Hello again. Geez, it has been forever since I updated. Well, I don't really have much of an excuse. I had school, and a trip, and I was stressed, not to mention short of inspiration. But those are lame. So just read and review.- Akihanah

Notes to the reviewers-

Cherryblosomz- I don't really believe you will stay away from sugar. Hehe, but thank you for trying. (sort of)

Linii-chan- I try to make them long, and I will do that more so now that the updates will be fewer.

Savexmyxsoul, Princess Paine of Darkness, Tobias- here you go

Disclaimer- Inuyasha no mine. You no sue. We all happy.

Kodomo: Family Matters

Kagome sighed. Her new body was hard to adjust to. She wasn't used to having the kind of strength, speed, and especially reflexes she now possessed.

How does Inuyasha cope with this?

It had been 2 days since her talk with Inuyasha by Goshinboku. She had been adjusting to her new body since then, and had made several discoveries. She didn't need to eat and sleep as much, though Inuyasha kept trying to get her to do both.

Her spiritual powers were, if anything, stronger. They were easier to grasp, and more powerful. She knew that she could be a lot more help to the group, able to fight and defend herself more. She liked that. Feeling helpless wasn't very enjoyable.

Inuyasha had been unusually pensive. He had only been like this after encounters with Kikyo, and Kagome was beginning to wonder if he had met her while she was out. It was putting her in a foul mood, but Inuyasha had been watching over her, so she really couldn't complain.

I am......just a friend to him. He loves Kikyo, and I won't stand in his way.

Kagome sighed, but then brightened.

Sango probably wants help with dinner. I can go have some girl time with her, and I'll feel better.

Kagome headed to Kaede's hut, to locate her friend.

Meanwhile, Inuyasha sat in Goshinboku. He stared off into the distance, thoughts filling his mind. (not common for our hanyou, ne?)

Kagome seems to be alright. Though, she doesn't seem to be quite herself.

Inuyasha continued to ponder the new situation, until he was rudely interrupted by our favorite kitsune.

"Inuyasha!!! Dinner!!!!" Shippo yelled as he hurled acorns, rocks, and anything that could be used as a projectile toward the half demon.

Inuyasha jumped off his branch and grabbed Shippo by the tail.

"You could have been nicer"

"You were spacing! You didn't hear when I yelled. So I got your attention. You got a problem with that?"

Inuyasha dropped Shippo, who fell headfirst to the ground.

"Come on squirt."

Inuyasha and Shippo entered the hut to wonderful smells.

"Glad you decided to show up." Sango said as she served them both. "We were wondering if you were going to get up."

"Feh."

The group dug in. After the food had been devoured and everyone had relaxed a little, Miroku posed the question that had been on all their minds.

"So, when do we resume looking for Naraku and the Shikon no Tama?"

"How about tomorrow morning?" Kagome asked.

Everyone stared. "Kagome, are you sure you are ready to go out? You haven't even visited your time." Shippo said.

"You should go visit your family for a while, Kagome-sama." Miroku added.

"They probably miss you." Sango chimed.

Kagome sighed. "I'm not sure I want to go see them. I don't know how they will react to this form."

"Well, they still should know." Sango said.

Inuyasha remained silent. He wanted to resume searching for the Shikon no Tama, but Kagome came first. She needed to tell her family. As much as he would like it if she never went to her time, he knew she had family and friends there, and would not be happy staying in the Sengoku Jidai.

"Inuyasha."

Inuyasha looked up. Kagome watched him, and asked him: "would you mind if I went to my time for a couple days?"

"Alright. We can wait a few more days."

Again, everyone stared. No complaint from Inuyasha? No order to return immediately? What was going on?

Inuyasha noticed the stares of his friends and reddened. "I just think Kagome should visit her family. They should know what happened. But we should go search for the Shikon no Tama soon."

Kagome smiled. "Thank you, Inuyasha." She leapt up and hugged him, then grabbed her pack and exited the hut.

"I'll be back by tomorrow night!" She called back, as she took off for the forest and the dry well.

Kagome slowed as she neared it. As much as she appreciated the faith her friends had, she didn't really want to show her family. She wasn't sure how they would take it.

What if..... they don't like me as I am? I know the risks of fighting and traveling in the Sengoku Jidai, but they might not accept that. Well..... I might as well go.

Kagome stood on the side, trying to will herself to jump in. Eventually, she just tipped her weight forward and let herself fall. The familiar power embraced her, and she landed on the bottom in her time.

Touchdown.

"Nee-chan!!!" Sota called down the well, practically levitating with excitement. "You finally came back! I missed you so much. Did you bring the dog guy with you? How long will you stay this time?"

Kagome smiled, and tried to control the wetness that sprung up in her eyes. She grabbed the ladder, and ascended.

Sota eyed her curiously as she came over the edge of the well.

"Kagome....did you marry Inuyasha?"

Kagome stared. "Where did you get that idea?"

Sota pointed. "You have Inuyasha ears. And claws, and fangs. So," he eyed her suspiciously, "did you get married?"

Kagome laughed. "No Sota. I didn't get married. I can explain the ears and all, but I want to tell Mama and Jii-chan too."

A little over an hour later, she sat in her living room, her mother, brother and grandfather all staring at her ears and pondering her tale.

"But Kagome, don't you know why you are a hanyou?" Her mother asked.

Kagome paused. Inuyasha said I became a hanyou, but he never said why I became one. He just said I did. Does he not know....or doe she know and not want to tell me?

"I don't know. I am just like this, I guess."

"How is she going to go to school?" Sota asked.

"I don't know Sota. I suppose, if I could hide the ears and claws, then no one would know."

"That would work." Her mother stated.

Kagome sighed. Her family was obviously still shocked by her changes. Maybe coming hadn't been a good idea.

"Umm..It has been a long day. Could I just go to bed? We could deal with this in the morning."

"That's a good idea." Her mother said. "Sota, you should go to bed too."

"Awww....Mama.."

Kagome smiled as she trudged up the stairs. Her family seemed all right, and they would talk more in the morning.

She changed into her pajamas, and lay down in her bed. As her conciousness ebbed, she smelled a familiar scent. She smiled.

Good night, Inuyasha.

I suppose I am cruel to end like this. Oh well. I'll try to update soon. Alright, a question for you all. Who would you like/not like to appear in this fic? Like, side characters. Kagura, Sesshomaru, Rin, Naraku, Kohaku, Kikyo, etc. I'd love your feedback.