Chapter 21

Too Far

Yumi

I sat outside the giant mansion, scowling at the building. No demon should have this kind of wealth. I could only wonder what this Sesshomaru character did to get such an income. He probably killed someone, or stole all of the riches.

Yokai were not honorable after all, which lead me to think about my daughter. How did someone like Kagome, a miko with a disgusting amount of strength, get caught in a filthy demon's grasp? She should have been able to fight any spell he placed on her. So, what happened?

I looked down at the photo in my hands. It had all six of them: Kagome, her so-called mate, and her four kids. Only one of the kids was worth rescuing, and that was the oldest girl. The others…they will be sacrificed to the Kami.

As much as I hated the idea of taking the life of children, it was for the best. Kagome needed to be saved, and the blood of her newborn trash would be strong enough to break any spell she was under. This time, I would not fail.

The car crash hadn't gone according to plan at all. That demon was just a half-breed; he should not have been able to survive. The kitsune was too young to properly defend himself so he should have perished as well. If only I had known just how strong Kagome was. She had protected her son, and the damn half-breed was stronger than I had thought.

Every time I tried to save my daughter, something happened to ruin it. Either that yokai family keeps getting in my way or plans don't go through like they are supposed to.

"This time, that will change." I whispered as I watched the small family get in the car, glad that they hadn't noticed me hiding in the bushes. I was lucky this time, on multiple accounts.

Both Kagome and her mate were taking their two oldest children out, leaving the youngest behind. Now, the only thing I will have to deal with is an old woman. Getting to those twins will be a breeze.

But first, I waited.

I wanted to make sure Kagome and the filth were far enough away that I knew they weren't coming back. The last thing I needed was to get caught. I had a plan, and there was no way it would fail.

I simply needed to get the children to my brother. Then we would take care of them together, all the while sending a prayer to the Kami. We would save my daughter, finally.

After a few minutes, I stood from the bushes and quickly ran to the door. I made sure my footfalls were silent as I turned the knob, thankful that it wasn't locked. First things first, I had to find that babysitter.

She could very well be a problem.

Sneaking silently through the house, I listened for any sign of the woman. I could hear shuffling upstairs and made my way to the large staircase that lead up. Just as I was about to turn the corner, the sound of the old woman's humming hit my ears.

She was much closer than I thought so I would have to act fast. I jumped out from my hiding place, startling the woman. She turned and was about to run, but I was quicker. With one hit from my fist, the lady was unconscious on the ground.

"Soon, everyone will thank me." I announced, stepping over the woman.

I went through every door, attempting to find the nursery. I was surprised when I came across one done entirely in pink. The name 'Sakura' was on the wall. It appears there was another child that could be sacrificed. Unfortunately, she wasn't here at the moment.

Turning from the room, I continued on my way. It took another five doors, but I finally came across the correct room. Two cribs sat across from each other, both with their mobiles turning slowly above them.

I stood over the first crib and looked into bright pink eyes. The boy. He looked up at me before a pink barrier was placed over him. I looked over at the other crib and realized the brat was protecting his sister as well.

Disgusting.

So young, and already, the child had power he should not. This is what happens when mikos and yokai breed. Turning my thoughts from that, I focused on a way to get the boy to drop his barrier. Forcing him wouldn't do. I have no idea just what he is capable of and would rather not find out the hard way.

"I assume you love your mommy." I whispered, my voice soft. I hated being kind to this thing, but it was necessary.

Of course, the child said nothing. His pink eyes just seemed to look into every part of me. I really wished he would just close those horrid things.

"I only want to help your mother. If you come with me, you can help her as well." Of course, he didn't need to know how he was going to help her.

Once again, pink eyes just looked at me, his hands twitching slightly. I sighed before looking at the clock on the wall. I had already wasted too much time. There was no telling just how long the old woman would stay unconscious.

I would just have to chance it.

I pooled my reiki into my hand and pushed it against his barrier. I was surprised at just how strong he was. I hated to admit it, but I was lucky that he was an infant. Had he been any older, he would have overpowered me.

Breaking his barrier was painful for him. His shrill cries quickly turned into shrieks that very nearly busted my eardrums. I pushed more of my power against him, effectively breaking the barrier keeping me from my prize.

I reached into the crib and picked up the crying baby before turning to the girl. She had begun crying when she heard her brother's distress and I rolled my eyes. These two almost weren't worth the trouble, but I had to think about Kagome.

I quickly ran out of the room, stepping over the still-fallen woman, and back outside. I didn't stop running until I arrived at a hidden vehicle. I quickly placed them in the prepared car seats before jumping into the driver's seat.

After sending a text to my brother, telling him it was time to meet at our agreed location, I quickly pulled out onto the road, leaving the house behind me.

I couldn't keep the smile off of my face as I looked into the rearview mirror at the still-sobbing infants. I succeeded. I kidnapped the filthy babies, and now, they will become sacrifices so I can save my daughter.

I drove for about an hour before I pulled onto an abandoned road. It had taken weeks of research to find this place, but I did. I put the car in park as I looked at the abandoned shrine in front of me. I could care less why this place was abandoned. All I cared about was that it would work.

I grabbed the now-quiet infants out of their seats and began walking inside. My brother would be here very shortly, then we could begin the ritual. I set down the children on two offering cloths and began setting everything in their proper positions.

When I heard footsteps, I smiled, knowing that everything was about to begin.

"It's about time. Let's get this started…" I said but stopped when I looked up and saw two people I never thought I would see.

-sSs-

Kenta

I sighed as Satori and Izayoi laughed behind me. It is not fair that my current wife gets along so well with my ex-wife. What have I done to deserve this?

I pushed open the door to Sesshomaru's house and froze. Satori immediately snarled and took off upstairs as Izayoi grabbed my arm, unsure of what was going on. I turned to her, my eyes bleeding red. I already knew what had happened, just from the smells.

"Call Sesshomaru! The pups have been kidnapped!" I informed before running up the stairs to find Satori.

When I reached her, she was helping up a moaning Kaede. I kneeled beside her and grabbed her elbow, steadying her.

"I'm so sorry! I tried to get to the pups, but she was faster! I'm so sorry!" Kaede cried, tears falling down her wrinkled face.

"Shush. We will find them. Sesshomaru will be home shortly and–"

"He is here." A baritone voice snarled behind me. I turned to see a red-eyed Sesshomaru standing behind me and Kagome sobbing as she clung to her oldest pups. It was clear he had orbed here the moment he got the news.

"I'm so sorry! I tried!" Kaeda pleaded, a small bit of blood running down her forehead.

"Mother, get her into a bed to rest, then meet us downstairs. The rest of the pack has been notified and will be here within minutes." Sesshomaru growled, his beast very much present. He turned and placed a hand on Kagome's back, guiding her back down the stairs as she continued to cry.

Soon, everyone was present and Sesshomaru was barking orders. I had to admit I was proud of him. His first true challenge as alpha was upon him, and he was doing splendidly.

"Izayoi, make a calming tea. My mate needs it. InuYasha, you, Kouga, and Miroku will take a vehicle and drive around, looking for any hint of my pups. Ayame, you will care for Kaede. Question her about everything that happened in our absence. Souta, you and Kagura will attempt to call or find your mother in any way you can think of. Kikyou and Sango, you will watch the last three pups. Ensure that no harm comes to them as well. Mother and Father, you will track that vile woman's scent until you can go no further."

"What will you do, Son?" I asked, noticing the way his hands were clenching and unclenching. Sesshomaru looked down to Kagome who was sitting on the couch still sobbing.

"My mate needs me. You all have your orders; it is time you followed them. Bring my pups back to me." Sesshomaru commanded. At once, everyone went to their destinations.

Satori and I ran alongside each other in companionable silence. Our noses picked up the scent of that damn woman easily, however, we soon came to a dead end.

"That bitch hid a vehicle here. There is no longer a scent to follow." Satori stated, looking up at the sky as she breathed deeply. I was breathing much the same way, both of us trying to keep calm.

"There must be something." I mumbled, looking around slightly.

"This way!" A voice called out around us. I looked at Satori who looked just as confused as I did.

I took a step back when a transparent face suddenly materialized in front of me, his brown eyes slightly covered by black hair.

"You must be quick!" The face said before disappearing. My eyes widened as it reappeared completely, a few feet away from me. It was very easy to see that this was a human male. A deceased human male.

"You must save the pups! Follow me!" He ordered again. I took one look at Satori and, with her nod, we took off.

Every so often, the voice would call out or he would appear in the direction we were supposed to be going. It took us a matter of thirty minutes before we finally reached our destination. There was an old, rundown shrine not too far from us.

"Come! I have sent help, but he cannot fight them both! You must save the pups!" The voice yelled frantically.

It was then that I heard the shuffling inside the shrine, along with the crying of the pups. Satori and I took off again, not stopping until we barged inside. The sight that met us surprised even me.

"You have gone too far!" Taro yelled, punching the man who had attempted to kill my son with a truck, and knocking him unconscious. I snarled immediately and all eyes turned to Satori and myself.

Her eyes were glued to the screaming pups who felt our presence and reached for us.

"Satori, grab them." I growled, watching the ones in front of us.

"You can't!" Yumi screeched. She was going to take a step towards the pups when a flash of white flew past me and back again. To the humans, it would seem as if Satori hadn't even moved. The only thing indicating that she had were the now-quiet pups in her arms.

"Why?" I growled, clenching my fists together.

"They are sacrifices! They will free my daughter from your spell!" Yumi yelled, making both Satori and I bare our fangs towards her.

"That's enough!" A voice yelled out, the same voice that had lead us here.

"Kai! How can you help them? They have bewitched our daughter!" Yumi asked, looking at the transparent figure who now stood beside Satori and was looking down at the pups.

Ken'ichi reached out a hand towards the man who smiled in response. His kind eyes turned angry as he looked towards Yumi.

"These are our grandchildren, Woman! They are innocent, yet you were going to harm them because of a spell that does not exist!" Kai yelled.

I could only watch as realization slammed into me. This was Kagome's real father. Souta had mentioned before that Taro wasn't their sire, and now I was standing before two males who wanted the same thing as me: Kagome's love. She was my daughter, and I wouldn't allow anyone to take her from me.

"How can you defend them?! Demons!? It was a yokai who killed you!" Yumi asked, tears beginning to fall down her face.

"Yes, I was killed by a demon. But that does not mean every yokai has to pay for the crimes of one. You abandoned our daughter, and this male was kind enough to take her in. He raised her as his own, even with her reiki. His mate has helped Kagome just as much as he has. His own children took her in, so much so that one of them mated her! She has a family, all because of yokai! How can you call his actions a spell when all he did was love our daughter, much more than you ever did?" Kai bellowed, his arm coming back to point at me.

At his words, it seemed as if Yumi cracked. The things coming out of her mouth were unrecognizable as she shrieked at all of us. I could see Kai sigh before he looked towards Taro who nodded. Before I knew what was happening, Taro struck Yumi, rendering her just as unconscious as her brother. Kai turned to me and bowed deeply.

"I will apologize on behalf of Yumi. She should never have been allowed to roam freely. You have to understand, before my death, she was a caring woman, much like Kagome." Kai stated, standing back up.

"As a promise to Kai, I looked over all three of them after his death, but I hadn't noticed anything suspicious about her. It wasn't until she dropped Kagome off that I knew something was wrong. However, I just assumed that she would get better with time. I was wrong. Can you-can you tell Kagome that I did try to find her? I may not have sired her, but I loved her as my daughter. I still do, which I'm sure you understand. You are, after all, her father more than either of us." Taro explained, looking nervous by the end of the explanation.

"I must thank you, Inu no Taisho, Lord of the Western Lands. You took in my daughter when you did not need to. You could have simply called social services and had her placed in a shelter. Instead, you accepted her into your home. I can never thank you enough." Kai added, his eyes trailing to the pups as they cooed at their grandmother.

"I thank you both for helping with the rescue of the pups. If it had not been for you, Kai, we would not have found them in time. Taro, I will be sure to tell Kagome of what you ask, as well as what you have done here today." I announced, also looking at the pups, glad to see them settled and unharmed.

"What will you do with these two?" Satori asked, looking towards the unconscious forms.

"Well, I have called the cops and they should be here soon. I told them that they kidnapped me and planned on sacrificing me to the Kami as an attempt to kill all demons from the world. It protects you and your family, and since demons don't exist, they will be submitted into a psych ward. Kagome, nor anyone else, will ever have to deal with them again." Taro answered, making me nod. The faint sound of sirens could be heard, and we would need to be leaving soon.

"Go." Kai started, smiling towards me. I was going to ask him if he would like to come with us when he beat me to it. "Kagome does not need to know I still roam this realm. It seems I can't let go of my family, crazy or not. I will always be here, watching over my wife and children, but Kagome has all the father she needs in you. Go now. Return my grandchildren to their mother."

I looked at him for a second longer before nodding my thanks. He would never know it, but hearing what he said had pushed away the last of my worries on my status as Kagome's father. The male who sired her thought of me as her true father. I was her daddy, and would always remain so.

Satori and I orbed away just before the cops pulled into the clearing. We hovered for a moment, watching as they arrested the two responsible for my family's upset. When we were sure they would no longer be a problem, we turned and headed home.

The moment we landed outside, Sesshomaru and Kagome were waiting for us. She ran from her mate's side and straight to Satori who let the pups go to their hysterical mother. I only watched as Kagome fell to the ground, clutching her pups to her chest as she looked them over and kissed every inch she could.

Sesshomaru approached his mate and fell to his knees beside her. He pulled them close to him and ran a large hand over the head of each pup. Shippo and Rin ran outside, screaming for joy as they realized that their siblings were home, and before long, a family of six had been reunited.

"Thank-you, Father, Mother." Sesshomaru whispered, not taking his eyes from his family as he attempted to hug all of them to him. Needless to say, his arms weren't quite large enough, but he sure did try.

Satori and I went to stand beside Izayoi who was calling all of the others and crying with happiness. Sango and Kikyou, who was holding Sakura, also stood watching as the not-so small family rejoiced.

Later, I would tell them of what happened, minus Kai. But for now, they needed the comfort of each other. They needed the healing that only family could give. I placed my hand on Izayoi's back and began guiding her inside, the rest of the group following behind me, giving the reunited family time to themselves.

From here on out, nothing would bother this family. Nothing would ever be strong enough to break us apart.

-sSs-

Here is the final chapter. An epilogue will be posted soon. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I also want to say thanks to all of the get well wishes. I appreciate it.

Shout outs:

RedDrake323: I am feeling much better. Of course Sesshomaru does great with being Alpha, and in this chapter we were able to see a bit of that.

Judzea: Thank you for your kind words in your review. I am always happy when someone tells me that they enjoy my writings.

DarkAngel8605: Thank you for your review. I am glad you liked my lemon, even I thought that it wasn't the best.

Victoria Cullen24: Thank you for your review. I hope this chapter is everything you had been hoping for.

Teaser: Chapter 22: Epilogue: How is life for the Taisho family? What knew adventures do they have waiting for them? Continue reading to find out

I do not own InuYasha.