Kagome walked along the ground of Inuyasha's Forest early the next morning. She had been up from dawn and out of boredom, had down her chores for the day. She now had nothing to do and it wasn't even noon! Kagome sighed. Sango was stressing over the wedding, Miroku was trying to calm her down, Keade was in her garden and insisted she didn't need help, and Inuyasha was someplace…

Kagome remembered a time when she would have been paranoid about what he was doing on his own. But, she didn't need to be. She trusted Inuyasha more now… and Kikyou was no where to be found…

The dead priestess had disappeared months ago and hadn't come after Inuyasha yet. Kagome was beginning to wonder whether she wanted to take Inuyasha to hell with her or not. Kagome yawned and covered her mouth. Now the sleepiness sets in…

Sniff…

Kagome stood up straighter. Someone was following her. Hide, Inuyasha and Shippou flashed though her mind. It was none of them. This was a demon, a weak one. It was hiding behind a tree to her far right. Kagome fixed her hair that the wind messed up. As usual, her hair was out. It was something that she felt distinguished her from Kikyou when she dressed like the dead priestess.

Kagome sat in the middle of the clearing. The grass was warm and thick under her. She looked at the tree.

"I know you're there," she said.

A small shuffling sound was heard, but they didn't run off. "I'm not going to hurt you. Won't you come out?"

She could see a small figure peek out. It was a child. After a while, they stepped from behind the tree. It was a small Inu Youkai. He stayed in a bush, and watched Kagome with fear in his eyes.

"Hey. What's your name?"

"…"

"My name's Kagome. You're an Inu Youkai aren't you," she asked, even though she knew the answer. They boy nodded. He had the same amber eyes, but what shocked Kagome was the little white and black puppy ears on his head and silver hair with black ends. He looked like a little Inuyasha, but mixed.

He backed up slowly. "No, don't leave. Why don't you come over here and talk to me. I won't hurt you."

She watched him look her over. Fortunately, she had left her bow and arrows at the hut and he couldn't see her concealed weapons (of course). He took a step out of the bush and paused. Another step… step… step…

Eventually, he was about three feet away when he sat on the ground. He looked like he would dash if the need arose.

"See? I'm not going to hurt you. Why don't you tell me what's you name?" Kagome tried again.

She barely heard his reply, "Takeo."

Valiant male? Kagome smiled, "That's a pretty name. I like it."

Takeo blushed. Kagome noticed his clothes. They were what looked like a dirty white kimono. There were red stains…

"What happened to your clothes, Takeo?"

He inched away from her slightly. Kagome folded her hands in her lap, "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"Some demons attacked me yesterday," he said.

"Why?"

"They said I was stinking up their land with my half-breed stench."

He's a half-demon… that explains the mixed colors…

"Kagome!"

Takeo looked frightened at the intrusion and Kagome was afraid that he would run off. But, he stayed in place. She turned away slowly. Inuyasha was watching her and Takeo suspiciously.

"What do you need, Inuyasha?" Kagome asked, "I'm trying to have a conversation."

Inuyasha looked offended and folded his arms to make up for it.

"That's the thanks I get for coming to look for you. I'll remember that when you really need my help," he said.

"But, I'm fine. Thank you for your concern, Inuyasha," Kagome said softly. He narrowed her eyes at her and uttered a soft, 'Keh'. Kagome turned back to Takeo. The young boy was watching Inuyasha with an emotion Kagome couldn't describe. It was like fear, respect, and suspicion rolled into one.

"Takeo, are you hungry?" Kagome asked him. Takeo turned back to her and his mouth opened and closed repeatedly. Inuyasha watched Kagome weirdly.

"It's ok to say you are. I can get you something to eat if you want," Kagome said with her smile. The same smile she gave to Inuyasha to get him to give in. It worked every time.

Takeo nodded 'yes'. It never fails. Kagome stood and held out her hand for the boy. He walked over to her slowly, watching Inuyasha all the way. He took her hand with only slight hesitation. Kagome led Takeo away.

"Inuyasha, are you coming?" Kagome asked the hanyou when he stayed in his spot. He watched her before following after.

"Who's the kid?" Inuyasha asked when he caught up. Inuyasha watched him warily. He was a half-demon with the stench of demon blood and mud stuck to him.

"You could be nicer and more polite with that question. If you must know, this is Takeo and I'm going to give him some lunch. He's my new friend," Kagome said. Takeo watched the two talk to each other, but stared at Kagome when she announced he was her friend. He never had a friend before…

"You go out into the forest and you come back with a kid," Inuyasha said dryly.

"So? I'm bored in the afternoons. Sango and Miroku are always together, Keade doesn't want me to help her, and you're always doing whatever it is you do. So, I got a new friend to talk to."

Inuyasha watched the boy. He didn't like him. Some little brat just waltzes in and already he's Kagome's friend? He didn't get to be her friend until after a week of meeting her. Who exactly was this kid?

Takeo looked up to see Inuyasha glaring at him. Takeo walked closer to Kagome. Kagome looked at Takeo when he stepped on her foot. He was staring up in fear… at Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha, stop that!" Kagome said. Inuyasha stopped at once and sent a questioning glance at Kagome.

"What?" he asked.

"Stop glaring at Takeo. Be nice. Takeo's just a boy- a child," Kagome said looked away. Takeo watched Inuyasha's response. He glared at Kagome.

"I'll do what I please, bitch," Inuyasha said and folded his arms. Takeo's eyes widen. Inuyasha smirked at the boy.

"Inuyasha, Sit," Kagome said. Inuyasha went straight down and made a Inuyasha crater in the mud. Takeo watched in amazement at the power Kagome had. He wondered if she would do the same to him.

"Takeo, don't be like Inuyasha. He's a big Meany. I know that you're better than that. You're a good boy," Kagome said and held his hand tighter. Takeo looked back at Inuyasha again. What had he gotten himself into?

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Miroku sat by the river with his eyes closed. He was trying to meditate and focus his energies on-

"Ha, ha! Ai, get back here!"

"You'll never catch me Sao!"

Miroku peeked an eyes open to see some of the village girls splashing around in the river. Apparently, they had finished washing their clothes. So much for meditating…

"Miroku! I thought you said you were going to meditate," Sango said with her fists on her hips. She appeared out of thin air next to Miroku. The monk glanced nervously between Sango and the giggling girls in the river. The watched the scene with interest. Sango raised an eyebrow at the monk. Miroku smiled and stood smoothly.

"Sango, my sweet, you have nothing to fear. If you want me all to yourself, all you have to do is ask," Miroku said and approached her. Sango steep back.

"Miroku, stay back. I don't like that look in your eye. Miroku! Don't make me hurt you!" Sango said backing away.

"Sango," Miroku said and stopped in front of her. Sango froze with wide eyes. Then she felt it…

Slap! Thud! Groan…

Sango stalked away from Miroku with an irate face. Miroku was laying on the ground with a blissful expression on his face. "So is the life of a cursed monk…" he sighed.

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Kagome hummed to herself while she made four bowls of Ramen. Inuyasha watched her move silently, his eyes switching to the brat (as he so kindly called him). Takeo looked at Inuyasha and ducked behind Kagome.

"Who dat girl? Who dat girl? Who dat girl?" Kagome sang quietly.

"Ka…gome?" Takeo asked timidly.

"Hai?" she asked. She turned her full attention to the young boy and Inuyasha glared at the kid harder.

"What are you singing?" Takeo asked in a small voice. He was now more terrified than anything of Inuyasha.

"It's a song I like. It's-"

"I can't believe him! The nerve of that pervert!" Sango ranted as she came into the hut. She grabbed one of the bowls of Ramen and started stabbing it with her chopsticks. Takeo moved further behind Kagome, Inuyasha spluttered at the stolen Ramen, and Kagome sighed at her friend.

"Sango, this is Takeo. Takeo, this is my friend Sango," Kagome said. Takeo peeked out from behind Kagome's back. Sango stopped assaulting the noodles and looked up at Kagome. A small child was behind her.

"Hello, there. I'm sorry if I scared you. I'm just mad at someone right now," Sango said and the anger seeped into her dark brown eyes.

Takeo crept out from behind Kagome's back. Sango extended her hand to the boy. Takeo took it with only slight hesitation. She smiled at the boy.

"Aren't you adorable," Sango said and tickled Takeo. The boy giggled with glee. Inuyasha snorted. The brat was just soaking up the attention…

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Kanna walked in front of a wooden alter. She placed a small paper with Kanji on it and it instantly set a blaze. A small blue flame lit up the once dark room. The shoji door slid open and two figures walked in.

One was male with green eyes, loose bluish-black hair the was shoulder length, olive skin tone, with a short sleeved black kimono (without the poofy pants), black boots, and an orange/red sun crest was marked on his forehead.

The other was a woman. She had violet eyes, bluish-black long hair that was tied back in a red ribbon, olive skin tone, and a red kimono (stops mid-thigh) w/ black obi belt, and sandals.

They kneeled before the blue flame.

"Your brothers and sisters are both fools and failures. I have a task for you," the flame spoke. Kanna raised her mirror, a blank expression on her face. The two kneeling figures looked at the mirror. The man smiled at the images that came up.

"We will not fail you father," the man said. They bowed their heads.

"Go now my children. Go now Takeshi and Kasumi," the flame spoke again and it burned brighter with each word.

Moi-Moi: Could this be the plot beginning to unfold? Who could these two people be? What deadly task have they been assigned?

Vocab.

Takeo: "valiant warrior"

Takeshi: "fierce warrior"

Kasumi: "mist"