Chapter 23

A/N: I just want to say thank you to everyone who has favorited this story, followed this story and reviewed this story. I also want to say thank you to all the wonderful readers that continuously do reach out in my PMs to encourage me to continue. From the moment of my last update to this day A LOT has happened to me in my life and so many changes as well. Some were awful, some were bad, but A LOT was also good, and I did accomplish A LOT and have made so much progress. I can't go back to how the times were, but I can move on forward and continue. I am proud to open my computer with the intention of continuing my hobby as a fanfic writer and planning on getting back into my drawing too. Along the way I lost or must have forgotten my potential and arts, but I am glad to be back into doing what I love. I Look forward to more reviews and I look forward to completing not only this story but the previous one as well. I also look forward to creating and writing more. ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PATIENCE, YOUR WORDS OF KINDNESS AND ENCOURAGEMENTS. IM BACK AND READY! ENJOY!

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The morning meeting went smoothly after that. Naraku had already informed everyone about bringing up the topic. What's done is done and now they must get to the bottom of this. They were also made aware of the current situation with Shippou so they know they now have a much younger pack member they need to protect.

"We are going to be working closely with the Moons on this matter," Naraku's voice echoed. "You are all aware how my father and Taisho were best mates and mutual leaders before splitting up their gangmates to cover more grounds." Believe it or not Naraku actually missed the days he and Sesshomaru use to hang out, he is equally to blame for the rift that happened between both groups, and it is time to make amends.

"I will be the first to admit as a leader I am equally to blame for the strained relationship between our groups. Our fathers separated to protect our turf, but our petty arguments not only led us to fail to protect one of ours but failed to notice a nasty infiltration withing our territory and that will no longer be accepted." The force behind the statement had everyone standing tall.

No one particularly disliked the Moons; it was the nasty treatment that had started with Kagome, and nothing being done about it that made everyone sided. Take Miroku for instance, everyone knows he's obsessed with Sango.

"We will no longer carry on with this attitude. As I speak, both my father and Taisho are rallying up together to carry a more widespread search of what has occurred, it is our job as their juniors and new generation to both clans to do the same here in our turf. All gangs within this territory are under both our protection and we must maintain order completely. To have a traitor within us is despicable." The disgust in the tone was mutually felt within everyone. Who in their right minds would try and sabotage their system.

"Any idea of how we will be proceeding?" Bankotsu asked surprisingly seriously. "I'm sure the traitor must have known by now the mission wasn't accomplished; how do we move without setting them off?"

"I'll be honest." The seriousness in the tone of Naraku's voice left everyone holding their breaths. "No one is safe right now. The elder gang members will be conducting the bigger investigation as I mentioned before which includes every single gang and their members. NO one is excluded." No one in the spiders believes one of them could possibly be the traitor but to hear that they would be investigated upon not knowing when or if they're being followed is also uncomfortable. What if someone within the territory was really a traitor?

"While they're doing that, we will be conducting our investigation within the schools and our turf only. We have yet to be giving any instructions to venture out so if you were to encounter anyone beyond our jurisdiction, even if friendly, do not interact with them for longer than necessary unless you would like to be the first suspect." And he said it with no remorse. No dancing with the devil that could have killed his sister. He was so angry internally that even he can't express it. From this day forward, if he can help it, he will do anything in his power to make sure Kagome or anyone else never get hurt like that again.

"After today, we will be meeting jointly with the Moons. We will be sharing any new information we gather and make certain moves accordingly. My father and Taisho insisted that we become one team until this is solved." Everyone nodded in understanding.

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The Spiders and Moons was one big gang once called Shikon. It started hundreds of years ago when humans started multiplying and spreading and demons had to make sure they weren't outnumbered or hunted. It was led by two best friends; Taisho and Kurogane. They were powerful alone, but together, they were the land's biggest threat, and they also had a powerful ally Midoriko. Their goal was to create a safe haven so all demons, no matter the species, would be able to come together, share thoughts, concerns, and updates on the human movements. Safe to say a lot of demons were grateful, but they were some hardcore demons that refused to change their beliefs and actually held hatred toward the duo because they had the most powerful Miko as their ally. A lot of it was jealousy of power as well so, while demons started gathering, a dragon demon named Ryukotsusei decided he would destroy everything.

He was a smart and powerful dragon. Taisho had actually approached to bring him he into their plans, but he had declined due to territorial damages done by the humans and Taisho had accepted the excuse. Kurogane had always watched Ryukotsusei over the years and he knew he was jealous and envious of the Taisho clan, and he knew Ryukotsusei was not honest. The dragon hated humans and always showed disgust toward Midoriko. He told Taisho to keep an eye on him, after all, Taisho and Ryukotsusei used to play when they were young due to their fathers who were great friends; he knew Taisho might be blind to the truth.

Just as Kurogane had warned. Ryukotsusei had planned a coup and forced some human villagers to call for Midoriko's aid. The day Midoriko set for the village was a day Taisho and Kurogane were holding a major meeting to discuss human wars. While the two powerful demons were handling affairs, Ryukotsusei used that opportunity to launch a full-blown attack again the priestess. What he fails to remember was Midoriko was extremely powerful. She fought violently despite being outnumbered and held her ground. It was on the third day of battle that Taisho and Kurogane were interrupted by a messenger informing them of what had occurred. Both demons fled to the area reported without a thought. Upon arrival, it was a bloody mess but no demon bodies to be seeing due to the purification power. They found their loving friend beathing heavily on her back holding her chest chanting.

Upon rushing to her she quickly interrupted them. "I do not have much time. I won against thousands, but I am still human. Exhaustion had creeped up, in order to save the village, I took the remaining demons inside me. I will continue to fight them. I entrust the Shikon to you both. Ryukotsusei must not be trusted. He planned this." Taisho was frozen. Kurogane reached out but was stopped. "Don't touch me for I am becoming the Shikon No Tama, I wouldn't want to hurt my brothers." She said with a sad smile. She always treated them like her siblings, she was never prejudiced against demons; many demons even tried to court her, but she always said she needed no other men other than her brothers. "I love you both. Take care of the Shikon, do not let it fall into the wrong hands for it is too powerful for anyone to handle, they will lose all self-control. It is a compressed powered of both Youki and spiritual energy, two forces that constantly clash." She coughed violently causing both men to jump in alarm and once again wanting to touch her, but one deadly look from her had them stand still, weak or not, they never will go against their Midoriko.

"When I finish this battle, the Shikon will find a home and will no longer be a jewel for my soul will be released then. I do not know when or what will happen, so I am entrusting my very being to you both. Hopefully It chooses one of your descendants for me to be reincarnate to..." The pair watched as she started to glow, and Kurogane wanted to stop everything, but the purification power was starting to suffocate them. A bright light shined and forced them to cover their eyes. Upon opening them, they saw a small, glowing, pink jewel floating in the air flowing towards them. As if on instinct, they both held out their hands and caught the jewel. One last image of Midoriko flashed, "Take care of me now boys!" and the jewel dimmed down.

They stood in silence for several minutes just staring at the jewel within their hands. Kurogane was the first to look up and his words were stuck in his throat. The great Taisho had tears flowing down his face. After seeing that, even Kurogane couldn't hold back his own tears. Tears of anger, hatred, revenge! How dare Ryukotsusei betray them like this!

After that incident, Ryukotsusei and all his members just about disappeared and Taisho and Kurogane were forced to stop their search in order to continue their main goal and protect the demons. Everyone knew what happened and that event had brought a lot of the demon clans together and Taisho and Kurogane officially started Shikon in the name and memory of Midoriko. Both demons never let the jewel out of their sight, one or the other will always have it on their person. The only problem was the fact that it was so powerful that its presence alone affected the minor demons tremendously, so they always had to fight and be on guard. They visited a monk temple and a monk there was able to provide them a chain that would conceal the magic in return to help them protect their temple for invaders which actually included humans. They couldn't harm humans, but they were being attacked for their possessions and trying to abduct their young ones. The agreement was sealed and thus finally there was a moment of peace. Then another couple centuries later while Kurogane and Taisho were sharing a drink, they always had the jewel out whenever it was just them two, because in a sense it was all three of them together. That night was different, the jewel that was sitting between them suddenly floated while shining brightly and then boom, just disappeared.

"So, she's now really gone," Taisho said softly while fiddling with the chain that once held the jewel seconds ago.

Kurogane could only nod while also simply staring that the empty chain in Taisho's hands. After a few minutes of silence Kuro finally looked up at Taisho. "She did her part, now we must do ours. Besides, the jewel will be finding a new home so hopefully, we need to be here to welcome her back. She did say her soul would be released. Let's continue and wait." Taisho looked at his friend and gave a real happy smile. Kurogane was never one to comfort but those words gave him some extra energy and hope for the future. "Well said brother."

Fast forward to the future: they as a gang worked hard as entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, investors, political members, some even gangsters; in order to create a high standing in the human world in every corner as they continue to spread. Once they made Tokyo and the close surrounding neighbors officially their turf, they split up the gang in order to fully cover the cities. Kurogane took care of the North and East while Taisho took West and South. Once the next generation came around, Taisho and some of the group took care of the South while Kurogane and the rest took care of the north. They left Naraku and the new Spider Gens with the East and Sesshomaru and the new Moon Gens with the West.

The North and South had the most to deal with, since the demons there keep fighting amongst themselves, so it only made sense. So now Taisho and Kurogane will not only be digging deeper into the North and South, but they will also be re-evaluating every single gang and their members throughout the east and west as well. Their eyes would be considered fresh since they haven't been stationed on those areas for ages.

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"We will be finishing this meeting with the Moons. So, let's head out." And on cue, everyone pulls into partner formation and ready to roll out.

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Sesshomaru sat silently on his bike facing his gang using his helmet as a weight support. He waited patiently as everyone shut off their bikes, took off their helmets and ready to be focused. He noticed how some were looking at each other in confusion. His sharp eyes scanned throughout the group as he took in Inuyasha already yelling at Miroku, nothing new there. He saw Yura checking her hair and make-up as usual. But what caught his attention was Kikyo who seemed to be furiously texting away on her phone. She tailed with Inuyasha and Miroku instead of her friends and she's been angry since this morning Sesshomaru noted.

The moons never really had much to discuss in the mornings because being the formidable leader Sesshomaru was, he really was a perfectionist. He knew who to assign to an assignment and would do so without announcing it. If the situation proves to be more challenging, he had levels of back up that could take care of anything. If that proved to be a situation as well, he would normally take care of it and that has been the pattern. The rest of the gang are eyes and ears and the protection for the West. Meetings only happened for new and rare information, and they knew having this meeting so early in the lot only means something big is going on.

"SO! Lord Sesshomaru, such a lovely morning! I hope it bares only good news!" Miroku's cheerful voice echoed. Who is he kidding!? He knew what he witnessed, even if he doesn't know 100% what's going on, he knew it isn't good; but everyone seemed on edge and Kikyo has been acting so weird all morning that he almost wanted to ask her if she knew anything about this situation. So, a little, bright, positivity always goes a long way.

True to thought, that lessened the tension as some people immediately started laughing. "Stupid Monk." You can hear Inuyasha muttered, but then everyone focused once Sesshomaru stood tall.

"Something very interesting happened a few days ago and this had led I to now take immediate action." Some many words were wrong in that statement for the gang that even Kikyo stopped texting.

"We clearly have a traitor amongst us thus led to a violent attack on one of our external members." That caused everyone to start whispering. Who would dare attack one of them on their own turf, that's literally a challenge or war. The group unknowingly held their breath as they waited for more.

"You're talking about Kagome right!?" Inuyasha, of course yelling, so the world can hear. So far no one knows the details, but there's already a rumor of some attacking a spider member. "What's that got to do with us!? And plus, why do you SUDDENLY CARE?" To say the least he was jealous. Kagome is hotter than ever, now even more powerful and all the sudden this bastard has HIS woman!

"Not to be rude, but Inuyasha is right my lord, if she is too weak to protect herself, why should we have to worry about her? The Spiders should let her go if anything!" Yura said as she started laughing.

It happened so fast that no one would have noticed that she had a nice clean-cut split directly in the middle of her face. It only took a second before an agonizing scream echoed throughout the whole almost empty lot causing the crows to fly off into the sky.

They all now faced a red-eyed Sesshomaru. "I would advise from now that NO ONE speak of my mate."

MATE!?

Everyone was shaken and silenced, which allowed them to hear and see the spiders now heading towards them.

"What in the world is going on right now?" Only Miroku dared to ask.

A/N: If I were to continue, this would be way too long! I haven't felt so good writing! You guys don't know how much life has thrown me under the bus that I actually thought I forgot this feeling! I'm already halfway into the next chapter. I don't plan on stopping. I want to complete my two ongoing stories now and even look to start up new ones. Once again. I REALLY APPPRECIATE ALL THE REVIEWS, PMS, EMAILS, and everyone for supporting me. YOU ALL ARE THE REASON IM BACK TO WRITING. So, this Chapter was more like continuing to give background stabilization, we're coming into action soon!

Thank You for all you support! REVIEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!