Disclaimer: I do not currently own Inuyasha. Anyone want to join me in gathering a group and storming Rumiko Takahashi's house?

Betray Me Once

Chapter One

Shippou leaned against a tree, plucking pine needles from a fallen branch to keep his fingers occupied. Anything to keep him from having to go back to the hut. Everything was wrong since Kagome had…Shippou tore another pine needle from the branch savagely. Why did it have to be Kagome? Those first few weeks after his parents had killed had been horrible. The only thing that had kept him from giving up was the hope that he could avenge his parents, which he knew had been foolish, but there wasn't anything else he could think about. Then, he had found a chance to steal a jewel shard from a human woman, and he had taken it. Instead of punishing him for it, or killing him for it, the human woman, Kagome, had defended him against her companion. She had then gone on to protect him from the Thunder Brothers, him, a useless little fox kit that had tried to steal the shards from her. From then on, Shippou knew he was safe with this strange group, and especially Kagome. He knew Inuyasha cared for him in a vague sort of way, after all, that's what pack members did, but Kagome didn't care about him because of some demon instinct, she just cared about him. She loved him. Kagome had become his new world. She brought him toys, feed him new and tasty food, played with him, protected him, did everything! And he had done his best to protect, love, and comfort her in return.

One time! He had trusted Inuyasha one time to watch her while she was looking for something for Keade, and the stupid mutt had been fooled by Naraku and Kagome had been killed! Naraku didn't even leave her body for a proper burial!

Shippou felt tears starting to spring up in his eyes again, and he hastily scrubbed his arm across his face. He glared angrily down the hill at the hut where he knew Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango were most likely once more discussing strategy. After some yelling and a lot of anger and tears, the others had forgiven Inuyasha. After all, as Miroku and Sango had tried to explain to Shippou, it was understandable. Naraku was adept at tricking people. It was understandable, though a sad fact, that Inuyasha had been manipulated again. It had been months now since Kagome's death now, however, and Shippou was still furious with Inuyasha. He had been tricked by Naraku before, Kagome had even been controlled a couple of times, and yet he had accepted the situation at face value! Didn't even try to see if something was wrong!

He could see Kirara coming up the hill, her tails twitching above the grass the only indication of her presence. His tail twitched angrily in response. Sango had probably sent her out looking for him. Everyone was coddling him ever since Kagome died. Well, Miroku and Sango were. Inuyasha wasn't much for talking nowadays. He was really into killing Naraku, and that was about all he thought about. Shippou gave him that much. He still didn't forgive him though. And Inuyasha had yet to even look him in the eye once since everything had happened.

The rest of Kirara popped out of the grass in front of him. "I don't want to go back right now," Shippou told her. Kirara mewed, and simply curled up in a good spot of sun. Shippou watched her for a moment cautiously, to make sure she wasn't going to transform and carry him back to the hut like a little disobedient kit. She had done that before, and Shippou never wanted that to happen again.

Kirara, however, seemed intent on thoroughly enjoying her cat nap, so Shippou relaxed. Sadly, not for long. He had just closed his eyes and Sango was there, scooping Kirara up and grabbing his hand and tugging him along behind her.

"Jewel shard rumor," she said tersely as she hurried back down towards the hut. Shippou shut up before he even had a chance to protest. The main reason he had stayed with the group had been because he wanted to see Naraku's destruction, and help as much as he could. He might have not been able to help defeat the Thunder Brothers, but he was older and stronger now, and he could help the other's defeat Naraku.

"How far away?" Shippou asked. He would have jumped onto her shoulder, but he had grown slightly over the months, and couldn't quite fit anymore.

"Just a few villages over. Myouga brought the information, we have to hurry," Sango told him, "You know how we keep missing getting the jewel shard because of some person in grey? Supposedly he's going that way too. Inuyasha refuses to let that person get another jewel shard, especially because that person is probably working for Naraku."

Shippou nodded. "Are we riding Kirara?"

Sango sighed. "It would be easier if you would ride with Inuyasha, you know? He doesn't show it, but I think it really doesn't help that you won't forgive him."

Though Sango couldn't see it, Shippou snarled. "I don't want to talk about it."

Sango sighed. "I really miss Kagome too, Shippou, but you can't blame him for it forever."

"Wanna bet?" Shippou asked, purposely using a modern expression that Sango would recognize. Sango bit her lip to keep from saying anything else.

Outside Keade's hut, Shippou saw Miroku and Inuyasha standing outside, Inuyasha's foot tapping slightly.

Inuyasha might have complained about taking time out to get the runt, but he never said anything to or about Shippou anymore. He barely even deigned to notice his presence. Instead he said, "Finally, let's get going already! If we don't get there first this time and all we see is that grey creep making off with the jewel, we won't be coming back here until we destroy him!"

Kirara jumped out of Sango's hands, transforming midair, and Shippou, Sango, and Miroku quickly mounted in that order. It only took about an hour to get to the village, and instead of stopping in the village, they headed straight for where they heard the fighting. It was a snake demon, which was probably what was delaying the grey warrior. However, just before they could clearly see what happened, the snake demon disappeared, and the figure, swathed in grey without a single spot of flesh to be seen, snatched the falling jewel shard out of the air. On the ground now, Shippou snuck closer to the grey warrior. Suddenly, a fire cat jumped out of the bushes just as Inuyasha ran to intercept the warrior. Shippou hurried, not worrying as much about sound as Inuyasha distracted the person, and transformed into his smallest transformation, a flea. He climbed onto the fire cat as the person jumped on, and held on tightly as the fire cat leapt into the air. He knew the others would be worried, but he could now hold his transformations for much longer and better, and would be able to find out who the person was, and possibly even Naraku's hide out.

He didn't know how long the fire cat remained airborne, but he did know it was night when he landed. He heard the rider dismount and speak to his cat. "Thanks, Yukio, that was close that time. That stupid snake demon was annoying." Shippou shivered. He heard things differently in this form, but he could still tell that the voice was as harsh as a storm wind's roar.

He jumped off, not seeing the fire cat growl lowly and but against the figure. He was, however, able to jump into the bushes and change into a rabbit, something that could see and hear better then a flea, at least for his purposes. He watched through the leaves as the figure stretched slightly and put down a bow and arrows. He observed her rather efficient laying out of her camp, gathering wood and letting her fire cat start the fire before transforming into its smaller form and curling up by it. She rummaged in her pack, pulling out some bits of food. Shippou could feel his stomach rumble at the thought. His eyes opened wide as he watched the hands start to unwind the fabric from not his, but her head. But that wasn't the thing that caught his attention.

He quickly knew why she kept her face covered. Scars covered it in a thick web, thin lines tracing a macabre pattern across her face and down to apparently below the line of her clothing. Shippou wasn't sure what would be worse, her willing sitting through someone doing that or being forced to have that done to her body. She had pretty blue eyes though, like Kagome. Shippou felt a small twinge of pain in his heart. The figure looked up from taking a small bit.

"Is someone out there?" the woman asked, and even though her voice was so harsh, Shippou was sure he could detect a hint of nervousness. Shippou decided, on a crazy whim, to take a chance. He poked his head through the bushes, blinking innocently. The woman smiled, relieved. "Oh, hello! You're a cutie!"

Shippou twitched his nose. The woman chuckled, and slowly grabbed her sack and rummaged through it, talking quietly the whole time.

"I have a carrot here somewhere, the villagers are always grateful when I help save their village from a marauding demon. If they have extra, I allow it, but I make sure to refuse if they don't have enough. I can always forage, but it is much harder to feed a family and I don't want to make it more difficult. Anyways, ah, here it is!" the woman exclaimed triumphantly. She slowly took it from the sack, continuing to try and not frighten him, and getting on her hands and knees, she slowly crept towards him, holding the carrot in front of her. "Are you hungry? I think you're hungry, I can tell it from where I was. That's what startled me. Now be a good little demon rabbit, and not like the one in that silly English film Monty Python and the Holy Grail." She stopped about a yard from him and got on her belly, holding the carrot out in front of her. Shippou, whose rabbit nose was continuously twitching as he laughed inside, crept towards her. He was hungry, and while raw carrot wasn't his favorite thing, meat wasn't really good for this body, and he needed energy to maintain his illusion.

He started nibbling on the carrot, keeping his eyes on her the entire time. The woman's smile brightened, and he almost felt like smiling back at her. This was obviously not one of Naraku's minions. After all, would one of Naraku's minions feed a rabbit of all things? He decided he'd stick around for awhile, and see what the woman was like and what she knew. Maybe she could join the group, and they would be even more likely to kill Naraku. If she was able to keep getting the jewel shards before him and the others, then she must be good.

He finished the carrot and yawned, then flicked an ear. The woman laughed, a harsh sound, but he was beginning to get used to her voice and face. She slowly came forward, and he held as still as he could. She picked him up and cuddled him. "You're a real sweetie, you know that? I bet you used to be someone's pet and escaped. Either that or you're a really smart demon bunny. Maybe, if you seem safe enough, I know a little girl who might be interested in you as a pet. I can't keep you forever, you see. I travel a lot, and Naraku and a lot of other demons are after me. But you'd be safe with the girl, as long as she protects you from Jaken. Jaken would probably want you as dinner, not a pet."

Shippou blinked, surprised. Jaken? A little girl? Then he shook his head slightly. Surely not. Besides, by the time she decided to take him to whoever it was, he would have either revealed his presence or left.

That night he slept quite warmly, snuggled up to the woman under several blankets along with the woman's fire cat, who was apparently named Yukio. He was secretly grateful for all the practice he got avoiding the others in the forest by disguising himself as forest creatures. He was still tired from holding this form, but he knew he'd be able to keep it while he slept, and hopefully he could get more food the next morning from the woman. He gratefully fell asleep, snoring light rabbit snores.

The next morning he was awakened bright and early. His little rabbit stomach rumbled, and he watched eagerly as she rummaged around in her bag. All she came up with, however, was a few leaves left over from some cabbage.

"I'm really sorry," she apologized, "I'll stop by a village sometime today and lay in a new stock of vegetables, at least enough for the next few days."

Shippou was really grateful. He hated cabbage. He was allowed to go on a small walk to take care of necessities, and then he returned. She set him on top of her clothing in the sack with only his head poking out, and was able to watch over her shoulder as she mounted Yukio.

"Let's head that way, Yukio! If I remember correctly, there was a prosperous village in that direction!" she said. By now, she had covered her head again, of course, and Shippou was hoping he might learn more of this woman in town, including, hopefully, her name.

He wasn't disappointed. She was greatly enthusiastically in the village by cries of, "Lady Maro, Lady Maro! You've come back!"

"Hello," Lady Maro replied.

"Lady Maro, there isn't any trouble, is there?" a man questioned.

"No, no, today's market day, is it not? I just want to trade for a few necessities," Lady Maro said.

"Lady Maro!" an older lady scolded, "How many times have you saved this village? We don't mind sparing you a few things, especially when you ask for so little."

Lady Maro sighed. "Really, I don't need that much. It's only me, my fire cat, and now this little fellow," she reached over her shoulder and scratched Shippou head a little, a rather delightful feeling, embarrassingly enough, "and everyone insists on giving me things. With everything I get, it's surprising me and Yukio are not as fat as cows!"

Shippou continued to watch as someone who would normally be considered a suspicious figure was accepted with ease, gratitude, and excitement. She tried to bargain with the shopkeepers to trade in a few well cured deer skins and a few other things, but instead she was offered money, and the food and a few other things were thrown in extra. The children weren't afraid of her either, and came up to her wanting to pet him and Yukio. Shippou put up with it with tolerance, remembering how he used to tug on fur and ears until Kagome had taught him how to properly handle animals. Luckily, Lady Maro did the same thing, and all the children listened carefully and obediently.

When Lady Maro left, everyone yelled or waved goodbye, wishing her a good journey. If Shippou had needed any more proof of this woman's good nature to animals, humans, and demons alike, he had it.

That night as he gratefully nibbled on a carrot, he almost leapt three feet in the air when Kagura landed in front of Lady Maro.

"Lady," Kagura bowed, surprising Shippou, "I bring you news. Naraku grows angrier by the day because of your actions and his inability to spy anymore. He's having to trust me more since Kanna was taken. I can never express my gratitude for what you have done for me," Kagura bowed again.

Lady Maro, who had grinned savagely upon hearing about Naraku's anger, turned a slight pink as Kagura bowed again. "That really isn't necessary. I just wish he hadn't found such a good place to hide. It's incredibly difficult to get close to him. I wish I could draw him out somehow."

"Yes, it is necessary," Kagura informed her, "And for everything you have done, it is only proper to show respect. I just wish I could help more."

"Nonsense!" Lady Maro replied, "I haven't even done that much to help you. I wish there was some way I could give you back your heart more quickly. Maybe after Kanna gets on her feet, she could sneak in and obtain it. Her presence wouldn't alert the wards."

"Until Naraku is destroyed in front of me, there isn't any other place I'd rather be. The day I see him destroyed into the smallest bits of dust imaginable will be the happiest in my life," Kagura fervently declared.

"I know the feeling," Lady Maro said just as fervently.

"Why haven't you gone back?" Kagura questioned after a moment, "It's not like Naraku doesn't know who you are. You aren't protecting them by not returning, Kagome."

Shippou froze. Lady Maro, or was it Kagome, sighed. "I, I just can't face them. It was so hard, even after returning from that place, to get back on my feet. I can't return to them. They'd be horrified. I couldn't bear to see the looks on their faces when they realize what exactly happened to me. They're better off without me anyways. They are staying away from danger, and Naraku has no real incentive to go after them right now."

Kagura snorted. "No real incentive? You know the moment he snatched one of them up, the fox kit for instance, you would willing walk right into his trap with open eyes."

Kagome sighed. "I just, it's been so," Kagome trailed off, then looked Kagura straight into her eyes. "You know what happened to me, Kagura. I'm barely holding it together as it is. I'm not sure what would happen if I went back."

Kagura sighed as well. "I know, Kagome. Naraku truly is a monster. It's a miracle you survived at all."

"It's only thanks to Kikyou's soul that I did," Kagome admitted, "that and luck. When she first returned to me, she didn't join immediately, and that flower was blooming."

"I hate to ask this," Kagura said, "but what exactly did happen? You need to talk about it sometime."

Kagome opened her mouth, and then closed it and her eyes. Her face twisted in pain, and she suddenly started rocking back and forth, drawing her knees up to her chin as tears started falling down her face. Kagura rushed over, awkwardly hugging her.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it's okay, relax, it's okay. We're going to purify his ass, remember? For taking everything away from us? Please, please Kagome!" Kagura was starting to cry lightly herself now, "Please?" Kagome slightly uncurled, then flung herself onto Kagura, sobbing. Kagura rocked her slightly, rubbing her hair and crooning. A small wind started blowing, and Kagura thanked it silently as it cooled Kagome's almost feverish skin. Shippou continued to watch in disbelief, limp and trembling, his entire body tense.

Finally Kagome stopped crying. "I'm sorry," she managed, "it's just sometimes, when I remember, it's like I'm there again and I can't do anything. I'm not sure what's going to happen at the final battle. I'm so afraid I'll fall apart if he does anything like he did back then."

"Don't worry," Kagura said confidently, "You're a true miko now. You'll make it. You have me, and Kanna, and everyone else that is willing to help. Even that stupid idiot of a wolf."

Kagome managed to laugh slightly. "I'm so glad he doesn't know yet."

"Me too. It's not my fault his wolf friends attacked me! What was I supposed to do, just run away or let them kill me? They were weak!" Kagura protested.

Kagome smiled slightly. "I didn't mean that and you know it. But thank you, really."

"Thank you, Lady Kagome," Kagura said, smiling in relief now that her friend was mostly back to normal.

"I hate that name," Kagome protested, "It's bad enough all of those villagers insist on calling me Lady Maro and keep giving me things. I just helped keep some demons from attacking them a few times!"

Kagura just shook her head. "You might not realize your worth right now, Lady Kagome," she said, "but others do, and you cannot fault us for reminding you."

Kagome sighed. "You better go back now. How is Kohaku, before you go, though?"

"He's all right. I think he's regained his memories, though I am not sure," Kagura said, "he's being sneaky about it."

"I hope there's some way to save him. I'd hate to have a kid that's been through so much die, especially since it would devastate Sango," Kagome said.

"Me too," Kagura replied, "He's not bad, for a kid."

"Anyways, again, you better know. Just because Naraku trusts you now, it doesn't mean that state will continue," Kagome commanded.

"No kidding," Kagura said, and, pulling out her feather, she disappeared into the sky.

Kagome watched her go, until suddenly she felt a much stronger demonic aura at her back then her recently acquired pet had, and she turned around, hands automatically going to her bow and arrows. Her heart almost stopped when she saw Shippou standing there, a few inches taller, with big watery eyes staring at her. "Kagome?" his plaintive voice asked, "Is it really you?"

End Chapter One

Okay, the reason for the abnormally long wait between chapters: first no one reviewed, and I had other stories to work on and post, so I actually forgot about this story. The first big reason for this being updated is because ancient relic unearthed this story from somewhere, and reviewed it and reminded me this story existed. Then I had NaNo, and I needed to update my other stories, and I wasn't quite sure where I wanted to go with this next, so it took awhile for me to type this up. Once I actually figured out what I wanted to do with this, it didn't take me any time at all to get it typed up. I actually whipped this up yesterday, but was too tired by the end of writing it to post.

Anyways, I have remembered this story, and now that I've started posting again, I will definitely post more regularly. Just keep reminding me this story exists, and I'll do my best!