Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, Kagome, or the rest of the gang. Nor, do I own Enigma. I do own Jasmine, 'Blood Thorn', Corwyn, and 'Ace' however and none shall be used by another without consent, Gomen-nasai!

Author's note: Konnichiwa, I am trying to find out how to translate certain words (or word combinations) in to Japanese. One example is 'Blood Thorn'. If you know of a site where I can do this, please let me know, arigato gozaimasu!

Onegai, don't forget to review and let me know what you think. Also, reader's comments will be posted at the bottom of the story, arigato to you.

* Flashback * ~ Denotes a flashback, mostly done in a simple phrase.

Pulling out of his embrace she turns away. "I am sorry, I …"

Grabbing her arm and turning her back to face him, "don't ever be sorry. Not for telling the truth or what you feel." Pulling her back into his embrace, "don't ever be sorry for being you."

Hearing her mother come up the stairs he looks down. "Your mother is coming."

Pulling back she walks back to her desk and wipes away her tears. Sitting down she takes her cup and finishes her coffee. He goes back and sits down on her bed again.

Hearing a soft knocking at the door Kagome says, "Come in."

Waking in with a couple of blankets and a pillow she puts it on Kagome's bed. "Here you go Inuyasha dear." Looking over at Kagome she says, "There is a full pot of coffee downstairs. Be sure to turn it off before you go to bed."

"Hai, mama, and thanks. You going to bed now?"

"Hai, dear. Don't stay up to late."

"I won't, night mama."

"Goodnight you two," and with that she leaves the room and closes the door.

Looking back at the work and sighing heavily she gets back up. Picking up her cup she turns towards him and says, "I don't know about you but I need another cup of coffee."

"Feh, whatever," but stands up and follows her downstairs.

Walking into the kitchen she grabs his cup and pours them both some coffee. Putting sugar in both she hands him his.

Taking a sip he decides to ask, "So you going to tell me what happened earlier today?"

Shrugging her shoulders, "not much to tell. I thought I saw something, but I couldn't find it. I didn't feel anything evil. Heck I wasn't even 100 percent sure it was a youkai or even a hanyou. I never felt anything like it before."

"I searched but didn't find anything. It smelled wrong. I couldn't tell if it was male or female. The scent barely hinted of youkai, but it was hidden some how." Shaking his head, "I never smelled anything like it, almost like the scent was twisted in on itself." Taking a sip of coffee, "Whoever it was, will be back. They have been here before."

Gasping she stutters, "They have?"

Nodding, "Hai, the same twisted scent was around but older."

"They have not done anything yet, maybe it is nothing," looking nervous as she sips her coffee.

"Feh, I doubt it but even so at least you will have me here to protect you."

Smiling at him, "Thank you, Inuyasha. I am sorry that you are stuck protecting me here in my time. I wish I wasn't such a burden all the time." Looking down, "I wish I could be of more help."

"Oi, I said before I would protect you. Doesn't mean just back there. Besides, you are not helpless with those arrows of yours. Not to mention your ability to sense and purify the shards."

"But I still feel like a burden sometimes," she replies softly.

Ears twitching, "well don't. Cause your are anything but." Smirking evilly, "now Shippou on the other hand…"

Looking up quickly, "Oi!" Realizing he is teasing her she gives him a weak smile, "he is a kid and has an excuse."

"Feh, I still think he is older than he says he is."

Looking at the clock she sees how late it is getting. "Ack, I have to get back to studying." She heads upstairs with the hanyou following.

Setting his coffee cup down he heads to her window. Looking at him questioningly he says, "I am going to have another look around the grounds. I will be back in a bit."

Nodding she watches him climb out the window before settling down to work.

Jumping into the closest tree his mind wonders as he patrols.

'When did she become more than a shard detector to me?' Sitting down on a branch he looks up to the sky. Thinking back over the entire time he has known her and realizes it has been almost since the beginning. 'She offered me a friendship like no one before.' Eyes widening, "what about Kikyou?" Speaking softly into the wind.

'She didn't even truly accept your hanyou form. She wanted to wait till you where a human before being with you in public."

* "But I can Kagome's, I know her heart. To her it doesn't matter. She cares not if you are youkai, hanyou, or human. To her you are Inuyasha, someone very dear to her. She doesn't care what others think either, because she knows you. They do not." *

'Kagome doesn't care, she defends me in public too.' Sighing he droops his ears and his shoulders. 'What makes you so different?'

* "Have you ever known her to judge someone because of how they where born?" *

Softly he asks, "What makes you so different?" He glances over towards the lighted window.

* "Because I am afraid. Afraid of the future, and of being alone." *

* "I worry about never being able to see you again as well." *

* "You will be gone." *

'What about my promise to Kikyou?'

'You died once for her. Besides are you really sure she really loved you?'

Eyes narrowing and a light growling he gasps, "Nani? What the fuck did that come from?"

'Kagome has shown a lowly hanyou more in her friendship that Kikyou ever did. And she supposedly loved you. Here I have been thinking about all the things Kagome has done for me in her friendship and …' Eyes going wide as he is almost hesitant to finish his though. But his mind continues on without stopping, 'and Kikyou would never do half of them.'

That thought kept him sitting there for a long time.

~ * ~ )0( ~ * ~

Many hours later he came back into the room. Finding Kagome asleep at her desk he quietly takes his blankets and pillow off the bed. Gently picking up the Miko from her chair he carries her over to the bed and lays her down. Covering her up with her blanket he looks at her. Taking a clawed hand he tucks a strand of hair and tucks it behind her ear.

His words earlier still echo in his mind. ''Someone to protect and care for you', but you already did didn't you. He just was to stubborn to see it.'

With that he turns and grabs the coffee cups and takes them downstairs, turning off the coffee pot, he goes back upstairs. Laying out the blanket on the floor beside her bed he lays down and goes to sleep.

~ * ~ )0( ~ * ~

In a dark room, lit with just a few candles and heavy incense creating almost a fog.

"Report"

"The guardian has returned."

"Where you seen?"

"Not seen sensei, but she did sense me."

"Good, good. Was the Inu Hanyou with her?"

"No sensei, she was alone."

"Hmm, strange but not a major factor. Proceed with the plan."

"Hai, sensei, as you wish."

"Now go, inform the others. The plans are to be set in motion."

"Hai"

Softly a voice that sounds it is distant and empty, "Soon, so soon now. Only the worthy may fulfill the prophecy."

~ * ~ )0( ~ * ~

*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*

Smacking the alarm clock off Kagome yawns. Realizing she is in bed she wonders how she got there. Sitting up in bed she looks over and sees a pair of golden eyes staring at her unblinking.

Inuyasha is sitting backwards in her desk chair with his arms crossed upon the back of the chair. His head is on his arms.

"About time you got up," he blinks and his ears ease up from being flattened on his head due to the alarm clock. "Been waiting for you to get up now for an hour now."

Looking confused, "how did I get in bed? Last thing I remember I was studying."

"Feh, you feel asleep at your desk before I got back." Shrugging, "So I put you to bed."

'Why is he still staring at me?' Shaking her head, not wanting to ponder that so early she gets up and heads to the closet, "Thank you, I appreciate it. Now out, I have to get dressed for school. Mama should be starting breakfast soon."

Getting up from the chair, "Feh, I have to change too." And walked out of the room.

Stopping abruptly she stares at the door. 'He has to change too?' Shrugging her shoulders she continues getting ready.

Walking out of her room Inuyasha sees Mrs. Higurashi coming up the stairs, with his clothes. "Here you go dear. The shoes are by the door. Don't forget the tags go in the back."

Taking his clothes he sets of to the bathroom. Quickly changing he comes back out. Finding Kagome's mother waiting. "The clothes look good on you. Give me your old clothes and I can wash them."

Handing her his other clothes, she sets off back downstairs. Going back into the bathroom he grabs the Tetsusaiga and is about to head downstairs. At that moment Kagome comes out of her room about to head for the bathroom, but instead runs right into him.

"Oomph, oh sorry." She takes a step back and gasps. Looking him over from head to toe she blushes, 'I was right! Kami, what a sight!'

"You look great," she smiles.

"I do?" he blushes slightly.

"Most defiantly." Grabbing his arm she pulls him into her room. "Just one thing. Now s- err, I mean take a seat on the chair."

Crossing his arms, he looks suspiciously at her, "Why?"

"Oh, come one. Don't you trust me?" She asks giving him her own version of the 'puppy dog eyes'.

"Feh" but sits down still having his arms crossed.

Smirking she thinks, 'works every time.' Grabbing a brush she sets to work on his hair.

"Oi, wench what do you think you are doing?" Turning his head away from her.

"I am getting out the knots. Don't worry, I will be careful. Please just stay still."

"Why?"

"So I can pull it back into a ponytail."

She continues to gently brush his hair, starting at the bottom. In no time she got to the top, being extra careful of his ears. She finishes and grabs a black hair tie off of her desk. Quickly she pulls it into a ponytail, which was no easy feat. Not being able to resist any longer she scratches the base of his ear with her fingers. "There, all done. That wasn't so bad was it?"

Without thinking he tips his head towards her hand, and his eyes droop. Taking this as a good sign she scratches the base of the other ear with her other hand.

Suddenly she hears a soft noise. Listening, as the sound gets louder she realizes the sound is from him. Smiling she leans down to one of his ears and softly says, "I didn't know you could do that." Noticing his ears twitch slightly at the feel of her breath on the fur.

Realizing what he was doing he turns his head away from her. "Feh, yah so what?"

Grabbing his chin and pulling his face towards hers, "Don't be shy about it. I think it is adorably cute."

Blushing slightly he replies in a gruff tone, "Demons aren't cute."

Rubbing his ear again she smiles at him, "Maybe not all of them, but you are." With that she turns and says, "Come on, lets get some breakfast."

Watching her walk out the door with a shocked look on his face, 'she thinks I am cute?' Blushing even more he shakes his head, but gets up to go get some food.

~ * ~ )0( ~ * ~

After breakfast Kagome grabs her book bag from upstairs and a jacket. Coming downstairs she sees Inuyasha already with his shoes on and pulling on a leather jacket. Souta comes downstairs with a plain black baseball cap. "Here you go Inu-no-oniichan, this should work."

"Thanks kid," he takes the hat and puts it on.

Watching him she thinks, 'man, I can't believe how good he looks.' Smiling she runs to put on her shoes. "You ready to go, Inuyasha?"

"Feh, yeah sure. Let's go."

"Inu-no-oniichan, you get to see my school too." Smiling Souta walks backwards, "Kagome drops me off before going to her school, when she goes to school that is." Giggling he adds, "When she isn't to sick to go."

Looking suspiciously at Kagome, "Nani, you are hardly ever sick."

Groaning she puts her head in her hands, "Hai, but my family couldn't just tell the school I am traveling back in time to the feudal age instead of going to class. So Jii-chan started telling them I was sick. Trouble is he is always using illnesses for old people." Sighing she continues, "It is really, REALLY embarrassing."

"Inu-no-oniichan, how long are you going to be staying with us?" Souta asks.

"There has been a suspicious youkai hanging around. I will be sticking around till we figure this out."

"Really? Well, at least you are here. You will take care of it for us." Giving the hanyou a really big smile before he turns around, "Oi, there's my school." Running up to it he turns quickly, "see you guys later." And with that he runs into the building.

"Inuyasha, did you mean it when you said we will be staying till we can settle this with the youkai?" Looking over at him.

Crossing his arms and looking back at her, "Feh, I figured you wouldn't want to leave your family until we take care of this."

Putting her arm around his and leading him off towards her school, "thank you Inuyasha. This means a lot to me. You are right, I want to make sure my family here is safe." Glancing up at him, "while I am at school, maybe you should ask the group if they know anything about youkai with strange abilities to hide their scent."

Nodding he replies, "yeah, I was thinking the same thing." Eyes down towards where she is holding his arm, 'she holds on to me without even thinking.'

Stopping suddenly she lets go of is arm. Watching her he watches her pull a vial out of her pocket. "I am wearing the large shard, but here take these. If someone is after the shards, having two people hold onto them may confuse them a little." She hands him the vial with the shards.

Taking them he quickly pockets them.

Grabbing his hand she heads off again towards school. "Come on, I am going to be late if we stand around any more."

Walking a bit farther they end up at the front gates. "KAGOME!" as three girls come running up to them. Stopping the girls look over at Inuyasha. Yura leans over and whispers in Kagome's ear, "who's the cute guy?"

Inuyasha looks at the three girls, 'these must be the girls Kagome's mother was talking about.' He hears Yuri's comment but doesn't say anything.

Kagome giggles cause she knows he heard the comment, "Yura, Eri, and Arumi, I would like you to meet Inuyasha. He is staying at the shrine with us for a few days."

Hearing the bell ring Kagome releases Inuyasha's hand. "Ok, I have to get to class, I will meet you here after school. Tell everyone I said 'hello.' And please, Inuyasha, don't fight with Shippo-chan."

Inuyasha rolls his eyes at her, "Feh, as long as he doesn't annoy me."

Laughing she waves at him before joining her friends as they enter the school.

Eri looks back over her shoulder and then back to Kagome, "where did you meet him?"

Smiling Kagome replies, "I will tell you all about it at lunch, but right now we have to get to class."

Watching her go into the school he looks down at the hand she was holding just moments before. 'So open, even to a hanyou.' Looking back to where she went, 'Kagome.' He turns and heads back to the shrine.

~ * ~ )0( ~ * ~

Sitting in her first class her mind was wandering, 'he didn't flinch or pull away when I held his hand.' Sighing she smiles with a far away expression, 'he has been acting so weird since he came here.'

* "Don't ever be sorry. Not for telling the truth or what you feel." Pulling her back into his embrace, "don't ever be sorry for being you." *

'Why, why has he been so open lately?' Frowning slightly, 'what is going on, Inuyasha?'

* Smiling she leans down to one of his ears and softly says, "I didn't know you could do that." Noticing his ears twitch slightly at the feel of her breath on the fur.

Realizing what he was doing he turns his head away from her. "Feh, yah so what?"

Grabbing his chin and pulling his face towards hers, "Don't be shy about it. I think it is adorably cute."

Blushing slightly he replies in a gruff tone, "Demons aren't cute."

Rubbing his ear again she smiles at him, "Maybe not all of them, but you are." *

Blushing she smirks, 'then again, he isn't the only one.' Putting her head in her hands, 'but then again, is it really that bad having things this way?'

Sighing, she tries to focus on the teacher, but there is one thought that refuses to not be ignored. 'As much as I may want it, his heart belongs to another. And when everything is said and done… I will be alone.'

~ * ~ )0( ~ * ~

Walking into the house, Inuyasha heads into the kitchen. Mrs. Higurashi turns and looks him, "Dear, your clothes are done. I put them on Kagome's bed."

Nodding he replies, "Thank you, I am going back to talk with the group and see if they know anything. I will be back in plenty of time to pick up Kagome."

"Alright dear, see you then," she smiles and watches him leave the room.

Going into the room he quickly changes clothes, grabs Tetsusaiga and heads out towards the well.

Walking towards the village he suddenly gets attacked by a flying ball of brown fur. "Oi, Inuyasha, where's Kagome? Why didn't you bring her back with you?" The kitsune starts chewing on his ear, "you got in a fight with her again didn't you?"

Grabbing him he stops suddenly before bopping him on the head, remembering what Mrs. Higurashi said. Growling at the kit, "Damn it Shippou, knock it off. Something is going on and I don't have time for this." Setting him on his shoulder he continues towards the village.

Shippou realizing he hasn't been hit was puzzled, but suddenly realizing what the hanyou had said he became more concerned for Kagome. "Is Kagome alright? What's going on?"

"Hai, she is safe at school right now, but I have to talk to everyone and be back before she gets out of school." Giving the kit a stern look, "so be good alright."

Wide-eyed Shippou stares at Inuyasha but nods. 'Dog boy is acting weird. He must be really worried.'

Entering the hut he finds the others. They glance up at him while he sits down.

Miroku speaks up, "greetings Inuyasha. Where have you been and where is Lady Kagome?"

Crossing his arms and putting his hands in his sleeves he replies, "I had to spend the night in Kagome's time. Something come up"

Miroku gives the hanyou a smirk, "Oh, and what something is that?"

Growling he stares at the monk, "Fucking letch! A youkai has been hanging around her family's shrine. She sensed it last night but something is wrong about it.

"What do ye mean, Inuyasha?" asks the elderly Miko.

Shaking his head he sighs, "the scent. I can't tell anything about the youkai. Hell, I can barely make out the fact that it is a youkai. The scent has been twisted or hidden in some way."

Sango stops polishing her mask and in a serious tone, "did they attack Kagome? When she sensed them I mean."

Shaking his head, "No, she said she didn't sense any evil from them but if they can hid other things, why not their intentions too."

Miroku nodded, "that is a reasonable assumption."

Sango's tactical mind didn't accept that answer though. "Maybe, it didn't attack because it wanted to see just what it was up against before it went into battle. To scout out and spy on an advisory before attack is not uncommon. If that is the case than this youkai could be as dangerous as Naraku or Sesshomaru."

Scowling at this Inuyasha cracks his knuckles. "Damn, well it will be in for a bit of a surprise. It only saw Kagome, not me."

A small voice pipes up, "Inuyasha-sama, I have a feeling you may be taking this to lightly."

Inuyasha looks down and sees Myouga sitting on his prayer beads. "What do you know about this, Myouga-jiji?"

Crossing all of his arms the flea looks up at his lord, "Something long ago. When your father ruled the Kyushu area. He was leader of a great pack, but there was one in his pack who was not an inu youkai. He was of an ancient order, wise ones with knowledge that was lost to this world long ago. Your father saved his life, and because of such a deed, he bound himself to your father's service. He gathered information for your father because he was able to hide his scent. Which made him very useful."

"Perchance the one in Kagome's time is of the same order, or has knowledge from them. If that is so, you must be cautious. They have power and knowledge the likes of which you have not seen."

Turning his head away from the flee he scoffs, "Feh, this 'wise one' in my father's pack must not of been that good. My father was still killed."

Myouga shakes his head and sighs, "Actually, the wise one gave his life so that your father and mother would be able to make their escape. When he was about to fall your father looked upon your mother who was with pup and bid her to flee. He then turned back and stood by his side so your mother could escape." Giving a pointed glare at his young lord, "Which means that he and your father died not just saving your mothers life but yours as well."

Inuyasha looks at him with shock evident on his face, "how do you know this?"

The flea bowed his head and with a voice that was full of sadness he replied, "Because I was there."

A collective gasp comes from those around as the flea remembers those dark days.

* Flashback *

A battle can be heard down the large hall, a hall that once looked like it was bathed in splendor, but now only a shadow of what once was remains. A regal looking youkai with shining white hair, liquid gold eyes, and a crescent moon on his forehead is hugging an elegant lady with black hair that almost touches the floor. The hug is hampered just slightly due to the size of her round belly. Though her eyes are glistening with tears she doesn't shed them, for they both knew this day would come. It had been foretold to them so long ago. The held each other close for one last time.

"My lord, please, reconsider your decision!" a jumping Myouga looking more than scared and flustered. "Your mate needs you!"

He is constantly looking over his shoulder at the battle just down the hall while he is on his lord's shoulder. Three large inu youkai and a cloaked youkai are fighting back the horde that tries to break their defenses. The inu use sword, arrow, tooth, and claw, where as the cloaked one uses the elements in which he has been schooled. A roar unlike any inu can be heard when a sword pierces the cloaked one's chest. So loud it rattled the little youkai to the bone.

"Myouga"

Suddenly brought out of his daze watching the fighting going on behind him he turns to the lord as he speaks, "Hai, my lord." He bows deeply as he schools his voice knowing the gravity of the situation.

"Myouga, my dear retainer. You have stood by my side through most of this, and you know as well as I that this has already been foretold, as you know of the prophecy and why we must protect him. I make one last comm… no, I make one last request, dear friend. Please, please watch over my mate and unborn son and get them to safety. When he grows teach him that which he needs, school him, train him, and prepare him for his hunt. He will need to know much to be able to withstand the trials that will be placed upon him. Do this for me, and tell him, he was dearly loved." With that the lord places a clawed hand upon his mates belly with a look of deep soul breaking sadness. Giving his mate one last kiss, he races off to help his shoulders as Myouga jumps off his shoulders onto his Lady's shaking one.

Standing still but a moment he bows towards the Lord as he joins in battle. "Hai, my friend, I shall do as you ask." Turning towards the lady with violet eyes he says in a very quite and mournful tone, "Come my Lady, let us leave here. Let us not let their sacrifices be in vain."

And with one last quick look towards the ones left behind, they turn and hurry off the other way.

* End Flashback *

The group stairs at the flea as tears start to fall as he finishes telling the story.

Inuyasha sits deep in thought coming to terms with exactly how his old man had died.

Everyone remains silent for a while, not wanting to be the first to speak up. Kaede decides to step in, "So, this wise one gave his life to protect Inuyasha's father, mother and Inuyasha himself?"

Myouga looks at the elderly Miko, "Actually, he was guarding Inuyasha himself. But as to why I cannot say."

Miroku realizes the youkai is holding back, "you know more about this don't you?"

The flea looks over at him and replies, "Not much more, but what I do know I was sworn never to reveal."

Suddenly Inuyasha grabs the retainer between two clawed fingers. "Why the hell not?"

"B-b-because my lord, it is a retainers sworn duty never to reveal things told to him in confidence."

"Baka, do you realize that now they have found Kagome in her time!" The hanyou raged, "Damn it Jiji. I need to know what I am up against."

Sighing the flea replies, "Why Kagome and why her time I know not. I do know this, Inuyasha. You will be the only one with the ability to stand beside her. If you do not, she will be alone in a battle which I do not know if her miko powers will be enough to handle."

Inuyasha lets out a small gasps and gets a glazed look in his eye when he remembers something Kagome had said earlier.

* "Because I am afraid. Afraid of the future, and of being alone." *

The others look at him suddenly, as Miroku speaks up, "Inuyasha, what is it?"

Blinking away the glazed look he hangs his head down. "Kagome told last night, that one of her greatest fears was that she was afraid of the future, afraid of being alone. But she fears once the jewel is complete, she will not be able to return." Looking up at them he continues, "She has had this fear for sometime now it seems." Remembering the way she looked, 'when she confessed it she looked so heartbroken.

Sango gasps, "I never thought about her not being able to come back to us."

Kaede decided to voice her opinion, "Ye know that the jewel shards is what keeps the child from returning to us." Poking the fire as she continues, "I wonder…"

Miroku raises an eyebrow, "what is it Kaede-sama?"

Looking at the monk before turning her attention to the hanyou, "I wonder if the child is thinking about the fact that if a wish is made than the jewel will disappear, along with her ability to come here."

Shippou grabs Inuyasha's hair, "you baka! You are the one who wants to make the wish. To become a full youkai! You can't!" He starts to cry loudly, "you can't… you can't……. you ….can't…" Sobbing he barely makes out, "I-I will … n-never see …. K-K-Kagome again."

Sango puts a hand to her mouth; Miroku and the others look at the hanyou.

Grabbing the now full out balling Shippou by the tail he gets up. Seeing all eyes on him he gruffly says, "will be back," and walks out of the hut. Bounding into the forest with easy jumps he stops at the God Tree. Shippou is still sobbing but occasionally muttering about never seeing Kagome again.

Leaping up he settles down on his favorite branch and puts the upset kitsune on his lap.

"Oi, Shippou."

Shippou looks up slowly but still crying replies, "Nani?"

He always hated tears, especially from Kagome. But something about the kitsune's tears made him feel just as bad. 'Man, I am going soft.' Sighing deeply he says, "Listen runt. Kagome is not going to be stuck in her time."

Sniffling the kit looks up at the hanyou, "Baka, what do you mean? I know what will happen. You will make the wish, and then… *sniffle* I will be alone in the world again." Closing his eyes big tears burn down his cheeks he puts his head down, "I will be alone, just like before."

This made Inuyasha feel things he didn't want to feel, but there was something about it that couldn't be ignored. "Shippou, you're not going to loose Kagome." Taking a deep breath as Shippou looks up at him, "I… I am not going to make a wish."

Shocked Shippou stops crying, "you're not?"

Petting the young one in a somewhat comical manner since he was not use to doing such a thing, "No, I am not. I have been a full youkai and I don't want it. I didn't know friend from foe. All I wanted to do was kill." Looking directly down at the kit, "do you want to know one of Kagome's other fear?"

Shippou nodded yes so he continues, "One of her other fears is leaving you alone in the world. She loves you, runt. You know that."

"She loves me?" He stares wide eyed up at the hanyou. "Yeah, I guess I did know it." Sighing with a little hiccup, "Inuyasha, what is going to happen to her after the jewel is completed and Naraku is destroyed?"

Mouth wide open and shock on his face Inuyasha asks, "what do you mean?"

Putting his head down and crossing his arms Shippou says, "Well, once the jewel is complete, and if you don't make a wish, then what is going to happen? You, um, well, you have promised to go to hell with Kikyou. I am not strong enough to protect Kagome from any youkai who want to steal the jewel. Sango, Miroku, and Kirara are strong, but not as strong as you…"

Realizing what the kitsune is saying he scratches his head and crosses his arms. "I have been doing a lot of thinking lately."

Shippou looks up at him suddenly with a shocked look. 'He has been thinking? And about this of all things?'

Scowling Inuyasha barks, "What?!?"

Closing his mouth Shippou decides on the better side of caution to see exactly the hanyou is going to say, "Um, nothing… I .. um, just didn't think you thought about it, tis all."

Giving the kit a sharp look he groans, "Why wouldn't I?"

Shippou shrugs his shoulders but urges the hanyou to continue. "Well, ok, so what did you decide?"

Rolling his eyes Inuyasha replies, "That I made a promise to Kikyou before really thinking things through. I though I was doing the right thing, but I didn't think of the consequences of it, and let's just say I know now what they really are.

Shippou's eyes are now the size of saucers, "do you mean that Kagome can stay with me forever?"

Rolling his eyes, Inuyasha gruffly states, "Oi, didn't I just say that?"

Jumping up to the hanyou's shoulder, Shippou gives him as big of a hug as his little arms will allow. "Thank you, Inuyasha. I am glad I will not loose my adopted family."

"Feh, go on, and head back to the hut, I will be there shortly."

Shippou nods and quickly scurries down the tree and off towards the village.

'He said he wouldn't loose his adopted family, and not just mother. Has that little runt rubbed off on my this much?' Inuyasha sighs, unable to figure it out.

"You have finally become a pack leader," came a small voice from his shoulder.

"Myouga-jiji, I forgot you where there." He replies as he leans back up against the tree and looks up at the sky.

"Hai, Inuyasha-sama, I am here. So you decided not to go to hell with Kikyou," the retainer asked.

Scowling before giving it up and just exhaling a deep breath, "No, I died once for her already. Besides, to many people are counting on me to protect them now."

"Your pack you mean."

Scratching his head he smirks, "Yeah, I guess you could call them that, huh?"

Smiling the flea answers, "Actually many youkai already do, surprisingly. Considering to how young you are. To already be a pack leader at your age has never been heard of, till now."

Closing his eyes, he replies, "Feh, I don't know if you would consider me a pack leader. Besides the others wouldn't understand and I doubt highly that they would want me to be their leader."

Looking at his young lord and shaking his head, "You might be surprised. You and Lady Kagome formed the pack. You two, by Inu Youkai tradition, are the pack leaders."

Blushing the embarrassed hanyou turns away from the flea, 'pack leaders are mates'. "Feh, I don't think the others would understand," he replies, trying to get a handle on the blushing on his face.

"Inuyasha-sama, if I may ask. What made you reconsider your promise?"

Sighing he crosses his arms, "It was a combination of things. Mostly, I realize that those in my 'pack' have shown me more in friendship, than Kikyou ever did." Lowering his head he continues, and shoulders that normally say square drop just a bit as he continues, "I… I don't think I truly loved her. I guess I was lonely, and she offered me a guarded friendship. But she also saw me as a means to an end. She wanted me to change for her, and in doing so rid herself of the Shikon no Tama." Slowly he raises his head up towards the sky to watch a flock of birds fly overhead. "You know, yesterday I fully realized what true friendship is, and also … if you really love someone … you accept them for who or in my case (*smirk*) what they are."

"You truly love her don't you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Lady Kagome, your heart, youkai blood, and energy already knew it. It was the damn hard head of yours that took a while to get it to sink in."

Squeezing the flea he glares, "And just what do you mean by that?"

"Inuyasha-sama, did it never occur to you why you fight like you do when Kagome is in danger? A youkai gains strength when protecting its mate. When its mate is in danger, it uses that strength to defend it from the threat. For you, you gained this trait when you thought she was dead, when you first received the Tetsusaiga. By the second time you went up against Sesshomaru for Tetsusaiga you became faster then Sesshomaru himself in order to protect her."

Dropping the flea he turns away and crosses his arms again. "Feh, I don't think…"

Bouncing back on his spot on the prayer beads, "Hai, it is true, that long ago. Your youkai side has seen her as your mate for some time now. The only questions that remain now are what does your human side think, and are you going to tell her? Also, are you going to tell the others about the pack?"

"I don't know," he hangs his head as his ears droop, 'what if they laugh? What if she laughs?"

Myouga who has been around his young lord long enough to know what his heavy on his mind and heart replies, "My lord, you know they already accept you for who you are. Do you honestly think they will deny this? And as for Kagome, you wound her deeply for thinking she is as shallow as that. You know Kagome has promised to stand by you no matter what. Do you really think she made that promise lightly?"

"No"

"Then you should talk to her at least."

"Feh, whatever." Getting up he jumps slowly out of the tree and heads towards the village. "I got to get back soon. Is there anything else you can tell me about this magic user, this 'wise one'."

"Just to expect the unexpected."

"Feh, fat lot of help that is!"

"Inuyasha-sama, those of the order know magic that has been lost to this world. You must understand this. The wise one was the one who put the barrier shield on the Tetsusaiga. The very same spell that has helped you and Lady Kagome many times."

Taking a deep breath, he sighs, "How am I suppose to protect Kagome against magic like that."

Bowing his head the flea replies, "I know not."

I would have finished posting the second one sooner but my mother's horse Mr. Pal A. Mino, a 43+ yr. old palomino gelding, had a heart attack and we had to put him down and burry him out here on the farm. So needless to say, things have been a bit rough with our oldest farm mascot being laid rest with his old stable buddies out back. May he find his friends long since gone and, when the time comes and the days fade to years, I know my mother shall take comfort, for when she must make the journey to that which is beyond, she shall not be alone. She will be with her old friend as the two of you take the greatest of trail rides… Good-bye ol' friend you shall be deeply missed.