Disclaimer: Refer to Chapter one

Title: Unpredictable

Key words:

-Okaachan/Okaasan: Mother or mum
-Kogitsune: baby Fox (Should mean baby fox, but I'm keeping it as Shippou's surname or was it Kokitsune... oh well)
-Gomen/Gomenasai: Sorry

Chapter three: Visitations and discoveries

"Okaachan!" The exclamation seemed to echo throughout the room as Kagome tensed, realising that she would have a lot of questions to answer as soon as she figured the person on top of her was her one and only son. And plus, she sensed he was a kitsune youkai and she only knew one of them.

"Shippou," she began, but was interrupted with a distressed maid running into the room. "Kagome-sama, gomen, I tried to stop him, but he was too fast."

Kagome smiled at the maid and tried to sit up, but found she couldn't do so properly with Shippou on her lap. "Ah," She said looking at the maid with a sideway glance, "It's alright. You're not in trouble, but do bring us some snacks." The maid nodded and she left the room and she looked at Shippou and sighed. "Shippou-chan," she said sweetly, "If you would get off, I'd like you to meet my cousin and her friends."

Shippou gladly got off and Kagome looked at the once small boy, now looking like a grown man of 21. Kagome mentally sighed knowing they'll be a lot of questions needed to be answered with the term 'Okaachan' used earlier. Though, she smiled. Shippou looked successful with his expensive suit and his demonic features hidden away from human sight by Youki.

"Kogitsune Shippou?" Yuki said surprised, "The Kogitsune Shippou, whose family is in league with the Taishou Company?"

Kagome's eyes widened. Did all the demons she knew get rich or something? She calmed her breath and then made introductions as snacks and tea were served in the room and they all got comfy in their seats… And Kogitsune… didn't that mean baby fox?

"Kagome-san," Hatori said, gaining the Miko's attention, "Why has Kogitsune-san called you Okaachan?" Kagome shifted nervously under all their stares, especially Hatori's. His eyes were calculating as if he knew she was hiding something.

She rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "Well, you see," she said, "That's a funny story…"

"When we were kids we used to play together and I always called her Okaachan," Shippou said saving her as he chuckled lightly, "That nickname stayed for such a long time, it seemed sad to stop it now. Oh, by the way, since I have seen you for ages," The underlying message saying 'I haven't seen you in about five hundred years', "Why are you living under Sesshoumaru? Didn't you have your little brother, mum and grandpa you always talked about?"

Kagome's expression saddened when she heard that. It was an innocent question and she knew Shippou didn't know or else he wouldn't have asked. Inuyasha had kept his promise to her and had not told the others the truth in why she was upset.

The rest of the occupants looked at her confused at that. Well, except for Shigure and Hatori since they weren't in the school yard that day. Hadn't she said that she had felt like it to them in the yard? If so, why did she look like she was about to cry?

"Ah, Shippou-chan," she said, voice breaking again as she held back tears, "They're gone. When I returned from… from the travel… They were gone." Shippou got the message and held his mother-like figure close. 'They were killed when I returned from my journey and there was nothing I could do about it.'

"It's alright," Shippou said trying to lighten the room since she had visitors. "Anyway, I heard you went to Kaibara High School. I can tell you that my… err, nephew goes there."

She raised an eyebrow. "…Nephew… Shippou, you don't…" Suddenly her mouth was covered and discovered it was Shippou.

He let go and laughed nervously. "Sorry about that. But yeah... I'll tell you later." He said and glanced at the people at the room. "So, these are more strange people," he said laughing a bit, "Your life seems to like adventure and strange things."

She rolled her eyes. It wasn't like she could help it. She smiled. "Yeah, including you." She grinned at his pouting expression and turned to the others. "Sorry, I didn't expect so much interruptions. Anyway, you guys have to have dinner with me."

Tohru, being a nice person and never really able to decline, agreed along with the other Sohma men. Kagome smiled at this. Tohru was such an innocent girl. She didn't see death like she did almost everyday and didn't have to see her mother or any member she may have had in her family in such a bloody mess. She was so ignorant to all the bad things in life. She smiled sadly. She was too innocent.

Dinner was a bliss. Conversations were versed and Yuki and Kyou didn't glare at each other as much as they would have, they themselves a little busy. Shigure, as per usual, causing commotion and reminded her not surprisingly of Miroku. Shippou conversed with Yuki, Kyou and Tohru happily.

But Hatori… he intrigued Kagome. He was stoic, mysterious; she couldn't place her finger on it. He was like Sesshoumaru, but there was something else there. Something she could not discover just by reading his aura and simply guess at the beginning…

Their eyes met as she bid them farewell at the door, but she just shrugged it off and looked at the others. "It was great getting to know the lot of you better," Kagome said as they said their farewells and went into the car, "See you Tohru-san, Yuki-kun and Kyou-kun tomorrow. And see you Hatori-san and Shigure-san… whenever I get to see you!"

She smiled slightly as they left her house. It was considerably dark but still enough light to see through the dark. She looked at Shippou who, in turn, had a raised eyebrow and was leaning on the wall staring at her. He smiled. "Okaachan," he said happily, "It's been forever since I last saw you." He formerly greeted.

She smiled sadly. "It's only been a week for me since I last saw you, but I missed you dearly," she said as he followed her to her room. He sat on one of the cushions on the floor and she sat on her bed.

Silence hung in the air, not sure about what to say. Then something occurred to her. "Shippou…. Inuyasha… is he…?" She couldn't finish the sentence, but Shippou looked sadly at her.

"Yeah," he said softly, his nature friendly, calmed and composed, "He died of old age though. Even though he was half demon, he was still half human as well and his life span was still shorter for a demon and far too long for a human. Are you going to still visit the feudal era?"

Kagome nodded sadly. "Yeah and at least he's lived his long life. I have to visit. I miss him too much not to visit the feudal era." She said smiling sadly, "And the Shikon Jewel?"

Shippou sighed. "It's gone. Remember, we used the wish to bring you to life," he said and then smiled softly, "Who knew you'd end up a dog demon."

She laughed and shook her head. "That's good. At least the jewel is no longer sought after," she said smiling and then remembered something, "Hey, so what's this about a nephew?"

Shippou smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck that made Kagome seem suspicious with his actions. "Well, did you know that Kirara… has a human form?" he said nervously and Kagome had to blink twice before what he said registered in her mind.

"What? You mean you and Kirara…?"

Shippou laughed and nodded, "Well yeah, and I couldn't exactly say a look-like eighteen year old boy goes to your school is my son. It would make more sense if he were my nephew. Oh, and I have two younger kits who are twins, and if not little devious might I add," he said, smiling, "I'll bring them next time."

She grinned, "That would be great Shippou-chan."

-U-

Hatori frowned as he drove to the main estate in silence. There was something different about Tohru's cousin, but he was not sure of what it was. She was strange. She named the animals of each of the Zodiacs that she'd met, of course leaving out himself and Shigure, but he had a feeling that she knew what they were as well… Even though she presented it in a manner as if she didn't know she had guessed correctly or even knew that they had zodiacs in them.

Of course it would sound weird if she had said he reminded her of a seahorse, but he didn't know why she didn't name Shigure as a dog. An obvious perverted dog at that. Maybe to keep from suspicion for guessing too many correctly… perhaps.

She walked silently to his home as he noticed it was about to rain. He let out a sigh, but continued along his way and entered his home. It was showering now, but he did not care now that he was in his home, but wondered briefly how Akito was doing. If something happened while he was at Kagome's house, he was pretty sure that he wouldn't get away without a punishment.

Suddenly his home phone rang, causing him to jump slightly at the shrill sound that entered the silence. He picked it up and sighed when a certain dog's voice came into hearing.

"Ha-san," Shigure said cheerfully, but Hatori noticed the underlying seriousness in it, "What do you think of Kagome-chan?"

"I suppose you're referring to what she said tonight." Hatori said. It wasn't a question, but a statement. Hatori knew Shigure very well and he always had reasons on his calls. "Kogitsune-san… I think there's more to both of them than meets the eyes."

"And it's strange. She knew both Taishou-sama and Kogitsune-sama, yet she didn't know they were… billionaires." Shigure contemplated out loud, "She's Tohru's cousin… So, she might be near most the time… I'll keep a close eye on her whenever I can. You should do the same Ha-san."

"Perhaps," Hatori said and sighed, "But something tells me that if we spy on her, we may regret it."

"Ah, but Ha-san, we can't simply just go and ask her because she'd think us weird if there really isn't anything to be suspicious about her," Shigure piped up, "So we have to do this the hard way. I'm sure she'll understand us if we do get caught and we explain it carefully to her."

Hatori shook his head, but decided it was for the best of their family. "Fine, I'll try to keep a close eye on her as well…"

-U-

Kagome woke again to the shrill sound of her alarm clock and it took every ounce of her will not to throw and smash it against the wall. She stretched and got changed as the maids prepared her breakfast. Once she done all her morning routines, she grabbed her bag and walked to school, liking the smell of slightly fresh air. The pollution here wasn't as bad as it was in the city and she liked it here, but she did not like the reason why she had to forcefully move herself here.

She smiled as she looked at the trees that surrounded her, reminding her slightly of the feudal era. She'd have to go back soon. She missed everyone dearly. Inuyasha, Sango and Miroku especially. She hadn't seen them recently and only had contact with Shippou and Sesshoumaru. She briefly wondered if Kouga was still alive and dearly hoped he wasn't still sprouting nonsense about her being his woman.

She looked at the school before her and smiled. She had learnt yesterday that Tohru, Kyou and Yuki were a year under her in school. She sighed and decided to search for Shippou's son. He'd have the obvious last name 'Kogitsune', but she forgot to ask Shippou for his son's name.

"Anou, Takumi-Sensei," she approached the teacher.

He smiled and looked at her from the piles on his desk as he sat in his office… which was bright. "Ah, Kagome-san. What is it that you need?" he asked her politely.

"Anou, do we have anyone that goes by the surname 'Kogitsune' in our class or year level?" She asked, fidgeting under his calculating gaze. She was nervous. It wasn't that she was scared of anything. It was that, Takumi-Sensei seemed like a nice teacher and she didn't want him to think of her as a girl chasing boy fan thing, if that made sense. She mentally sighed.

He smiled at her question. "Kogitsune, eh? Yes, he's in class 3-B, in the room beside us." He said thoughtfully, "Ah, his first name is Kenji. He usually hangs around with Kai Taishou."

"Kai Taishou?" she responded immediately. Did that mean Sesshoumaru had a son? If he did, he had a hell lot of things to explain.

Takumi-Sensei nodded. "Yeah, he's in our class. The boy you sit next to, with brown hair." Her eyes widened. The boy who had his aura completely hidden from her? Now she was sure that he was Sesshoumaru's son. He would never be able to pull such a feat if it were any other… but why didn't he have silver hair like his old man?

"Thank you Takumi-Sensei," she said gratefully and bowed as he replied with a 'no problem' and left his office.

And that's when she started searching for the two. It was now lunchtime and Takumi-Sensei had said that they were friends and hung around with each other. She sighed. But he hadn't said where they hung out though. She searched high and low in the school grounds, but found it odd that she could not find them. She stomped her feet down in frustration. Damn it, where were those two.

She shook her head and started to think. 'If I were a dog and a fox demon,' she thought to herself, 'Where would I be?' Then suddenly it clicked. "Aha," she said out loud, looking at the trees, "Inuyasha always loved staying on the treetops… for some odd reason."

She smiled to herself as she felt slight Youki from the very few trees that the school held, but mentally hit herself. Why didn't she just sense for Youki? She looked up the branch and saw the two boys peering down at her and she couldn't help but feel the other boy looked so much like Shippou.

"What do you want?" Shippou's almost look alike said, his green eyes peering down at her, edged with red. She figured, as Takumi-Sensei had said, this one is Kenji Kogitsune.

"Hn," the other said bored, the boy in her grade and who went by the name Kai Taishou, "She's the new girl in our class. Why are you here?"

Kagome smiled at them and feigned ignorance. "I was wondering if you two know where Kai Taishou and Kenji Kogitsune are? Do you happen to know?"

The two narrowed their eyes suspiciously at her. "Why?" Kenji said on his top guard as Kagome laughed inward. Oh, they were so different to their parents… well probably not Kai, he did act a little like Sesshoumaru.

"Oh, it's just I know their parents and didn't realise that they had sons my age or I could say yonks older than me, here at the school," she said leaning on the trunk of the tree.

"Impossible," Kai said, "The only way you'd get to know any of my parents is that if you lived long ago."

She looked at Kai. "Oh, so then you're Kai and Kenji," she said, making them realise their mistake then thought about what he said, "You mean…" she frowned, "Who's your father then, Kai? I know for sure Shippou and Kirara are Kenji's parents already." She smiled at his shocked face, "Don't be so surprised. You look so much like your father did when he was younger and how I am able to know this is my secret."

Kai narrowed his eyes at the woman on the bottom of the tree. "If you think my father is Sesshoumaru," Kai said, causing the girl to look at him surprised, "You are sorely mistaken." He bit at her.

"And it's impossible for someone like you to meet them anyway!" Kenji exclaimed, frowning

"Oh…" She smiled, "But still. And I have my secrets."

Kenji looked confused and then growled inhumanely, but it did not faze her. "Who are you and what do you want?"

Kagome smiled and avoided the question. "Anyway, I suggest you two to get down. The bell is about to go." And with that, she left the two curious and confused boys on the tree with the bell blaring in their ears a minute later.

-U-

Dark glaring eyes pierced into Hatori's skull as he sat in bowed position, not daring to look up to the God of the family. For some reason, he could just feel the anger radiating from the person before him. He briefly wondered why in God's name did this person scare him so much when he was a lot younger than him. But the answer was obvious. This person was God. This person was the leader to their curse. They had to obey him no matter what.

"Look at me," the voice was spoken in a calm voice, yet Hatori knew better. He knew that Akito was mad. Why? It probably had to do with yesterday… when he left without so much as a word with anyone and went to Shigure's house, but even then no one could contact Shigure due to the fact they went over to Kagome's household.

Hatori looked up to see eyes like dark, tainted emeralds staring into his own green ones, anger evident in his eyes. "Akito-sama, I--"

An echoing slap resounded through the room. "I did not tell you to speak!" The God shrieked, face contorting in anger, knowing that somehow Hatori had just pushed the line.

His face stayed staring at the floor to the side of him since the slap. He dared not look at Akito, but knowing it was best not to anger him he slowly faced the angered God.

He kept silent as Akito looked at him. Akito forcibly calmed his features. "Where were you last night when I was sick?" he said in a sickly calm voice that Hatori had to contain a shiver from visibly showing, "When you went to Shigure-kun's house, but absolutely no one was home." Akito grabbed his shirt in such power and speed that it took his by surprise and he winced slightly at the pain, "Where were you yesterday?" Akito yelled, hitting Hatori across the face again.

Hatori didn't know why Akito was so mad. He had merely just driven Shigure to and from Kagome's home. For him to act like this… he knew that he must've gotten an attack from one of his illnesses the night before, but was able to recover before midday as he took his daily checkups on him.

"Answer me!"

Hatori shut his eyes as he felt another oncoming blow as he slid across the floor and forced himself to sit up and forced himself to talk to the angry teen. "I was with Shigure, Yuki, Kyou and Tohru driving them to Tohru's cousin's house," he mumbled obediently.

Akito's eyes flashed and Hatori quickly added. "She has no idea of the curse and had just simply invited Tohru and the rest of us to have dinner yesterday. The only reason I went is because Shigure wanted me to give him a ride."

Akito looked at him angrily. "You're blaming Shigure for your mistakes."

Hatori quickly shook his head. "No Akito-sama," he said, "It was my fault to have taken the offer to go there. I'm sorry Akito-sama," he bowed down low and winced as Akito kicked him in the ribs. He would never hurt his friend, nor blame them for the pain he was receiving now. It was his own fault. His own fault for leaving Akito alone.

-U-

Kagome jerked awake in class as a foreboding feeling came down upon her. She ignored Kai's questioning and curious gaze as she looked out the window with a frown. Something was wrong. She could feel it. She was in the middle of a nice dream when Hatori's face, sad and haunted interrupted it. She hugged herself but could not think of the problem and why this one man affected her so much.

"Higurashi-san?" Kimou-Sensei, her English teacher, asked, making Kagome look at her and snapping her out of her trance, "Is everything alright?"

She gave a shaky smile and was about to say yes when something came into her mind. She shook her head and her face turned into a hurt expression. "Gomen, Sensei," she faked the hurt, "I don't feel so good."

Worried eyes looked at her. "Oh dear, go to the infirmary dear, um…" Kimou-Sensei looked around the room to look for a person to guide Kagome, but she simply shook her head and got up.

"It's alright Sensei." She said, "I don't want to bother anyone and let them fall behind class. I'll go by myself."

And with that she left the room, faking hurt as she clutched her stomach and then when she was a safe distance away from class, she let her hand drop softly by her side and ran off the school grounds. For some odd reason, she needed to find Sohma Hatori quick.

She walked around aimlessly as she sighed and came to a realisation. She did not know where he lived and she thought it pretty stupid that she realised this now. She sighed and sat on the bench in the park and stared aimlessly at the sky.

"Why did Hatori-san come to mind?" She asked herself softly, as she leaned back, "A dog's intuition is good… is he in trouble?" She shook her head and sighed. I only met him once. What makes you think that seeing his face in a dream means he's in trouble? She scolded herself lightly.

"Kagome-san," she looked at the person who turned out to be Haru and she smiled lightly.

"Ah, Haru-kun. How are you? Is school already over?" She asked and he shook his head.

"No," he replied as he sat next to her, "I was on the roof when I saw you run out of the school. I got curious and followed you."

She smiled at his bored tone and then something came to mind. If Hatori was really in trouble… it should be safe to check… "Anou, Haru-kun, do you know Hatori-san?"

He looked at her surprised before answering. "Yeah, he's my cousin." He said cautiously, "Why do you need to know and how do you know him?"

Kagome giggled a little at his caution and how he suspected her. "Ah, don't worry. He went to my house yesterday with Tohru-san, Yuki-kun, Kyou-kun and Shigure-kun. I suspected you were all family. It wasn't exactly explained to me." She explained and Haru relaxed a little.

"Oh, by the way, where does he live? I feel the sudden urge to meet him and talk to him personally. I didn't get to speak to him much last night. Everyone else talked to me and I didn't have a chance to put in a word here and there to him." She said, trying to make it sound like a good excuse to meet him.

Haru thought upon it. Should he take her back to the Sohma Estate? It wasn't really allowed and if Akito found out she was there to see Hatori, Akito might think something on it and punish Hatori… again. "I'm sorry," Haru said grimly, "I can't really take you there unless you're invited."

Kagome pouted. "Then, then say that you invited me." She tried again. She just wanted to make sure he was safe.

Haru sighed. "It's not that easy--"

"Please?" she said, putting on her best puppy dog face.

Haru sighed, falling into the trick. "Fine." He said, "Come, we live at the Sohma estate, it's not far from here."

Kagome mentally hit her head. Of course, the Sohma Estate! Why hadn't she thought about it? Oh well, it wouldn't be long 'til she could see if Hatori was honestly in trouble.

-U-

A figure jumped up from a well in an abandoned shrine in Tokyo. He sniffed the air, his silvery hair bellowing in the wind and his red fire rat hakama swaying in the wind as his nose twitched. His amber eyes searched the place before him before jumping off again.

He needed to find Kagome.

The Shikon jewel was back.

Authors note: That was a lot of reviews O.O Haha, I'm so happy. I didn't think it's just get about 47 reviews for the two chapters altogether. Wow, you people really made my day. n.n I'm in the middle of Exams so the 4th chapter won't be in for a bit, but it'll get updated as soon as I can okay?

Ah, wow, I'm glad for the people the voted on what pairing it would be and I have to say the winner for the pairing is: Hatori/Kagome. Haha, anyways, sorry for those who didn't get the pairing they wanted, but majority rules. Hope you stick with the story anyway!

Anyways, Ja ne Minna and please review

-SxT