Around the time, Inuhime was serving their dinner, someone walked inside, which was Inuhime's mate, Hikaru. He motioned to both Inuyasha and Hana to be quiet. Inuhime was so deep in her thoughts that she didn't sense her mate came in. She 'eeped' when Hikaru put his strong arms around her waist. "I knew that you would take your time coming here, love," Hikaru softly spoke into her ear, which made her had goosebumps.

"Is that so?" Inuhime looked at Inuyasha and asked him, "Why you didn't tell me that he was coming?"

Inuyasha smirked as he shrugged. "Feh! Why you didn't sense him? I am only an hanyou."

Hikaru looked up and glanced around the hut. He then spread his senses. He was trying to locate Zokushi. "Where's Zoku?"

"She went to see an old friend. There's no telling when she'll return."

"If that's the case then let's go home."

"Hikaru, I am still going with Inuyasha to see Kikyo."

Hikaru growled in frustration. "Listen, mate. One of the conditions of you coming here was; you to return to the palace after arriving here. Now, lets go!" He grabbed her arm and started to pull her towards him, yet the stubborn female held her ground.

"That was if I was alone, with Inuyasha, Zoku, Hana, and myself. I still can't see what the fuss is about. It isn't like we are defenseless. Zoku and I are very capable fighters. Inuyasha is a..."

"A half-breed and being such he couldn't protect you, Hana, and/or Zoku whenever the time arises."

"What do you mean by that, asshole," Inuyasha interrupted. "I protected my pack just fine without any other help. I had three humans, a kitsune kit, and a neko-youkai to protect when we were hunting the Jewel shards and that bastard, Naraku. I admit it wasn't easy, but I handle it just fine, thank you," he defended and then put the arms in his sleeves. He left the hut insulted.

Inuhime turned around and slapped Hikaru. "See! See what you did! You hurt my little brother's feelings and now he's not going to eat! You march your ass out there and apologize to him or else!"

"Or else what. mate?!"

"Or you won't get some of this...' She slapped her ass. '... FOR. A. VERY. LONG. TIME!"

He gulped nervously, however, his pride got the better of him. "I WON'T apologize to an hanyou even if it's the last thing I do!"

"Hn, very well. You return home as we go see Kikyo." Inuhime filled a bowl with deer stew. Hikaru was going to grab it, but she stopped his hand. "No, mate. This bowl goes to Inuyasha." With that, she walked out of the hut and went to locate her brother.

"Inuyasha! Inuyasha!" She repeated his name a few more times until she spotted him up in the tree on one of its' high branches. She leaped up in the tree and climbed up to where he was sitting.

Inuyasha was looking up the stars. He sighed. "Because I am an hanyou doesn't mean I couldn't protect those I love and care about. Without them, I believe that I couldn't even use my Tessaiga,"

Inuyasha said as he unsheathed the sword. He held the worn out version of the sword. He chuckled that the memory when he first acquire the sword. "You know, I wasn't the one who pulled the sword out of the pedestal inside our father's skull. It was Kagome. You should had seen the look on Sesshomaru's face. It was priceless. It was weird, though. How could a human pull a sword out of some pedestal when an hanyou or a full youkai; a daiyoukai, at that, couldn't. Sesshomaru got so pissed that he transformed into his true form." He looked at it a moment longer then he returned the Tessaiga into its' sheathe.

Inuhime listened patiently. She knew who pulled out the Tessaiga. After all, it was her barrier spell on her father's fang. She choose not to inform Inuyasha that. "I am sorry that what my ass of a mate said to you."

He snorted, "Keh, it isn't like I am not use to it. Sesshomaru cut me down, every chance he got. So have others. Being a half-breed doesn't bother me anymore like it used to be. I accept for what I am." He shrugged.

Inuhime smiled at him and patted his shoulder. "I am glad that you feel that way about yourself. Here's some stew." She handed Inuyasha the stew. He said so low that Inuhime almost... ALMOST... didn't caught, "Thank you."

Inuhime leaped out of the tree and landed with grace on the bottom. She told Inuyasha that they would leave to see Kikyo in the wee hours in the morning. Inuyasha gave her his usual 'keh' in return.

Since Hikaru came, Inuhime couldn't take her sweet time like she wanted to. Not only that, but Zoku hasn't return from seeing to that 'dark child' of Naraku's. She decided that she and Inuyasha would push on while Hikaru watched Hana til Zoku's return, but he had none of that. He and Inuhime argued like cats and dogs until they finally reached a compromise. It was that they all will go, including Hana, to see Kikyo or just Inuyasha. Inuhime didn't like that idea, especially, if there's a strange monk there. So, they all ended up going.

It was at mid-day when they reached Edo. Hana was riding on Kimomo. Inuhime rode on her horse, which said horse has magical wings that could appear at will. She refused to ride along with Hikaru on his youki cloud because he has yet apologized to Inuyasha for insulting him the night before. Inuyasha half-leaped, half-ran to the village.

Once they arrived, the village seemed like a ghost town. No body was in sight. Perhaps they saw that they were coming. Inuyasha said, "What's up with this village?" He had a bad feeling about it.

"I think we should go seek out Kaede, Sango, and Miroku." Inuhime nodded in agreement. She, too, had a very bad feeling. When they arrived at Kaede's hut, Inuyasha pulled the flap aside and yelled, "Hey, Old Hag, are you here?!"

Kaede turned around to look at Inuyasha. She looked very wary. She said calmly, "Hello, Inuyasha, have ye returned for Kikyo?" She paused to look at the people from behind Inuyasha. She noticed one familiar face Inuhime. "Hello, this old one is called Kaede. If you please, come inside and we will discuss this.' She motioned with her hands like saying 'all of this'. "I will make some tea."

They went inside the hut. Kimomo transformed into his smaller form as Inuhime's horse, that now has no wings; looking like an ordinary horse, grazed around the nearby grass. Kimomo followed his mistress inside the hut and sat in Hana's lap. Hana sat near Inuhime; Hikaru sat as close as he could without being hit by his mate. Inuyasha sat against his wall; holding on to his Tessaiga as always. It was silent at first, but Inuyasha couldn't wait anymore. "Okay, Old Hag, where's everyone? Sango? Miroku? Kirara? Their brats?"

Inuhime scolded him for speaking to an Elder like that, but Inuyasha countered that he was older than Kaede. "Well, at least, speak to her with the respect she deserves as a miko."

"Keh, whatever! Out with it, woman! I don't have all day!"

"Inuyasha, must you be so impatient!"

Kaede chuckled, "It's alright, sister miko. I am used to his brash, crude way of speech."

"Keh," he grunted as he put his hands in his sleeves.

"Well, for the pass few months, we've been plague with many lesser youkai. Inuyasha, you knew this much. These lesser youkai were convinced that the Shikon no Tama still exist. So, Inuyasha, Miroku, Kikyo, and I were vanquishing them, when that strange monk came to this village. At first, we welcomed him, but things slowly changed. This village has been divided among those who were against youkai and those who aren't. Despite what people witnessed from the successes of Inuyasha, his brother, and many other of our youkai allies, those people still believed that all youkai are evil."

"So, where's that leach? Sango? Kikyo?"

Kaede nodded, "I was getting to that before ye interrupted me, Inuyasha." She paused to take a sip of tea. "As I was saying, Miroku, in your absence, had basically fought against this strange monk. Sango, as usual, stood by Miroku. Unfortunately, Kikyo was swayed by the other monk. I am afraid that her old beliefs returned full forced. I believe that she was also 'persuaded' that she couldn't bore any children unless she 'cleansed' herself by ridding herself of you. All of us, as in me, Miroku, and Sango, defended that ye could have children. He went on saying that the Kami put a curse on Kikyo's womb until she gets rid of ye or any other youkai that we've been associated with, by any means necessary. He called us scum and that we deserved the wrath of the Kamis. Also he convinced the other villagers that we've been tainted that they should leave this village until we leave or die."

Inuhime said, "I see. Where are Sango and Miroku?"

Kaede sighed in fatigue, "They are at the clearing; almost near the well. All the villagers are up there to watch a final duel between the two monks. I would had gone, but my wary bones wouldn't allow it."

Inuyasha immediately stood up and yelled, "Well, lets our asses up and get up there already!"

Kaede shook her head, "I'm afraid that is impossible for ye, Inuhime, that handsome inuyoukai to go there."

Inuyasha scowled, "Why the hell not?"

"Because there's a holy barrier up there," Inuhime interrupted.

"That's correct, child. Only humans get to go to watch the duel."

"Well, that not entirely true. We could disguise ourselves; aura and all. Barriers are usually effect only unseen energies, like the aura's energy."

Inuyasha's ears peaked at that. After Inuyasha, Inuhime, and Hikaru finished with disguises; (even Kimomo had a disguise as a normal pet cat.) They basically looked the same, but more human, as in their ears changed into normal human ears; their claws became short and blunt; if they had any markings on them anywhere, they would had disappeared. Kaede and Hana looked at their transformations from beginning to end with awe. Inuhime giggled at their awed faces. It was priceless. Inuhime had Hikaru carry Kaede.

Once they arrived, the duel was well underway. Sango had an urge to look behind her. When she did, she saw Kaede being put down on her feet by Hikaru. She also took note of the others. She immediately recognized Inuyasha, which wasn't a challenge at all; being that she had seen him as a human, during those new moon nights. She also recognized Hana as Zoku's ward; Inuhime, but not the one who was clearly not pleased with this situation. She gulped nervously. Instead of running like she wanted to, she walked casually. "Kaede," she whispered, "I am glad that you came up. I like those disguises, but wouldn't a monk know who you really are." Inuhime shook her head. "Thank Kami."

Inuyasha asked Sango if they've been alright since he left. "Yeah, we are fine; considering the circumstances."

Inuhime nodded, "Have you seen anything out of the ordinary?"

"You got to be kidding me?! None of you aren't ordinary, even Kagome."

They watch quietly from the sidelines. The women/girls were praying to the Kami, while the men/boys howl and yell out to the heavens above.

Meanwhile at Ichiko's lair...

Akira was eating at the dining table, when Ichiko arrived with a nursemaid for the pup. Akira looked up them questioningly. "Ichiko, who is this? Why is she here?"

Ichiko calmly said, "I'd hire a nursemaid for the pup, while you could do whatever it is that you do. I am tired being the pup's sitter, while you go Kami knows where and doing Kami knows what."

"Mmm, this breakfast was delicious." She paused to look at the nursemaid as if she was looking for something particular, but didn't found anything to be suspicious. "Thank you, Ichiko. This Akira was getting tired of carrying Yamiko around. It doesn't look good for business."

Ichiko narrowed her eyes. "Pray tell, what business do you speak of?"

Akira wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Business as usual. Taking over the Western Throne. I was able to find enemies of the lords of the North, South, and East. We will soon met here and discuss the overthrowing of all those Lords to take over their thrones."

Ichiko was surprised to hear about that. "You also want to overthrow the other Cardinal Lords as well."

"Yes."

"Why? What did they do to you?"

Akira furrowed her brows and stood up. "Have you forgotten that they went against me and my mates?! They will pay for what they did!"

"Oh, yes, I must had forgotten. Pardon me, Akira, but this one must show the nursemaid the pup's room."

Akira waved dismissively at them.

When Ichiko and the nursemaid a.k.a Zokushi were out of Akira's hearing range, Zoku asked, "Did you know that Akira is after the other lords, too?"

Ichiko shook her head, "No, but I knew that she was after the Western Throne."

"That's clever of her." Ichiko looked at her questioningly. "It's clever to have enemies of her enemies on her side because if her plans goes well then her new allies will not object to her claim on the Western Throne. Well, unless some other would want it, too. She and the said person would had to either fight for the throne or mate depending if that person is a female or male. Most likely, it would be a male."

"But if that's the case, would the male want to kill her pup, because it wouldn't be his heir." Zoku sighed and nodded her head. "I might not have any love for Akira, but that pup... I don't know how to explain it, but that pup isn't like his mother or father. Of course, that might be only my opinion."

"We shall see in a moment." Ichiko nodded. She didn't want a pup to die for no reason, especially, if that suppose reason was because he wasn't of blood if Akira mated another.

At the clearing in Edo...

Miroku yelled as he blocked the other monk's attack with his staff, "Not all youkai are evil!"

"Those vermin are evil! All they ever do was destroy! Destruction is their only purpose!"

Miroku growled that would make Inuyasha and Sesshomaru proud. "As I said, NOT ALL youkai are evil. Some want progress themselves. They just wish to be left alone and let them rule their lands in peace. A friend told me that humans have and will cause destruction around the world. At least youkai don't destroy the trees; the land just to make room for greed!"

"Youkai believed themselves to be like the Kami. Give and take as they please!"

"Are humans any different?! I'd seen greed, lust, gluttony, slothfulness, wrath, and many other sins among us and them alike! We both have breathe the some air, have hearts, have emotions, and I could go on and on about our similarities!"

"Similarities? All they are, are evil, destructive beasts!"

"You ARE NOT listening!"

will perform a cleansing ritual."

That was when Inuyasha saw Kikyo. He was going to go to her, but Inuhime stopped him before he could take a step forward. Inuyasha looked over his shoulder at her with an unasked question in his eyes. Inuhime whispered so low that only those with superior hearing could"No, I won't listen to a heretic; a blasphemer like you to bring these wonderful people down with you! You see, my children! This monk is nothing, but a blasphemer. I know and the Kami knows that youkai are evil. They must be destroyed!" The monk took an opportunity to knock Miroku's staff out of his hands. "It seems that the Kami favors me! If what I say is false then the Kami wouldn't have me win this duel."

The people of the village were murmuring among themselves. Miroku was tired. He was mentally and physically tired. The strange monk was smiling like he was gloating. The 'humans' and Sango ran to Miroku. "Miroku!"

"I tried Sango, but he won't listen."

"Now you blasphemers, leave this village or else! I am not heartless though, if those wish to be untainted then please go to Kikyo. She will perform a cleansing ritual." hear, "It's too late, Inuyasha. She won't come with you, now. Even if, you said you could have the children that she desires. Her heart and mind has been made up." Inuyasha knew that his sister was right, but he... Inuhime interrupted his line of thinking, "I know it hurts, but sometimes, it's best to let go." Inuyasha downcast his eyes for a moment then looked at his sister, his sister's pain-in-the-ass mate, and his friends, and then at Kikyo as she was performing the ritual and back at them again.

"Let us leave here. We are no longer welcome."

Inuhime smiled at him. "Kaede, Sango, Miroku," she called out to them. They looked at her. She smiled at them, "You are welcome at the Western Palace. Come, we best hurry."

Once they were out of the clearing, Inuhime, Hikaru, and Inuyasha undisguised themselves. Sango and Miroku's children saw it happened. They clapped and said that it was awesome, which made Inuhime smiled. Kohaku and Kirara came out as they saw them coming down the hill.

Kohaku went to hug his sister before he helped Inuyasha holding up Miroku. He said, "Sorry, they were getting impatient and wanted to see you."

Sango smiled and said tirely. "That's alright."

Kohaku frowned, "What happened?"

"We must leave."

"They didn't believe what Miroku says?" It sounded more like a question than a statement.

Miroku smiled at his brother-in-law, "No, they won't, especially, that foolish monk."

"If we can't stay here, then where can we go?"

They all, children in all, went inside the couple's hut. Sango told her children to gather their things as she was making some provisions for their trip to the West. Inuhime watched Sango, it hasn't been since after the second war with Naraku that she had seen her. She knew that Kagome will be glad that her friends, that Kagome saw more as her family, will be staying, regardless what Sesshomaru says. Inuhime chuckled at the would-be expression that her brother will have once they see them. Sango saw Inuhime chuckling.

"What's so funny?! We lost our home and you think this is funny!" Instantly, Inuhime stopped.

"No, this situation is no where near amusing."

Sango tilted her head. "Then, why were you chuckling?"

Inuhime smiled, "Imagine the shock and surprised expressions on my brother's face."

When Inuhime's words soak through Sango's head, she gasped. "Lady Inuhime, your brother surely wouldn't let us stay with you! After all, we are human and the only humans that he tolerates is Kagome and Rin!"

Inuhime smirked at Sango, which made her gulped, nervously, "Just leave Sesshomaru up to me and Kagome. Once Kagome hear about this, she will, definitely, have you stay here."

"But I don't want to impose on them."

"And you think Kagome would care?" Sango thought about it and shook her head. "Well, at least, we should send word ahead. Do you have any parchment, pen and ink?" Sango nodded and went to get those things, while Inuhime looked around noticed that Kaede hasn't yet returned to her hut and gathered her things. She noticed Kaede's aura. It was slowly diminishing. "Inuyasha? Hikaru?" Once she got their attention, she commanded, "Go to Kaede's hut and gather her things."

Kaede stood up and protested. "Thanks Inuhime, but this old one could still gather her things, however, I wouldn't mind to have help to get me over there." Kaede looked at Hikaru. He groaned almost inaudibly and looked at his mate, like he was asking her 'do I have to?' Inuhime smiled. "Mate, you should carry her there. Inuyasha go with them."

"I don't want to be around that prick!" Inuhime gave him that look that would promise certain punishments. "Keh! Fine, I'm going!" Inuhime watched Hikaru bent on his knees for Kaede to get on his back. He looked over his shoulder and glared at her. Inuhime just smile. That glare didn't do anything to her. Inuyasha said, "Come on, asshole. Lets get this over with." Hikaru grunted in return.

Sango was watching the whole thing. She chuckled. She knew she shouldn't, but those expressions on their faces were priceless. Inuhime looked at Sango. She mouthed 'sorry' as she gave the parchment, pen, and ink to her. Inuhime thanked Sango. She sat near Inuhime and watched as she wrote with perfect, elegant handwriting. Inuhime wrote two notes; one to Sesshomaru and Kagome and the other to her parents. It basically said that they will have some permanent guest and that she or they will explain when everyone is there. So that, it doesn't need to be repeated. Also they might have some news about Akira. She rolled the parchments up and tied a small ribbon to keep it close. Also she stamped her seal in candle wax, that way the receiver will know it's from her.

"Hana? Kohaku?" They came up to her. "I need you...' Inuhime gave a missive to Hana. '... give this to my father. Kohaku, I need you to give this one to Sesshomaru." Kohaku looked at his sister. She nodded in return. "Please hurry." Both of them nodded, but before they left Hana asked, "Will you be here or at home?"

Inuhime looked at Kohaku. "Do you know where the Western Palace is?"

Kohaku shook his head. "But I know where the Sky Palace is."

"That's good, because that's where Sesshomaru is at this time. Hana, you could stay at the palace until we get there."

"What about Zoku? What if she isn't there when you get there and go to the palace?"

"Hana, if Zoku isn't there, then I will leave a note, so that she knows where you are. Besides, I know she'll have some news for us."

Then Hana and Kohaku left to deliver the missives to their respective receivers. Afterwards, Hikaru, with Kaede on his back, and Inuyasha came inside the hut.

"We're back! Are you guys ready, yet?!"

Sango looked at Miroku and then at their children. They had what they want to bring them. It was mostly their favorite toys, kimonos, etc... Miroku gave his wife her Hiraikotsu and her taijiya uniform. Sango kissed Miroku in thankfulness. Miroku got his staff and said sadly, but with a smile, "Well, I guess we are ready."

Sango nodded, "Aright, kids. Lets go. We are going to see your Aunt Kagome."

The children squealed in excitement. Once they are outside, Inuhime said, "Okay, everyone, half of you by me and the other by Hikaru." The children looked at Hikaru. He looked intimidating. Then they looked at Inuhime again. "It's alright, he won't bite. If he does, he knows what he will get," Inuhime said to them while looking at Hikaru in warning.

He sighed. He nodded at the children. He said, "Come, children. This Hikaru won't bite. This one gives you his word."

Once the children were by the one they wanted to ride with, Inuhime and Hikaru formed their youki cloud. Before they lifted off of the ground, Inuhime looked at Inuyasha. "Come on, Inuyasha."

"Keh, I am not riding on a cloud, especially, on that asshole's cloud."

"Fine by this Hikaru."

"Shut up, asshole! No one was talking to you!"

Inuhime sighed. "Inuyasha, get on! It will go faster if you are on here."

"Feh, whatever!"

Sango was getting annoyed, "Inuyasha, if you don't get your hanyou ass on this cloud now, I will use my Hiraikotsu on you!"

"Keh!" He hopped on his sister's cloud because there was no way in hell he would ride with Hikaru. Besides, the reason why he gave in so easily because he knew that Sango meant what she said; not that he didn't believe his sister's threats because he knew full well that she meant them, too. He just didn't want to depend on anyone.

They lifted up off the ground and it wasn't not even an hour when they landed by Zoku's hut. The children shouted how fun that was and if they would do it again someday. Sango and Inuhime went to make dinner as the children played outside. Miroku saw Inuyasha sitting on the base of the tree.

"Huh, how odd. Inuyasha always sits up in the tree." He went to sit by his friend. "What the matter, Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha sighed. He wasn't known to talk about his feelings, especially, around other male youkai, i.e. Hikaru. So, he looked around. He thought that he might went out hunting, since Inuhime and Sango were cooking. "Why Miroku? Why would she left me? This is our chance. Our chance to live the life we wanted. But no, that stupid ass monk just has to show up and screw up everything. I should go back to Edo and kill the fuckin bastard!"

"You don't want to do that, Inuyasha. It would only prove his logic true, even if you did succeeded killing him. Kikyo would never forgive you. She seemed happy with him. Perhaps, even in love with him."

Inuyasha slumped, "I know! I know! It's just not fair, that's all."

Miroku smirked, "No, life isn't fair, but we must appreciate what we have. Besides, there are other women around, even one for you. You just have to look around. However, grieve for what you lost and then move on forward."

"I already had. I just hope that..."

"I know, my friend."

Hikaru returned with a full-grown buck and five rabbits; already skinned and gutted. Inuhime kissed Hikaru for the meat and went on cooking the meat.

Miroku asked in curiosity, "How are you and your sister getting along?"

Inuyasha smirked, "Well, she isn't anything like Sesshomaru, that's for sure. Thank Kami. I guess we get along great. She reminds me a lot of Kagome, though."

Miroku nodded, "What about her mate?"

Inuyasha's face turned sour. "He's an arrogant prick. I don't like him. I'd rather be around Sesshomaru than him." Miroku laughed. "What's so damn funny, lecher?

"Hey, I'd haven't done anything lecherous in a long time!"

"Uh huh, maybe not with other women."

"Well, of course not with other women, that would only bring trouble to my marriage. Besides, she likes it, if she didn't she would had told me."

"Well, what was that when you first met my sister, huh?"

"Inuyasha, I was only playing. Sango knew that, so did Inuhime."

"Yeah, I bet you wouldn't done it if she was mated then, would you?"

"No, I wouldn't. I am a monk after all. I didn't take already taken women."

Inuhime chimed, "Alright everyone dinner's ready!"

After they ate dinner, the adult talked quietly as the children went to sleep. Inuhime told them they would leave in the morning to go home.

Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi

Fanfiction & OCs (c) ladytari