Author's Note – This story is different from the other stories I've posted up thus far for this fandom. The main character is still Kagome, and there are mentions of the others in the story… however, the layout is different. I cannot explain, as I do not want to ruin it for you readers. If you're willing to find out what I'm talking about then please continue on reading. As a side note, as this 'story' stands now it will remain a one-shot. If enough have enjoyed the story, I shall continue to write it. Please for now, however, just read, and I hope to see you all at the end. :3

Book 05: Found

She watched as the people around her ran in the opposite directions seeking shelter from the oncoming storm. The sky was a portentous shade of smoked grey—near pitch-black—with small droplets of rain and large gusts of wind blowing in from the north. She moved to the side and pulled on her hood, thankful that her exorcist uniform was made of warm enough material to protect her petite body from the chilly squall.

Where is that damned Innocence? She had spent the last two days wandering through the small, isolated town located just north of a mountain peak she could never remember the name of, and had no luck in locating a single clue or person to help her. The finders who'd been stationed to meet her never arrived, thus forcing her to make her way through the forest that surrounded the village all by herself. I swear Komui's going to regret giving me this mission! There had been more than enough exorcists stationed at Headquarters who were willing and able to take on this mission. Allen and Link—his, cough, stalker, cough—returned from a job in Spain less than two weeks ago, and were already prepared to embark on another assignment… if only Komui would give them one. Lavi, who for once was ahead in his Bookman duties, was also willing to leave the Order for a mission, yet the damned Supervisor never provided him with one. Lenalee who was recuperating from a long three week assignment in Alaska, was also willing and able to depart from the Order… but Komui being Komui refused to give the girl a mission, stating that his 'beautiful, precious and perfect little girl' should remain put for another week or two in order to fully recover.

She rolled her eyes. Good grief. The girl's older brother was far too clingy—and downright scary at some points. Before leaving for her mission, she swore she had heard the sound of explosives emanating from somewhere in the basement. Reever, the sole person to wave her off, had sworn loudly when hearing the bang before stalking off to 'investigate'.

"I bet that fool is busy trying to rebuild another Sir Komlin," she grumbled under her breath, zipping her jacket as far as it would go.

Stalking down the street, she muttered a series of curses in her mother tongue directed towards a particular beret wearing man before coming to a stop… right before an alley. Eyes narrowed, she took a brave step towards the darkened back street knowing she saw something moving in the darkness. Known for her impudent and brash behaviour, the young exorcist slowly marched through the unknown terrain, watching her surroundings. The further she ventured through the desolate and dingy alley, the more garbage and strays she saw.

Was it just my imagination? She blinked, confused. For a moment, she could have sworn she had seen a small figure run down the same cobblestone street. It looked too big to be an adult, yet small enough to be a child. She narrowed her eyes. I'll keep walking for another minute. If I don't see what I saw, I'll turn back and head for the Inn. Set in her decision, she continued her march slowly nearing the end of the alley. It was then that she stopped and noticed it… Lying in a small, wet cardboard box was a little boy no older than four, shivering.

Eyebrow raised, she knelt down before the boy, smiling softly. "Hello there," she whispered. The boy's eyes snapped open, revealing a stunning shade of petrified sapphire.

He looks so scared, she noted, observing his facial expression. Hair and face covered in dirt with bruises lining his under eyes and small cuts smeared across his cheeks, she wondered how long the little boy had been living outside all alone.

Several weeks or months, I'd assume. A nagging voice whispered from the back of her mind.

She shook her head and removed her hood. Knowing he was watching her, she slightly smirked and reached into her pocket, withdrawing a perfectly packaged and unopened snack. She held it before the boy, watching the way his eyes lit upon noticing the item.

"Do you want it?" She smiled sweetly, leaning forward to offer him the package. Without hesitation, he snatched the wrapper from her hands and opened it within a second. She watched the way he devoured the food and could not stop from frowning. The poor guy.

Finished eating, he slowly set down the wrapper and eyed her expectantly, hoping for more food. Shaking her head, the boy realized the woman had nothing else to offer. Backing away into the depths of his cardboard box, he awaited the moment the woman would leave, knowing that she, like all others who tried to help him, would soon run off.

"Do you want more food?" The question caught him off guard. She repeated. "Would you like more food?" Unsure of whether or not to reply, he decided to say where he was hoping she would leave.

She tried again. "Would you like some more food?" Inching closer, she craned her neck in an attempt to see the boy who was trying to hide. When she saw him cowering in fear, the reality of the situation hit her hard: this was the boy's home. Mouth opened, tears lined her eyes. Biting on her tongue, she suppressed the urge to cry by reminding herself that she would help this boy… whether he knew it or not.

I don't want to scare him away by being too direct. The idea of grabbing him by the arm and pulling him out was a big no-no. The boy was already scared, and if she did anything else to provoke him, he might wind up running away in fright. That means I have to make him come to me. I need to make him realize that I'm no threat.

She coughed, clearing her throat. She would try to honest approach first. "I mean you no harm. I'm not here to hurt you; I only want to help." She kept talking. "My name is Kagome, and I'm an exorcist. I work for an organization called the Black Order, whose primary job is to help people." Here she was lying. The Order's first and main concern was not to help people but kill Akuma; but he didn't need to know that. "As an exorcist, it would be going against my principles to not provide assistant to a person in need." Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed him slowly inching forward; he was moving closer. Smiling, she continued to talk. "If you let me help you, I'll take you somewhere nice and dry where you can eat to your heart's content and fall asleep on a nice, warm comfy bed."

The concept of warmth and food was enough to make the little boy emerge from his box and stand before her. Kagome remained kneeling, extending her arms open. "Well?" She giggled.

Slowly but surely the boy advanced stumbling into her arms. Kagome held him tightly, running her hand up and down his back. Murmuring soft words in his ear, she leaned her head against his and stood up, cradling him in one arm. Unzipping her jacket, she shifted him in her arms allowing him to seek some warmth under the garment's thick material. The boy gulped, confused, but breathed a small sigh of contentment as he snuggled against her, his eyes shutting. Although this feeling was foreign, he was already enjoying it, relishing in the feel of affection and tenderness.

Meanwhile Kagome zipped her jacket, put on her hood and turned around, a sincere smile gracing her face. Even with no luck in locating the Innocence or the finders she was supposed to meet with, she was able to help a person in need… and it wasn't because of an Akuma attack.

Maybe this mission wasn't a complete waste, she thought to herself.

Author's Note – If you've read the entire story, now you understand what I mean; I hope. XD I'm sorry for the lack of updates… its been more than a year since I've posted for this specific story, and I know that this one story isn't enough to make up for the lack of updates. I shall try harder to post up more stories and not take another year to update. X3 Please tell me what you thought of the story, and if you'd like to find out more about Kagome's new friend feel free to do so.

Thank you for reading,

TFSA