Hellooo…So sorry that it took so long for me to update, I just got a new laptop and it took me forever to get Microsoft word on here and since I'd already written half of the chapter on word I couldn't continue writing until I got word again. Aaaaaaaanyways… I'm so glad so many people liked the prologue! Here's the first chapter! Also, my friend will be my first and new beta reader, first she is going through everything I've already written but soon she will be beta-ing my updates before I post them.

~Lovesick Puppies~

"Fix her!" Sesshoumaru growled.

"I cannot."

"What?" Sesshoumaru snarled.

"Must I repeat myself? I said I cannot."

"Why?"

"The child's curse was the price for bringing her back to life, if the price is not paid, then she will die, simple as that." The Ancient One shrugged and walked back to her seat.

Sesshoumaru followed her, stepping away from Kan and Kagome.

"Surely there's something that can be done."

"There is nothing. You must wait until the price is paid."

"And how long is that?"

"I do not know. It depends on how valuable the girl's soul is I suppose."

"So you know nothing."

The Ancient One glared at him. "I know many things, but what price magic requires can never be predicted. Magic is not something that can be completely controlled, if it were, you wouldn't be here right now. Now, I suggest you leave my home while I'm still feeling hospitable."

Kagome looked up at the teenage boy that was holding her.

"Why are you crying mister?" She put her tiny hands on Kan's tear streaked cheeks.

Kan just shook his head and pulled her into another hug.

Daini knelt beside them and gave Kagome a small smile. "We almost lost someone very important to us."

"Oh, did you find them?" Kagome asked.

Daini smiled. "Well, yes, I suppose we did, but we may not get to see her for a while."

Kagome returned Kan's hug and pulled away. She reached up and patted Kan on the head "You must be lonely." She paused, then clapped her hands excitedly. "I know I know! I'll be your friend so you won't be lonely while you wait for your friend. My name's Kagome! What's yours?"

Kan smiled. "My name is Kan." He took her tiny hand and pressed it to his lips. "It's nice to meet you little hime."

Kagome giggled. She looked between the three men and gasped. "You all have pretty hair! I wish my hair was that pretty! Are you brothers?"

Daini smirked. "You could say that."

"And what's your name mister?"

"My name is Daini, and this… is Sesshoumaru." He gestured to the man as he returned to their side.

Sesshoumaru kneeled before them. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine Mr. Sesshoumaru."

Sesshoumaru held out his hand.

Kan released her and nudged her towards Sesshoumaru.

Kagome held out her hand. "My name's Kagome!"

Sesshoumaru took her hand and kissed it like Kan did. "Come Kagome, it's time we leave."

"Where're we going?" she asked.

"We must return to our home." Daini answered.

"Won't Mama be mad if I don't stay here and wait for her?"

"No, little Hime, your Mama knows you are with us."

"I guess it's okay then."

Sesshoumaru picked her up and headed to the door.

"Bye bye!" Kagome waved energetically to the Ancient One as Sesshoumaru left the hut.

Kan followed closely behind them. Daini turned towards the Ancient One and bowed his head.

"Thank you. I do not know what we would have done if we'd truly lost her."

"I have done you no favors boy. Watch that child closely, one does not know if that is the only change she has taken on."

"What do you mean?"

"As I said, the price of magic cannot be predicted." The Ancient One let out a yawn and turned away from him.

Daini nodded and left. He joined the others who stood outside the hut.

Kagome sat contentedly in Sesshoumaru's arms, swaddled in her oversized clothes.

"Before we start," Daini gestured towards Kagome with open arms.

Sesshoumaru handed her over and Daini used his claws to cut the kimono Kagome wore. The slightly frayed kimono now ended at the girl's knees. He readjusted and tied it so that it was no longer falling off of her shoulders. "There, that's better isn't it?"

"Uh huh!" Kagome grinned.

Sesshoumaru picked her up again and they took off into the forest.

Shippo looked at the small girl in Sesshoumaru's arms. Kagome had fallen asleep on the way back.

"Mama?" The kit asked. "Is that my mama?"

Sesshoumaru nodded solemnly.

"What happened to her?" Shippo sniffled.

"She… had an accident. Don't worry, it's not permanent."

"She's tiny like Sesshoumaru was! I mean… Sesshoumaru-sama." Shippo quickly corrected himself.

"Shippo," Sesshoumaru called, catching the boy's attention. "I may no longer be a child, but I still claim your mother as my intended," Shippo was shocked, but nodded quickly and looked away. "and you, as my own." Shippo's eyes widened.

"R-really?" he whispered.

"Of course pup," Daini smiled. "Why would we change simply because the original is back to normal? He had claimed Kagome long before he was cursed, you as well."

Kagome shifted in Sesshoumaru's hold and her eyes slowly opened.

"Hm? Are we there yet? We've been traveling for days." She murmered. She looked around. "Ohh! Wow!" She squirmed in Sesshoumaru's hold until he put her down.

"Hi!" She grinned at Shippo. "My name's Kagome! What's yours? Is that a real tail? Oh wow! Your feet are like a fox's! How old are you? Do you live here?"

Kan laughed. "Calm down little hime, you're asking too many questions at once, give him a chance to answer."

"Oh," Kagome blushed. "Sorry."

"Ummmm, my name's Shippo."

"Shippo, I like that… why do you have a tail?"

"Cuz I'm a fox demon."

"Waaaaaaaa! That's amazing!" Kagome giggled and clapped her hands.

Shippo's chest swelled a bit with pride.

"But," Kagome bit her lip, "My Grandpa says that demons are evil, but you don't look evil to me. Grandpa also said they don't like humans very much. Does that mean you won't like me?" She pouted.

"I like you! I like you a lot!" Shippo protested.

"Really?! I like you too!" Kagome grinned.

She looked at Daini. "Are you fox demons too?"

"No Koi, we are Silver Inus."

Kagome nodded and smiled.

"MILORD!" Jaken squawked as he rushed into the room. "YOU'VE RETURNED TO NORMAL! THANK THE GODS! Your faithful servant never doubted that you would return! And you've gotten rid of the human woman! Splendid!" he caught sight of Kagome and let out a surprised croak. "W-what is that?!"

Kagome squealed and hid behind Sesshoumaru's legs, burying her face in the fabric.

"Another human child?!" Jaken let out a squawky wail "My poor Lord surrounds himself with filthy humans!"

Kan kneeled next to Kagome, ignoring the toad. "Kagome?"

The little girl released Sesshoumaru's legs and latched onto Kan, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face into his shoulder.

"It's scary." She whispered into his shoulder. "I don't think it likes me."

"Nothing to be afraid of Koi, he will not hurt you, we won't allow it."

"P-promise?"

"Of course."

Kagome pulled away a bit. "Am I dirty?"

"Now why would you think that?"

"Mr. Toad said humans are filthy."

"You are nothing of the sort."

Kagome bit her lip and looked away.

"Can ma- … Kagome… come and play in the gardens with me?" Shippo asked.

Kagome squealed in excitement, "Oh I love gardens! Are there a lot of pretty flowers?"

Shippo nodded.

"Can I go? Please?"

Kan paused, but nodded and let her down on the floor.

"You two go ahead, I'll join you shortly, make sure to stay near the maids until I arrive."

The two children nodded and rushed off to the gardens.

Kan watched the little girl scamper off before turning towards Sesshoumaru and Jaken. The toad was jabbering about duties in between his bouts of worship and despair.

Sesshoumaru cast a knowing look at both Kan and Daini and they all nodded.

They had a toad to squash.

Kan and Daini joined Kagome and Shippo in the garden shortly after dealing their punishment to Jaken.

The two children were laughing and chasing each other through the garden.

"What are we to do Daini?" Kan asked, watching the little girl chase down the fox kit.

"All we can do is wait."

"How do we explain this to those attending the Youkai Ball? We cannot hide her and watch her at the same time."

"No, she will have to accompany us, she can't be left alone, certainly not with so many males roaming around during the ball. I shall have the servants prepare an outfit for the ball along with a small wardrobe for her."

Kan nodded, but stopped Daini before he left. "Do you think her scent will have the same effect on males now that she is a child?"

Daini stiffened. "We can only pray that it does not."

~AN~

Okay! Done! As I said I'm sorry for not posting as soon as I said I would. I hope you enjoyed my little chapter.

Next chapter: The Youkai Ball… it'll be a good one, I promise :D