"Oi, wench! I'm starving, hurry up with that food!" Inuyasha bellowed from his perch in the tree. The gang had been travelling all day looking for shards- with no luck- and had finally agreed to stop for a late lunch. Sango and Miroku had gone to look for some more fire wood and Kagome had started boiling water for some ramen, while Shippo and Kirara sprawled next to her. Everyone was irritable from lack of food- even the usually bubbly Kagome Higurashi was having trouble keeping her cool with a certain hanyou.

…..…Kagome's POV..…

"Apologies 'o' demanding one, I shall command the water to boil faster at once" was my dry reply.

"Keh." He responded, turning his back toward me.

"Yeah, I thought so." I muttered once again returning to giving the pot death glares. "First I get yelled at all day for not being a good enough shard detector, then yelled at for not making food fast enough, and on top of that it looks like it's gonna start pouring any second. Perfect!" I grumbled to no one in particular. The sky had turned black with thick ominous looking clouds about an hour ago and there was still no village in sight. Or so Inuyasha said, he could just be trying to get back at me for sitting him so many times earlier today.

"Don't worry Kagome; I'm sure we'll find some shelter before it starts to rain too hard." Shippo said with the most adorable smile I had ever seen. I couldn't help but grin back at him and tackle him into a hug.

"It's official, I love this kid!" I announced aloud, Shippo giggled and hugged me back.

"Enough with the sentimental shit! The water is boiling already, make me some damn ramen." Inuyasha hollered.

Before I could sit him I heard Sango yelling shrilly:

"Move your hand monk." She was standing rigid with an armful of wood; Miroku was standing slightly behind her, his left arm carrying his shakujou and his right hand was resting on Sango's bottom.

"But of course my lovely Sango" came his pert reply as his hand started moving in small slow circles.

"Pervert!" Sango yelled grabbing the biggest piece of wood from her arm and knocked him unconscious with one swing. I walked over to them and grabbed a long stick, I wanted to make sure he was okay but didn't want to get to close, lest his wandering hand decided to feel me up. I poked his head a couple of times…nothing.

"Wow Sango, you really let him have it." I said.

"Well I did warn him" she grumbled.

"You'd think the bozo would learn by now." Inuyasha stated as he hopped off his perch and walked over to us and lightly kicked the lecherous monk in the stomach. When Miroku gave no response Inuyasha gave a low whistle.

"I didn't know you could hit so hard" he said looking impressed. To be honest neither had I. Sango blushed but said nothing preferring to busy herself by pouring the water inside the ramen cups. Miroku regained consciousness a few minutes later and was handed a cup of ramen by Shippo. Miroku lightly massaged the monster sized bump on his head and sighed.

"Thanks to Sango's passionate show of affection I'll probably develop a concussion" he said, smiling slyly at her blush. Sango spluttered and flushed an even brighter red when he winked at her.

"Miroku, stop teasing." I said bopping him over the head.

"I'm sorry Lady Kagome, I should have realized you'd become jealous of my time spent with Sango. Not to worry! Tonight you shall have me all to yourself to do whatever you please." He said, taking my hands with a serious look in his eyes. Next thing I knew he was unconscious again and Sango was standing over him with her hiraikotsu raised over her head.

Suddenly Inuyasha was on his feet with his hand on his sword:

"Get ready; there are a couple of demons coming our way really fast. Sango get that bonehead out of here. He's in no condition to fight."

Sango nodded and slung Miroku on top of Kirara's back then flew away. I could sense the demons coming now, but something was off about one of them. I didn't have time to think about it. At that moment both of the demons came tumbling into the clearing. The larger one was a bear demon that looked absolutely terrifying. Its fur was matted and coffee colored, sharp claws protruded from heavy paws, on a massive head were gleaming crimson eyes and large jagged canines. The bear was ferociously attacking a snowy white kitsune who seemed bent on escaping rather than fighting back. He gracefully weaved in and out of range of the bears mighty swings.

"Come on Kagome, let's get out of here." Inuyasha said taking a step toward me. Suddenly the bear's claws made contact with the kitsune's ribs, with a sickening crack the fox demon went slamming into a tree. The bear lumbered after him preparing to attack again.

"Inuyasha, get the bear!" I yelled as I rushed over to help the poor fox. Shippo came trotting after my heels. Out of the corner of my eye I watched as Inuyasha unsheathed tetsusaiga and lunged at the bear. Knowing that he would be able to easily defeat it I focused on helping the injured fox in front of me. As I kneeled in front of him to look at the long gash on his side, he eyed me with large beautiful sapphire eyes but otherwise made no move to stop me. The kitsune was one of the smallest ones I had ever seen, but also one of the furriest. Its thick white fur looked sleek and silken, albeit a bit messy. He seemed so delicate but at the same time had a very powerful aura. Shaking my self out of my reverie I began to assess the gash. The cut wasn't as deep as I initially thought, and it didn't seem like he was losing a lot of blood, but it still needed to be cleansed and bandaged.

"Like momma always said, better safe than sorry" I muttered to myself, the kitsune gazed at me with an amused twinkle in his eye.

"Shippo, can you go get me my first aid kit?"

"Sure thing Kagome" He said with a determined face. Checking back on Inuyasha I could see that he was just about done with the battle. In fact if the smirk on his lips was anything to go on, I'm pretty sure he was just toying with it. Hearing a slight rustling sound I turned to look back at the kitsune and was surprised to a human form; a very handsome one to. His skin was incredibly pale and looked almost pearly in the sunlight. His hair had stayed the same snowy color as his fur; he had a long delicate nose, and full lips that seemed to have a pleased smile forever glued to his face.

"I apologize for startling such a lovely beauty as yourself, but I thought it would be easier for you to treat me in this form" He said with a charming smile.

"O-oh, umm, t-thanks, I guess" I said blushing. Just then both Inuyasha and Shippo came up beside me.

"Here you go, Kagome." Shippo said handing me the first aid kit.

"Thanks" I signaled the kitsune to open his robe. As soon as the robe was out of the way I began disinfecting the long gash then bandaged it. Getting up I decided it was about time for introductions:

"My name is Kagome, by the way, and this is Inuyasha and Shippo." I said pointing to each as I said their names.

"My beautiful miko, I apologize for not introducing myself earlier, I was somewhat distracted" He said gesturing to the bear demon's corpse. "My name is Daisuke, and I believe some thanks are in order for saving my life." He said kissing my hand, as I blushed.

"Oi! I was the one who killed the damn bear" Inuyasha growled. Hmm, I wonder he wants a kiss too, the thought almost made me giggle.

"True but as I recall the miko was the one who insisted that you do it, If not, you would have left" Daisuke said glaring at Inuyasha.

"Why you," Inuyasha snarled as he attempted to strike him.

"SIT!" I yelled. Inuyasha went crashing into the ground and started mumbling profanities into the dirt while Shippo snickered. Daisuke merely smiled and stood closer to me. Then he took out the most beautiful necklace I had ever seen. He took my hand and placed it gently into my hand.

"This is the Bara Medo, and it will grant you your inner most desires." He said seriously. As he was talking I could feel a strange magic from the silver disk seep into my skin. Its warm tendrils gave me the chills, but didn't feel dangerous at all. In fact, it felt pretty damn amazing.

"What kind of crap is that?" Inuyasha muttered as he dusted himself off.

"Shhhh, Inuyasha. " Shippo hissed, "Do you want Kagome to sit you again." Daisuke smiled down at him and ruffled his hair.

"I'm afraid I need to be going now. But remember what I said Kagome." Daisuke said looking at me meaningfully. "Put it on tonight before you go to bed and you shall see." With that he shifted back into his fox form and trotted into the forest. Shippo hopped on my shoulder and looked at the necklace.

"Did he mean that this thing can grant wishes?" He suggested innocently.

"I don't think so, Shippo. I've never felt anything like this before."

"Well don't just stand there looking at it all day! Let's go look for Sango and Miroku." Inuyasha grumbled. Nodding I hopped on his back while Shippo held on to my neck, I still had the necklace in my hand. I would keep it safe until tonight so I could see what the Bara Medo was really about.