Just before sundown they found a clearing nearby to settle down for the night.

He sat down and the kid scrambled up into his lap quickly, and he hooked his arm around her back to give her something to lean against. Kagome was cooking the lizards they'd found while Miroku and Sango went for more campfire, and Shippo had gone off with them to watch the monk's hands. Not that he was much deterrent.

"Yaya?" She was tugging on his coat.

"Yeah?" His name was pretty much all he'd heard her say.

"Go." Go? His eyebrows went down and he looked up to Kagome for some kind of explanation. She paused in setting the stakes around the fire to watch them for a second. "Go!" she said more insistently.

"Go where, kid?"

"Go, Yaya!" she pushed out her bottom lip. "Need go."

Kagome was giggling, so he looked up. She came over to kneel in front of him, surprising them both. "I think she's talking about using the bushes, Inuyasha." Gently, she picked the squirt up by her armpits and stood, leaving him looking at a lot of leg. She turned around though and made her way between the trees, leaving him to stare at the fire for a few minutes.

She came back to sit by the fire with the pup in her lap this time, sending him a smile.

"Well, at least she warned you this time," she giggled. The pup was squirming a bit to look at him, and Kagome adjusted her in her lap. "See? There he is. He didn't go anywhere."

He could probably convince her to run to him, but he wouldn't. The squirt needed to sit with Kagome for a while: maybe then she wouldn't be so skittish around them all.

"Hey, sweetie?" he heard Kagome go on. The pup turned her face up to look at Kagome smiling down. "Do you remember your name? What your mommy called you?"

The kid was silent, again.

"It'd be nice to call you by your rightful name. You must know it, right?" Kagome pushed in that special way she had of talking. "Please? Then we could-"

"Miyuki," the pup's voice came quietly, intersecting Kagome's sentence.

"Miyuki? That's your name squirt?" The pup turned her face in his direction to nod definitively.

"That's a very pretty name," Kagome tucked some of the white hair behind the girl's ear. "Thank you for telling me. I'm very glad that you trusted me with that."

He wanted her to talk to him like that, not that he was some kind of wimp. But she always sounded so sincere when her voice was all soft and light and feminine like she was speaking now. His ears flicked forward.

Kagome was smiling at him but he huffed, squatting down next to her. "Damn pups. Useless," he snorted.

Miroku was coming out of the woods with a handful of fuel for the fire, putting them in a pile just out of their circle. The pup's…Miyuki's head came up with this new distraction while Miroku parked it in a spot adjacent to them. Her quick little eyes stayed glued to him—although not in the suspicious manner that he'd seen her staring at Sango and Shippo at.

"What's with you and the monk?" he finally collapsed his legs to sit next to Kagome.

"Me and Miroku?" Kagome repeated. "What are you talking about?"

"Not you. Her." The pup's head tilted but her eyes remained pointedly on Miroku.

"Have I missed something?" Miroku's voice asked dryly.

"She likes Miroku?" Kagome giggled. Running her fingers through Miyuki's hair her head turned around to find out who'd done it. "That's adorable!"

He lifted Miyuki out of Kagome's lap to set her on her own two feet in front of him, making her whine. "Don't do that," he ordered shortly. "If you're so curious about him go make friends with him, stupid."

"Don't call her that!" Kagome gasped next to him. "You'll hurt her feelings, Inuyasha!"

"She's gotta get used to you guys sometimes. It might as well be sooner than later wench."

After a moment's pause Miyuki turned around again to toddle towards Miroku, landing on her behind in front of him. He remained silent, though his eyebrow did rise.

"Miku play?" her little voice clearly said.

"Play, little one?" Miroku repeated. "Did you have a game in mind?"

Kagome threw him an excited glance. Hopefully the squirt had made the decision in her mind that they weren't dangerous, that they were here to help her…or maybe just Miroku. At least it was something.

He saw her white hair swing a bit as she turned to look at him, and he growled some wordless encouragement. She squeaked when Miroku leaned forward and moved her via armpits to sit on his knee, leaving her be otherwise. With a blush over her cheeks she blinked up through her lashes to find him looking down at her curiously.

"See Miyuki? Miroku's ok," Kagome giggled behind her hand softly.

She was sniffing at his robes cautiously, and to his credit Inuyasha saw Miroku make considerable effort not to move. After "checking" him, he was glad to see the pup actually put a smile on her face and bark something shortly, shooting up faster than he would've expected to wrap her arms around Miroku's neck. Miroku blinked, but put his right hand on her back, and he started patting the pup through her shirt-kimono.

"Hello to you as well," Miroku finally spoke.

"Miku safe," her baby voice chimed. "Like Yaya."

The monk chuckled lightly but let his arm hug her a little more firmly, leaning the side of his face against her cascade of white hair. "That's right, little one. You do not need to fear me," he soothed.

"No bad," she continued, and Inuyasha saw her foot shift at the moment that Miroku winced, releasing the staff in his other hand to adjust her feet away from pressing into his groin.

"She's got a knack for that monk," he warned. Kagome turned her head, eyebrow raised. Miroku knew what he was talking about, but Kagome wouldn't. "Nothin'. Don't worry about it Kagome," he sighed.

He recovered, nodding. "So it would seem." His black eyebrows came together after a moment, and a hint of sadness entered his scent. "She really is quite…frail, Inuyasha."

"Keh, don't worry about her. She'll be as fat as Shippo in no time."

"I heard that Inuyasha!" Shippo's high pitched voice echoed as he came skittering back towards the fire with Sango and Kilala on his tail. "Tell him I'm not fat Kagome!"

"Why would I tell a lie like that?" Kagome teased; he couldn't help a one-sided smirk. The little runt was rather round.

"Kagome!" Shippo rolled his eyes.

"She went to Miroku?" Sango paused to set down her firewood collection.

Miyuki buried her face into Miroku's purple shoulder, glancing towards the rest of the group that had returned. He cleared his own throat to attract attention, receiving a lot of surprised looks. "The pup's name is Miyuki, a'right? Just so we got that clear." He saw the pup's white head turn at hearing him say her name, and Miroku relaxed his arm to accommodate her movement.

"Miyuki? See! I miss all the good stuff," Shippo threw himself down, crossing his arms in a pout.

"Stay with Miroku," he ordered quietly. She wasn't more than a heartbeat from leaping across their little camp towards him, and she had to feel comfortable around his friends.

"We're not far from a village, Inuyasha." Sango's voice came quietly. "And I know that we probably don't want to take…Miyuki into a human village, but we could do with supplies."

"Yeah, and what would you do for money? We're kinda out, baka." He didn't want the pup even catching a whiff of any more strangers' scents. She was anxious enough about his own friends.

"Miroku can always ply his craft," Kagome suggested. "It would be nice, Inuyasha." She didn't sound all that convinced that they were going to wheedle a village trip out of him though.

He noticed that Miroku was purposefully avoiding the conversation. "Perhaps a story?" Miroku whispered to the pup in his arms. She made a small mewling sound and he launched into a recollection of the time that they'd fought one of their sillier, and weaker, opponents. Damn, if Miroku wasn't good at staying out of conflict when he wanted to be.

"Not yet. I'll go hunt something out in the forest, if you can watch over the squirt for me."

"Oh, um of course Inuyasha." Kagome shook her head, patting his sleeve.

He was almost to the forest when he heard a sharp yip that belonged to no one but the pup. Stopping shortly he glanced back to see Miroku struggling with her protests, calling him back with wince worthy whimpers. "Oi, sit down. You'll be ok. I won't be long, promise." Turning quickly he darted into the woods.

Even knowing that he had to hunt up dinner, leaving the pup made him feel guilty. Still—he meant it when he said that the sooner that she got comfortable with being with the others the better off she'd be. He couldn't have her with him every moment of the day and trusting his human friends to watch out for her until he got back was something that she needed to learn.

As quickly as he could manage he brought back a small boar that he found wandering around in the bush, not even wasting time to skin it. Slinging it over his shoulder he turned back in the direction of the camp.

He heard the pup's whines before he dropped the boar, growling lightly. The pup had stopped fighting Miroku but she had still buried her face into his stomach, turning immediately towards him. "And there, it's over little one. Inuyasha would never abandon us. And look, he has even brought us back dinner."

"Don't let her come runnin' to me," he ordered.

Miroku raised an eyebrow but re-strengthened his arm around her waist as Miyuki attempted to squirm out of his grip. "Would you like to finish our story now? I did not get to tell you how it was defeated." Miyuki finally tore her eyes away from making sure that he had returned to her, focusing on the smooth quality that Miroku could coax out of his voice somehow, the same tone that villagers always fell for.

"Here Inuyasha, I'll help you." Kagome came over to help him dress their dinner, and he sent Miroku a grateful look that he wasn't sure if he caught.

"And Inuyasha caught him, and he got rid of the bad guy." Miroku finished with a shrug while they were placing their boar-meat on the fire.

"Yaya make him go," Miyuki's half-sentence made their ears perk up.

"That's right," Miroku nodded as if nothing were unusual. "What do you think?" How did he do that? As weird as it was to admit the pup talked more with Miroku than anybody else. Maybe Kagome knew.

"Like Miku talk," she fidgeted with the loose folds of his robes.

"You mean my voice?" Miroku chuckled lightly. "If only all females felt the same way."

Sango rolled her eyes. "Monk…" she warned.

"I did not mean any harm, Sango," Miroku turned his smile onto her this time. "I was merely relieved that the child is comfortable enough to respond. Unless you mean to compliment me as well?"

"You've already got more ego than you need," she rolled her eyes.

"Ain't that the truth." He couldn't put a lot of anger into it though—it was nice to hear the pup's voice.

"Or perhaps you are jealous, taijiya? Do you wish to sit in my lap as well? I would tell you a story too," Miroku's hentai nature made its appearance. Well, the meat was about done anyway.

He whistled, making the pup's head turn. Kagome's voice spoke what he was already thinking. "Come eat dinner, sweetheart." The pup scurried out of Miroku's lap to come and land on her hind-end between them, leaving Sango ample space to deal with the monk.

Kagome handed Miyuki one of the cooling pieces, smiling at her.

"Excuse me monk?"

"Are you interested? True, you are more than beautiful, and I might find myself distracted, but you would certainly hear a story." Miroku laughed gently.

"You…!" Sango's face turned bright pink.

He ruffled her hair gently in-between bites, making her look up at him with an eager look on her face. She ran her tongue over her lip where some of the meat had stuck and Kagome was handing him a skewer for himself.

"I cannot deny that I would not mind your behind nestled h-" Miroku's words were cut off as he rolled out of the way of Sango's Hiraikotsu shaking the ground as it landed, and her irritated huff. He kept his hand on the pup's shoulder to steady her nerves.

"Monk!" Sango growled. Miroku was laughing but Sango wasn't.

"I have said something to upset you!" Miroku grinned. "I did not realize."

"You did too and you know it!" Sango swung Hiraikotsu for Miroku's feet this time and barely missed.

As soon as Miroku was down Sango returned to glower at the fireside, daring them to say a word. He removed his hand from Miyuki's shoulder when she finally resumed eating, sending Kagome a nervous glance.

"How you wound me, Sango!" They heard Miroku groan.

"Not nearly enough," she retorted.

Kagome spread out her sleeping bag in her pajamas, sending a glance towards where Inuyasha and Miyuki sat against a tree nearby. Sure, she knew that they were both fine, and Inuyasha always kept guard anyway, but still.

"Do you think that Miyuki would like to come sleep with me and Shippo?" She didn't want the little thing catching cold. Inuyasha's ears perked up but he didn't answer, glancing towards where the kid was arranging pieces of grass that she'd pulled on his leg. "Miyuki? Do you think that you'd like to sleep with me tonight?"

That adorable little chibi face turned upwards but she shook her hair so hard that her hair went flying around her head, glancing up at Inuyasha. "Yaya need sleep."

"She's got that bag of hers, squirt. You ought'a go check it out." Inuyasha urged with a slight push to her back. Kagome and Shippo always slept warm in it.

"Yaya need," she whispered. "Be 'lone."

"I'm fine," he felt his ear twitch. "Go with Kagome."

She stuck out her bottom lip but went half-crawling and half-walking towards where Kagome was kneeling by the bag, welcomed with her smile towards where it was unzipped. "There you go Miyuki! Ya…I mean Inuyasha will be here in the morning when you wake up."

Miyuki sniffed at the bag for several seconds, suddenly reeling back violently and running to crash into his stomach. Wide-eyed Kagome's mouth dropped open as he felt his ears clamp down against his head. "Inuyasha?"

"You're hurting her feelings," he spoke lowly. "Go back over there."

"No," she mumbled into the front of his haori.

"No?" At the look in Kagome's eye he wanted to growl, but the kid would take it too personally. "Why not? What's wrong with it? It's a bed, ain't it?"

"Smell," she shook her head. "Smell."

Going over he set Miyuki in Kagome's arms, leaning over the bag himself. "I don't smell anything but Kagome and Shippo, squirt. What are you talking about?"

"What's wrong with the smell?" Kagome asked gently. He could feel the others watching them curiously even though they were pretending to be readying for bed.

"It's chilly tonight squirt. Are you sure?" he pushed. Getting her to sleep with Kagome would be a big step. "Kagome would keep you happy."

"Yaya want sleep 'Ome?" he heard Miroku splutter from across the fire, but he made sure to send a glare their way, even though they were giggling madly. Even Kagome's cheeks had warmed up, but he knew the kid didn't mean what they'd heard.

Even so, he couldn't find his tongue with the heat on his own face.

"You want to sleep with Inuyasha in the bag? Is that it?" Kagome tried to save the situation. Miyuki stuck her tongue out to consider the option and finally nodded.

"I ain't sleepin' in that bag."

"Inuyasha," Kagome urged him softly. "I can-"

"Here." Picking the pup up he shoved Miyuki into her arms, snorting lightly. "Get in wench." He was tired of hearing snickers from their so-called friends. Something told Kagome to let the argument go, and she eased into the weird futon with the pup in her arms.

"Yaya stay?" he heard Miyuki whisper.

"Get to sleep and mind your own damn business!" he snarled over to where Miroku, Sango and Shippo wouldn't quit givin' him those creepy looks. They made a better effort at getting into it but he turned his attention back towards where Kagome was trying to coax the girl into cuddling into her.

"Get some sleep," he got up, going back over to his own tree.

She returned to sleeping in his lap after that night. Shippo got to sleep tucked in with Kagome again. He'd finally figured out what was so wrong with the futon's "smell". It was Shippo. Something about the little kit just set her off.

They came to the crossroads between Sango's village and Kaede's, and they made a decision.

"It'll only be a few days, and you won't want to wait around without supplies," Sango moved to mount Kilala, shouldering Kilala. "I promise, I'll be as quick as I can."

"Hurry it up, ok? We ain't got time to sit around and twiddle our fingers waitin' on you," Inuyasha snorted without anger. Kagome had Miyuki on her hip and Shippo sat on Miroku's shoulder.

"I will, Inuyasha. Thank you." With a growl Kilala took off into the air, in the opposite direction, and he turned down the other road towards where Kaede was waiting for them—or she would be, considering how long it'd been since they'd been back.

Kagome giggled at seeing Inuyasha looking so flustered. Miyuki was curled up on her collarbone and Inuyasha set forward again after watching Sango fly off for a minute, and she started after him. It was so silly to see Miroku looking almost sad, but it was rather nice too. It was heartwarming to see that he really would miss Sango for those few days.

But she was looking forward to being able to go home. She could go shopping and bring back enough supplies to last them a while, or until they could start on the trail for more shards again.

Miyuki wasn't very heavy but after walking for a while her arm started to ache. Pausing as she saw the two males talking ahead she set Miyuki down, though she kept hold of her hand. "Just for a little while, ok? Come on sweetie," she smiled encouragingly.

"You're such a moron."

"No, I truly believe that perhaps Shippo is smarter than a rock."

"Hey!" The little ball of fluff marching between them protested.

"See, I don't believe it. You'd think, but…"

"Inuyasha, he would move if he were on fire."

"He sets himself on fire all the time with his fox-magic and he never moves." Inuyasha shrugged with one shoulder.

"While you have a valid point, he does create that particular brand of fire."

"Would you two quit teasing him?" she interrupted before they insulted him anymore. Shippo turned to walk backwards, throwing her a grateful smile. "I hope he grows up and beats both of you up."

"I do not think so," Miroku said smoothly.

"In his dreams," Inuyasha agreed.

She rolled her eyes and looked back down to where Miyuki was walking next to her, white hair swinging as she walked. She was so cute. She was definitely going to bring back some of her hair ribbons so she could make her adorable. Maybe even one of her old dresses or something if it weren't too impractical. And if she could explain to Mama about what she was doing.

She glanced up to where Inuyasha was talking to Miroku about something else, admiring the way her hanyou's white hair caught the light. His hair was attractive, but he wouldn't let her brush it, or even brush it himself and it looked a little gnarled. He always shook it dry and then just continued on with whatever he was doing. Such a pity.

"You could never take me in a fight, monk."

"Just because I have never chosen to subdue you does not mean that I am not capable."

"Because you know that if you tried I'd smack you silly, moron. Even before you turned tail and ran like a coward."

"And if I recall, it was Kagome who saved you from my Wind Tunnel, was it not? If she had not interfered I would have killed you, my friend." Miroku came back smoothly.

"No you wouldn't."

"Yes I would, Inuyasha."

"No you—"

"Would you two knock it off?" she called ahead. "It's like listening to children bicker."

"Do you see? You have incurred Kagome's wrath now."

"It's your fault for being such an idiot."

"Ome?" Miyuki's voice came, and she felt pulling on her skirt. She looked down to where the girl was looking up at her.

"What is it?"

"Wh he?"

Her eyebrows lowered, trying to understand her question. "Say that for me again?"

"Who he?" She pointed at the kitsune marching between the still-bickering adults. She was tempted to charge forward and to stop it just for her own sanity.

"You mean Shippo?" She was glad that the kitsune was focused on arguing with the two men. Inuyasha had told her that she was wary of him. "What about him?"

"He fa'me?"

She sounded out her question silently before she understood. "Oh, you mean family? He's been with us for a while now—he's family. We take care of him." Miyuki watched her face for a moment before turning her face forward again as she marched forward, missing a step as she tripped over a rock. "Are you ok?" She was walking smoothly again, so she didn't worry too much about it.

Up ahead she could see where the forest was beginning to break into open ground. Kaede's village. They were already traipsing down the segment of the road that turned into the more worn path, and she tightened her hand on Miyuki's. "Inuyasha?"

He stopped to turn back towards her, reading something in her face. "What is it, Kagome?" he asked seriously.

"I think that you should take Miyuki now." They didn't have a choice—they needed some kind of supplies. And Kaede happened to live in a human village. "Before we get there." She didn't know how their guest would react.

He blinked before understanding, coming back towards her to kneel down in front of Miyuki. "Oi, listen kid," he spoke…gently? How sweet of him! "You like to eat, right?"

She nodded, squeezing her hand reflexively. "Don't scare her, Inuyasha."

"Well, we've gotta go to see our friend now, ok? And she lives in a human village." It took her a moment of a puzzled expression before her eyes and mouth popped open and she shook her head violently, slipping her hand out of hers.

Inuyasha caught her by the waist, pulling her forward. "You're gonna be fine, all right? We ain't gonna leave you alone, and I'm sure Kaede'll have all kind of food for you to eat. Wouldn't you like that?"

"You'll like Kaede, little one. She is a very kind woman," Miroku's voice came. Miyuki ducked her head around Inuyasha's arm to see where Miroku and Shippo were now facing the three of them, interested.

"Nobody's gonna lay a hand on you, ok? Ya got my word on that one. Besides, this village ain't as bad as most of the ones I've run into. It's pretty safe." Inuyasha pulled her closer, picking her up to sit on his hip as he rose again. "Just stay calm."

Inuyasha stayed back with her as Miroku and Shippo started forward, and Miyuki kept her head craned towards the road in front of them. "Dammit, she's nervous."

She reached to take the free hand that swung between them, surprising him into looking at her. "Thank you for being so nice to her Inuyasha. She needs it."

His cheeks flared up at the way she was holding his hand, but she didn't care at the moment. "Keh, wench. I don't need you to thank me for that stupid."

"I know, but I thought that it probably wouldn't hurt for you to hear it anyway." She smiled at him, and he turned his eyes back to the road determinedly. He could be so cute sometimes.

"Yeah, fine. Whatever." Inuyasha's cheeks faded a little bit, and she felt his hand curl around hers for a moment before leaving in favor of shifting Miyuki on his hip. "Stop squirming around like a little fish. Don't your trust me?"

"Trust Yaya," Miyuki nodded.

"You're not thinkin' of goin' back to your time tonight, are you?" Inuyasha's gold eyes turned on hers suddenly.

"I…I'd been planning on it. We need supplies." They were entering the very outskirts of the village now, losing Miroku and Shippo as they suddenly made a turn and disappeared out of sight.

Miyuki whined quietly and buried her face in Inuyasha's shoulder, fisting the red fabric in her hands. Her own eyes widened as she watched Inuyasha's arm tighten on her back, and his ears flattened. "She can smell 'em now, I think."

They continued down the path and turned to cross between houses like Miroku and Shippo had done, and she threw another glance at the baby in Inuyasha's arms. They were nearing Kaede's hut, and she held open the door flap while Inuyasha ducked inside.

Miroku sat with Kaede around her fire, and Inuyasha didn't hesitate in going to the far wall and sliding down immediately to sit. Miyuki was completely silent, and he was patting her back in smoothing patterns.

"Miroku was just telling me about some youkai pup. Is this she?" Kaede started.

"Yes Kaede. This is little Miyuki." She went over to sit close to Inuyasha, patting his arm. Miyuki wasn't the only youkai who looked a little stressed.

Miroku quietly filled Kaede in about the details, as well as Sango's location, while Miyuki slowly relaxed against Inuyasha's shoulder. She slowly turned her face to glance towards her, and she smiled at the nervous pup. "It's ok."

"Kaede-baba is old and she smells, but she's ok." Inuyasha snorted lightly.

"I see that ye manners are not improved," Kaede sighed. "How about some dinner? Would that make the little one more comfortable?"

"Yes," she sighed. Nudging Inuyasha she let out an exasperated breath. "There was no need to be so rude."

"She knows what I'm talking about," Inuyasha bent his face towards Miyuki, who covered her mouth in a little giggle at something. Inuyasha smirked and looked back towards her, and she couldn't help a relieved sigh—she didn't know what they could smell, not that it mattered much.

"Truly?" Miroku's voice lilted. "Yes, I would imagine so. What a terrible accident."

"Her husband is recovering now, but he shall not be walking for some time now," Kaede shook her head.

"Where'd Shippo go?" The little kit wasn't in the room.

"He decided to go find that little village wench of his baka," Inuyasha snorted. "That kit's been spending way too much time around this lecher monk here."

She reached up to grip Inuyasha's ear lightly, pressing on it with her fingers threateningly. "Listen Inuyasha. We've really got to have a talk about the way you speak."

"What's wrong with it?" he pulled his ear away, sending her an annoyed glance.

"It's not…oh never mind." He hadn't said anything really bad after all. She could get onto him later when he started cussing. "I really wanted to go home tonight and see my family. And then tomorrow I'm going to go shopping."

"No, you're not." Inuyasha glared, narrowing his eyes on her.

"What?"

"Yer not leavin' me here alone with this squirt," he snorted, turning back to run a large hand through the kid's hair lightly. Her face perked up and she offered Inuyasha her first smile since coming to the village.

"I think you'll manage." She really needed to get home. She so wanted to hug Mama, and take a real bath, and sleep in a real bed. "Kaede and Miroku are here. It's not like you're alone."

"Drop it Kagome," Inuyasha said firmly.

"Ye should not be so worried Inuyasha. It will be all right," Kaede's voice interrupted. "Why don't ye walk her to the well? I would not want for something to catch Kagome unawares."

"She's not goin' anywhere, stupids." Inuyasha said, setting Miyuki on the floor in front of his crossed legs.

"I wanted to bring back food. Don't you want Ramen?" Maybe if she tempted his stomach he'd stop being so stubborn. She saw his ears twitch even if his expression didn't change. "The longer you keep me here the longer it'll take me to get back."

"You can go tomorrow then," Inuyasha shrugged with one shoulder.

"Miyuki," she asked sweetly, patting her lap. She came eagerly to sit on her leg, letting herself be curled into the girl's stomach.

"Inuya-sha?" she sang out. His ears clamped down at the same second that he realized what was coming, reaching to stop her. "Sit boy."