"Kept away from the kids in class.... They ALL think I'm a .......freak anyway.... Bullies try to-..... Never fought back, rather'd Not get into trouble because People can't understand............ Always made leaving for assignments easy, had Nobody waiting on me to get back, outside the team and those in the pictures...... Every Time...... Our computer expert would enter a copy of what I looked like into databases for missing Or Stolen kids........ Came out the same: Match Not Found!..... How I got my code-name: Shadow Fang Or as my squad-mates say: Shadoufangu due to being a "pup of mystery" as one termed it's translation. I never asked about it, none of my business." Inuyasha started, sliding over a snapshot of a younger him with two men and a woman..... It was Snake-Eyes, holding him hand-in-hand allowing him to dangle, kick his feet if he wanted. A few puppy fangs were showing due to the fact that he was laughing, He was dressed nearly identical to how he had been when first arrived. The other two were Jinx; a young Asian woman and Kamakura; a young american man. He knew that he was still in trouble with his mama. He knew that she disapproved of his professionalism while it had surprised all other kages that he saw before doing his work around their villages in their nations. "Was given info on the village during pre-mission prep..... Know you guys have students who are big kids..... Think I passed them on my way in to meet you before I was heading for the target zone." He added. He had doubts that he'd be keeping what he had on for something More to his mama's liking before his head met a pillow. His ears went down submissively at hearing his mother's kind yet stern tone. He wasn't naive to see her anger, her disappointment. He had seen those emotions upon the faces of the parents of his tormentors. He figured that he didn't turn any of the heads of the girls his age as he passed them as he made his way to make his usual introductory report. He thought that he was undesirable, unlucky in love and friendship. His face wore a solider's expression but his eyes were of a sad puppy. He knew that it hadn't occurred to either Why he didn't make contact In all the years that he was away and had accepted it. If he had been born with a tail to go with his fine, adorable ears........... It would've been tucked between his legs in submission. He always hid his pain and hid it well. He looked away with a look of anger at nobody but himself, fighting back tears and trying to hide them. He knew that their initial reunion was between them and that his father had no part. In his mind....... He shouldn't share His pain...... It was his...... Alone....... But Snake Eyes and Scarlett could Always see past the cloak. He had been deeply hurt by his schoolmates in the past. He didn't know of his mama's plans to destroy the self protection of his heart. He knew that the Revelation would surprise if not shock them both, if not just his mother. It seemed that Jiraiya's words had calmed him down which reminded him of Snake-eyes who was unable to speak due to an injury, saw him as a child in need...... He waited patiently, nervously for what was next. He recalled his mama's words from just before........ Not knowing that he had been a naughty puppyboy.

Tsunade ordered InuYasha, "Tell me EVERY WORD you know about Snake Eyes and Scarlett! They seem to have been your best friends, almost family to you. Tell me in detail how they treated, what their personalities were like, if they--in particular Scarlett--ever became stern with you and punished you in any way. It's my intention to find for you younger versions of Scarlett and Snake eyes, so that you won't lose TOTAL touch with whom you once were, and also children, who are not particularly military, yet, anyway, and with you, me jijaiya, can make a home for you in which you'll be altogether comfortable. You say you know some of the martial arts--and that's good, because not only do you learn how to fight effectively but--more important--you are subjected to to the discipline of your masters; I will give them explicit permission to thrash you on the bare bottom ON THE SPOT when you do not submit to their discipline and instructions to the letter. Your new brother should be expert or nearly expert in the martial arts, so he will be your master and he will be the one to thrash you when you do not follow the single most important lesson you learn in the arts of defense from Japan: obedience. If you observe this one code, I promise you you'll be a grat student. He will not punish you for making honest mistakes during exercises, but only if their mistakes, and not based on disobedience--deliberate--of your master's command. If this happens you will be disciplined thoroughly--again on the spot. The only persons who exceed in authority over your upbringing by the master are your daddy and I, and maybe the sister I find for you. But understand this: your master and the girl daddy and mama select for you will be under my discipline--since they will be quite young, and inexperienced. The girl should be should be about your age, but she will be stronger than you and she will have authority, in her own right, to train you in matters that she thinks are important and to thrash you soundly, even though she is your own age when you disobey her. But what I have to say next is very important: this boy and this girl will be your adopted brother and sister, and when they're not training you--which will be the great majority of the time, they won't--can't thrash you unless you put your own life, or theirs, in danger. They are your brother and sister, and will be your confidantes and companions

"Another reason I want you to study the martial arts is the periods of meditation you have; your mind doesn't wander but you concentrate on one particular idea you are given, or even an article--anything--that your master tells you, which increases self-discipline--so important for a little puppy. You'll also be given the chance, in your period of meditation, to reach touch with your inner-self. This can give you more strength--martial strength yes but more important knowledge of your outter self--your strengths and limitations, the effects of your education you have received--whether teacher are encouraging self-thought, self-achievement, or just going through the motions of "teaching you stuff" that is considered important by the tradition of scholarship, with grades based on tests in which you write by rote what the teacher has said. You must know that the first duty of teachers is to teach you how to think, and then think for yourself based on knowledge you have and observations you have made, including the behavior of people. Your inner-self can help you to learn more important things than your school has taught you, and how they can be put into actual practicality. Men of science and other types of learning have said that ordinarily we use about 10 per cent of our brains; the rest is shadowed in mystery but that doesn't make it useless or uimportant. It is the very source of all the great ideas and achievements over the centuries--and meditation, so much a part of the martial arts, can help you to tap into this well-spring of knowledge that has sustained and enhance the condition of mankind. I don't want you to learn martial arts to become a "great soldier" or "great fighter": I want you to learn them for the most important things they can teach you: obedience and meditation."

Tsunade's words to Inu were basically evenly stated; she didn't show any sterness in her demeanor. Nor less did she speak particularly kindly to him: her words and tone were basically matter-of-fact, even when she told him his new brother and sister would have authority to punish him for disobedience or other kinds of misbehavior during the training they would give him, under parental control. But now she became VERY stern with InuYash when she once again demanded all the information he could give her about Snake-Eyes and Scarlett, so she could match them with younger versions. After InuYasha's answer she had decided to make InuYasha disrobe and force him to go out naked with her pocket knife and select the sturdy switches she was going to use to thras Inu's naked bottom--but not before she explained why she was going to punish him, which included going out naked and being forced to select the switches for his own punishment. Tsunade looked at her boy sharply: "NOW, Inuyasha!"

Inuyasha visibly flinched at the tone despite hearing it all his life and the sharp look, nodded while letting out a deep sigh. He described his sensei as a blonde, brown eyed man........ Only knew because the visor had once been destroyed in combat....... How he was referred to as the Silent Master within the Arashikage Clan......... due to being Unable to talk which knowing ASL; American Sign Language was needed at times...... Codename being the Only name he Ever heard by others. He taught various marital arts forms. Calm and collected, would quell in-fighting if need-be. Did his ninja-training in steps as he grew, using it to help refine his motor skills and develop his demonic canine senses. A Timber wolf being his faithful companion after rescuing it from a hunter's trap, becoming Very defensive of the young hanyou. Scarlett as Inu went on to explain was Shana O'Hara, counter intelligence for the US army...... And his foster mother. His two fellow students: Jinx who was Arashikage by birth was known as Kimi, could Easily fool an enemy due to her unassuming looks..... Kamakura; first name Sean was the adopted son of one of Snake-eyes' Army buddies. He had yet to realize that his mother found fault with the attitude that had kept him Out Of childhood's Trouble, for the Most part as his school records would show. He explained that he was Probably the Only One Not to have Groaned when tests were announced, spending Every free moment to study if he wasn't training to get a new move down pat. He knew that his mama wasn't quite done with him just yet. And that his battle scars wouldn't go unnoticed if he had to undress. Those were of the times he'd put himself in the line of fire to protect others; teammate and civilian alike. It was the loyalty of his inner-dog at work. He waited for her say once he was done, looking down and away from the three of them. He knew that at the moment and in her eyes, he was a naughty boy for the years of separation, that again his bottom was about to heat up and possibly gain color. He began to keep from shifting and shuffling his feet nervously but failing.

However, Tsunade once again delayed her punishment of her son and asked him, again matter of factly, if Snake Eyes and Scarlett were still around, st within reach. "Inu, you and I are going to have a long, long session under the williow tree! I think you KNOW what that means! But first tell me if it is feasible, and even possible, for me to reach Snake Eyes and Scarlett, so the can suggest, or even find for you, an adequate brother and sister, pretty young. the boy should be good at the nartial arts and can train you in them, the girl should be expert, preferably in some other martial activity. They will be tour masters in training, but your close friends and siblings most of the time. Now tell me, are they reachable, or can someone tell me where they are and deliver an urgent missive from me requiring their presence before me--I'm pretty influential. But let me ask you, one more time--and this will help both of us so much in our search!--do you know of, or have you met, a boy whom you admire, not connected with your school, whom you would like to come to know better? I have great influence, and I can arrange for him to come to visit you often and on a regular basis. Come, now you must not be totally ignorant of boys you admire, one boy in particular, that you would like to be friends with, that you would like to spend a great deal of time with.I will be less demanding. I would prefer that he be adept in the martial arts, but that he need not be. I can get another boy to train you. All right, InuYasha, open your mouth and tell me: what boy do you want to know, what boy would you like to be your "big brother." Now, I know that your carreer has told you thus far to speak in figurative, obtuse language. But please speak to me in the clearest language you can; I am your mama: I love you and I only seek your welfare and comfort in your new home. I'm not some shady or enemy diplomat in which you have to speak in discretion. Talk to me in plain language!"

He managed to suppress the whimper that got caught up in his throat. "Through Me, reaching ain't No problem......... I just have to make a call..... See... the thing is....... Snake was in the communications center to hear my status report when you blew up at Duke, found out when I went back for my stuff And debriefing...... I Always had to Be Respectful...... Usually surprised the Other Villages' kages, never stuck around longer than necessary..... Not at my old school..... I did pass A few kids on the way to the tower to meet with you; blonde boy with blue eyes, two girls: One; pink hair, green eyed and lastly..... this really pretty girl, long black hair with brown eyes....... Can't Believe I just said that." Inuyasha said, berating himself quietly with a nod after flinching about the willow tree. He went, retrieved and handed over his scholastic permanent record. It portrayed him as the 98 lb. weakling preyed upon by bullies and snubbed by others, A loner that No student would dare touch. His grades and behavioral attitude were considered above par despite being a social outcast. He faintly recalled a sandbox located in the vicinity of a certain tree where he spent many days playing as an innocent little puppy-tot. He knew that he was in deep trouble for his Unusual attitude despite knowing that it Usually kept him Out of trouble.

Tsunade fought the urge to strip InuYasha on the spot, march, or carry the boy outside and make him cut the besy witches from the willow tree. . . . Instead she believed she had found Inu's young siblings."Inu," she said rather tightly, "I think I have found your brother and maybe your sister. is there any way you can find them again, or find a way to reach them? Maybe through your buddy Snake Eyes or by you youself "making the call," as you said you could do? I know the best kkids for you--the blond boy you mentioned, as long as he is proficient in the martial arts--but even if he's not, if he's kind to you, older tha you, and you like""--and here Tsunade gently looked into his eyes--"even if you . . . . love him. . . . it's OK if you do. . . . well, we'll reach him first. Of course, we've got to learn his name; we'll concentrate on him first. You need a big brother. . . . maybe more? You don't have to tellme, but I saw your eyes when you mentioned him--yor sweet puppy dog eyes! After we acquire him--you love him, right? Then we'll concentrate on that pretty, brown haired gir. . . . again, a mama can tell: you love her too, right?. . . . Do you think you can learn their names tomorroow? The boy first, then the girl?. . . . Thry're not your real siblings, so it won't be incest. . . . Tell me how we can find out, son!"

"I just have to call HQ......... The unit keeps tight tabs on me for safety measures on account of how they found me....... You might Already know those two that I passed.... They wore headbands with the village's mark! The guy liked to wear Orange, had whiskers on his cheeks, The older girl wore her headband in a way to keep her hair back except for along the sides about her forehead where it shows, sound like kids You guys know?" Inuyasha said, shuddering at the memory of the prison cell of the COBRA's base's lab. He used the comm unit, requesting for the ninja team to come to the village but was shocked to learn that they and Scarlett were Already on their way there. He looked over at his parents. He knew that his mother hadn't figured out Why he Never made contact with her while growing up. He didn't know that he could be treated as If he was Much younger than he was...... by his mama to make up for the precious time lost between them. "Uh, You aren't gonna believe this......." He started. "It looks like those four Are On Their Way Here right Now as I Speak." He added. He knew that it wouldn't stop his mother from what she was planning for him. He had made clear eye contact with her as he spoke... He seemed remorseful but his eyes betrayed fearful confusion in anticipation of his punishment.

Tsunade looked at her husband and sai, "What do you think? I don't think Inu is lying. Do YOU think that boy and girl are on their way here? Should we waid 2 or 3 days befor we get Inu to tey to contact them?"

Jijaiyra said, "I think, as you asked that we should wait. I have no power to read into the truth of the boy, but InuYash as not an orsinary boy; he is a daiemon, and has clairvoyance relevant to himself. I think we should take Inu's word for it."

"All right, Inu," said his mama, your father will wait two or three days for their arrival, and if they don't come I'll have you call HQ for them--the blond boy and the brown haired girl. Just make sure they know who your talking about. If you can think can get them here faster searching the village using clairvoyance, then let's do that.

"Now, my boy," continued Tsunade, "I have one more--actually two--before we--move on. Do you know anything about the girl and the boy and girl--their ages, their abilities? Also, I will ask you once more. I believe you want the boy to come and live with you; as I said mamas know these things about their boys.He will be your room mate, your big brother, maybe more?. . . .It's OK. About the girl--I THINK you would like her company, that she could be a big sister to you, even if she's your own age--THAT is what I think; but what do YOU think, Inu? Be honest with your daddy and mama--what about the girl?"

"Do you guys know the names; Kagome, Naruto and Sakura?....... They're the local kids that I passed on my way to the tower and those names came up in passing....... Naruto and Sakura looked like they're a couple of years older, kagome's Probably my age, if Not younger then me. If ya have to know........ Always been debriefed on those I got to encounter, to keep misunderstandings from happening. And Naruto smelled funny, not stinky but Almost like a fox demon. I can't figure out Why." Inuyasha said after thinking back. He sunk in his seat about the upcoming punishment. He never thought that trying to grow up too fast was a punishable offense.... Just how kids tended to be when situations prohibited childhood's leisurely pace. Again he nervously shuffled in his seat. He didn't know just how naughty he was in his mama's eyes.

"Inu," said Tsunade, "Either you or I will reach Kagome and Naruto tomorrow, and invite them here for an indefinite stay. With any luck they will become your siblings, and Naruto will train you further in the martial arts, and Kagome will train you in that she knows best, so that both of them will be your masters, along with all that term implies. If you say they're probably on their way over here, and we find out tomorrow, that's fine; I just want to know when they'll arrive."

Tsunade then changed the subject. "Inu, you have been missing from me for EIGHT YEARS, and you had not so much as attempted to notify me, even if only to the extent that you were still alive! I cannot allow you to escape from that without punishment. You knew, surely, that you had a REAL mama and daddy, who love you and care about you--yet we heard not a word. I'm going to give you probably the first, and certainly the hardest, thrashing your little bottom has EVER felt!" Tsunade went to her bag and got her pocket knife, which she laid on the table. "First of all, take off ALL your clothes--not a stitch on you!" said Inu's mother, "Then you are to take the pocket knife, which is sharp, and I will go out with you to the willow tree. YOU will choose the hardest, but most flexible switches you can find--maybe three or four--and THEN I guess you know what will follow! Now get with it, young man!"