Chapter 1

Waiting for Kagome

Inu Yasha folded his arms behind his head and leaned against the tree with his eyes closed. He flicked one of his ears as a fly buzzed by. He'd been listening for a while as Miroku, Sango and Shippo made their way down to the well. Shippo was describing the demon they were supposed to go and check out.

"It's huge! It has horns and breathes fire! Nobody knows where it came from..." and Shippo chattered on.

Just as Inu Yasha wondered whether he could pretend to be napping, he heard Sango veer towards him. Her footsteps rustled through the foliage as she approached him.

"Inu Yasha!" she called to rouse him. "When exactly is Kagome coming back?"

He opened his eyes to see Sango coming up in her battle gear. Kirara was balanced on her shoulder. He couldn't help but admire how she was always ready for action.

"How the hell do I know?" he answered. "She just said she would be back some time this morning."

He stood up and stretched the muscles in his back. Trees weren't the most comfortable thing to lean against. He could see Miroku and Shippo sitting on the edge of the well together. Shippo was still rambling. Inu Yasha did his best not to listen. Sometimes having canine senses was a curse.

Kirara leapt off of Sango's shoulder as she slung her oversized boomerang off. "I was just thinking", she said balancing the weapon in the grass. "Maybe I should take Kirara and scout out the area that the demon was last seen."

Inu Yasha snorted, like he'd let that happen. If he had to wait around for Kagome so would everybody else. "No way!" he exclaimed. "Why should you have all the fun?"

Sango leaned on her boomerang and sighed. "It would save us time later. I hate all of this waiting around!"

"You think I like it?" retorted Inu Yasha. "Besides if anyone goes, it should be me! I'll find the stupid demon and kill it before Kagome gets back!"

"How would you know where the Shikon shard was - or even if there was one - without Kagome?" asked Sango.

And so the argument began. Miroku watched his two friends banter. He supposed both of them needed to vent some frustration because they'd been inactive for the past few days. Not everyone was in touch with their karma and followed the eightfold Path.

"I wonder what kind of food Kagome will bring back this time?" Shippo's young voice broke through Miroku's musings.

He looked down at the small kitsune perched on the well frame next to him. He was staring down the well as if it would make Kagome appear. His fluffy fox tail stuck up behind him like a fluffy exclamation point. "We'll have to wait and see," Miroku said smiling.

The mention of food reminded him of breakfast and all the tea he'd had. It had been a long walk from the village to the well and his bladder was becoming uncomfortably full. He looked back to Inu Yasha and Sango – they were rather involved in their conversation. Miroku stood up with his Buddhist staff in hand. "I'll be right back. I'm going to go and answer the call of nature."

"O.K.," said Shippo looking up briefly. He went back to staring intently down the well.

Miroku walked into the sun-dappled forest. The voices faded behind him giving way to the sound of the woods and his crunching steps. He found a tree to lean his staff against. He relieved himself and picked it up again. He stood for a moment enjoying the solitude, allowing himself to become immersed in the beauty around him. It was a perfect spot for meditation.

Suddenly Miroku's senses sharpened. He heard something come crashing through the trees behind him. He whirled toward the sound ready to defend himself. A young beautiful woman burst out of the undergrowth. Her long rusty hair flying loosely, she was looking frantically behind her. She held the front of her kimono up to keep from tripping as she ran giving Miroku an eyeful of her shapely legs. She wasn't paying attention to where she was going and ran into him.

Miroku caught her in a clumsy tangle. The woman gave a small cry of fright looking at him with panic stricken eyes. Her features relaxed when she saw he was a monk.

"Oh! Noble monk, help me!" she begged desperately. "Please!" She dropped the front of her kimono and clutched at the front of his robes.

"My good lady, what is the matter?" he asked surprised that fate should throw a beautiful woman in his arms. He looked down at her and couldn't help but follow the smooth creamy skin from her throat down into the soft curves of her rather disheveled kimono. He put a comforting arm around her. He could feel her warm skin through its silkiness. She looked fearfully back at the trees, snuggling into him.

"I'm being chased by a horrible demon," she cried. Miroku could feel her soft breath on his neck. "If he catches me, he will do terrible things to me!"

Miroku took the woman by the shoulders. She was so beautiful, so vulnerable. The idea that some slimy demon should touch so lovely and defenseless a creature enraged him. "Don't worry!" he assured her. "I'll protect you."

He gently pushed her behind him and turned to face the forest. He stood waiting but only the normal forest sounds greeted him. He could feel her pressing up against his back as he shielded her. He wondered how grateful she would be once this was over. They waited.

"Perhaps he saw you and was scared off," the woman said timidly from behind him. Miroku wasn't ready to relax just yet. There was something close by. "That may be, my lady but I do sense a demonic presence nearby," he said. He could feel it but it was diffuse, difficult to pin point. He studied the forest but it gave no clues. Miroku's thoughts were interrupted as suddenly he felt hands running along his back.

"Such broad shoulders..." the woman purred as Miroku turned to face her. All trace of fear had left her. "And so handsome too!" she continued looking into his eyes.

Her eyes they were so beautiful thought Miroku, but they seemed to have a hungry look to them.

"Thank you for saving me," she said smiling at him. She took his free hand in hers. She pressed in close to him putting it on her breast.

Miroku squeezed the soft flesh experimentally. She smiled encouragingly.

"I wish to reward you for your bravery" she said bringing her face up to his.

Miroku not believing his good luck closed his eyes and kissed her.

Sango helped Kagome up out of the well while Shippo hauled up her overstuffed backpack.

"How was your trip home?" Sango asked.

"Great!" exclaimed Kagome as she dusted off her school uniform.

"It's about time you got here," Inu Yasha said crossing his arms. "Some demon's come out of nowhere, rampaging around. We think it might have a jewel shard. You were taking so long we were thinking we'd have to go without you."

Kagome ignored his complaining and looked around the clearing noticing they were a person short. "Where's Miroku?" she asked.

"Where is Miroku?" Inu Yasha echoed, noticing for the first time that he wasn't there.

"He had to go to the bathroom," answered Shippo. He was eyeing Kagome's bag curiously.

"Well, go and find him," Inu Yasha said annoyed by yet another delay. "We can't wait around all day."

"Alright," agreed Shippo. He was ready to burn off some energy and Miroku wouldn't be hard to track. He hurried off into the forest after him. In a few minutes he came to the clearing where Miroku and the woman stood kissing.

"Oh no!" Shippo thought to himself alarmed.

He turned and ran back to the others at the well as fast as he could. He burst through the trees shouting, "Help! Help! Miroku is being attacked by a demon!"

Kagome, Inu Yasha and Sango all grabbed their stuff and followed Shippo back into the forest. They stopped at the edge of the clearing and stared at the couple in their passionate embrace. Miroku and the woman were oblivious to everything around them as they kissed. He groped her shamelessly and she didn't seem to object.

"It looks like Miroku is the one who's doing the attacking!" Sango said, the anger in her voice barely controlled. She slung her boomerang back over her shoulder.

"Somebody should explain the facts of life to Shippo here, said Inu Yasha taking his hand from the hilt of the Tessaiga. "But it ain't gonna be me!"

Kagome took Shippo shoulders and tried to pull him back. "I don't think this is something a kid should see," she mumbled embarrassed.

Shippo broke free from her grasp and faced his friends in frustration. "You don't understand!" he exclaimed. "She's a demon! She'll seduce him and devour him!"

"He almost deserves it!" muttered Sango under her breath.

Shippo looked at them looking at him with disbelief. Finally he couldn't take it any more. He ran across the clearing over to the couple and shouted," Stop it, Aunt Aiame! You can't eat Miroku! He's a friend of mine!"

Miroku and the woman broke apart surprised. The woman looked down at Shippo and she transformed. Her ears became pointed, her eyes became a golden yellow, her clothes changed to rather plain ones and she grew a sleek fox tail. She stooped down to take a closer look at him.

"Shippo? Is that you?" she exclaimed. "You certainly have grown!"

Shippo took a fighting stance. "I'm big enough to fight you! Leave my friends alone!"

Miroku noticed that everyone was there and blushed.

"Fight me! Don't be silly!" laughed Aiame. She stood back up and put her hand on Miroku's chest. "I was just thanking your friend for rescuing me from a lecherous beast."

Inu Yasha snorted in contempt as he walked over. "Don't you mean for being a lecherous beast?" he asked.

"Inu Yasha!" reprimanded Kagome.

"Inu Yasha!" inquired Aiame, turning her attention to him. "Not the fierce and mighty Inu Yasha I've heard so much about, who is both demon and human!"

"Why does everyone always bring that up?" Inu Yasha asked peevishly while still blushing at the compliment.

"Oh, great lord, I'm so sorry!" apologized Aiame quickly. "I didn't mean to insult you! Half of each but greater than either! After all who could deny your great strength or marvelous deeds?"

"I suppose that's true," admitted Inu Yasha proudly swaggering a bit.

"Please! His head is big enough as it is!" exclaimed Kagome.

"It's just nice for once to meet a woman who appreciates me!" said Inu Yasha hotly.

"Besides Kikyo you mean!" retorted Kagome.

She realized she'd hit a nerve when Inu Yasha didn't answer.

"Shippo, I had no idea you traveled in such esteemed company," said Aiame changing the subject. She looked at the two women. "Who are your other friends?"

Shippo was a bit sulky that no one was taking him seriously. His father had warned him repeatedly about ever trusting his aunt. Yet she was being polite enough so he saw no reason not to answer. "This is Kagome and Sango," he replied.

"I'm honoured to make your acquaintance. My name is Aiame," she said bowing politely to each of them.

"You're Shippo's aunt?" asked Kagome.

"Yes," sighed Aiame. "His poor departed father was my brother, though sadly we were never close. I was always our parents' favourite and it caused a rift between us. I see, he's poisoned poor Shippo's mind against me."

She knelt down next to Shippo. "Shippo, you are all the family I have left. The two of us must put such pettiness behind us and start fresh. Would you consider it? Please?" she asked.

"I guess so," Shippo answered rather doubtfully. He didn't know exactly why his father hadn't liked her. He looked up at his aunt, in a strange way she reminded him of his father. His heart softened as he realized how much he missed his family. He still wouldn't trust her.

Aiame stood up and addressed the others. "Would you let me come with you?" she asked suddenly. "If you wouldn't mind I'd like to get to know my nephew properly."

Shippo looked up at her surprised. She had a determined look on her face. Did he really mean that much to her?

"What? How can we trust you?" asked Sango. She didn't totally believe Aiame's story about 'thanking' Miroku. "You're kitsune - a mistress of trickery!"

"It's true, I live by my wits," replied Aiame giving her long hair a toss back in defiance. There was no way this woman would get the better of her. "But I'm alone and am often attacked. I have to take care of myself."

"Shippo is kitsune, Sango. We trust him," reasoned Miroku as he wondered whether he could get Aiame alone again to take up where they'd left off.

Sango shot him a look of daggers as if reading his mind.

Aiame turned to Kagome. "Don't you think someone so young should be with their family?" she asked with wide sad eyes.

"You really want to spend time with me?" Shippo asked a little amazed.

"Of course Shippo. It would mean the world to me!" Aiame exclaimed.

Sango thought that this woman was laying it on just a little too thick. She seemed to be playing everyone's emotions to get her way but she had to admit it was working.

"Perhaps we should give her a chance," said Kagome giving Sango a half-hearted smile. She thought of Souta how sad he would feel if he was left without any family. Shippo just looked so hopeful and really what harm could it do.

"I don't see a problem." said Inu Yasha. "You can come with us as long as you can keep up and stay out of the way!"

"It's decided then," said Miroku putting his hand on Aiame's shoulder. "And you needn't fear any longer. I will make protecting you my first priority." He was looking forward to any gratitude she might bestow on him.

"As will I," said Sango. As they all made their way out of the clearing she thought "So I can keep on eye on you."