Thanks to Helen N, who after delivering a crushingly honest review, had decided to become my editor for Chap 2! Also thanks to misslovable for all her hard work!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

Chapter Three

Responsibility

The girls had eventually managed to subdue Sango after some struggle and one last kick. They had left the boys to sort out an unconscious Miroku and each went their separate ways.

Kagome ventured up the worn shrine steps towards her house. The leaves rustled as a light breeze blew through the surrounding trees. It was getting late and she could see the warm welcoming light that her home offered.

"I'm home mama!" Kagome called taking off her shoes near the entrance. She walked further into the house and stumbled as what appeared to be an orange ball of fur attached itself to her leg.

"Save me from Souta!" it cried clinging to her desperately. Kagome wrapped a protective arm around what she identified as her foster-brother Shippo. Shippo was a seven year old fox demon orphan whom had been found by Kagome one night weeping in the shelter of the shrine.

His parents had been brutally murdered for their fur. It had taken place not too far from the shrine; this was the first place Shippo had run to seeking help for his father and mother who had desperately tried to protect him. The murderers had been caught later on trying to sell the fur in the black market, but the death of his parents had been unavoidable.

Afterwards, the Higurashi family had offered to adopt him as he had no other living relatives. Shippo, though willing to live with them, did not wish to change his name and instead they fostered him. The little fox now saw Kagome as somewhat of a mother figure.

Souta came charging down the stairs moments later looking directly at the bundle in Kagome's arms. "Shippo! Give me back my video game!" he cried, barely acknowledging Kagome's arrival.

"Only if you let me play too!" replied Shippo.

"You're too youn-" Souta stopped seeing Kagome's death glare, when it came to Shippo, Kagome was a lethal weapon. "Why didn't you just ask?" Souta said, feigning astonishment, "I would have gladly shared." He added all too courteously.

Shippo looked at Souta smugly; he said a grateful thank you to Kagome and trotted off after Souta, who was scheming revenge on his sister.

Kagome smiled as she walked into the kitchen where her mother was bound to be. Kagome inherited her mother's compassion and her welcoming smile. From her father she had received bravery and commitment. Sure enough, her mother was over by the stove cooking fish which was just about done. She turned and smiled back at her daughter saying, "Welcome home Kagome! How was school today? I heard that your school is planning a cultural festival soon ne?" she bent down to retrieve some plates from the cupboard below the bench.

"School was pretty normal today mama. The festival is going to be on the Tuesday before Golden Week. The 25th of April, I haven't had much to do when they prepare it because Sango and I haven't decided if we want to help out with anything. Ayame is on the student council and she said she'd find us something though," Kagome said while helping her mother set the table. "Knowing her, I'll probably end up doing something I'll regret!" she laughed with her mother who understood Ayame's spontaneous personality.

The family gathered around the table to eat dinner, including Kagome's grandfather, who although was used to Shippo as a member of their family, had a paranoid view on all other demons.

"So Kagome…" began Kagome's mother slyly, "Have you noticed any boys of interest lately?" Kagome almost choked on her food and Souta burst out laughing. Shippo widened his eyes while Kagome's grandfather watched her expectantly.

Kagome blushed but managed to say firmly, "No mama, the boys at my school don't hold any more interest to me than as friends." She regained her composure and glowered at her ten year old brother, who stopped laughing immediately.

Shippo looked into Kagome's cobalt eyes and saw truth in her words. Reassured that his mother figure wasn't going to leave him, he continued to scoff down his food. Kagome's mother shook her head slightly disappointed while her grandfather was just happy that she hadn't said yes to the boy named Hojo who was continuously asking for her. Secretly, the old man found the boy a bit of a wuss.

After dinner, Kagome went to her room and finished her school work, it wasn't until much later at night that Kagome found time to check on the jewel.

She left by the backdoor and made her way to a small hut-like structure behind her house. Passing a barrier, she entered it, immediately an aura of power engulfed her and Kagome gazed respectfully at a pink jewel resting on a red velvet cushion atop a stand in the middle of the room. She knelt down and looked thoughtfully at the Shikon no Tama or Jewel of Four Souls.

This jewel held immense power and should any demon have possession of it then they would be granted all the power that they could ever dream of. Kagome was the guardian of the Shikon no Tama and protected it with her miko powers. The barrier around the hut was held up by her strength, this was why demons at school did not sense her miko energy, for it was channelled into the barrier.

Kagome was able to use small amounts of her power to protect herself and keep up the barrier at the same time. However, if she had used a lot of energy then the barrier would weaken. She was connected to it and would feel any weakness or attacks that happened to the hut.

Although, Kagome sometimes wondered whether all this caution for the jewel was really necessary during this era of peace. Few people knew of it's existence, almost all believed it to have been lost some 500 years ago, burnt along with the body of a powerful unknown miko.

The Higurashi family were ancestors of the great Midoriko, creator of the jewel. The only others who knew of its existence were the Taiji family who cared for Midiroko's 'statue' and would aid the Higurashis in protecting the jewel if need arose.

Kagome smiled sadly to herself, any relationship that she could ever have with a boy, would have to be an immensely trusted one. For Kagome believed that you couldn't have any secrets in a relationship and she had perhaps the biggest secret of all. To tell just anyone about the jewel was to endanger the world and throw it into another feudal era. Kagome held a huge responsibility and would never throw it away for just some guy.

Meanwhile, four teens were forming a plan over the phone. A plan that involved two teenagers who absolutely hated each other.

"When do you think would be a good time to attack?" asked Ayame, her voice rising from excitement.

"The cultural festival!" exclaimed Miroku, "It's the perfect time to make Inuyasha and Kagome fall in love!"

"Miroku, stop being such a baka," sighed Sango, "They won't fall in love in one day."

"Why ever not dear Sango? It didn't even take me that long to fall in love with you…" he cooed.

Fortunately for Sango, no one could see her red face over the phone and she managed to sound furious as she verbally bashed him. It seemed to roll off his back as he continued to tease her.

"Will you both stop it already?" Kouga said annoyed, "Flirt with her later Miroku, I just wanna finish this stupid conversation already, why'd you bother calling me?"

"'Cos you agreed to help Kouga!" said Ayame whose voice had reached squealing level. "Anyway! The plan's not that hard! All you have to do is…"

Mwahahaha! Couldn't help myself… You'll find out what the plan is in the next chap!

Hope you enjoyed!

A special thank you to missloveable, Helen N and Julie.

An extra special thank you to AngelMaiden… Your support is fantastic!

Read & Review please! It can't be that hard!

Ja ne

Cat