The next morning, at the Sky Palace, a servant awaken the Lord and Lady of the West.

"For- forgive this lowly one, milord, but there's a human... a demon slayer by the looks of him... says that he has an important message to give to you."

"Sesshomaru, that might be Kohaku," Kagome said as she rubbed her sleepy eyes.

"Hn, what youkai he rode, manservant?"

"A neko-youkai, milord."

"Hn, take him to the family room. Make him feel comfortable til my mate and I get there."

"Yes, milord."

Kagome and Sesshomaru quickly dressed and headed for the family room. Kohaku was standing with his posture perfectly straight with his hands behind his back. Kagome was happy to see him. It has been a long while since she'd seen him. She ran to him and hugged him without thinking about protocol. She frowned because Kohaku didn't move an inch. She looked at him and said, "Kohaku?" It was almost like he was still under Naraku's control. It was unnerving. Sesshomaru was impressed with Kohaku because he knew protocols for entering a human or youkai lord's castle. He noticed Kagome's frowned and sighed. He sometimes have to remind himself that she was from different time.

After he heard his mate's voice calling 'Kohaku', he said, "Omae, take no offense. Kohaku was only following protocol while in a lord's castle."

Kagome backed away from Kohaku. She looked up at her mate and asked, "Am I in trouble?" Sesshomaru knew she didn't mean any offense especially since she regarded the young slayer as her adopted brother as she did with his elder sister. "No, I knew you didn't mean anything by it, but if it was another, my beast and I will take it as an offense. A side from that Kohaku didn't touch you, which shows me that he has respect for his lord."

"Oh, I am so sorry, Sesshomaru. I didn't know." She downcast her eyes as though she was ashamed.

Sesshomaru couldn't help but to hold her and said, "Look at me, Kagome." She obeyed. "As you said, you didn't know, but now you do. Just remember that no running and embracing a visitor, especially if said visitor was a male."

"I am curious, Sesshomaru, what would happened if..."

He knew what she was asking, he interrupted, "I would disemboweled him." When he finished those last two words with a deep, fearsome growl that made Kohaku gulped.

"Even if he's family? What of Inuyasha?"

"Since you considered Kohaku a brother, my beast knows not to attack. Even Inuyasha is immune, unfortunately."

"Sesshomaru!" Kagome playfully slapped his wrist as Sesshomaru gave a small smirk. Kohaku cleared his throat.

"My lord, I came to deliver this message from your sister." He gave him the missive.

Kagome came closer to Sesshomaru, so she could read it, too. Her mate opened the sealed missive and it was read as follows:

To my Lord Brother, Sesshomaru, and his mate, Lady Kagome, I hope this finds you well. As you know, Inuyasha and I went to Edo. Something ominous was happening in Edo whenever our brother and I got there. It seems that a strange monk arrived in Edo; not long after Inuyasha left there. Let me get to the point, I invited Miroku, his wife, and children to live with us at the Palace. I know this was sudden, but they need somewhere safe to live, at least, until they find a new place to call home. The elder miko, Kaede is also coming to live there as well. Don't worry. A missive is on or already at the palace as you are reading this letter. This Inuhime will give you more details of the things happening in or around Edo once we arrive there. I also told Kohaku that he may await for us there, too. Your Lady Sister, Inuhime.

After they read the letter, Sesshomaru summoned a servant and ask to get the pups and their things ready to go. Kagome was worried about this recent discovery. She wondered when the youkai went extinct before her time. Was it now? Was this only the beginning? Kagome silently vowed that she will make sure that not all youkai will be vanquished. May the Kami be willing to grant her vow of protection for them.

It was late in the afternoon, when Sesshomaru and family returned home.

Hana arrived at the Western Palace in the early hours in the morning. Jaken greeted her at the gate entrance.

"What do you want, filthy human?"

Hana gave him an evil glare, but she has no time for Jaken's crap. "I am here to see the Lord Father and Lady Mother, Master Jaken. I have an important message for them."

Jaken stare at her for a moment. "Fine. Wait here."

Jaken took his sweet time going to where his lord's father and mother were, which they were in the sitting room eating an early breakfast. Once he arrived, Taisho knew he was there. He waited for him to make himself known, which took forever. Taisho didn't like his attitude since Sesshomaru and Kagome left with the pups. He would take his sweet time doing tasks of all sorts. Taisho said, "Jaken, I know you're there. Announce your reasons."

Jaken gulped at the tone of the Lord Father's voice. He knew that as of late he hasn't done his tasks swiftly as he usually does. He missed his lord and lady. Hell, he even missed the pups, Rin and Shippo.

"Forgive this lowly one, Lord Father. There's a young human girl waiting at the gate entrance. She told me that she has an important message for you both."

Taisho was sometimes amused with Jaken's idiocy, but not today. "Well, bring the girl in, Jaken!" Jaken jumped at the Lord Father voice and ran to bring the girl to them. Inukimi shook her head at Jaken. "That imp has been getting on my nerves as of late."

She responded, "My guess is that he misses his lord."

"Hn."

When they arrived, Jaken didn't need to announce the girl because...,
Inukimi said, "Aww, it's Hana. Come here, child."

Hana walked into the sitting room where Taisho and Inukimi were enjoying their breakfast. "Um, Lady Mother, Lord Father... I was sent here to give you a message."

"What's the message, darling? Who's it from?"

"From the Lady Sister, Lady Mother. Here's the message." She gave the missive to the Lord Father.

Taisho cocked his eyebrow at it. He broke the missive's seal and began reading: It was read as follows:

To my Lord Father, InuTaisho, and Lady Mother, Inukimi; I hope this finds you well. As you know, Inuyasha and I went to Edo. Something ominous was happening in Edo whenever our brother and I got there. It seems that a strange monk arrived in Edo; not long after Inuyasha left there. Let me get to the point, I invited Miroku, his wife, and children to live with us at the Palace. I know this was sudden, but they need somewhere safe to live, at least, until they find a new place to call home. The elder miko, Kaede is also coming to live there as well. Don't worry. A missive is on or already at the palace as you are reading this letter. This Inuhime will give you more details of the things happening in or around Edo once we arrive there. Also I told Hana that she could await for us there at the palace. Love, Your Lady Daughter, Inuhime.

Taisho looked at his mate and said, "Well, it seems we will have company soon. We should get the rooms ready for our human house guests." Inukimi nodded in agreement.

Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi

Fanfiction & OCs (c) ladytari