Hell Hath No Fury

(A/N: Time to reply to Reviews!!!!!! Guess who's back??? Yep, yep! I'm still alive and kicking, but OMG what drama! On March 3rd, I'll have been 20 for a month and what a hell of a month it's been! I swear, my birthday was the pits and it was just...yegh. So much drama, so little freaking time, you know? Anyway, here's the update and a few replies to the reviews!!!! PS: PLEASE excuse whatever mistakes and grammatical errors in the story. My mac has bit the dust and I'm now using a ten-year old comp and wordpad. Make due for now, lol!!!!



Ai: Yes, yes there was a minor lime, lol! I couldn't resist!!! And isn't the mom just AMAZING? Omg, she's by far one of the best characters I think I've ever done, lol! And Inuyasha was being sincere about marrying her...let's just see how that sincerity holds up when it's raining pure hell? (PS: I LOVE THE LATEST CHAPTER OF A GRUDING LOSS! OMG! I cried during the game! I actually split a few tears! OMG! I'm so happy! I LOVE YOUR STORY!!!!)



Selina: Yes, I am a tease. So what are YOU gonna do about it? Nyaaaa!!! LOL!!!! Jk, girl! Loves ya! And yeah, I like to do the unexpected in my story! I was honestly gonna wait until like the final battle before he even CONSIDERED marrying her! But, he agreed! YAYNESS! And Selina--Loving your latest story as well, lol! The chapters just keep getting better and better!)



Reb: Who DOESN'T love the mom? Isn't she great??? And I figure if and when I have children, if I catch them doing the nasty...mwahahahah, lol. Jk, but seriously, NO ONE wants to be interrupted by their katana-weilding mother, lol!!!!



Aaaaaaaand....ON WITH THE STORY!!!!!)



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*



"Ahhh...ahh...Mi...Miro..." the soft voice whispered.



"Just a little more, beautiful..." he replied in a deep, sensual voice.



Rational thought for Sango was at this point, straight out of the window. She should have known better when Miroku came to check on her. He'd come carrying flowers, a few rented dvds and some of her favorite ice-cream. Now he was about to make her cum for the umpteenth time since yesterday evening. Sango didn't object, in fact, she almost gladly subjected herself to his insatiable lust as he took her from behind with a ravenous hunger. Miroku admired how her long, brown hair was spread across her back, and resisted any urge to yank it backwards and have a little rough fun with her. Sango wasn't like any of the other women he usually did. He loved her, roughly at times, but more gently this time around. They'd only been engaged in a nonstop fuck-fest since yesterday. Everything they did together eventually led to sex. Sango cooking dinner yesterday evening was too much to bear and he'd taken her on her kitchen counter. Sango wanted a small shower after that endevour, and he joined her. Sex standing up in the shower was something Miroku enjoyed quite a bit. In the middle of the night, Sango grew hungry for some of that ice cream he'd brought over. Miroku ambushed her and poured the cold, slightly melted treat over her bare body and licked it off of her most sensitive spots. When they were done, they were back in the shower once more. Then, this morning, he'd ambushed her with breakfast in bed...and plenty of hot sex. Sure, they were missing school, but when Sango could feel Miroku's skilled cock pounding in and out of her and driving her to bliss once more, who cared? She certainly didn't. Sango opened her eyes for a minute and caught a glance at the mirror across from her bed and beside her closet. How wanton did she look, gripping the white sheets of her bed, moaning loudly while Mizuryu's finest plowed into her mercilessly. She took great pleasure in his expression and how he looked when he was about to cum. His jet-black hair had come out of it's usual small ponytail and the black strands were resting gently on his shoulders. His muscles were taught with strain and his body glistened with sweat. She caught a small glimpse of the tornado tattoo on his right shoulder blade--something usually hidden by his shirts and school uniform. Sango saw Miroku grit his teeth in the mirror and knew he was close. Closing her eyes, she gave herself over to the immense pleasure that only Miroku Kazekage could give her. Miroku wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer as he felt his orgasm come upon him once more. Sango's knees gave out and she slid down onto her stomach, feeling Miroku's hot seed fill her up to the brim. As the two lovers lay panting in the shadow of the morning's sunlight peeking through Sango's soft pink curtains, Sango wondered how Kagome was doing. It'd been a week since Sango had been to school since the attack from Houryu. Miroku mentioned sometime yesterday that Kagome had formed somewhat of an alliance with Chikyuuryu a few days ago. Sango's thoughts were interrupted as she felt Miroku pull out of her slowly and ran his tongue the length of her ear.



"How did that feel...?"



"Really good..." she replied, still trying to catch her breath.



Miroku chuckled before swinging his legs over the side of Sango's queen-sized bed and reached for his discarded jeans. Sango could hear the sound of Miroku's favorite lighter click a few times before the smell of smoke flooded the room. She hated his smoking habit, but he wasn't breaking it anytime soon. She turned over to look at him as he was running his hand through his dark locks once more. Sango blushed slightly--There was no doubt in her mind she loved the jerk, but she also doubted she was his only girl. She'd broached the subject with him once before, but...



"N...ne, Miroku...?"



"Hmm?" He turned, smiling at her.



Sango blushed slightly and gripped the large pillow she was resting on. She was completely naked, save for the thin white sheet that covered her from the waist down. Miroku leaned forward and kissed her right eye--permanently injured, thanks to Houryu's attack. Sango just blushed even more--It'd taken some convincing on Miroku's end to get her to believe she was still beautiful. The eyepatch made her look even sexier in a way. She'd gotten several different eyepatches in various colors--Today's color of choice was a dark pink color.



"What's bothering you, San-Chan?"



"I was just wondering if...you and I...I mean..."



Miroku didn't even have to take a guess where she was going with this. He took a long drag off of his cigarette and gave a small smile.



"You know I'll never get bored with you in bed, so why so nervous?"



Sango wasn't sure if she'd just been comforted or even more confused by his statement. Sexually, their chemistry was off the charts. But what about romantically? Was he just humoring her and when he left, would he come back to her again tonight or just grace the bed of another woman's? Before she had a chance to voice her questions, Sango's cell phone went off. Somewhere in the mess of discarded clothes, towels and such, her favorite ringtone, "Bitch" was playing. Miroku lifted himself from the bed, slightly sore from his long night and located Sango's cell phone. It was hidden beneath her light pink panties and his blue button-up shirt. He handed the Blackberry to Sango who answered it quickly.



"Hello?"



"Sango-Chan, how are you feeling?" the kind voice asked.



"Kagome-Chan! I'm just...!"



Sango grit her teeth when she felt Miroku begin to play around between her legs. She sat up slightly at the same time Miroku laid himself between her legs and let his mouth play around with her hot, wet pussy, still leaking juices from their romp just minutes ago. His dark-blue eyes teased her--Reminded her that she was in the middle of a phone call.



"I...I...I'm j...just fine, Kagome...!"



On the other end of the line, Kagome wasn't convinced. Kagome's morning had been spent being greeted by several adoring students, both male and female. When that was done, she had to help the archery club with their practice, then the cheerleeding squad needed her to fill in as head cheerleader since the usual HC was sick. Just when Kagome had thought she'd had a break to herself, Inuyasha tracked her down and informed her they needed to get ready for the upcoming school festival. After a pleasant lunch and going over a few plans, Kagome headed off to the teacher's loungue where she had to drop off a few reports to the president of the school council. As leader, she was starting to get exhausted. Then she'd had violin practice! When Kagome finally did manage to get some time to herself some hours later, she bolted to the roof and she realized she hadn't seen Sango or Miroku at school. Sango was probably still recovering, hence her little moan of 'pain'.



"Are you sure you're okay? Sango, I don't want you pushing yourself too hard." Kagome warned.



Sango clenched her eyes shut as Miroku began pushing himself, quite hard, inside of Sango, despite the fact she was on the phone with their school's leader who was she was positive would have something to say about the two of them skipping school for sex. As Miroku began to move his cock in and out of her at a slow place, Sango did all she could to maintain a conversation with Kagome.



"...K...Kagome-Chan...c...can I call you...back?"



Before she could respond, Kagome heard the dial-tone in her ear. Kagome looked at her white cell phone and gave a small smile. Looks like Sango was feeling better, then again, if Miroku was using his 'special' healing, she was positive Sango would be feeling much better. Kagome put her cell phone in the pocket of blue, pleated skirt and gave a small sigh as she leaned against the railing that surrounded the roof of their school. She could see the students playing soccer, eating lunch and hanging out in the courtyard below. All of the Toushi below her seemed lost in enjoying daily life to worry about their fates or anything like that. Several of the wounded Toushi had returned, in good condition and Kagome had to admit, it was difficult to attend one huge memorial service for the slain Toushi only two days ago. It rained that day. But, Mizuryu had no choice but to pick up and continue on. The sounds of people gasping and whispering excitedly caught on an updraft and caught Kagome's attention. She looked below and saw a familiar face walking through the schoolyard, holding the hand of the adorable Ryouta. Inuyasha had just ventured up to the roof to tell Kagome that Kikyout had arrived, but his heart nearly stopped when he watched Kagome take a running leap off of the school roof.



"YOU IDIOT!!!!" Inuyasha yelled over the railing after her.



Kagome sailed downwards, the male students clammering excitedly about their famed leader's cute white panties with the pink bow on the front, exposed by her blue school skirt flapping upwards as Kagome made her descent. Despite the four-foot story leap, Kagome landed gracefully, almost soundlessly, kicking up a very small amount of dust when she landed.



"Kikyou-Sama! Ryouta-Chan!"



"Kagome-Nee!!!"



Kagome kneeled down as the child released his mother's hand and raced to his aunt. Everyone watching was touched by the sight of Kagome embracing the little child happily. Kagome picked up the toddler and walked over to Kikyou, who was actually adorned in Chikyuuryu's uniform--A dark green mini-skirt, a long-sleeve blouse, opened at the throat and completed her uniform with a pair of thigh-high black socks and black penny loafers. Her long hair was pulled back slightly, but hung freely down her back, exposing her emerald-green Shikon Tama.



"Good afternoon, Kagome-San. My, you know how to make quite an entrance, don't you?" Kikyou smiled gently.



"I'm sorry, I would have taken the stairs, but I was just so excited so you two, and so soon!"



"Kagome-Nee, Kouga-Nii is here too!"



"Kouga's with you?" a gruff voice asked.



Kagome and Kikyou turned to see Inuyasha exiting the school, panting slightly. He stormed over to Kagome and glared at her.



"You know, most people use the freaking stairs!"



"I know, I know! I said I was sorry!" Kagome sighed in slight annoyance.



It was then Inuyasha noticed the child in Kagome's arms. Without a single trace of doubt, he knew that the child was Souta's. Ryouta was the spitting image of his father. Inuyasha noticed Kikyou and couldn't help but give her the once-over. This was their very first meeting. Kagome looked at Kikyou and then back at Inuyasha.



"Inuyasha, this is Kikyou Sakurahime."



Kikyou gave a polite bow at the 'leader' of the Four Devas. He was cuter than she expected.



"It's a pleasure to meet you, Inuyasha-San."



"L...likewise. Anyway, um...I heard Kouga is with you?"



Kagome and Kikyou shared a small look. Why did Inuyasha seem almost...pensive? Inuyasha tried focusing his attention on the child who was very fascinated with Kagome's blue Shikon Tama in her ear, but when he saw the tall male heading towards them, he knew a confrontation was inevitable. Kouga acknowledged Inuyasha before Kikyou or even Kagome.



"Well, well, never thought I'd see you again anytime soon, cousin."



"Cousin?" Kagome asked, turning to look at Inuyasha.



Inuyasha gave a small huff, but gave a nod nonetheless. Kouga walked over to Inuyasha, standing a small distance apart from him. The air seemed filled with tension, despite the casual greetings exchanged.



"Yeah...how've you been, Kouga?"



"Can't complain. Just helping Kikyou out, but other than that...Life's...good." he gave a nod in reply.



"Good."



Kagome looked back and forth between Kouga and Inuyasha. They were cousins? Why did they seem so nervous around each other? It was then Kagome noticed the soulful look on Inuyasha's face and saw the look directed at Kikyou's direction. Kagome didn't know why, but her heart seemed to almost hurt. There was apparent history between the threesome, but she couldn't put her finger on what it was.



"Ah, Kagome, the sun is getting warm. Why don't we go inside for a talk? Inuyasha-San, Kouga, I'm sure you two will be fine on your own, right?"



Inuyasha and Kouga looked at one another before murmuring a response of some sort in unison. With Ryouta still in Kagome's arms, she led Kikyou through the school and to the cafeteria. After gathering some snacks for Kikyou and her son, Kagome led Kikyou to the roof once more. The breeze felt good to Kikyou and she walked over to the railing where she sat down, lady-like as always, tucking her legs under her body. Kagome sat Ryouta down and placed herself beside Kikyou. They ate their pieces of cake with a small silence stretching between them before Kikyou offered Ryouta his favorite red ball as a distraction. While he played around the roof with it, Kikyou pondered how to answer Kagome's unasked question.



"Kagome, what bothers you?" Kikyou asked, hoping to get a better lock on Kagome's emotions.



"Well...I was just wondering about..." she began nervously.



"Inuyasha and Kouga? Yes, they're family by blood."



"But why the tension between them?" Kagome asked, looking at Kikyou.



"I believe it has to do with me..."



Kagome cocked her head curiously. That much she'd figured out, but what about Kikyou did it involve? Kikyou watched her son with her soft brown eyes and smiled.



"You see...Inuyasha and Kouga were born around the same time and of course, with Inuyasha coming from such a strong-based family and with Kouga coming from the same bloodline as Inuyasha, it was debatable who would head up the family."



"What do you mean? It would be Inuyasha, right?"



"I think you misunderstand me. It was up for debate who would head up my family."



Kagome was more than confused at this point. What did Inuyasha and Kouga being cousins have to do with Kikyou and her family? Sure, Kagome knew Kikyou came from a prestigious family--Her family practically invented the art of tea making and flower arranging, so Kikyou, just like Inuyasha, whose family was known for it's intense form of swordsmanship, had power and status in the world.



"Once upon a time, Inuyasha and I were engaged. But believe it or not, we'd never met before today. Keep in mind, this was when we were little children. It was, without a doubt, a perfect match in our parents' eyes."



Kagome looked down at her lap, visibly shocked by the news. Kikyou could understand that well, after all, she knew Inuyasha and Kagome were now engaged by the wishes of their respective parents. Kikyou moved closer to Kagome and smiled.



"It was around that time we were to meet that Kouga's parents met their end quite tragically."



Kagome's eyes widened and she couldn't keep herself from asking...



"What happened?"



"Kouga's family, while related by blood, to Inuyasha's, head up a major dojo in the Okinawa area. There was a dispute in the dojo one day, when Kouga was just a pup and Kouga watched his parents killed in front of his very eyes. It scarred him for life, without a doubt."



"How terrible...!"



"Yes, it is unfortunate. But...Kouga was to be kicked out of his main family because of it. They believed Kouga had little to no worth without his parents' influence. I..."



Kikyou lowered her head slightly, a small smile spreading across her lips.



"I broke off the engagement to Inuyasha in favor of getting engaged to Kouga. That way, he wouldn't have to have such a hard life."



"But what about Souta...?" Kagome asked softly.



"Kouga honestly thought I was pitying him, but as children, I believe I mentioned how close Kouga and I were."



"Yes, you said your families were close before."



"Well, after a while, Kouga and his family agreed on the engagement. After a while, Kouga became grateful and instead of staying by my side as a fiance, he's stayed by my side as my very good friend."



"And what about your engagement to Inuyasha?"



"It was obviously broken off. I don't think Inuyasha knows that Kouga and my engagement was called off, not by our families, but by Kouga's wishes. I believe Inuyasha thinks that Kouga and I are married."



Kagome was still slightly confused. She obviously came into the picture shortly after Kikyou cancelled her engagement to Inuyasha. Kagome remembered that day from her childhood vividly. She remembered being told by her parents she was going to marry a 'good friend of the family'. A week later, Inuyasha, Sango and Miroku visited her home in China and Kagome knew she was in love with Inuyasha. Kagome looked up at the blue sky, seeing the white clouds floating slowly across the sky.



"So, Kouga has been forever loyal to you since then? He's such a good person..."



"Yes, I care for Kouga deeply. He's been there when Souta hasn't been."



"What do you mean?" Kagome asked, turning her attention to Kikyou.



"Kouga was there from Ryouta's conception to Ryouta's birth. I honestly believe, that in a way...Kouga feels that it's his right to be called Ryouta's 'true' father."



Kagome gave a small nod. It seemed understandable--If Kouga hadn't abandoned Kikyou throughout all that she'd endured alone, without Souta, why would Kouga leave her, if Souta ever showed up again? In Kouga's mind, he was Ryouta's father--Not Souta. But one thing still bothered Kagome...



"So what is the bad blood between Inuyasha and Kouga?"



"Oh, that..." Kikyou sighed.



Kikyou looked off to the side and occupied her fingers with a small pebble. It seemed like so long ago, but...



"Inuyasha's father was the one that killed Kouga's parents."



All of the color left Kagome's face in one, fluid motion. Now that she put some thought to it, Kagome had never noticed the absence of Inuyasha's father.



"But why...?!"



"Paternity."



"What...?" Kagome asked, her expression begging Kikyou for a better explaination.



"A rumor had gone around the family that Inuyasha's mother had an affair with Kouga's father. Kouga's father, Ryokan-Sama, was very handsome. Long, brown hair, beautiful greenish blue eyes and he was very, very kind. I remember him vividly. But, there had been talk that despite the year difference between Inuyasha and Kouga, that Kouga was Momoeiko's son. Inuyasha's father was enraged by this and went to kill Ryokan-Sama. Kouga's mother, Haruhi-Sama, threw herself in the way of Inuyasha's father's attack and sustained fatal wounds. Ryokan, enraged by his brother's actions, began a fearsome battle with his older brother. It ended in the death of Ryokan and the disappearance of Kuroiinu-Sama, Inuyasha's father."



Kagome tried to process all of the information she'd been given. So, if she understood any of this correctly, Inuyasha's father, Kuroiinu, was the elder brother of Ryokan, Kouga's father, who were, blood related of course. Naturally, that would make Inuyasha and Kouga cousins. But if Inuyasha's mother, Momoeiko, slept with and got impregnanted by Ryokan, then that means that Kouga would be both her son and Inuyasha half-brother, but because of Ryokan's sibling relationship to Kuroiinu, Momoeiko was both mother and aunt to Kouga, who was related to Inuyasha both in a sibling manner and a cousin manner. Kagome closed her eyes as a massive headache began to overtake her whole body.



"So...does Inuyasha feel guilty for what happened to Kouga's family?"



"I believe so. But, because I took Kouga on as my fiance and into my family, Kouga has led both a life of comfort and slight contempt. Contempt at not knowing whether or not Inuyasha is his brother, contempt at Momoeiko, if that is in fact his mother, for not coming forward...It's just very complicated. Point is, ever since then, Inuyasha and Kouga's relationship has been cordial, at best."



Kagome had no idea any of this had transpired. She could see how Kouga had been wounded so, but what about Inuyasha? He seemed to be getting along well without his father, but did he really feel responsible for the deaths of his uncle and aunt? Kagome didn't see how he could feel bad. Kagome thought he should feel grateful to Kikyou for rescuing his cousin from a life that would have been filled with nothing but shame. Even still, the wounds of the past and of the heart took very long to heal. Ryouta ran over to Kagome, cupping a white butterfly in his hands to show her.



"Kagome-Nee, look!"



"How pretty, Ryouta. Why don't you set it free?" Kagome smiled.



Ryouta gave a small nod and hurried off, setting the butterfly free. Kikyou was grateful for the interruption, because it gave her time to change subjects with Kagome.



"Kagome-San, I have a favor to ask."



"What's that?" Kagome asked, turning to Kikyou.



Kikyou looked at her lap as she folded and unfolded her hands.



"I...need you to look after Ryouta for a little while."



Kagome didn't try and hide her surprise, especially because just a few days ago, Kikyou made Kagome promise that she would look after her nephew should something happen to her.



"What's wrong, Kikyou? Has something happened?"



"I...believe someone is after my son's life. I want to hide him here where it's safe."



Kikyou stood up abruptly, startling Kagome. Kagome knew she wasn't getting the full story and that upset her. She grabbed Kikyou's hand and looked at her.



"Kikyou..."



Kikyou turned her head away from Kagome, unable to look her in the eye. How could she explain her bargain with the literal 'devil'? If she could keep Ryouta safe until she managed someway out of this mess, everything would be okay, wouldn't it? An ominous wind blew slightly and Kagome could sense Kikyou's body tense up.



"I...I just need you to look after my son, Kagome. I've done something wrong and I want to correct my mistake before anyone gets hurt. Before the lives of anymore Toushi are lost."



"Kikyou, what have you done?" Kagome's gaze turned militant.



"I have to leave. I'll bring Ryouta by sometime this evening."



Kikyou yanked her hand away from Kagome's grip and she called Ryouta over to her. The child leaped into his mother's arms and waved to Kagome over her shoulder. Kagome wanted to chase after Kikyou and demand to know what Kikyou had done, but it wouldn't have done any good. Moments later, Inuyasha found Kagome sitting on the roof, sitting in the shadow of the last dying rays of the sun. Inuyasha seemed just as distracted as Kagome, but for very different reasons. Neither of them said much as they prepared themselves to go home.



Just as Kikyou had promised, Ryouta was at Inuyasha's home when they arrived. Momoeiko seemed very happy to be taking care of him, but Ryouta also came with Kouga--A bigger surprise more, given the drama that surrounded Momoeiko, Kouga and Inuyasha. Inuyasha was both enraged and yet, silent, when Momoeiko announced Kouga would be staying with Ryouta for the time he was living at Inuyasha's home. Kagome's 'family' had expanded by two--Ryouta and his very protective father figure. Dinner was akward and Momoeiko's suggestion of Inuyasha and Kouga bathing together didn't do much to break the tension. She suggested Ryouta bathe with them as well, giving the two ladies some after-dinner alone time. Momoeiko and Kagome sat on the veranda, enjoying the view of the moon arising over the beautiful, Japanese styled garden. Momoeiko took a long pull off of her kiseru before blowing smoke into the air. Until she'd broken the silence stretching between Kagome and herself, there was nothing to be heard except the chirping of the crickets.



"He looks just like me, doesn't he?"



"Inuyasha? Yeah, he does..." Kagome smiled.



"No, I meant Kouga." she sighed sadly.



Kagome had to admit, she seemed a little surprised Momoeiko was even willing to speak with her about this. She'd seem so calm about the entire thing, even while explaining how Kikyou arrived with Kouga and Ryouta and asked Momoeiko to watch over both of her 'favorite boys' while she was gone. Kikyou didn't give an exact time of return, so Momoeiko offered her home to both Kouga and Ryouta. Momoeiko tried to ignore that look of longing Kouga gave to her, but it was difficult. The question in his eyes was as clear as the pain in his heart. Momoeiko took another pull off of the long kiseru before sighing.



"I know my sin--I did have a child, my second son, Kouga, by Kouga's father. I betrayed my husband and not a day goes by that I don't regret my decision, but I will not apologize for it either."



Kagome was touched at this display of emotion from Inuyasha's mother. She was usually so aloof, silly and yet no-nonsense at the same time. Yet, at the same time, Kagome wondered why exactly it was Momoeiko didn't feel apologetic.



"While I loved my husband, his brother's pull was too strong for me to resist and despite my friendship with his wife, Ryokan's love for me was worth risking both my husband's love for me and a friendship. Ryokan approached me first...and things just followed naturally. We knew what we were doing was wrong, but at the same time...We wondered something."



"What was that?"



"Was it possible to change fate by adding a new warrior to the mix?"



Once again, Kagome was completely lost. It had been a long day, so ambiguous statements like that were going to annoy her. Why couldn't people just get straight to the point?



"The records of the great war list every, single warrior that participated in the great war. After doing some thinking, Ryokan and I believed it would be good to give Inuyasha...a guardian of sorts. This guardian would come in the form of my son, Kouga, only a year later. Because of the many maids and such we had at the time, it was easy to blame a single maid for being the one that actually had Kouga and not myself."



"But how did you hide your pregnancy for so long?" Kagome asked curiously and in slight disbelief.



"I went away for a while. During that time, Ryokan convinced a maid to act as Kouga's 'real' mother. Of course his wife was furious with him for his infidelity, but what could she do? After I'd had Kouga in another village, secluded in the mountains, I returned with him, as an infant, and presented the child to Ryokan. He said that the child was absolutely perfect and would be a wonderful warrior and guardian for my other son. Still, no one could know of our child and all anyone could know was that Kouga was that 'maid's child'. Haruhi, Ryokan's wife...she eventually took my son, Kouga, under her wing and mothered him. I was left to raise Inuyasha, never acknowledging that I was Kouga's real mother. Until the time Inuyasha was six and Kouga was five, Ryokan and I managed to keep our secret safe. Naturally, we trained Kouga and Inuyasha equally, though, we'd given Kouga more training, because, Ryokan and I believed that if fate didn't anticipate Inuyasha having a guardian in his younger brother/cousin, then we were starting to free our children from the chains of fate."



"Is that why Kouga doesn't wear a Shikon Tama?"



"Precisely. It was around that time, I believe, Kikyou's own mother and father came to my husband and I and suggested the engagement. I was happy, because I believed Inuyasha would marry into a good family and Kikyou was such a wonderful little girl. A true lady, even at her young age. Inuyasha, at the time of the news of his engagement, was training with Ryokan in the mountains. I found it interesting that Kouga took a shine to Kikyou, and I was certainly more surprised when Haruhi confided in me that Kouga wanted to marry Kikyou. We just smiled at the idea. Time passed and, eventually, the secret of me and Ryokan's deception was found out one day, when someone commented on how similar Inuyasha and Kouga looked. My husband looked into it and got that maid to admit Ryokan and my own deception. I killed the maid that same day for breaking her silence. What I didn't know, was that my husband had gone after Ryokan and Haruhi."



Momoeiko looked as if she were about to cry, but she just gave a sad smile directed towards the full white moon.



"In his anger, he killed both Ryokan and Haruhi and 'orphaned' Kouga. When I arrived at the scene, Kouga was traumatized by what he'd seen. My husband fled and once my family found out about my infidelity and the cirumstances of Kouga's birth, they prepared to exile Kouga from the family. But, what surprised everyone is when Kikyou stepped forward and demanded Kouga as her fiance. As his only parent left, I had the final say, so, I gave Kouga to Kikyou's family and separated myself from my husband's family to raise Inuyasha. My husband still had a very large fortune, so I took that and moved here where I would raise Inuyasha and meet your parents, Kagome."



"My parents?"



"Yes, you were probably a very tiny child at the time, but after befriending such kind people in a world that had turned it's back upon my son and I, I was glad to know them and glad to engage Inuyasha to you. I thought, both of my sons deserved to relax comfortably in life and the engagement was set. To this day, I'll probably still never know why Kikyou took Kouga as her fiance, then had a child with your older brother, but I owe everything to Kikyou for being able to provide Kouga the life he deserved."



Kagome breathed deeply after hearing Momoeiko's confession. So much had happened, so much background she'd been filled in, she was almost dizzy from the knowledge. Momoeiko insisted that Kagome take a bath and get some rest. But despite the bath and despite the comfort she'd found in sleeping next to Inuyasha on his futon, the facts still remained; Kagome was living in a household where the main woman of the household didn't want to reveal anything to either of her sons. One son, Inuyasha, was wracked with guilt or something like it, and the other son, Kouga, questioned his existance, with the exception of the need to protect Ryouta. Kouga's relationship with Kikyou was shaky, but how must he have felt when Kikyou had a child with another man? Did he perhaps get the feeling Inuyasha's father did when Momoeiko slept with Ryokan? Kagome groaned slightly, wanting nothing more than to sleep and for morning to come. But her sleep would be delayed by the sounds of yelling and grunting sounds. Kagome sat up and realized Inuyasha wasn't sleeping by her side when she first dozed off. She hurried to the garden where she found Momoeiko holding her katana at arm's length and Kouga, with a nasty gash on his back. Kagome was alarmed by the scene, but was held back by Inuyasha, who'd been watching the battle from the very beginning. If Momoeiko lost, she would have to tell Kouga the entire story. Momoeiko was prolonging the battle, simply because she was exhausted after telling the entire story once to Kagome. Kouga charged at Momoeiko who brandished her blade once more and used the dull edge of the blade to send him flying backwards into a bamboo thicket. Momoeiko sheathed her sword and warned Kouga that if he were going to stay in HER house, he would learn patience. Without another word, Momoeiko walked back onto the veranda and disappeared into her own bedroom sometime later. Inuyasha returned to his own room, but Kagome stayed up a few extra hours to help Kouga. They sat talking on the veranda for a long time, even after she'd treated some of his wounds. Could she heal the emotional ones he held in his heart or even on his soul? Dawn arose and came to find Kouga asleep on Kagome's lap, with the equally asleep Kagome resting with her back against a support beam.



In this battle of blood and tears and sweat, what about the internal battle all of the Toushi were fighting? So many threads led to so many different things. As consciousness filtered into Kagome's mind, she wondered...Externally and internally, what would she find where the threads met in the middle? Somehow, she knew the answer, but she didn't want to voice it to anyone and shoved it deep inside of herself.



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(A/N: And that was the long, angsty chapter! It can't always be about fighting and massive ass kicking, lol. Well, it can, but...yeah. Anyway, here's the update! Hope you all enjoyed! Please review!!!! Love much!)