Allyanna- Strap yourself in because this is about to get ugly Inuyasha is going to react like any other self respecting male would react even Sesshoumaru who has an icicle shoved up his ass would freak (though he would do it internally).

I am to lazy to 2login-in crestentmoon- It will be disturbingly familiar to how they used to argue

Bract- Someone needed to stay behind and though I like Kuwa-kun lets face it he is an idiot and this kind of mission needs serious finesse that the lovable goof ball doesn't have. As for him making an appearance later well that would be telling.

Whimsy007- As I've told so many before don't criticize my choice in story line unless you can come up with something better. And if you don't like the story than don't read it. I don't mind constructive criticism or new ideas in fact I welcome them but I won't stand for things written out of spite.

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Author's note: And a big thank you to all my other readers and reviewers out there and I hope you enjoy the next chappie it’s gonna be a dizzy. -Rei

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Kagome sat in Yuusuke's lap for the longest time letting the tears fall as the former spirit detective held her. In some far off part of her brain her common sense was raving that she had just met Yuusuke and that no matter how much she wished for a father to comfort her shield her there were still questions that needed to be answered. However the need to be a little girl for once and seek the comfort of her father outweighed the need for answers. So she simply lay still content with the answers he had already given if only for the moment.

Yuusuke felt her settle down and contented himself to hugging her closer to his solid frame. He too needed this, to feel her spirit energy weave with his own, to hear her voice, see her eyes, to know her. Yuusuke could remember only one time when he felt this way and it was with Raizen. He subconsciously wondered if Raizen felt the same way when he first met him. Unable to stay silent any longer Kagome spoke without looking up, “why did she leave"? Her father sighed and told her the watered down version of his life's story up until they're first meeting.

Occasionally he would falter but Yuusuke managed to get through the entire story without too much trouble. Throughout the entire episode Kagome said nothing letting her father speak, letting him explain even though there were some things that she couldn't understand. And when Yuusuke finally reached the end of his tale they sat in silence once more. Kagome stared at Yuusuke amazed that he was able to survive so long and then both her mothers betrayed him and by default betrayed her.

However Kagome could not bring herself to be more than a little annoyed with Hikime and Keiko. She understood that both women were trying to protect her from a world they obviously knew little about beside the danger. The elder Toushin tweaked her nose silently knocking her out of her brief moment of contemplation, “Ok, spill”. Languidly Kagome blinked, “Spill”? Her father rolled his eyes heavenward. “Why is sir-tight-ass trying to court you, for starters”?

Kagome shot Yuusuke a glare, “you actually think I know? Sesshoumaru has shown no interest in me what so ever besides me apparently being his brother’s ‘lowly human bitch’ which I might add before you even open your mouth I am not”. The former spirit detective sat absolutely still, caught between the need to laugh or go back and tear Sesshoumaru to ribbons. She sighed, “What now”? Yuusuke smirked, his eyes filling with some of his old confidence, “We are going to prepare you for the hanyou Toushin version of puberty kick bad guy’s ass and go home” Kagome blinked and then blinked again, “wow dad that is a really good plan”, sarcasm practically oozed from each syllable.

His smirk only became more pronounced, this was definitely his child, “You think you can do any better little girl”? “Anytime anywhere old man”, she parried. For a moment they merely stared at each other, stone faced with rage and unwilling to let up. Then Kagome giggled and tried to smoother the sound with her hands to no avail. Yuusuke let out an involuntary snort.

And finally neither of them were able to hold it in any longer, gave into the urge to let loose their’ near hysterical laughter. Father and daughter leaned into each other for support as they laughed together both momentarily just enjoyed the others’ company. “You do realize that sounded so wrong on so many levels right”? Kagome cocked her head to the left in a mock curious manner, “it is isn’t it”? This only made him laugh harder. It was then hearing the smooth tenor of her father’s laugh did Kagome truly ‘look’ at him. Yuusuke Uramashi was not an extremely tall man but neither was he short.

Instead he more compact in order to accommodate the obvious corded muscles along his semi slender frame under the elaborate kimono he wore. Long ink black unruly locks spilled over his shoulders and down his back to rest behind him like a bed of kelp. Kagome looked down at her own languid tresses which was situated in much the same manner, noticing that their’ hair was the exact same shade of black and seemingly same texture. His skin was a deep golden hue from the sun and made her fair skin appear even lighter by comparison.

Then Kagome noticed the marking in the center of Yuusuke’s right hand. Immediately she placed it at her eye level inspecting it farther. “You said Koenma created a portal using by drawing a symbol on Genkai-san’s floor and drawing power from a family heirloom”, she asked while showing him the branding deeply etched into his skin. Instantly Yuusuke’s eyes were riveted on the miniature version of what the godling, wind master, and ice ninja had drawn on his former master’s floor with little more than chalk. And then a voice echoed through his head. ‘Hello master’, Eyes wide and mouth gapping Yuusuke felt murderous intent flood his system, “I am going to kill Koenma”

Inuyasha glared at Kurama from his place high in the tree across from where the silver haired kitsune sat with his hand hovering over Tetsusaiga. The hanyou let out an almost sub vocal growl thinking about the intruders and his own inability to remove the threat they posed to his ‘pack’. And though they didn’t show it both Kurama and Hiei were amused by the half-breed’s attempt to glare at them to death while growling obscenities under his breath. It was such a Yusuke-like thing to do they couldn’t help but like the temperamental puppy. Sango and Miroku still wary of their ‘guest’ near Inuyasha’s perch Shippou firmly in the houshi’s grasp and Kirara stood over them still transformed.

Sesshoumaru had recovered from being slapped and stood still as a statue watching the path Kagome and Reizen had left, mostly ignoring the silent company behind him. Shippou squirmed unable to take the silence any longer. “That was mama’s dad wasn’t it”, he asked as bluntly as only a child could. Miroku made to cover the young kit’s mouth but was stopped by a hard blow to his head by way of Sango’s favored weapon. Kurama didn’t even bat an eyelash at the sight of the monk getting hit in the head or the question Shippou posed, children were naturally curious creatures and kitsune kits were infamous for it. It would make since that the green eyed demon (pardon the pun) would crack first and ask the question that was so obvious on all of their’ faces.

And the former thief used that to his advantage now to direct the conversation. “Yes, Reizen is Kagome’s father”, he enlightened the child diplomatically not informing him that to Yuusuke and the rest of their’ ‘clan’ the miko would always be Kaezen. The kit’s eyes lit yet just as the diminutive fox cub was about to ask another question Inuyasha rudely cut in his usual crass tone, “That isn’t possible, Kagome’s not from here and only she and I have been able to go there and you know it baka”. Kurama shot the hanyou a narrow eyed glance, “There is more than one way here so I would suggest you hold your tongue pup”. Inuyasha sputtered angrily. Sango and Miroku however weren’t so distracted.

“Kurama-sama what do you mean there is more than one way”, asked the startled monk. Hiei rolled his eyes, “he means just what he said fool-”. Kurama slid his muscled arm around his mate wordlessly silencing him. “Reizen is more than powerful enough to rip a portal open we merely passed through”. The shard hunters stared at him in shocked disbelief. “That’s not possible”. “Have you so easily forgotten about Sounga little brother”, Sesshoumaru finally spoke turning to stare at the hanyou. In a rare moment of using his common sense Inuyasha didn’t point out that Sounga came from hell not five hundred years in the future, “Feh”. Inuyasha glared balefully at his brother from his perch and gripped Tetsusaiga’s hilt with even more force.

Sesshoumaru looked over at his infuriated half brother, still as the marble Greek statues he resembled. Kurama looked over at his pyromaniac lover with a raised eyebrow. The half Koorime rolled his eyes with a scowl which was his equivalent of a shrug. It didn’t take a mind reader to tell that Sesshoumaru had not been enlightened to exactly where Kagome was from. Kurama wanted to sigh, “Are they always like this”? Shippou blinked out of his shocked stupor and regarded him with a solemn expression. “This is tame”. The silver-haired fox felt the beginnings of a migraine coming into fruitarian.

Surprisingly Hiei moved to sit beside him and slide his nimble fingers along his scalp and to his temples helping to relieve the pressure swiftly building there. Kurama silently thanked his fiery lover knowing that the diminutive fire demon didn’t like to indulge himself in public displays of affection. Miroku raised an eyebrow. Hiei sent a piercing glare his way, “one word”. Silently the monk raised his hands in surrender knowing when to back down. Sango purposefully hit the monk upside his head before turning her attention to the two new comers.

“How do we know your not lying, besides the fact that you know where Kagome comes from, what proof do we have you are not an enemy”? Though frustrated with this line of continuous questioning Kurama could admire their’ cautiousness toward potential threats, “Hikime”. Hearing the name of Kagome’s mother yet again Inuyasha froze his glaring match with Sesshoumaru cut short. Slowly the hanyou turned to Kurama and Hiei. There was no way they could have known that.

Kagome never called her mother anything beside momma and the only way he had even known was because Kagome’s grandfather had called Hikime by her name. And said grandfather had never traveled five hundred years into the past. Miroku frowned, “Who is Hikime, and didn’t Reizen-sama mention her”? While his comrades looked at the kitsune in confusion Inuyasha looked at the two demons in disbelief. Seeing the look Kurama tilted his head withholding the urge to smirk, “Keiko, Kagome’s birth mother and she were friends”, he explained.

Again Inuyasha wanted to discount what was being said, wanted to deny that somehow his best friend was anything other than human but as stubborn as he was Inuyasha was not stupid. And as all the pieces fell into place in his mind the hanyou was forced to realize that in fact they were telling the truth. ‘At least the prick doesn’t have a clue what’s really going on’, he thought with a backwards glance toward his elder brother. The demon lord had listened to the entire exchange with silent amusement as his brother tried to reign in his usual crass attitude. However Sesshoumaru wasn’t blind to the secretive glances and silent innuendos going on between the two parties.

Even his brutish mutt of a half brother was being subtle and that alone warranted caution even from him. Sesshoumaru held back a small growl of annoyance for probably the millionth time that day. The more questions that were answered the more questions seemed to pop up. For instance he finally knew who Kagome’s parents were yet the question of how could a human miko have the blood of the Toushin demon’s running through her veins. Or even how was it that Kagome’s mother able to survive in the Makai let alone take Kagome in the first place? Inutaisho’s elder son was fast becoming frustrated with the little information he was even able to glean from both his brother’s pack and Reizen’s pack.

Usually Sesshoumaru wouldn’t bother with such things, if a bitch proved a problem he would get rid of her, however he was fast becoming more than a little obsessed by the mystery that was Higurashi Kagome. Sango looked in between Inuyasha and the silver headed kitsune, knowing from the hanyou’s reaction that what the demon said was true but wanting to hear him say it anyway. She didn’t have to speak. Inuyasha looked her straight in the eye, “He’s tell’n the truth Sango”. The demon hunter’s eyes widened only slightly as she once again glanced over at the one called Kurama.

The tall demon watched the through half lidded eyes as if this was nothing but a stroll in the woods to him and not her best friend’s life and for a moment Sango felt the irrational need to slap the beings that sat before her. Sensing her mistress’s ire level rise dangerously Kirara wandered back to Sango’s side, butting her head against Sango’s and purring. “Alright so you’re telling the truth but that doesn’t explain how Kagome is a miko without her powers purifying her demon side and killing her”.

Kurama bowed his head in acknowledgment and with his usual patience answered her, “that’s simple enough, as you know ningen and youkai are natural rivals but there seems something very different about the ningen here don’t have as much reikai”. Miroku’s eyebrows lifted, “spiritual energy? Don’t you mean holy energy Kurama-sama”? The golden eyed demon shook his head negatively. “Spiritual energy to put it simply a human’s ‘will’ just as demonic energy is a demon’s will in conjunction to the nature of the demon”. Now Miroku was truly interested and listened avidly as Kurama gave an explanation worthy of a master temple scholar.

“Holy energy works differently because it’s a power meant purely for defense only and only is obtained by a human who has no selfish intentions what-so-ever”. “And demon’s can’t have this power”, asked the houshi. This time the answer came from the tree line Reizen and Kagome had left only to see that the young priestess and demon lord had returned. “No”, the demon said clearly as he set Kagome down on her own two feet, “demons’ self-preservation instincts won’t allow it”. Immediately Shippou shot from his place in Miroku’s grasp toward his ‘mother’ only to be neatly caught in between the claws of his new ‘grandfather’.

The little kitsune struggled at first futilely hissing and cursing to be put down, only to freeze when the demon holding him in his grasp gave an almost sub-octave growl. Inuyasha and the rest of the shard hunters automatically reached for their’ proffered weapons only to freeze when Kagome slapped the slightly taller male’s shoulder in annoyance and plucked Shippou from his grasp. The familiar irked expression planted on Kagome’s face made Inuyasha wince out of reflex. Kurama, Hiei, and Yuusuke noticed it because Keiko had the exact same look on her face often enough while dealing with Yuusuke. Though, internally the former punk could admit seeing the younger version of himself with that expression was disturbing.

Sesshoumaru watched the interaction with a raised eyebrow, sure that the obviously proud alpha would put the little wench in her place. Yet Reizen did no such thing instead he looked almost nostalgic as he watched his daughter coddle the kitsune pup. The way Kagome instinctually stayed close to the demon lord’s side as he moved to join his pack wasn’t lost on Sesshoumaru either. “Hey that was uncalled for”, Reizen rubbed his arm in mock pain and made his eyes go impossibly wide. Kagome smiled back deviously, “oh did I hit you too hard Reizen-sama”. His eyebrow twitched.

Kurama hid a smile behind his hand and Hiei didn’t bother hiding his smirk. This woman child was definitely Yusuke’s. Kagome turned her attention to Inuyasha nervously biting her lip, “Inuyasha I’m going south with my father”. Before a protest could rise from any of the group could occur the dark haired onna raised a placating hand, “if I don’t I will die”, she told them succulently. The jewel hunters’ response was unanimous, “WHAT, Why”?!! All of the demons present and some miles away winced at the ear-splitting response but were once again silenced when Kagome gave her fellow hunters the ‘look’. “The simple explanation is that my body can’t handle the change that it’s going through and I need to train in order to survive the final transformation”.

Kagome’s friends stared at her in amazement and disbelief until Inuyasha unable to consider what she was saying hopped down from his perch and told her under no uncertain terms was she going. They still had to find Naraku and defeat him for his half of the jewel. Almost instinctually Yuusuke grabbed his daughter’s kit as the now pissed off female stalked over to his personality double ganger with lethal intent in her eyes. Shippou stared in awe inspired horror as his adoptive mother got up right in Inuyasha’s face and taking a deep inhalation straightened her spine and glared the hanyou dead in the eye.

“Oh he’s gonna get it now Ojiisan”, the kit informed his quasi grandfather with both anticipation and apprehension. Yuusuke couldn’t find it in himself to tell the little child to not call him by that title. The former spirit detective just grimaced in agreement as he watched his daughter proceeded to rebuke the pup in a familiar fashion to how Keiko did him when they were still in school. He winced in sympathy at every scathing retort, nearly whimpered at every clenched fist, and wondered at the girl’s restraint not hitting the poor fool every time he defied her. And the she said ‘it’.

The former demon lord heirs watched in fascination and horror as Inuyasha went too far when he called Kagome a silly bitch only to have his face firmly planted in the ground by one word. And not for the first time Yuusuke was glad to not have gotten involved. The ice eyed Toushin had her hands on her hips and murder on her mind as she stood over his planted and swearing form. “Obviously you didn’t hear what I said Inuyasha, if I don’t train I’m going to die what part of that don’t you understand or are you so concerned with your precious jewel shards that you forgot my well being”. Sputtering the hanyou managed to get to his feet, “damn it Kagome I can train you”. It was a laughable suggestion and bitterly the miko did laugh at his stubbornness.

“No you can’t and we both know it”. Inuyasha’s face transformed from determined to snarling in less than a millisecond, “the hell I can’t”. “SIT”. Once again her friend’s face was planted into the ground thunderously causing him to spew off more curses that had Kurama and Hiei shooting amused looks in Yuusuke’s direction. He wasn’t paying attention to them as he watched on as once again Inuyasha was about to once again retaliate but Kagome beat him to the punch. “I’m going Inuyasha that’s final even if I have to ‘it’ you to the next era and back”. Yuusuke sighed at the sight of the half breed’s betrayed look as Kagome delivered her chilling ultimatum. He didn’t want a repeat of his and Keiko’s tragedy, “Cool off you two, I have a better idea”. All eyes turned to him.

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Susamajiigashu regarded the two females sitting by the edge of his pool thoughtfully. After Reizen had left to retrieve his daughter the pink haired miko had returned with the absolutely timid ice maiden. He greeted them both with a toothy smile and clicking noises that his people were known for and the ice maiden smiled hesitantly in return kind red eyes alight with quiet dignity. The smaller of the two females tilted her pink head in polite greeting, not even attempting to apologize of killing his former heir. This didn’t bother Susamajiigashu in the slightest.

His servants had brewed him fresh herbal tea to sooth his poor salt saturated stomach and served his two guest nigiri and sake. Eki and Susa remained as they would be the witnesses for Reizen’s induction into his court. They ate quietly and held polite conversation as they waited for Reizen’s return. Susamajiigashu used the quiet chatter as a way to get more information on his heir. It turned out that Genkai was the young Toushin’s teacher since he was barely an adolescent. How the woman lived for so long and still looked so spry was beyond the old dolphin but not outside the realm of possibility. The human was vague about Reizen’s parentage and even vaguer about his other exploits. Yukina the ice maiden was little more forthcoming.

Apparently the young lord earned her brother’s loyalty when he assisted in rescuing her from a warlord. She told him little else and it frustrated Susamajiigashu to his wits end but he didn’t try to pry any further. If Reizen was an efficient enough leader to keep this hodgepodge of powerhouses together than he probably didn’t need much tutoring in leadership. ‘Now for everything else’, he thought with no small amount of trepidation. Genkai quietly sipped her sake, more than aware of the southern lord’s ire but more than willing to ignore it until her protégée to return. Yukina shot a quick look to the pink haired martial artist a quick look but didn’t say anything.

It wasn’t in her nature to be rude but while Susamajiigashu’s questions were valid for a lord trying to see what his heir needed to know but they hadn’t worked out the details of their’ story. However the uncomfortable silence didn’t last very long as when the servants cleared away the food they just eaten, Reizen had arrived. And with him as he entered Susamajiigashu’s court were a new array of power. Immediately his eyes focused on the petite scantily clad woman that stood at Reizen’s side. This was obviously young Kaezen and with her came both of the Inuyoukai brothers, the demon exterminator, lecherous monk, and neko and kitsune kit. Surrounded by the already original crowd of Reizen’s clan and her own senshi Kaezen proved to be just as creative in company as her father.

His two witnesses to their position behind their’ lord with bowed heads, they were there to observe and if questioned confirm the authenticity of Reizen’s claim on the throne in the south. Their’ lord didn’t trust those of the main circle of his court to hold to his wishes so his most loyal retainer and a neutral party (Susa) would see it done. Susamajiigashu indicated for the young lord to step forward. Yuusuke did so with only slight hesitation. “I Susamajiigashu lord dolphin of the south of sound body and mind choose you Reizen lord of Toushin to take ye as heir and embrace ye as son”.

The old lord faltered slightly, “do ye except”? Everything in Yuusuke’s mind and body wanted to walk away, wanted to never answer the question that the old dolphin asked him. Because to do so would be like dealing with Raizen all over again, Susamajiigashu’s death was inevitable and though he hardly knew the demon Yuusuke knew that his heart could only take so much. But knowing there was no other way he accepted with a voice barely above a whisper.

“Then kneel” and once again the former spirit detective did as he was told. Leaning forward Susamajiigashu’s forehead touched his. “I have accepted an heir but never a son that was not of my own loins, I mark you so that your linage may never be doubted in all things save birth you shall be my son and heir”, Susamajiigashu closed eyes and Yuusuke felt a tingling sensation along his nerves centered around his forehead and it began to itch only to start to burn a few moments later. For a moment the former spirit detective contemplated throwing the old man off only for said old man to let go just seconds later. Yusuke fell back holding back panting breaths, he didn’t even notice the black moon with a lighting bolt in its center now imprinted on his forehead.