Chapter Four- Fox Magic

Kagome turned the leaf over in her hand. "You put this on your head and focus on the magic inside you?"

"That's pretty much it. Watch." Shippo put a leaf on his head and said, "Fox Magic! Transform!" There was a puff of smoke and Shippo took on the form of a human boy. It was a complete change; no sign of a tail.

"That's great, Shippo. If I didn't know, I would think you were just a normal boy."

Shippo popped back to normal. "Thanks. Thing is, I can't do it for long; just enough to escape. But, you might be able to."

"If it can last for hours, that'll be enough." She put the leaf on her head and focused on her new power and what she wished to look like. Smoke obscured her from view before it cleared to show a human Kagome. She looked at her hands, felt ears on the side, and saw human feet. She smiled. "I did it."

"Uh, not quite." Shippo pointed and Kagome looked back to see her tail. She sighed and popped back to normal. "Obviously, I need practice."

"That was good for your first time. Don't worry, Mom. Practice makes perfect, right?"

Kagome managed a smile. "Right. I'll keep trying and eventually I'll get the hang of it."

"Shall we head out then?" came Miroku's voice and the pair turned to see their friends ready to leave. Kagome got on her bike and Shippo sat in the basket. Kagome put her paws to the pedals and found she could pedal the same as before. The less things change, the easier it'll be for me to be a demon. I can still use my bike so I don't mind having paws instead of feet. Having sharper senses is cool and makes it easier having fox ears thought I wonder why I have them and Shippo doesn't.

"Shippo, why are my ears different from yours?"

"Because you're older. When I get to age thirteen, I'll have fox ears and my tail will get longer too. When I become an adult, I'll look like Father."

The image of a long fox appeared in her mind and realized that she would look that way too. "You could still change, right?"

"Oh, yeah. We can shift to look like you do now."

Kagome felt relieved. She wouldn't be stuck in actual fox form. She could still change to her current form. I still have to learn Transform so I can go to school. Though, it would be cool to use fox fire.

The six of them traveled for hours before deciding to rest for a little. Kagome brought out food and Shippo cheered when given the candy bag. After some food, Kagome and Shippo practiced Transform some more. She still couldn't achieve a flawless change or make it last long, but just being able to do it was enough of an achievement. Kagome sat down after several attempts and drank some water. Shippo says I'm doing good considering I became a demon just last night. Maybe just a couple more days and I'll nail it.

"Kagome?"

The volume was low, almost a whisper, but her ears picked it up. She looked over to see Inuyasha. He was looking at her with a soft gentle expression in his eyes. She had seen that look once before; just before Kikyo had been resurrected. "Yes?" she asked, also in a low voice.

He crouched down. "I…uh, I…you…you look really pretty as a fox. I mean it."

"Uh, thanks." Kagome had a feeling that wasn't what he wanted to say. She saw him look away, seemed to be composing himself, and then he took her clawed hand in his.

"I want you instead of Kikyo," he said in a rush. "You are strong of spirit and body, know what you want, not afraid to say what's on your mind. I know I had to choose and well, don't take it the wrong way, but you becoming a demon made up my mind."

"Inuyasha," she said, a bit touched by his words. She felt her tail move side to side as she smiled at him. He had chosen her over Kikyo! Yes, her becoming a demon may have played a part in his decision, but that was fine with her. He knows how I feel about him. I show it whenever I yell at him about sneaking off to see her. If I didn't love him, it wouldn't bother me that he meets with her secretly, though his expressions make it clear that he saw her.

Kagome's smile after his confession told him that she did indeed love him and was happy he admitted his feelings. Her swishing tail was also a strong indicator of her happiness.

"Does this mean you're going to be like a father?"

Inuyasha startled as Shippo got between them and was giving the half-demon a stern look. "A-a father!?" he repeated.

"Yeah. Kagome asked if she could be a kind of mother to me and I said yes. So, if you're going to court her or something, you're going to need my permission.'

"Permission?" Inuyasha sputtered as Kagome put a hand to her mouth to smother a laugh. Her hand dropped when her boyfriend started giving Shippo a double noogie.

"Sit boy!" she snapped out and he hit the ground.

"You're Shippo's mom?" Sango asked as they resumed their search.

"Kind of, yeah. I was already protective of him so I figured I ask."

"I saw you and Inuyasha talking earlier, too."

"Oh." Kagome blushed and looked away. "He…chose me over Kikyo. Part of it is because I'm a demon now."

"Kagome! That's wonderful. I'm happy for you."

"Thanks, Sango."

"So, Kagome's the one you've chosen?" Miroku asked.

"She is. She's prettier than Kikyo and stronger now. I don't have to worry about her not being able to handle herself. I like strong capable women."

"She certainly can handle herself; more so when she masters her fox magic. I too like capable women."

"So, you do like Sango," Inuyasha said slyly.

"I didn't say a name!"

"You didn't have to. I've seen how you look at her. I'm not as oblivious as I act or seem."

"Well, I do like her, but if I commit myself to her, I may end up missing out on the woman who is meant to bear my child."

"You're hopeless, monk."

"Perhaps. I heard Kagome's become a mother to Shippo."

"She's always been protective of him and her being a fox like him just seems natural, I guess."

"It would. I understand a mother's instinct to protect her child can be fierce."

Inuyasha grimaced. "So can a child when watching out fo the parent. I have to be nice to Shippo if I want time alone with Kagome or to even get near her."

Miroku chuckled. "Really, now? Perhaps they are more suited to be a family than I thought. Both are protective of the other."

"No kidding." Inuyasha lapsed into silence as they kept walking. He had been a bit more emotional today and he knew why: The new moon was tonight. He would be human tonight and he tended to be alone those nights or just being alone with Kagome. But if Shippo's around practically all the time how can I get real personal time with her? I could ask Shippo to get lost but in a nice way. Yeah, that's what I'll do as that is easy.

Kagome's eyes landed on Inuyasha. The new moon's tonight. It kind of explains his emotional confession. I wonder if he'll still want to be alone with me. Well, I'll find out tonight.