Chapter II : Race to the Tree "My, my. this is different."

Miroku had walked out of the well in the shrine to the front steps To find InuYasha with Kagome.

"I wanna go exploring! INUYASHA, GET UP!!!"

Shippou latched onto InuYasha's face and started scratching him in every part of his face he could reach.

"Ow! Stop it! Stop! STOP!"

When InuYasha looked back to wake Kagome, she was...gone!

"Morning!"

"Nani?"

InuYasha got up and they all spun around to find Kagome.

"Kagome, can we go exploring?" pleaded Shippou.

"Of course! Where do you want to go?" she replied.

"Hey I've got an idea. How about we go to the tree?" suggested Miroku.

"Yeah, great idea, Miroku!...Wow, I never thought I'd ever say that. Just to make things interesting....Let's race! Whoever gets there first wins a FABULOUS prize!!!!"

"Kagome, are you sure it's safe?" Shippou asked.

"It'll be fine!" she replied.

"Okay, you guys are on!" screamed InuYasha as he started to dart through the trees.

"Hey, that's not fair!" yelled Shippou as he too darted through the treetops to catch up with InuYasha.

"Well, see you at the tree!" said Miroku as he sprinted away.

"Sigh. Boys.." said Kagome shaking her head as she began to walk on the trail.
"I don't care what the prize is. I just want the pride and glory of winning!" InuYasha sped through the treetops. "See you at the tree, sucker!!!" Shippou popped up in front of InuYasha and showed him a most unpleasant finger.

"I'll get you!" InuYasha yelled after him.

Miroku was surprisingly swift today, more than ever.

"I wonder what the prize is? I bet it's a night with Kagome...Ahh what a glorious victory it will be!"

"I see the tree just ahead..."

InuYasha took one giant plunge forward and reached the tree first...or so he thought.

"Ha! I win!!! And you're all slow!"

"No I reached the tree first, you block head!"

"I do believe I reached it first."

An argument soon broke out between the three of them.

"Oh my God!!!! Please shut up, all of you!!"

They all wheeled around to see the enraged look on Kagome's face.

"I'll give you all a stupid prize! Jesus Christ, you guys are ridiculous!"

Kagome walked to the guys and gave them all a kiss on the cheek. Shippou hopped on Kagome's shoulder, leaving Miroku and InuYasha to walk behind.

"Let's go home." said Kagome as she stretched out her arms and yawned.