yasha. Traveling by air we should be able to make this a very short trip."

Nodding her head in agreement, the princess added "Tsuru's right, now that we have the relic we should get back home as fast as we can. Then the scholars will be able to help us and you and InuYasha will be able to get home!"

As Kagome glanced at her mate she was greeted by an unusually somber hanyou "What's wrong InuYahsa? You don't seem happy that we're going to be going home soon."

Sighing InuYasha replied "It's not that, I just think everything went too easy, no major battles, just some run-of-the-mill youkai, no overwhelming evil opponent – it was just too easy."

Snorting, Kagome gave her mate a sock on his shoulder "Oh lets see – the Princess almost died and Yasha she are now mates, not to mention that and she and I probably now have youkai life spans, then Yasha and you became super hanyou, but everything was soooo easy! Don't go looking for extra trouble where there isn't any – if you haven't forgotten we still have to face that crazy old Harai-Ya. If she gets her hands on this relic there's no knowing what evil she'll be able to cause!"

Smiling at his feisty wife's outburst InuYasha replied with a smirk "Don't worry about that old hag – she is the least of our problems, stupid old bat – she's just as inept as an evil mastermind as she was an exorcist! As long as we can control when we actually go back home I'll be able to take her out so fast she won't know what hit her! Well I guess you're right, not everything has to be a major struggle. I just hope those scholars can figure this relic out, we need to be able to destroy it the moment we get back home.