It's so exciting! I'm telling ya! Have a question...do you think Kouga and Rin a cute couple or Rin and Shippou?

I don't own Inuyasha and Company only...those i don't feel like typing out. You know who they are and you also know what to do...R&R!

"Why haven't they come back…it's been almost a week." Sango asked, worried as she glanced toward the mat of Keade's door.

"I do not know." Dayo muttered, wondering the same thing.

"Alright, I'm going to get'em." Inuyasha announced, standing from his spot and leaving the hut.

"I hope he doesn't lose his temper." she sighed.

"Yea right." Shippou snorted, lazily looking up from the book he was reading.

"Tis Inuyasha we speak of." Keade added.

"They both have a vaild point." Miroku agreed as he walked into the hut, Juno right behind him.

"Oh Miroku." Sango said in surprise then smiled as she eyed the stranger at his side. "How did your mission go?"

"It went well, with the help Lady Juno gave me, it was quite quick." he smiled, sitting with the group and gesturing for Juno to follow suit. She just cocked a brow at him, continuing to stand. Sango covertly grinned, knowing she was going to like this new stranger. "Lady Juno, let me introduce my travel companions." he gestured to the ones beside him. "This is Keade, Sango, Dayo, Kokhau, Shippou and Rin."

"Hello." she nodded toward them all, her eye training on Dayo and Shippou. Miroku had said there were demons mixed with humans in this group but as she found, one can never be to safe.

"Pleasure to meet you." Sango smiled and stretched forward to stir the stew.

"How did you come across our monk?" Kokhau asked from his seat between Dayo and Shippou.

"He was being robbed blind by a pretty face." Juno shrugged as she sat carefully but close to the door in case. It didn't go unnoticed by Dayo.

"Figures." Dayo muttered.

"We told you, lecher, your roaming hand was going to get you in trouble." Sango tisked, spooning soup out for everyone. They murmured their thanks an she held another bowl out to Juno. The young stranger eyed the stew a moment before taking it.

"Where's Inuyasha?" Miroku asked, realizing the brash hanyou wasn't in the group.

"Went to get Ipo and Kagome." Dayo answered.

"They aren't back yet?" the surprise and concern was evident on his face. It made Juno eye him more carefully.

"No…we were worried, Inuyasha went to get them." Shippou replied, blowing on his stew before eating it.

When Inuyasha came to the other side, he was greeted by the usual smells and sounds but no miko's. Bending at the knees, he jumped out to land on the platform and turned toward the door. Cracking it open, he listened intently for any unfamiliar voices and when none came, went outside. Kagome's sweet floral scent danced under his nose and like a lost puppy, followed it.

What he came across made his heart actually skip a beat. Charred remains of trees and what was left of the storage room loomed off to the side. He could smell Kagome and Ipo inside. "To much crap." came the mutter as box after box was tossed to the ground, outside.

"Oow!" the other moaned then mumbled under their breath. Inuyasha was sure it was Ipo, had Kagome muttered what he heard, Ipo would have also. Then all commotion inside the room stilled, even their breathing became even. "Kags, your boy toy is outside."

There was a rustle, grunting and then Kagome stumbled from the room, catching her feet on a fallen piece of charred wood. She squeaked in surprise, trying to prepare herself for impact but it never came. Cracking an eye open, she looked up into the face of Inuyasha, his arms securely locked around her waist and grinned. "Hi Inuyasha." a blush stained her cheeks as he set her to her feet, causing both to look away.

"We've been worried. You guys were suppose to be back four days ago." he pointed out, frowning.

"We've been busy." Ipo stated in a careless manner, kicking a box from her path as she stood in the room entrance, hands on the door seal.

"What could've been more important then coming back to finish the hunt?!" he demanded.

"I'm gonna act like I didn't just hear that, since you don't know what happened." Kagome told him in a cool voice, turning and marching toward the house purposefully.

Inuyasha's mouth open and closed like a gaping fish, watching her before turning his confused look on Ipo. She sighed hard, plopping on the ground and gestured for the hanyou to do the same. He did. "Gramps was attacked." he gasped. "There was a mask in the storage-room. Apparently, it had a jewel shard, broke threw the charms used to subdue it and set the building on fire."

"Is he ok?" he whispered.

"Yea, he fainted before he could inhale to much smoke but…it scared us. The mask took control of a fireman and just…wagged all out war on our street. Killed a lot of people, Yashie." she stuck her hands in the sleeves of the priestess grab. "But we took care of it."

"Are you guys alright?" he looked to the house, making the elder miko smile.

"Yea…"

"Why were you in the room?" he looked back to her, letting his eyes slid toward the place in question.

"Just making sure nothing else was there to endanger anyone…" standing passively, she looked down at the inu demon then nodded toward the house. He nodded with a sly smile then bound toward the house, to comfort Kagome and the old man.

Sighing, Ipo looked around her at all garbage and grunted. "Let's do this." thankfully, the demon speed had her zipping through he choir and heading for the backdoor, humming.

"It's ever nice of you to be concerned, Inuyasha." Gramps voice could be heard from the living room.

Ipo shook her head with a small smile as went to the cabinets. "Y'al hungry?!"

"Yes!" five different voices replied and she chuckled, opening the cabinet to look over what food they had. 'Hm…maybe some chicken and rice?' nodding to herself, she grabbed the required ingredients and step them out on the counter then washed her hands.

"What are you going to make?" Racihio wandering into the room.

"Chicken and rice…" was the answer as she moved around the kitchen, getting pan for said dish and setting the oven.

"I'll mix the rice." she stepped up beside her 'daughter', taking over that aspect.

"Thanks." she murmured, mixing lemon, basil and a Cajun spice into a small bowl. Using a large hammer like spiked, she tenderized the chicken and when it was good enough, poured the glaze over it. Racihio then came after her, shaping the rice into the open spots. When everything was said and done, the tray was slid into the oven.

"So, you two leaving tomorrow?" they moved to the table, after the older woman made them both a cup of steaming tea.

"I…dunno." Ipo shrugged, looking at the table with knitted brows.

"You can't stay here just because Gramps got hurt." she tisked.

"But…someone could get hurt again…or worst." the worry came out like a whisper.

"Ipo…both you and Kagome have a duty in the Feudal Era, to collect the shards." she reached across the table to grip the young girls hand. "We will be fine." she looked to the woman she seen as her mother and smiled, covering the hand with her own. How was it mothers always knew what to say?

Inuyasha had already jumped on to the other side a couple hours ago, to let the girls say by to their family. It was tearful but even Gramps and Souta had said the same as Racihio in regards to the jewel shards. So now, both stood over the well lip and just stared into the darkness.

"It's hard to believe that this piece of wood takes us five hundreds years into the past." Ipo muttered, using her claws to draw little doodles wooden columns.

"Who knew this year was going to be so…interesting." Kagome agreed and both snorted at 'interesting'. There wasn't a word to describe what the two miko's had gone through. "How long…do you think this'll take us?" she wondered, perching on the lip of the well.

"Have no idea." Ipo shrugged, joining her and fingering the charm around her neck. "I like it here but…that's my home to."

"Homes where the heart is." Kagome sighed, looking at the other girl.

"It is, ain't it?" a grin lit her face as she looked back to the younger girl, lifting the necklace from around her neck and stuffing it in her bag. The change came quickly, like a gust of wind and before the miko sat the demonic looking Ipo. "Guess we have two homes." laughing at her own, sappy declaration, she let herself fall back into the well. The explosion of colors engulfed the girl and Kagome watched as she disappeared from view.

"Where the heart is." she repeated, smiling herself then lifted her legs to dangle in the well. "I'm coming home." then she hopped off, letting the warm feeling swallow her whole. When she appeared on the other side, Ipo was leaning against the wall, as if waiting. Perhaps she was.

"C'mon." grinning, she grabbed Kagome's hand and soared upward. When they landed on the ground, they were meant by an odd sight. 'Well, suppose it ain't to odd…' she mused taking everything in. Kouga was back, fighting with Inuyasha while the others where standing on the other side of the clearing, enthralled by the fight.

Kouga punched at Inuyasha, who blocked with Tetsusaiga. The blade was thrown out of the hanyou's hand by the impact. Inuyasha raised his claw menacing, glaring. "Iron-Reaver, Soul-Stealer!"

"Think we outta stop'em?" Ipo followed their figures as they rushed the other to attack, the dog with his claws and the wolf with his fist. They swung at the same time, clashing but continue moving forward.. Kouga broke to spin to face his opponent as did Inuyasha.

Kouga scoffed, raising his arm "What?! Did I claw you just now?"

Instead of answering, Inuyasha cradled his right arm. 'This is bad… He smashed my arm bone.' the wolf leapt into the air, punching the hanyou in the face then delivering a kick. Inuyasha managed to dodge one attack but is subsequently kicked in the face again, causing him to crash into the ground, rolling several times.

For the last attack, the wolf leapt into the air with raised fist. "This is the end for you!"

"ENOUGH!" Kagome boomed, smacking the wolf in the side of the face with the ever present bow. She didn't put any power in it, just trying to distract him and it did the job. Angered at being interrupted, he turned to the young girl, growling.

"I wouldn't try it if I was you." Ipo warned, coming to stand between/behind Kagome and Inuyasha. A cold glare, one she had mastered from Sesshoumaru, had settled on her face as she crossed her arms. "First you continuously attack my oniisan and now, you dare turn on my imootosan." shifting, she stepped between the two bodies to be face to face. "You're lucky we don't purify your ass and Kagome has every right by demon society."

Kouga didn't say anything, just stared at the miko in shock. She knew how the demonic society worked? The trio turned from him and headed toward Edo to meet up with the rest of the group.

It didn't take long before Ipo was tackled by a red and black blur, knocking her to the ground. A laugh escaped as she hugged her pups back. "I missed you guys to!"

"Welcome back, Lady Ipo, Lady Kagome." Miroku greeted.

"Hey Miroku, what's up?" she pushed up on her elbows to get a good look at the monk, smiling. It was then she noticed the stranger behind him, looking curiously at Kagome and herself. "Er…Hiya stranger." with the help of Rin and Shippou, she was pulled to her feet.

"Oh, this is lady Juno…these are the priestess' I told you about, Lady Kagome and Lady Ipo." he gestured to the two girls.

"Pleasure." Ipo smiled at the stranger, a hand on the head of her children. Juno's eyes snapped to the clawed hands, to Miroku then back to Ipo in confusion. The monk had said she was a priestess, right? "Long story, hun."

"We're sorry about your gramps!" Shippou said suddenly and she looked down at him in surprise. "Inuyasha told us when he got back….we're sorry." Rin nodded in agreement, both hugging her tighter then did the same to Kagome.

"Thank you babies, that means a lot." the love she held for those two shun in her eyes. But then she noticed the missing body of one and frowned. Where was Sesshoumaru?

"He went to spell that fan." Dayo announced as he walked toward the miko and furture lady of the west.

"He did?" she asked in surprise.

"Since you were unable, he took the mission upon himself." he nodded in agreement.

"Oh…that's sweet of him." Ipo adopted a dreamy look.

"Only you would find that sweet and romantic." Inuyasha snorted as he walked away from the group, toward Edo. Ipo narrowed her eyes, swiping a rather large rock and hurtled it at the back on of his head.(A move she seems often to do.) "Owi! Why are you always hitting me?!" he demanded in a whine, laying face first in the dirt.

"Well, if you weren't such a man, I wouldn't have to, would I?" she sniffed, sweeping pass him with Shippou running circles around her and Kagome.

"What the hell does that even mean?!" he threw his hands in the air, after he stood to watch them.

Kouga still stood there in silence, watching the scene was curious eyes. Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha's half brother and lord of the west. He, willingly, did something for Ipo, human, miko and friend of his hated half brother. Why? 'Could it be that…he is courting my Ipo?' A gentle tug on his fur skirt had the wolf demon looking down into Rin's smiling face. His brow cocked but she never said anything, just took his clawed hand to tug him toward the village.

The dark and eerie forest was one that many chose not to venture into. There was no telling what exactly lied in wait for someone. However, because of the being that traveled in it's depths, those desperate demons scampered far, far away. Sesshoumaru, lord of the west and strongest demon alive was one not to mess with.(I mean DUH!)

Glowing eyes watched his path, all reporting back to the mistress of this dangerous region. It was unusual for someone of her high stature to come seeking anything from the old soul that stayed in that place. Birds calls echoed, flashes of blue and grey between trees and giggling from both sides. It was an intimidating factor.

Sesshoumaru was not amused.

Ever so slightly, his eyes slid side to side, not noticeable enough to let the two females now he caught onto them. Were they the daughters Dayo spoke of? He could feel the power that emitted off them, no where's knew himself or his intended or her own imootosan; but together they would be quite the pair, he was sure.

A few more meters and he broke from the forest to a clearing. A barely erect house sat dead center but all the foliage was dead; from trees to the grassy plains. Outside; relaxed in a rocker on the porch as if waiting for him, was the woman he sought after. Dark witch, Arkia.

"Greetings Lord Sesshoumaru." she greeted with respect as she eyed the demon with cautious eyes. One could never be to careful.

"Arika." he nodded in acknowledgement.

"Hello Lord Sesshoumaru." two voices chimed from the side, Arkia's daughters, Chika and Kusiko. He paid them no heed since they were not included apart of his mission. It seemed they sensed that and the eldest girl, Chika pouted, arms crossing to make her chest stick out. It always drew the wanted attention from the opposite sex, sometimes the same.

Unfortunately for her, Sesshoumaru was not swayed. "You have come far, milord." Arkia stood, her old and wrinkled body hunched over. She was a old, old woman. "What can I do for you?"

"You will spell this fan." he lifted said object and she cocked a brow. Why on earth would he want to spell a fan? "A tracking spell shall suffice."

"What's so special about some ugly fan?" pouted Chika as she eyed the item in disdain.

"That is between myself and the one that wished it spelled." he answered with a icily tone, making all the sisters shiver.

"Lord Sesshoumaru, doing the biding for another. Never thought I'd see the day." Arkia chuckled lowly and her reward was warning growl. "Come now, milord, tell us. What reason you have for seeking me out?" even as old as she was, the witch moved toward him with more grace then most demoness had. Year and years of experience.

Mentally, the great lord sighed, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. Even Sesshoumaru wanted to let his guard down sometimes and act like a regular, young demon. He also knew how sturrborn the witch could be, from past engagements. "It is for my intended."

"Intended?" both younger girls gasped in shock, the elder swooning.

"She was to come and ask herself but someone stupidly," and here he turned to look at the girls for the first time. "Attacked the northern lord and she came across them." Arkia's eyes, which had been playfully snapped to her daughter, cold and angry. It was stupid to go after one of the four lords, they were to strong and could bring a wrath upon Arkia's head.

"That wench is your attended?!" Chika growled, fist closing. Oh, she remembered the priestess that interfered with the ritual. Suddenly, she was pinned to the tree, hand around her neck and struggling to breath. Her hands automatically started to claw at the offending limb as her eyes snapped to the angered face of Sesshoumaru. She froze completely, noting his eyes were a staggering red. She had really pissed the beast off.

Kusiko moved to help her sister but Arkia grabbed her arm, yanking her back and to face the witch. "You have disgraced me and your training. You never go after a demon lord. And your sister, she just insulted Lord Sesshoumaru's intended mate. It is a matter she will deal on her own." she nodded, lowering her head and stepping to the back of her mother.

"Never insult mate." she whimpered in fear, nodding quickly and only then did he release her. Then he turned back to Arkia, holding the fan out.

Not a word was spoken as the elderly woman moved forward to take it. "Come back in two hours." with a nod, he turned to disappear back the way he came. Arkia looked to Kusiko then nodded toward the silent Chika and she ran toward her sister.

Night had fallen, the inu-tashio gang had stopped for the night, all gathered around the fire, eating ramen and listening as KokIpo explained her story, again. Personally, the young teen was getting tried of having to repeat herself. Maybe she could write it out and every time someone asked, give them the paper? 'No, a lot of people can't read here.'

"That is…an astounding story." Juno noted as she looked the young miko over. She did have the demonic looks but was able to produce holy power, she seen first hand when they were attacked by some snake demon wanting the jewel shards.

"No more then why a group like us have all come together." Kokhau shrugged.

Ipo nodding in agreement as she sipped the last noodle into her mouth. Chopsticks hitting the carton bottom, she looked down and frowned. 'Awwww, no more?' she looked over at everyone else and noticed Inuyasha was on like his…fourth cup. 'Well, he don't need all that.' she decided and waited. Kagome asked a question with a low voice, making him look at her and Ipo struck. She round up half the noodles on her chopsticks and pulled back, seconds before he faced forward. A few had watched her, Dayo, Sango, Shippou, Rin and Juno, and were chuckling softly when he frowned. Then he looked at everyone else, following their stares to Ipo.

She sat there, hand under the dripping food and about to put it in her mouth when the growl came. Eyes wide, she inched her head to look at Inuyasha and his glared then shoved the noodles in her mouth. "Ipo." he growled.

"Yes, my darling oniisan?" she blinked innocently at him then dove forward to take more noodles. "You don't need four cups!" she wailed, running from the group as he was quick to follow.

"That was mine." he jumped, landing on her back and shoved her into the dirt. A triumphant look crossed his face but was short lived as she bucked him off.

"Technically, it's mine since WE brought it back." she retaliated, jumped on him. The forgotten noodles lay in the dirt as 'brother and sister' rolled around, wrestling.

"Are they also so…violent?" Juno wondered.

"Yea." everyone agreed.

"Ha!" they looked back to see Inuyasha walking back to the group.

"I know where you sleep at night!" Ipo shook her fist as she braced herself against a tree but smiling none the less. Her eyes closed a moment, just to enjoy the night breeze and sighed. When she opened them again, she noted Kouga sitting away from the group, sitting dejectedly with…Rin? She was talking to him animatedly, arms flailing and everything.

'Does Rin like him?' she wondered in awe, moving closer but trying to stay hidden.

"Look, the moon is about to disappear." Rin gestured to the sky then gasped. "A shooting star!" her eyes closed tightly. 'I wish to stay by Ipo, Shippou and even Lord Sesshomaru's side forever and ever.' then she opened her eyes again and looked at Kouga. "What did you wish for?"

"What's the point? I'll never get it." he replied dolefully.

"Don't say that!" she exclaimed, slapping his arm gently, making him look at her. "Maybe whatever you want isn't what your meant to have. Maybe you're meant for something different, better, so to speak."

"Maybe." he muttered.

"Rin!" Shippou waved her over by the fire, waving her princess book. Her eyes sparkled as she jumped to her feet and ran over, plopping beside him.

'Maybe I'm meant for something different, better…' the sentence kept repeating itself in his head. Maybe, just maybe she was right,

"Rin is entirely to smart to be like eight." Ipo noted, loud enough for him to hear but not the group. His head snapped up, seeing her leaning against a tree with her arms crossed. She dressed warmly for the night, in jeans, café length boots and a heavy forest green jacket.

"Heard that, did you?" he asked nervously.

"Yup…she's right ya know." she gestured toward Rin. "I'm definitely not right for you. You need someone that is willing to stay behind, do all the cooking and what not."

"That's not you?" his brow cocked.

"Not really. I'd much prefer to be on the battle field beside my man. I have no problem with cooking and taking care of the kids, as you can see." he nodded, glancing toward the group then back. "But I am not submissive, I'm hardheaded and quiet violent when pushed." again she stopped to think at her words then grinned. "Suppose I'm not really fit to be a mate of any demon.

"You really are be courted by a lord?"

"Yes." she nodded.

"Who?" he wondered.

"…Sesshoumaru." his surprise was immediate and evident with wide eyes. She laughed, leaning heavily against a tree for support. "I know…"

"I think you may need all those qualities to be Lady of the west." Kouga surmised.

"Why do you say that?" her brows furrowed.

"You know he is the strongest Taiyouaki alive, right?" she nodded. "And as such, there will be many females that try to get in with him. You're human and they will see you as an easy target."

"I am not a easy target." she scoffed, eyes narrowing.

"No you're not, as we all know but they will see you as one because of being human." he explained and her look faded into one of understanding. "And as I already said, you will need those qualities to survive."

"Oh fun." she cried sarcastically and he smirked. "You know, if you behave, you can join us…much warmer by the fire." he sent a wary look toward Inuyasha and she grinned. "Kagome's got him, c'mon." she held a hand out and without hesitation, he took it and was pulled to his feet. A whole another friendship was starting there.

Together, they walked back to the fire, the group quieting and when Kagome and Ipo locked eyes, the lather communicated to keep a handle on Inuyasha. "What's he doing here?" Inuyasha demanded, glaring at Kouga and Kagome promptly, smacked his head. "Owi, wench."

"Don't make me S.I.T. you." Kagome warned, shooting him a look. He grumbled, folding his arm and sent Kouga glares.

Kagura rested alone on a rooftop, overlooking the dark and dank forest that surrounded the castle. Even from inside, she could fill the evil that rolled off Naraku. Angling her head, she looked to the moon. 'Tomorrow is a new moon. Even the moon has days when it can hide in darkness.' absentmindedly, she placed a hand on her chest. 'But with Naraku holding on to my heart, there's nowhere for me to run.'

There was a rustle from behind, causing the wind sorceress to look back. "What?" a horde of demons fly across the sky and disappear among the dark clouds. "The demon spirits that Naraku kept around him…They've gone through the barrier!"

"Hey! Koga!" Hakkaku and Ginta burst into the camp of the Inu-tashio, startling everyone in drawing their weapons, almost attacking. "Eep!" both squeal, finding themselves at the end of some very sharp weapons.

"Oh wait…we know them." Kagome announced, smiling as she stepped forward. "Hey guys."

"Sister Kagome!" they exclaimed, hugging her then when they seen Ipo, did the same exact thing, calling out, 'Sister Ipo!'. the girls hugged them back.

"What are you two doing here?" Kouga wondered.

"You were gone for so long, we were worried." Ginta told him with a disapproving look.

"You guys traveling with us to?" Ipo asked suddenly.

"No!" Inuyasha screamed, shaking his head fiercely.

"They can if they want to!" Rin and Shippou cried at the same time, pouting.

"They're right. Stop being a child, Inuyasha." Miroku nodded in agreement.

"I'm not being a child!" he stomped his foot and everyone sweat dropped.

Not a child, right.

"They can come if they want, end of decision." Kagome announced, giving the hanyou a very deadly look.

***

And so the inu-tashio grew in numbers, with what started out as three was now fourteen.(that's counting our beloved Sesshy!) "Unbelievable." Inuyasha muttered from the front of the group as he was on all fours, sniffing the ground. How did their group just keep getting bigger? Though Kagome had made a valid point, the more people, the quicker the hunt.

The entire group stood around the hanyou, watching him for any reactions. "What's the matter, Inuyasha? Isn't it in this direction?" Shippou asked from his spot on Ipo's shoulder.

"Be quiet! I can't concentrate!"

"Isn't it useless to sniff the ground to find Naraku's castle?" Sango asked, leaning toward Dayo who just shrugged.

"You don't see any of us sniffing the ground." Kouga sniffed delicately, receiving a serve look from both miko's.

Inuyasha sniffs the ground a little more and looks up. "Damn!"

"Inuyasha's nose isn't working now. Tonight is the first night." Shippou explained.

"First night of that?" Kouga eyed the hanyou.

"Oh nothing." Ipo answered quickly, slapping a hand over the Kitsune's mouth. She gave him a look that told him to keep his mouth shut and he nodded.

"Huh?" all three wolf demons scratched their heads.

"Time to set up camp!" Kagome exclaimed, hand thrusting in the air. No one moved so she started clapping, shoving people this way and that, all the while reminded Ipo of a sprinkler. "Go, go, go go!" she cheered.

"Is she…all there?" Juno whispered.

"No one knows for sure." Ipo snorted, grinning with the black, gray haired girl looked at her. "Let's go!" she did a pretty good impression of Kagome, making the other chuckle.