-CHAPTER 4-

Kaede sat in front of a large pot and as soon as she heard the others walked in, she stopped what she was doing and turned towards them. "Welcome back everyone. I hope yer trip was pleasant."

"I- It's a pleasure to meet you my name is Almeria. I hope I'm not intruding." Almeria blushed and bowed respectfully towards Kaede.

"Oh? A guest? Where did ye find her?" Kaede raised a curious brow towards Almeria.

"I found her by The Bone Eater's Well with a broken ankle." Inuyasha forest responded as he sat down cross- legged opposite from Almeria.

"She claims to be Kagome's cousin. If that's true how did she get here? And for what purpose?" Miroku asked in deep thought.

"Hi there, my name's Shippou, you said you're related to my mother?" Suddenly, a very young fox- demon kit approached Almeria with a welcoming and friendly voice.

"Aw, how cute! Yes, I am related to your m- wait, MOTHER?" Almeria looked at Shippou with shock written all over her face. "Kagome has a child? How? When? Why? Who's the father?"

Kaede chuckled after that. "Ye misunderstand child. Shippou is her adopted son, not her true one."

"Almeria sighed heavily. "I got scared there for a minute."

"Now that we've settled that, why don't we start by introducing ourselves? First of, I am Miroku, fair maiden, if possible would you be so kind as to help me on my small problem?" Miroku suddenly said while he grabbed Almeria's hand and gently caressed it.

Almeria tilted her head to the side. "Oh? And what might be this small problem then, Miroku?"

"Ah, such sweet words from such a beautiful lady. Alas, if only women were as kind as you. For the longest time my heart has been broken by many women during my travels. Would you be willing to be that woman to mend my broken heart by baring my child?" Miroku looked at Almeria with a serious look in his eyes and had absolutely no hint of lie in it.

Almeria turned bright red as a tomato. "O- Oh my, well…you see…"

Then within seconds, a loud 'SMACK' was heard within the hut as you see Sango's angry face, and Miroku's nervous laugh. You're a hentai! A big, fat, HENTAI!"

"Don't take this guy too seriously on stuff like that. He never learns." Inuyasha said as he shooked his head with a heavy sigh.

Almeria sighed with a relief. "Oh thank goodness, I actually thought he was serious. I mean, my parents wouldn't be too ecstatic about suddenly marrying without their consent after all."

Kaede's face was filled with amusement. "Oh? Is that so?"

"But aren't you too young to marry?" Shippou jumped onto Almeria's lap and made himself comfortable.

"Hey you little runt! What the hell do you think you're doing? Get offa her!" Inuyasha bolted from his spot and tried to grab Shippou with a vicious growl.

Almeria giggled. "It's fine. I honestly don't mind. Besides, I like Shippou." She gently patted his head with a friendly affection.

"Keh! Fine! Just don't spoil the kid too much. When you give the kid an inch, he'll take a mile." Inuyasha stuck his tongue out at Shippou like a little kid, earning him a sigh from the others.

"My name's Sango by the way, just so you know I'm a demon slayer. Nice to meet you Almeria." Sango smiled warmly at her.

"A demon slayer? Is that common here?" Almeria asked soon after.

"Sango giggled. "Since you're from the future it's understandable you aren't familiar with this time."

Kaede was already tending to Almeria's broken ankle not even breaking a sweat. "Yer badly hurt child. It could take a week, maybe more, for your ankle to heal."

Almeria sighed heavily. "This just had to happen to me of all people. Why? What am I going to do? What if Kagome finds out I'm gone? I need to get back!" she struggled to get up, but only collapsed.

"Don't be stupid!" Inuyasha suddenly bolted from where he sat. "Don't go jumping to conclusions when you haven't gotten half the stuff figured out yet!"

Miroku nodded. "Inuyasha is right Almeria, think of it this way. Lady Kagome wouldn't be too thrilled if she saw you with a broken ankle. So for now, just relax a while longer."

"I suppose your right. I wouldn't want to worry her any longer. I just hope she isn't too worried of my disappearance."