DISCLAIMER: I own not the Inuyasha series, nor any of its characters. I DO however own Manami, Hitomi, Yori, Mizuki, and Takumi, but you don't have to worry about any of them except Mizuki for now. Just making things clear...cuz I can.

..:Chapter 1:..

Kagome stood at the top of a hill, amongst lilacs and lavender, staring up at the starry night sky. A slight breeze blew her petite, green skirt and lengthy black hair. She tucked some of it behind her ear as the flowers lightly brushed her legs. Upon her shoulder sat a small kitsune, frowning slightly. His skirmish with Inuyasha had sent him up here, away from everyone except Kagome.

"What did Inuyasha do now?" she muttered to the demon.

"You know that candy you brought for me? As soon as you left, he stole it!" he sniffled. Kagome shook her head.

"And I told him that was specifically for you...I told everyone. Didn't he like his gift?" The kitsune furrowed his brow.

"What gift? You gave me some candy, Sango that seashell necklace, and Miroku those sutras from your grandpa. Inuyasha didn't get anything. He wasn't there." Kagome's surprised jump scared the small fox.

"Oh, I'm sorry Shippo! I forgot to give Inuyasha his gift! I'll be back!" Shippo tumbled off of her shoulder as she sprinted down the hill. He fell into the tall grass, unseen until he sat up, rubbing a fresh lump on his head.

Kagome made her way back to the cave they had decided to inhabit for the night. Inuyasha sat outside on a boulder, trying to figure out how to open a bag of Skittles. Finally, he just got frustrated and tore it open, sending a shower of colorful candies to the ground and all over his crossed legs.

"Dang it!" he yelled. Kagome sprinted past him into the cave, and rummaged around in her huge yellow backpack for her gift to Inuyasha. It was the one she has the most trouble finding, the most she had the most trouble deciding on. Did she forget it? Or was it buried in there somewhere? How could she have forgotten to give it to him?

Miroku walked in, carrying firewood. He couldn't see where he was going, and would've walked into a wall if it hadn't been for Sango, who walked in behind him.

"Miroku, stop!" she pushed him in the right direction, and he dropped the wood in a circle of rocks he and Sango had made earlier. Miroku sighed and wiped the dirt off of his hands.

"Kagome, would you do the honors of lighting the fire for us?" he looked at her.

"...Oh, what? Yeah...in a second...Aha!" She pulled out a box of dog biscuits. A large bead of sweat rolled down the side of Miroku's head.

"Do...do you intend to light a fire with that?" he said. Kagome stood up and laughed.

"No, I intend to give these to Inuyasha." With her other hand, she the fire with a lighter. She then tossed it into her pack and ran out to Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha! Come here. I have a present for you." Inuyasha's ears perked. He dropped the candy and jumped down into the grass.

"Really? What is it?" Shippo gathered his candy and scurried into the cave to eat his treat.

"Really. Okay, hold out your hand and close your eyes." She held the box behind her back so he wouldn't see it.

"Kagome, just give me the..."

"Hold out your hand and close your eyes." Inuyasha growled, but did as he was told. Kagome silently tore off the top of the box and grabbed one of the bone-shaped treats. She placed it in his hand and closed his fingers around it. He instantly opened his eyes and opened his hand. When he looked at it, his eager face changed to a disappointed one.

"What is this puny thing?" he held it between his index finger and thumb. Kagome frowned.

"It's a treat, and I have a whole box of them here." She held them up.

"A treat? Hmm..." he popped the dog treat into his mouth and chewed. A satisfied nod came from him.

"Ok. Give me another one." Kagome wagged her finger at him.

"Nope, one a day." Inuyasha grunted, and then returned to his perch on top of the boulder. Kagome sighed and walked back into the cave.

"Did you give him his gift?" Sango asked. Kagome nodded.

"Did he like it?" Kagome shrugged.

"You can never really tell. He's never appreciative of anything." Shippo said through a mouthful of bubble gum. Kagome sat down on her sleeping bag, which she had rolled out when they first arrived in the cave. She stared into the fire, and you could see the reflection of the flames dancing in her eyes.

"I don't think it went as well as she dreamed it would." Miroku whispered in Sango's ear.

'Miroku, you really stink at whispering. No, I knew he wasn't going to jump up and down in glee. I'm just tired, that's all. Really." She got under the covers, and quickly fell asleep.

..:Outside:..

Inuyasha licked the inside of his teeth for the remnants of the dog treat. It had oddly tasted better than he thought it would. He was craving another one. Kagome brought the best things for him...

An abnormal scent drifted into his nose. He became alert and his ears perked up immediately. He heard footsteps, but he still could not identify who-or what-was coming toward him. He stood up, hand on the hilt of his sword, and readied himself for whatever was going to happen.

A woman emerged from the woods. Her facial expression, similar to that Kikyo usually donned, Inuyasha recognized immediately.

"Kikyo?" he said, his hand dropping to his side.

"No. I am not she." She wore a dark grey kimono, and her cascading black hair caught Inuyasha's attention.

"Then who are you? And why are you here?" he sensed no threat in this woman, yet his curiosity got the better of him.

"My name is Mizuki. I've come to bring you information that you must have. You may or may not find it valuable, but you need to know what is in your future. You are Inuyasha, correct?" Inuyasha gaped at her.

"Yeah, what's it to ya?. What are you, some fake fortune teller? Do I have to pay you so you can make up some fake future for me on the spot?" Inuyasha chuckled.

"No. I am not a fake fortune teller, nor am I about to make you pay in any sort. I am going to tell you something you need to know." Inuyasha sighed.

"Ok, I'm listening." He leaned on his hand, eyes closed, only half paying attention.

"Yes. Exactly three days ago, I saw you in town. You were with companions. A monk, a demon slayer, a young fox demon, and a teenage girl with strange clothing. You were the last one I laid eyes upon. But the minute I saw you, my head throbbed with pain. I collapsed were I stood, and no one, not even myself, knew what was going on. But I suppose, while I was asleep, I was visited by a woman...in my mind. She called herself...Izayoi." Inuyasha sat up straight the moment he heard his mother's name. He jumped so that he was right in Mizuki's face.

"What do you know about my mother?" he growled. Mizuki didn't even flinch. She closed her eyes, and continued speaking.

"She said to me, 'Find my son. Find Inuyasha.' I obeyed her, as you well know. To this, I said, 'Who is Inuyasha?' She did not answer me. She continued with her statement." Inuyasha grabbed onto her kimono and lifted her in the air.

"You didn't answer me. How do you know my mother?" he growled at her once more.

"She said, 'Tell Inuyasha of this.' And she explained to me your future, and what exactly you were supposed to know." Inuyasha shook Mizuki.

"I normally don't hit human women, but if you don't tell me..."

"All I can tell you about your future is to beware the spider." Inuyasha furrowed his brow.

"The spider? Who...Naraku? I already know that! What do you mean?"

"I must go. So long, Inuyasha. I wish you the best of luck." Inuyasha dropped the woman to the ground, and without a word, she stood up and left, leaving Inuyasha completely puzzled.