This story is a Christmas gift to my great, wonderful and brilliant XD friend Bender14
^_^ Merry Christmas!
The rest of your story will be on its way and I hope you enjoy it. Much lov lol.

Pairings: InuYasha + Kagome ~ Miroku + Sango

Background: While traveling in search of the sacred jewel shards the group had heard more than a few times the story of a demon that lived in the forest and was rarely seen, but possessed an amazing yet not fully understood gift.

Kaede went over the directions one final time with the four.

"When yee reach the pond you will know yee have arrived." She told Kagome as the girl packed her large yellow backpack.

Inuyasha saw this and groaned. "Kagome we will only be gone for a few days. No need to pack all that junk."

Kagome, about to yell at him for calling her things junk, changed her mind and in a teasing tone said "What Inyasha? Is the bag to heavy for you? Should I call Kouga to help me instead?"

He glared at her insult to his strength and at the mentioning of that pathetic wolf. The bag's weight was not the problem; it was keeping track of it that was the issue. Carrying Kagome was the fastest way to travel and best way to keep her safe… after all she was always getting kidnapped. All he wanted was to keep her safe and that dumb bag was an issue.

Shaking his head in order to clear the thought of possibly caring for Kagome in that way, he said under his breath "pff weak humans."

"I heard that." Kagome said without giving him the satisfaction of looking back at him.

So, to entertain himself Inuyasha turned his attention to Shippo who was going to be staying behind this trip. Of course he was going to rub this in!

"Hey Shippo!" He called out mockingly. "Are you going to say good bye?"

Shippo who was sitting on the step across the room put on his 'Are you serious you dumb dog?' look.

"Yep. Bye stupid! No dummy to look after what a relief." Was Shippo's fast response.

"Why you little brat!" With that Inuyasha lunged at the fox but Kagome, who had been watching, called out.

"SIT. You stared that one I don't even want to hear it."

Smacking into the floor of Kaede's hut, he cursed that word. Kagome was going to say it again but shrugged deciding not to. Looking to Sango, both girls rolled their eyes.

"Come now Inyasha, Shippo is allowed to be upset." The monk tried to make peace during the familiar scene of the Inuyasha chasing Shippo. Due to his size, Inuyahsa, was winning but Shippo was fast and managed to get away with only a small bump.

"Honestly, I bet you two will miss each other while we are off." Kagome said over her shoulder as they all left the hut.

"I agree. How else will you be entertained? Haha you two are closer than you think." Sango added.

"ARE NOT!" They shouted in unison, causing the rest to laugh.

"Proved that point." Miroku said between laughing.

"Keep quiet monk! Are we ready yet?!"

"Inuyasha being eager and being mean are two different things." Kaede tried to say but was cut off.

"I don't need a lesson that brat does. I'm ready."

With a sigh Kagome spoke "Me too. Shippo, I'll miss you! Have a good time while we are off though. Thanks again Keade."

"I'm ready here too. Kirara is staying also Shippo. So, you will all have fun I'm sure. Good bye." Songo said, trying to make him feel better.

"Yes thank you, and Shippo you have the important job of watching over things here while we are gone." Miroku added in a serious tone but knew the job was not really necessary.

"Yee be safe now."

"Bye Kagome! Bye Sango! Bye Miroku! I will keep things safe." Shippo waved happily from the top railing of a fence as the group walked away.

"HA! Shippo saving the village. Mine as well hand it over now." Inuyasha joked as he noticed the little fox had skipped his bye.

Kagome elbowed him for that comment. "That is enough. He is brave for his age and size. It's sad he has to stay behind so just let him fell he has a job. "

"Fine...but no more of this 'poor poor Shippo'."

Miroku tried to change the subject "I wonder what this demon is going to be like."

They went off in thought as they continued on the first leg of their journey.

To be continued…..Thanks for reading ch1. Review please ^_^