Kimiko and Inukimi came inside Sesshomaru's study, where Inuhime and Zoku was speaking about Naraku.

Inukimi asked, "Inuki, you called?"

"Yes, I did. Mother, grandmother, it's crucial that we send Kagome and the pups to the floating palace."

"Let's not forget her friend and her children," Kimiko added.

"And my ward. I won't forgive myself if something would have happened to her," said Zoku.

Inukimi said, "Well, I suppose I could teleport them there."

Suddenly Kagome walked in. "I am not going anywhere."

They gasped after they turned around and saw that Kagome was standing in the doorway. "But Kagome!"

"No, Mother. I need to be here for Sesshomaru. I am not going to be one of those rulers who always run away. If Sesshomaru's fighting, so will I. Send Sango and the pups to your palace, but I am staying."

"Kagome, this isn't the time to be foolish. You are with pup. You must go."

"No, I am not."

Inukimi and Kagome argued until the war horn rang from the wall of the Southern part of the palace's estate.

"What's that?"

"Well, it seems that sister will get her way. There's no time to discuss it any further." Ayame came in without knocking or asking for permission, which the ladies didn't mind one bit.

"We have a problem. Naraku's right outside the walls of the palace, what are our orders, Kagome?"

Kagome was surprised. Yes, she was the Lady of the West, however, she had no experience in war strategies or whatnot.

"Ayame, I am the one you should be reporting to; not Kagome," said Inuhime.

"Sorry."

"No need to apologize, we really didn't expect this, however, my brother and I discussed plans just in case this might happened. Kagome, Naraku thinks that I am dead. So you will be in the forefront. Mother, grandmother, I believe you should go and gather Sango and the pups and go to the safe room. Ayame, I need you here with Kagome. Are we clear?"

They nodded and left to go to their perspective ways. Kagome, Inuhime, and Ayame were walking towards the southern entrance where Naraku's army was standing; ready to knock the gate down whenever their lord would give the word. They were discussing the plans that Inuhime and Sesshomaru drew up together.

Naraku had his long, wavy, black hair in a topknot. He wore his signature garbs. He looked up at the wall and saw Kagome standing there. He smiled which sent chills down Kagome's spine. Inuhime sensed it and reassured her that she and Ayame are right there.

"Hello, my dear, Kagome. It's been quite awhile, hasn't it?"

Kagome suddenly got her anxiety under control. "What do you want, Naraku?"

He chuckled darkly. "What I want is that you and that narcissistic lord of yours die a horrible and pathetic death. Like Inuhime, Inuyasha had. It would be glorious to have both of your heads under my palms."

====================================================================================

Meanwhile, at the south-western border of the Western Lands, Sesshomaru, InuTaisho, Inuyasha, Akihiko, Koga, and the Northern Cardinal Lord were at the forefront as their army was standing behind them awaiting for Akuokaesu. They saw their foe's army coming. They could feel the ground's vibrations of them marching towards them. Were they nervous? This kind of battle is what InuTaisho's had been and had seen. Sesshomaru, although, had some experience in a war battle. However, he has not enough experience, but still great in battle. Inuyasha's only experience with battle was usually one-on-one combat, without using Wind Scar of his Tessaiga, that is. Nothing compare to this. They had spoken their silent prayers to the Kami to have them return home to their respective mates.

After what seems to take eternity, Akuokaesu and his army arrived. Sesshomaru walked towards him with blood-lust within his eyes.
Akuokaesu walked to meet him and the middle. Akuokaesu saw his little 'brother' and smirked.

He said, "Hello, little brother. I guess, I should call you my uncles," Referring to Sesshomaru and Inuyasha, "and my grandfather. You know, I have a present for you, grandfather. I think you would love to see it." InuTaisho's eyes narrowed. "Sesshomaru... Oh, excuse me. Lord Sesshomaru, the last time we fought was a mere fluke. Inuyasha... I am surprised to find that you are alive."

Ahikiko yelled with malice possession, "He ISN'T your grandfather! Furthermore, they AREN'T your uncles. THEY. ARE. MINE!"

"Enough of this nonsense. This Sesshomaru is tire of your and your filth of a father's atrocities. YOU. WILL. DIE." Sesshomaru unsheathed his Bakusaiga.

"Uh-uh-uhh, not just yet, Sesshomaru. You see I haven't yet give my grandfather his present." InuTaisho's eyes narrowed even more if that was even possible. "Come," he ordered to his 'grandfather's' present.

Obviously, it would seem that the present was no gift at all. It was not just one, but two. They were Ryuukotsusei and Takemaru. They came out from behind Akuokaesu's army. "By your face expressions, it seems that you recognized them. No need to reintroduce you." He chuckled darkly.

Ryuukotsusei looked straight at Inuyasha and InuTaisho. He gave them a dark smirk. "Hello, InuTaisho, it's been awhile, hasn't it?"

"Yes, it has, but obviously not long enough," InuTaisho growled. Ryuukotsusei looked straight at Inuyasha. "So, you're alive. What a petty. However I am glad to see you alive, so that I may have my revenge."

Inuyasha growled, "We'll see about that, you scaly bastard!"

Ryuukotsusei looked at the others with disinterest until he saw a Ryuuyoukai. He took a sniff and hissed, "What's your name, Ryuuyoukai?!"

The Ryuyoukai narrowed his eyes and said, "I am Ryuutansei, the Lord of the North."

"A ryuu fighting along with those mangy mutts! You brought disgraced among our race!"

Ryuutansei calmly said, "I would have to disagree with you, great-grandfather. A lot has change since you felled two centuries ago."

Takemaru 'ahemed' and everyone looked at him as he looked at Inuyasha. "Well, the mutt pup and his mutt of a brother and father. Y'all will pay for what you did the last time we met." All three inus and along with the ookamis and the ryuus were growling and snarling.

Sesshomaru roared, "That's enough of this nonsense! It's time for all of you to die and go to hell!"

After that was said Sesshomaru charged at Akuokaesu, who immediately unsheathed his fang and then barely blocked Sesshomaru's Bakusaiga. Then they separated by pushing against each other backwards. They both skidded backwards to a stop.
"We'll see who dies and goes to hell!" They clashed once again.

Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi

Fanfiction & OCs (c) ladytari