Chapter 2

Kagome and the whole gang gaped at the little Inuyasha, crying in Kagome's arms. Miroku cleared his throat. "Kagome, we need to take him to Keade." He said. Kagome nodded absently, moving like a zombie. By the time they reached the village, Inuyasha had fallen asleep in Kagome's arms.

"This is dark magic…I'm afraid I cannot help ye." Keade said. They were gathered around the fire, Inuyasha and Shippo sleeping in Kagome's sleeping bag on the floor.

"What are we going to do?" Kagome looked at Inuyasha's sleeping form.

"Maybe the spell will wear off?" Sango ventured.

"Let's hope it's that easy." Miroku said. After a little more talking and planning, the gang decided to go to sleep. Kagome laid an extra sleeping bag for herself on the floor since Inuyasha and Shippo were occupying hers. Kagome got in her sleeping bag and watched Inuyasha sleep. He sure is adorable, she thought, smiling, his tiny little ears…and Kagome drifted off to sleep.

Sometime later, Kagome was forced awake when a little body shoved itself in her sleeping bag. Groggily Kagome scolded Shippo for waking her up, and was surprised when she saw it was little Inuyasha. He yawned and said, "That little kitsune boy kicks too much, so I'm gonna just sleep with you." Inuyasha's voice was so tiny. Kagome blinked at him. "Okay…" she said. Little Inuyasha yawned again and snuggled against her. "Thanks, lady."

"You can call me Kagome." Kagome wrapped her arms around the little boy. He sighed a happy sigh.

"Kagome, you smell nice." Inuyasha said before falling asleep. Kagome just held him tighter, a smile on her face.

The next morning, everyone in the hut awoke to a little hanyou running around, playing. Kagome covered her head with her pillow, but it didn't help. "Uuuhhhhg! Inuyashaaaa! Sit!"

WHAM!

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Inuyasha bawled. Everyone shot Kagome daggers. Sango had her hands clapped over her ears.

"He's louder than before!" She shouted over his wails.

"I'm sorry! I forgot!" Kagome said to everyone. She rushed to pick up the little hanyou off the floor. He sobbed in her arms, a lifeless doll.

"Inuyasha! I'm so sorry!" Kagome cradled him against her.

"F-first the villagers w-won't let me play ball…" Inuyasha cried, "Then S-Sesshomaru hits m-me…then…then nice l-lady Kagome h-hurts me!" He hiccupped and cried and Kagome comforted the child until the storm of tears passed. When he had lain quietly in her arms for some time, Kagome sat him upright on her lap and smiled at him saying, "Are you hungry, big boy?" This cheered him up. "YEAH!" Inuyasha roared, jumping up. Kagome laughed and began preparing breakfast.

"Kagome this is good!" Inuyasha said, gobbling up his breakfast. Kagome grinned.

"Thank you, Inuyasha." She said.

"No problem!" Inuyasha shoved more food in his mouth, "Kagome, you'd make a good mama!" Kagome blushed when he said this. Boy, Inuyasha sure was different when he was little…she thought. Miroku and Sango seemed to be thinking the same thing as they shot her funny glances. When everyone was done eating, Shippo invited Inuyasha to go collect mushrooms and acorns with him and Inuyasha gladly agreed. Shippo beamed at Inuyasha, happy to have made a new friend. They skipped off together, laughing and playing.

"Shippo seems to like the new Inuyasha better than the old one." Miroku observed.

"He is rather cute." Sango said. Kagome sighed.

"What will it take to turn him back to normal?" Kagome said.

"Patience, Kagome. We will find a way to end this curse. For the time being, let's just take care of Inuyasha the best we can." Miroku said.

"Yeah, you're right," Kagome stretched and walked to the door, "I'm going to go keep an eye on those two."

"Holler if you need anything." Sango waved to her.

Kagome walked into a meadow where Shippo and Inuyasha were having a fake sword fight with sticks.

"Haha! Take that!" Inuyasha jumped into the air and landed a hit on Shippo's shoulder.

"Ouch!" Shippo teared up, holding his injury. Kagome was about to intervene and scold Inuyasha when she suddenly stopped.

"I'm sorry, Shippo!" Inuyasha dropped his sword and rushed to Shippo. "Let me see it." He said, gently touching Shippo's arm. Shippo sniffled and pulled up his sleeve, revealing a little red mark where Inuyasha's sword had hit him.

"Boy, I'm awful sorry, Shippo," Inuyasha touched the wound with great tenderness, "How can I make it up to you?" Shippo dried his tears and smiled at Inuyasha.

"S'okay!" Shippo put his arm around little Inuyasha, "Let's pick flowers for Kagome!" Inuyasha forgot the mishap and agreed.

"Oh! Kagome is so pretty!" Inuyasha said in a singsong little voice while picking flowers for Kagome. "I love her!"

"I know you do," Shippo said, "I love her too."

Kagome's eyes brimmed with tears at the children's innocent kindness. Inuyasha was such a loving, affectionate boy… Kagome thought, I can't even imagine the horrors he must've gone through to make him the way he is as an adult… at this thought, her tears spilled over and she walked away to clear them and wait for her bouquet of flowers.

A/N: Ok, I know this has been a really short story so far, but I promise I will work harder over the weekend.