A/N: Thank you once again for the reviews LogicalGoth and Inu'sgirl4ever. And to axredxwine, EmeraldoftheFlame, Itovetacos5, Rann Organa, and Riverdraggin for adding the story to their favorites list. Out of the seventeen people I now have waiting for alerts, none of you caught the large plot hole I added at the end of chapter 9. The scene between "future Shippou" and "future Sesshoumaru" was only meant to relieve the seriousness of the Inuyasha/Shippou talk. I have to thank the anonymous reviewer "spasija" for pointing it out and unknowingly helping me advance the romance part of the story.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha characters, manga, anime, movies, etc. They belong by copyright laws to Rumiko Takahashi et al.

Her Knight

Ch. 10

When Shippou's phone rang, showing his aunt's number, he briefly considered not answering. However, knowing his aunt as he did, he didn't dare ignore the call. "Hello, Auntie," he tried in a carefree tone as if he had no idea why she would be calling at five o'clock in the morning.

"Just what kind of stunt are you trying to pull? Both you and Sesshoumaru are interfering with the way things are happening. Do you honestly want to risk changing the past?"

"Well, I thought it would be funny if…" he wisely didn't finish that sentence. Unfortunately, it was too late to prevent his aunt from hearing it.

"You thought it would be funny?" Was it him, or had her voice gotten even louder?

"Wait, don't get angry, Aunt. I have a very good reason for carrying out my idea from five hundred years ago. Mother once said that it was because Father went to school with her that they were finally able to admit their love for each other. I think that's the only reason Uncle agreed to the idea. You know he's a stickler for the rules."

The kitsune heard the sigh on the other side of the line and relaxed. "Yes, he hasn't changed very much, has he? One wrong move from this point on and I swear you'll regret it, young man. Do I make myself clear?" He gulped, not wanting to imagine just what she had in mind.

"Yes, ma'am. So, we're good?"

"Oh, no, you're grounded."

"But I'm over five hundred years old!"

"You're still grounded."

"Aw, man."


Hours after present day Shippou got yelled at by one of his aunts, Inuyasha was ready to yell down the house when he received a letter from his present day brother. Even five hundred years later, Sesshoumaru was still a presumptuous jerk.

"No way in he…" he trailed off, seeing both Kagome and Mama raise an eyebrow at his language. "No way."

"But it's the perfect solution. You don't want to leave me alone after what happened, and you can't hang around outside school. Someone's bound to notice even with you wearing modern clothing. And as you look like you should be in school, the officials will think you're skipping. Or that you're stalking someone." Kagome clasped her hands in supplication. "Please."

"Kagome, my studies ended with Ofukuro's death. There's no way I could fit in. And I can't leave Tetsusaiga behind."

"Your brother thought of that, dear."

"SOB thinks of everything, doesn't he?" Mama frowned but refrained from scolding him. He hadn't actually sworn and she wasn't quite sure what the phrase really meant to dog demons.

"Kagome's principal and teacher have already been informed of what happened. I did so myself when I called to have her excused from gym. Your brother has provided a letter stating that a member of the clan is going to be providing a temporary guard for Kagome. Just until all of the gang members are rounded up. You will go in as a student trying to decide on whether to go to public school or to private after being home schooled for so long. That way, you won't have to answer any questions unless you want to or take any tests."

Inuyasha watched both of their faces light up with the brilliance of the plan and knew he was going to cave. The thought of being near Kagome all day was the deciding factor. "Just one question. How are we to hide my demon features and sword? I doubt I can wear that stupid hat around all day. It hurts my ears anyway and hinders my ability to hear."

"Somewhere in the packet he sent…" Mama searched the large envelope and came up with a ring. The Taisho crest was embedded in a large onyx held by platinum.

Inuyasha took it reverently, not wanting to crush the symbol of his father's house. Kagome must have sensed his hesitation because she carefully put it on his right hand and squeezed it gently. She knew he'd never been accepted by his father's people so to wear something with the clan's crest was overwhelming.

"Where did your ears go?" Mama exclaimed. The teens blinked, not understanding the reason for her surprise.

"Mama?"

"His ears have disappeared." Kagome glanced at the much loved appendages and shook her head.

"They're still there, Mama."

"Keh, kitsune magic. Normal people can't see them anymore. Humans with powers and demons can though."

"Oh, this is perfect!" Kagome clapped. "Can we keep it?"

"No, it is to go back to Sesshoumaru after this is over. He's afraid any more interference could harm the timeline." The elder Higurashi woman smiled apologetically at her daughter. "Let's get him a couple of uniforms and then set him up in your class."

The half demon trailed an excited miko and her mother out of the house to go shopping. He kept his complaints to himself, enjoying the smile on his priestess' face. Inuyasha had faced all kinds of demons. He could stand a week of watching out for her at her school. Maybe he'd finally understand why she insisted on working herself into the ground just to pass all those tests. She had to be gaining something worthwhile to put herself through the pain of the terrible headaches and odd nightmares she often got while trying to study.

Three hours later he was questioning his sanity. The three of them had left the shrine shortly after nine in the morning. It was now midday and they were still at the mall. He had learned upon entering the congested building that the smells of Kagome's time could get worse. With over a thousand people in one place, plus the multitude of scents from the stores, it was a miracle he hadn't passed out.

"We're all set." Kagome looked at her protector and friend and became instantly contrite. "I'm sorry, Inuyasha; I forgot all the different smells would hurt your nose. We'll go home."

Kagome became tired and sore on their way back to the shrine. After lunch she was sent upstairs to take a nap while Mama went over the rules and school schedule with Inuyasha. Once he understood what everything was and how to operate anything he might use, Mama called the principal who readily agreed to the idea. It seemed he too had received a letter from the elder Taisho brother. With the clan's influence and generosity over the last fifteen years, it was the least he could do.

School had let out for the day by the time they met with Kagome's teacher. The middle aged man nodded in understanding and gazed at his student with concern. "Are you sure you wish to do this, Higurashi? You've stayed home in the past."

"Yes, sir. But those were illnesses mostly. This is only physical and as long as I don't try to participate in gym, I should be fine. Besides, I've missed so much, I really can't afford to stay home."

"All right." The teacher bowed briefly to Inuyasha, getting a similar bow in return. "Welcome to school, Taisho-san. I hope you enjoy your time here."

Under the careful eye of Mama, he said, "Thank you. As long as Kagome's all right, I suppose it will be an interesting experience. I had a tutor growing up so I've never gone to school." The fact that his mother had been his tutor was left out.

"Well, this will be interesting. I want you to feel free to jump into the discussions at any time. It'll be nice to see how your private education matches up."

Inuyasha grinned at the teacher. "I can honestly say that this won't be like anything I learned at home."