Hi everyone. I have a splitting headache right now. So very and utterly sad! *tear* ::sniff, sniff:: My dad is sick right now, so I hope I'm not getting what he has. He sounds terrible!

I want to thank all of you for the reviews I have gotten! I was SOOOOO happy and surprised to see that I had 33 reviews for just the first chapter! I mean, WOW! O.O Thank you SO much! ^____________^ It encouraged me to write more! So soon anyway… *sweat drop* Eh heh heh…heh. The only reason the last chapter was so short was because if I started what I need to do in this chapter, it would have taken forever! I also had play practice to go to, so I up-dated before I went to rehearsal. ^-^

Hey! I just took two Excedrin and my headache is already going away! Maybe it's just you guys though! ^-^ With me not stressing about the play and being able to type, I'm happy!!!!!! No more headache! Yay! On with the chappy!

And everyone sings: "Halleluiah, halleluiah, halleluiah, halleluiah, hal-le-luiah!"

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Inuyasha, or his cute little doggy ears, or his hot body, or his incredible strength, or the kawaii little Inuyasha, or his awesome sword. *tear* (Those of you that took that last comment the wrong way, as I know some of my perverted Miroku-type friends did… for shame!!!!!)  Miroku: Thou hath learned well in the name of the Buddha. Me: *sweat drop* Yeah right! Everyone else: ::rolls eyes::

A DEMON WITHOUT FANGS

Ch.3

(Inuyasha and Kagome: ten years of age, though Inuyasha is almost eleven.)

Things had been unusually calm over the past years. Kagome had learned more about herbs and healing, and of course Aya had been teaching her how to control her miko powers; and Inuyasha had grown stronger, more muscular, and—if possible—had developed even more of a hellish attitude. After Rikun and Aya discovered that Kagome had an unusual gift…to see the shikon shards, they had tried harder to help her manifest her powers. It was unusually quiet on this particular day. And bright and sunny to say the least. Everything seemed as if it would be a wondrous day full of joy and happiness. Then again… looks aren't always as they seemed.

Kagome was laughing, while running around the hut, followed by an enraged hanyou. "Oh, come Inuyasha… it can't be that bad! Besides…I didn't mean it!"

"Wench! Get back here before I tear you apart and package you up and roast you for dinner, feeding you to my parents and then telling them that they were eating human meat! I'm sure you'll taste good!"

"Inuyasha!" She complained, now running for her life. Still, to see that look on his face… she wouldn't dream of going back and changing what she said to him. It wasn't like her opinion of him mattered to him anyway. What was he bent up all out of shape about?

"Get back here bitch!"

She almost halted, and turned on him furiously, but remembered at the last minute that she really would be dead if he ever caught up to her. She ran faster, knowing he was directly on her tail. "What did you just call me?!?" She shrieked, ferociously.

He smirked. "You heard me bitch!"

She clenched her fist, then let the words fly out of her mouth without a moment's hesitation. "I am not a bitch you cross-dresser! Are you a man or aren't you?!? Oh no! You're hair! It isn't as pearly white today, now is it? You better go and re-brush it, or else you'll tangle it up for sure! Did ma forget to tell you that she saw you putting on her face paints the other day? If you want to be a girl that bad, all you had to do is ask for help. I'm sure she and I could give you a few pointers!"

After a month of living with Inuyasha, Rikun, and Aya, Kagome had started to call Aya and Rikun ma and pa, since they basically were her parents. She refused to call them Mama and papa, because that's what she called her real parents before they died. It was too painful. Inuyasha didn't mind anymore, because he and Kagome were practically like brother and sister. Practically, being the key word.

Now though, Inuyasha fumed. He clenched his teeth, a growl growing deep in his throat. "I AM NOT A GIRL IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM, BITCH! YOU ARE SO GUNNA PAY FOR THAT! AND DON'T MAKE UP SUCH FRIGGEN LIES ABOUT ME EITHER! I WOULDN'T TOUCH ANY DAMN FACE PAINT YOU OR MOM HAD!"

Kagome gulped. Boy was she in for it now, and she knew it too! She looked this way and that, trying to decide where to go. Finally an evil smirk crossed her face. She could go to the one place Inuyasha wouldn't step foot in. Of course! Would she get there in time though? Inuyasha would show no mercy. That much was for certain!

Ducking through the trees she ran straight for the village. She hadn't really ever been there before, but there was a first time for everything, right? Right! Right as Inuyasha was about to grab her she leaped into the clearing of the village. Inuyasha, eyes wide, skidded to a stop right at the edge of the forest. He hadn't been paying attention to were they were going, and now…

"Ha ha! Inuyasha… what's wrong?" Kagome asked innocently, not noticing the villagers turning to stop and stare. "You don't want to set foot in the scawwee viwwage?" She asked in baby talk. He growled menacingly at her, causing her to laugh triumphantly. "I win!"

She turned and looked at the villagers, there were more people than she imagined. And what were the things they held in their hands? They stopped mid-stroke from plowing their fields, all eyes on her, and then they moved to where Inuyasha hid in the brush. Some of the women pushed their children into their housed, staring in fear.

"What?" She asked them, utterly confused. "What is it?" She gazed back at Inuyasha to see his ears lowered flat against his head as he slowly backed away. "Wait! Inuyasha, don't go."

"Ye! What are ye doing here?" The old village priestess asked darkly, hobbling over toward Kagome.

"It's her!" Someone whispered from a couple yards away. "The demon child. I heard demons took her in and placed a spell on her so she would do their bidding."

"I thought they would have devoured her by now," another said.

Kagome glanced around, panic stricken. What were all of these people saying? Why were they looking at her so strangely? Had she grown horns in the middle of the night? She was human! Just like them!

"Aye. I even heard that the demon lord, Rikun, placed a spell on a fair maiden. And she was human! How else would he get a human wife?"

Kagome growled unconsciously, causing the closer villagers to frighteningly scurry away. "How dare you speak poorly about ma and pa! They're the nicest people I know!" Kagome shouted.

"It is her! The demon without claws or fangs! Get her, before she gets away! We must kill her! Who knows what she'll do to us in the future?!"

Kagome blinked narrowly at them, confused and angry at the same time. In a matter of moments she was surrounded. The villagers pointed their picks and axes and spears at her. She gasped, wide-eyed. What were they going to do to her?

"Stop it!" She shouted. "Why would I want to hurt any of you? You don't even know me!"

"Aye, but all demons are the same, and that also goes for their up-bringing. In this case…ye!"

She stared in utter disbelief and horror. No wonder Inuyasha never came to this dreadful place! Were they always like this? Who were they to judge other beings? "Inuyasha!" She shouted, trying to figure a way out of this mess. "Inuyasha, help!!!"

As quickly as the words were out was as quickly as her savior appeared. He was nothing but a blur as he jumped into the middle of the mess, grabbed Kagome, and bounded away and back into the forest. By the time they were far enough away and almost to the hut, Kagome was crying. He set her down softly, looking worried.

"Are you okay?" He asked, his voice soft for once, with sorrow and understanding.

She sniffed, trying to hold back her tears to no avail. "Am I alright? Am I all Right?!? What do you think? The only other people in close range think I'm a total freak! They hate me Inuyasha! They absolutely despise me! And can you blame them? My life is far from normal! I don't even know what normal is anymore! I'm human! They shouldn't act like that towards me! It's not right! They shouldn't act like that towards anyone! They shouldn't judge people! They shouldn't…" she broke down, crying uncontrollably, and threw her arms around Inuyasha. He was surprised at first, but her knew her pain too well. Slowly, almost timidly, he wrapped his arms around her and held her close, giving her the strength he knew she needed right then. She balled into his chest, not about to stop any time soon. All he could do was hold her, gently rubbing her back to calm her.

When her sniffling was down to almost nothing, he pulled away a little to look into her eyes. "Do you hate it that much?" He asked, looking hurt. "Do you hate us that much, that you would rather live with the villagers? Because if you do-"

"No!" She quickly assured him, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. "No. I wouldn't live in that dreadful place if it was the only shelter in the world. And I wouldn't trade anything to be somewhere that isn't with you. And your mom and dad," she added quickly.

He nodded absentmindedly, but was actually quite relieved on the inside. "Don't worry. You won't ever have to deal with them again. I'll make sure of it."

She gave him a watery smile. "Thank you." As they walked back to their home, Kagome asked the question that she had been dying to ask for years now. "Inuyasha, is there a reason you hate them so much, or is it only because their human? I mean… your mom is human, and you don't hate her. I'm human…"

He sighed and looked away. He didn't really want to answer such a personal question, but after what had just happened, she deserved to know.

"My mother came from that village. She left them for my dad, but they couldn't…wouldn't believe that any human could fall in love with a demon, so they made up stories about how dad bewitched her, or put her under a spell, or threatened her to go with him. When I was three…or maybe four, I can't remember, mother took me to her village to show me that mot all humans were bad, or weaklings. Well, she shouldn't have taken me there at all. It only increased my suspicions. They taunted me, pointing and laughing, calling me a half-breed. At the time, I don't know what that was, but I knew I didn't like it. They made my mom cry, and I got really angry. I remember attacking one of the men, he hit her. I later found out it was because she left them for my father, a demon. It was my grandfather. I struck my own grandfather, yet he just laughed in my face. That was when he threw me. I almost died."

Kagome gasped. She would never have imagined that something so horrible, so dreadful, could ever have taken place. How could they treat Inuyasha and Aya like that?!? Especially their own flesh and blood?!? "What happened? Did you break any bones, or anything?"

He shook his head, his gaze serious and brooding. "No. He threw me in the river. I couldn't swim, and almost drown. There was a waterfall, and if I were to go over the edge…"

She gasped again. "Was that the river I almost fell into?" She asked, horrified. Who saved you?"

"Yes, that's the river. And my father ended up saving me, but at a price. The villagers ambushed him. It was nothing he couldn't handle, but when mom tells me about it, she says that he wouldn't attack them, so it was even harder to get away." He clenched his fists, his whole body livid with rage. "They kept hurting him, and he didn't do anything! He could have killed them all, but he didn't. They deserve to be dead Kagome, every single one of them."

Kagome looked at him, sadness in her eyes. He stopped walking and she placed a hand gently on his shoulder. He tensed, then looked over at her as if he knew he did something wrong. "They shouldn't have done that to you," she said at last, "or have done what they did today, but they don't deserve to die."

"How could you say that?!?" He asked, tearing himself from her grasp. She looked up at him, hurt evident in her eyes. "After what happened just now and everything I told you, you still take their side?!? Is that because you're human and you'll always side with them, or because you have a soft human heart that doesn't understand?"

Her eyes hardened as she gave him stare for stare. "No one deserves to die Inuyasha, not even demons! How dare you say that about me? Not all humans are alike, just like not all demons are similar. Your mom is one of the nicest humans I ever met, and she married your dad, and he's a demon! Not only that, but your father, took a human to be his mate! He doesn't have blood-lust, like most demons do! He actually cares! He doesn't judge people, just like your mother doesn't! Just like…just like I don't."

"So if a human goes on a killing rampage a kills demons, or a demon goes on a killing rampage and kills humans, your saying he still doesn't deserve to die?"

Kagome sighed. "That's not what I mean. I'm trying to say that just because of one thing, it doesn't mean you can hold a grudge against others that may not have had anything to do with it. If what you just said did happen, then I might make an exception. But only might."

Inuyasha snorted. "What ever. The truth still remains, and it still hurts, even after about six years."

Kagome took the few remaining steps between them, closing the distance, and hugged him tightly to her. "I know," she murmured. "Boy, do I know." They stood like that for a while, both comforting each other, and then they headed back to the hut. "And Inuyasha?"

"Hm?"

"I'm sorry about what I said earlier. I didn't mean it. And I didn't think you'd get to upset over a little thing like that."

"Feh. I didn't care in the least. I just wanted to teach you a lesson. It's not like your opinion matters anyway."

"Oh it doesn't, does it?" She asked, a vein popping in her forehead.

"Hope. Not at all. I just wanted to make you feel bad and apologize."

"Gee, thanks." She hit him over the head, causing him to fall flat on her face. "I'm so glad you didn't take it the wrong way," she said sarcastically.

"Hey! What did I ever do to you, wench?"

"There you go with the name calling again! Sheesh!"

"Kagome! Inuyasha, there you are! Come here," Rikun yelled. "We have a visitor."

They both froze, not knowing if that was a good, or bad thing. "A visitor?" Inuyasha asked, thoroughly confused.

"Who?" Was all Kagome could think to ask.

A person came out of the hut, with long silvery-white hair and golden eyes, just like Inuyasha and Rikun. Kagome blinked. Who was she? Another demon?

"You!" Inuyasha exclaimed, sounding accusing. He growled. "What do you want?"

The person laughed, deep in the throat. "Why, Inuyasha, no hello? I'm hurt," The person stated, not sounding hurt in the least.

"Who is that?" Kagome asked, nudging Inuyasha in the ribs to get his attention since her obviously knew the person. "And…" She was about to ask why the girl's voice was so low when she quickly changed her mind and instead, asked, "Is that a boy or a girl?"

This seemed to make Inuyasha burst with laughter. He clutched his stomach as he rolled on the ground laughing his head of.

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Sesshy, you were mistaken for a girl...again!"  This brought around another round of laughter from him.

"How…quaint. I should have known a no-account half-breed like you would be hanging around with a wimpy human. You'll never find a descent mate," Sesshōmaru commented in a bored tone as he inspected his razor sharp nails.

"Sesshōmaru!" Inuyasha growled, partly because of what he said about Kagome and partly because of the mate comment.

"Inuyasha, who is that?" Kagome asked, stepping closer to him, not knowing if she trusted this feminine looking male.

"My half-brother, and one bad demon, if I don't say so myself."

"You mean…he isn't part human? He's all demon?"

"That's right. We share the same father, and that's it. Whatever he's here for, it can't be good."

Kagome looked around, noticing that their father had mysteriously vanished. Did he know how much they hated each other? Was he letting them handle it on their own? Didn't he care, or was their some unspoken rule the demons had that she didn't know about? "Inuyasha…" she started.

"What do you want?" He asked, or more like growled in a menacing tone that meant 'leave before I tear you apart and tell father it was an accident.'

He looked at Inuyasha and slightly raised an eyebrow. "You don't know?"

"Of course I don't!"

"Very well then, I want the shikon shard you have. If you don't hand it over…" he cracked his knuckles, "Then I will be forced to take it from you."

Inuyasha snorted. "Fat chance. Even if I did have it, there's no possible way I'd hand it over to you!"

"You mean, you aren't the carrier of the shard?" Sesshōmaru seemed for once to have faltered over his words.

"Of course not! Why would I be? Besides, I can't see them the way Kagome can." Right after the words left his mouth he knew he should have kept silent. He sent Kagome a quick glance, then his eyes drifted to his brother, clearly stating that if he harmed her there'd be hell to pay.

Sesshōmaru's gaze flicked casually over to where the girl stood. He raised an eyebrow ever-so-casually. "You can… see these things?" He asked, showing no real emotion on his face.

"So what if I can?" Kagome shouted, crossing her arms. She didn't like this freak one bit. Especially the way he thought himself to be so much better than Inuyasha! She could tell in the way he held himself and looked at Inuyasha like he was dirt that they must not have a close sibling relationship. She glared, trying to convince herself and this Fluffy guy that she was stronger than he made her out to be.

He seemed to be staring right through her. His eyes piercing her very flesh. She gulped. That's what had happened with the mistress centipede, and she hadn't liked it one bit. She uneasily backed away, her arms slowly falling to her sides. Then his eyes widened, and he stared at her, almost awed, if he had ever been awed with anyone in his life… it would have been her.

"It can't be…" he breathed. "There is no possible way…"

"Feh. For once you sound uncertain Sesshōmaru! Are you loosing your touch?!?"

Sesshy sent Inuyasha a glare that could peel the bark off of any tree he walked by. "I'll come back," he threatened. "And when I do…" he pointed a finger with an unearthly sharp talon in Kagome's direction, "I'll come for her!"

"What?!? Oh no you don't! You better not even dare to touch her! You hear me?!?" Fury snapped in the air around Inuyasha, and his eyes seemed to glow a distant red. "You hear that you son of a…" He attacked Sesshōmaru with his unsheathed claws, coming mere inches away from the full-demon's armored chest as he leaped away. Sesshomaru snickered.

"You always did fight stronger while protecting the ones you love. This will be very…interesting upon my return." With one last look sent at Kagome, he whirled away up into the air, as if dust led his way.

"What was that all about?" She asked him.

Inuyasha turned to look at her, his eyes showing as much, or more, confusion than her own. "I have no idea. He would never, never stoop so low as to deal with humans, so why would he want you?"

Kagome clenched her fists, face lowered to the ground. "Why you… YOU'RE SAYING IT AGAIN!!! I'M A WORTHLESS NO-ACCOUNT HUMAN COMPARED TO YOU! THAT'S ALL YOU EVER SAY!!! WHY?!? WHAT IS SO BAD ABOUT HANGING AROUND HUMANS?!?"

He blinked, not knowing what to say. "Uh…Kagome…"

"Oh, never mind! Why should you care? You don't! You don't care about anyone or anything so it doesn't matter!" Furious and depressed, she turned and stomped toward the hut, arms shaking with anger.

"Kagome! Wait! I didn't mean it that way! Come back!"

"Why?!? So you can rub it in my face?" She turned on him, anger slowly ebbing. "Why do you always think I'm a weakling?"

"I-i-it's not that!" He quickly assured, flapping his hands around as if to prove it. "It-s just that… bad things always tend to happen to you, when you're around…"

"Oh! So now I'm a human that draws danger to wherever I go? What do you want me to do? Leave? You constantly say I'm always trouble! Maybe I should go! That way you can live a nice, normal, demon, life!" Tears sprung to her eyes, and she couldn't tell if it was out of anger, frustration, or sadness in which they came. She automatically deflated, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs as she tried to hold them back. "I don't think you ever wanted me to be here in the first place. You didn't…did you." It wasn't a question, it was an accusation.

He blanched. What was the wench talking nonsense about now?!? He stomped over to her and grabbed her firmly by the shoulders, shoving her roughly into his embrace. "Feh. Don't go jumpin' to conclusions, okay? I just don't want anything bad to happen to you. Happy?"

Kagome, thoroughly startled, could barely comprehend the meaning of his words. When they finally dawned on her she gave a tiny trembling smile and buried her head in his shirt. This was the closest thing to any affection he normally showed, and when he did, it was rare. She had to enjoy it while she could. She also felt guilty over what she had said to him earlier. She didn't want him mad at her.

"Inuyasha…I'm sorry…"

"Humph." He pulled away a little and she looked earnestly into his two golden orbs.

"Really, I am… about what I said earlier that is." He still didn't say anything, but she could tell he was listening intently so she continued. "You don't look like a girl at all. I promise. And it was mean of me to say you were putting on ma's face paint, but you just made me so angry when you found her putting that red stuff on my lips. And what you said didn't help either…"

She could still remember his very words. 'What are you two doin'?' He peered down into the past Kagome's face and snorted. 'What is that stuff? It looks horrible on you, and smells even worse! Not that you smell good or anything. You finally realized how hideous you look, huh? Oh, well. No matter how much of that stuff you put on, it can't hide you're ugly human face!"

Kagome could remember clenching her fists and shouting, 'Inuyasha! You're going to pay for that! Ma and I were just having fun and you ruined it! You're the one who should wear this stuff with that long, beautifully gray hair you have old woman!'

Yep… what she said wasn't much better.

"Well, at least I apologized. You can believe me if you want to…"

"Stupid wench. I didn't say I didn't believe you were sorry."

She gave a small smile. That was the closest thing he'd say to any 'apology accepted' so it had to mean he forgave her…didn't it?

Inuyasha glanced in her direction when they entered the hut and she was giggling. "Now what?"

"Oh…nothing." The picture of Sesshomaru in her mind, and him having face paint on, brought another fit of giggles. "It's just…it's just…" She burst out laughing. "Are you sure that brother of yours isn't a girl?!?"

Inuyasha snorted, but this time it sounded oddly close to laughter. "He's not a girl."

Kagome leaned closer to Inuyasha, unconsciously, causing him to have trouble swallowing. Why did he constantly feel that way whenever they were close? "Well," she stated, "If he doesn't look like a female, I don't know what doesn't."

[AN: okay everyone. Time for a little fun. Picture Sesshy as a little demon in human form. ^_______^ Cute, huh? Now don't you think he'd look even more like a girl than he does in the manga? ^-^ See? So we can't blame ten year old Kagome for thinking that now can we? *evil grin* Didn't think so. ^0^]

***** A year later *****

"Kagome-chan, I'm going out to pick a few flowers and herbs, alright? Keep up with you practicing! There should be an old bow out back. I need mine in case I come across any unfriendly demons, alright?" Aya called as she slung a basket onto her arm and headed to the thick of the forest.

"Alright! But I still don't see the point! Aren't I good enough yet?" She complained, to… no one. She sweat dropped and headed out to the back of the hut. "Well, might as well do as you're told. But first… it won't hurt to have a little fun and games here and there."

An evil grin spread across her face as she lowered herself down to all fours and silently snuck around the corner. Inuyasha, I'll surprise you yet…she thought to herself. She gently padded along until she came to a silently dozing Inuyasha sitting on a large boulder. Her grin turned to a smirk, the very impression she had learned from Inuyasha, though not quite as evil or filled with as much egoistic feeling as his usually did.

One…Two… she silently urged herself, Three!!!

She jumped into the air with all the might she could muster, and slammed into him full-force. They rolled, tumbling off the gray stone and it was then that she saw his face. He was smirking, his eyes held mischief in them, and he didn't seem surprised in the least. He quickly pinned her to the ground, and no matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't move an inch.

"You knew!" She accused, glaring.

His smirk widened. "It's not my fault. You'll never be a good demon at this rate, besides, aren't you supposed to be practicing with your bow and arrows?"

She growled up at him, still trying to free herself, but to no avail. "Damn you! You heard!" She hadn't only learned a few of his tricks and facial expressions, but also his vulgar language.

"It's not my fault I have good ears," he stated again, his eyes laughing at her.

"There you go again with the 'It's not my fault' crap! Just… get off of me!"

"Feh." He did as she bid and Kagome turned over onto her side, panting. When she lunged for him again, he was ready. It was another one of his attacks he had taught her. If he hadn't been able to spot it and stop her, then how could he dare call himself a demon, even if it was only half of his inheritance?

He jump-flipped, and easily side-stepped the kick he knew would come, crossing his arms.

"Are you done yet?" He scowled.

"Humph!" she shoved past him and toward the bow and arrow she had to practice with. "I'll get you next time Inuyasha! That's a threat!"

He snorted. "Yeah, whatever. You couldn't even hurt a tree."

After he said that, he heard a tree crack and tumble down to the earth, its branches thwacking the branches of other trees close by. And there Kagome stomped away from, her fury barely in control. He sweat dropped. He had better get away from her or there was no doubt he'd be next! He silently sprung away at full speed, found a nice tall tree, and rested in its branches. He should be safe here.

After that thought he sweat dropped again. If he wanted to be safe, he better never mention the word tree again. They were his only sanctuary.

Kagome marched over to the practice yard and let loose a few arrows. Her aim used to be dreadful, but lately she almost never missed the bull's-eye. Today was another story. Her arrows missed almost every time when she kept thinking about what he said. There went another tree. And another. Wait… was she doing that on purpose?!? She wasn't… aiming for the trees…was she?

When another tree crumbled to the earth she sweat dropped and delicately placed the bow on the ground. In her anger she hadn't even noticed that she was rubbing the strings raw, and they were just about to snap.

Oops. Oh well. Looks like we'll have enough wood for the fire this winter. Eh heh heh… heh…I better, uh, go do something else for now. Yeah… that's right.

She went back around the hut to find both Inuyasha and Aya gone. Rikun had been leaving a lot lately also, coming back either on edge, or extremely proud of himself. Kagome had no idea why though. Sometimes Inuyasha would go with him, usually once or twice a month. She hated to admit it, but whenever he was gone, she missed him terribly. He made up for it when he got back though. He'd spend almost all of the next two days with her, and they'd 'play,' he'd teach her new moves and help her catch a little prey here and there, while she told him everything that happened, (the part which she hated but he demanded of her,) and reassure him and Rikun that she and Aya were both in one piece and that no dreadful demons had tried to kill them over the few days.

Now, Rikun had just returned once again on one of his scrounges he did without Inuyasha. Kagome grinned to herself. Maybe…

"Don't even think about sneaking on  me, pup."

Kagome didn't know whether to be annoyed or flattered about the 'pup' part. She came out from her hiding place and ambled over to him. He was either in a really good mood, or a really bad one. She hoped it wasn't the latter. "How'd you know? Inuyasha taught me everything I know, so I can expect him knowing if I was about to attack him…but…"

He turned from what he was doing and she saw amusement in his eyes. He couldn't possibly have been in a bad mood! He also had two humongous dead creatures in one of his hands, in which he was holding them by the tails. "I can smell you. You have to move downwind if you want to sneak up on a demon."

"Oh," was all she could think of to say. Damn demons and their hearing and their stupid nose, she thought grudgingly.

He sniggered. "Come now, it can't be that bad. Haven't you snuck up on little Inu at least once?"

"No."

He blinked, then blinked again, his expression going completely solemn. "Oh."

She sighed, defeated. "He knows me too well. It's not fair!"

He laughed out right at this. "Alright, munchkin. You help me out, and I'll teach you a few of the tricks up my sleeves."

Her eyes went wide with wonder and hope. "Really?!?"

"Yup."

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "What do I have to do?"

"Skin these rats."

"Rats?!? Eww! They're even worse than demons! Why do you want me to do that awful job?"

"Because. You have soft, human flesh, so it will be best if you are the one to do it. It's a gift for someone. This way, it can be from both of us."

"A gift? What kind of gift? For who?"

"Inuyasha. I'm going to make him a kimono out of them."

Kagome eyed the cleanly cut 'rats' with speculation. Well, Inuyasha always did look good in red. "Oh, alright. I'll do it." She blushed at thinking of giving the gift to Inuyasha. "But don't think it's for him! I just want to learn how to fight, and win!"

She rolled her white sleeves up, so as not to make a mess and get it all bloody. As if that would ever happen!

"Right," Rikun stated dismissively, then grinned when he had his back turned toward her, "for Inuyasha."

She gasped, then growled. Either way, they were both for Inuyasha! Was she really that snout over rump for him? Naw! It couldn't be! Could it…?

When Kagome was about to start skinning the rats Rikun leaned in over her shoulder and added, "Oh, yeah. I forgot to tell you. These aren't just any rats, they are demon rats. Firerats to be precise." She stood and patted her on the back and then walked into the hut, saying, "Have fun! And do hurry, I would like this to be a… surprise."

Kagome almost threw both of the bleeding corpses at Rikun's head, but kept her rage and horror in check at the very last minute.

So that's where Inuyasha gets it from! She brewed, thinking of ways to torture both him and his father. [AN: Ahh! Family love! J/K I just had to add that!]

***** two weeks later *****

"Happy Howls Moon everyone!" Rikun shouted, a huge egoistic grin on his face as he swooped down and gave his mate, Aya, a quick kiss and then began nuzzling her. Kagome and Inuyasha both blushed and looked away. There was so much affection-showing in this family of there's! A little too much in Kagome's opinion.

"Um…sorry for asking, but what is howl's moon?"

Everyone turned to stare at Kagome. "That's right! You don't know, now do you?" Aya asked, as if she couldn't believe she had forgotten to tell the poor girl.

Kagome shook her head no.

"Howls Moon is celebrated every five years," Rikun stated. "It's a holiday on the first full moon after the beginning of summer. We celebrated it when you were six, but I don't think you fully understood the meaning."

"It's a demon holiday," Aya cut in. "You stay up late, go for a hunt during the day, and everyone sleeps out under the stars and the full opalescent moon. It's supposed to be magical, and it signifies a demons blood heritance, and it is often a…" here she faultered and blushed, "well… a lover's night."

Kagome's eyes widened. "Oh! If you want Inuyasha and I to leave…"

"Oh, no! Not like that! Though some demons do take it that way, but it's a way to reinforce your love by giving gifts to those that are special to you." Aya couldn't help but to laugh softly at the girl's horrified and embarrassed face.


"Oh."

Rikun looked truly worried. "If you do not want to celebrate the holiday because it's for demons… then-"

"No! No! It's not that!" Kagome reassured quickly. All three of them watched her as if she didn't want to be a part of it. She had to explain. "I-it's just that… I didn't get gifts for any of you, and you are all special to me."

Aya smiled and placed a hand on Kagome's arm. "Don't worry. You didn't know. We were just afraid that you wouldn't want to take part in everything we would be doing today."

"Huh? Not at all!"

Inuyasha and Rikun both looked greatly relieved. "Good! Let's go out and have a good time! And Kagome, you didn't forget about our pact, now did you?" At her confused expression he hinted, "What you did for me a couple weeks past?"

Kagome remembered the grimy bloody mess of skinning the firerats, which their fur didn't even get nicked when her skinning blade slipped, and the short lessons he had been teaching her little by little when Inuyasha was out and about. "Yeah, I remember." Come to think of it, why hadn't he given Inuyasha the kimono yet? Rikun had to have finished sewing it by now! Or did he get Aya to fo that job?

"Think of that as one of your gifts," he said, motioning his head to the confused hanyou.

Kagome smiled. "Thanks." She couldn't help but think, You knew all along, didn't you? You knew I didn't know about this Howls Moon stuff and you also knew I'd be upset if I didn't have a gift to give Inuyasha. You sneaky…

"Well, let's be on our way, shall we?" Aya asked, startling Kagome out of her thoughts.

"Where are we going?"

Inuyasha smirked. "Hunting."

[AN: Well, she's eleven now! Next chapter she'll be sixteen. Ohhh… fine. I have to add this one  teeny tiney bit. Okay? You'll like it. I promise. It's when they are exchanging gifts.]

Kagome had done pretty good on her first hunt with the whole 'family.' She had done much better than Inuyasha had given her credit for. They all huddled together under the stars and of course, the beautifully shining full moon. It was time for the gift exchange now, and Kagome was making sure she'd remember the kinds of things they gave so next time she would be ready.

Inuyasha had given both of his parents miniature sculptures of each other that he undoubtedly carved with his bare claws.

Then he gave Kagome a little sculpture of herself, which looked just like her in every possible way.

"Wow! Thank you Inuyasha! I love it!" He blushed and hung his head, thankful that it was dark out.

[AN: He must look at her A LOT more than she thinks he does! *evil laughter*]

Aya and Rikun both gave Kagome a brand new bow that was perfectly carved out of wood, and Aya decorated her arrows with little beads and colorful bird feathers she happened to find lying around.

After hugging each of them in turn, she waited expectantly for Rikun to pull the kimono out and show it to an awed Inuyasha. That moment came… and went. Everyone was silent, just sitting there in a circle.

"Kagome? Would you like to present Inuyasha with his gift?" Aya asked sweetly, a matchmaker gleam in her eye.

"Uhhhmmm… sure?"

"It is underneath my bed."

Kagome quickly and quietly sprinted for the hut and found what she was looking for. It was even better than she thought it would look! Aya had to have sewn it together! It was a masterpiece!

She folded both separate pieces up and held them behind her back so Inuyasha wouldn't be able to see his gift until the last possible moment. If a demon's sense of hearing and smelling were so good, she'd hate to find out how good their sight was!

After arriving back at where they were all seated she stopped right in front of Inuyasha and held out her hands. His eyes went from hers to the bright red fabric, then back to her eyes, and then back to the fabric as he tentively took it from her hands. His eyes widened once his hands felt the tough fabric.

"This…this is…"

"Firerat fur. Exactly," his father finished for him. "I was the one who slayed them, Kagome skinned and washed them, then beat them smooth, and your mother sewed it together for you."

He held the fabric up to his face, him eyes watery with emotion, yet the tears never came. "Thank you…" he mumbled, causing Kagome to be extremely shocked that he actually said the words.

"Aya and Rikun both stood. "I have something to give you, but I want it to be in private," she said, and then they silently walked out into the woods, not sending Kagome or Inuyasha a second glace.

"Do you like it that much?" Kagome asked Inuyasha, her sight never wavering from him that whole time.

He looked up at her. He should have known his parents would have done that. Make Kagome do the dirty work and spend most of her time with it, causing the kimono to smell exactly like her. "Of course I do. What's not to like. It's from all of you." Than he added, to keep himself sounding strong and mighty no doubt, "Do you even know what firerat fur does?"

She shook her head.

"It's really strong, so you don't get hurt in a fight. It also protects you from fire and even poison for a little while. It's almost the strongest armor you could have, except for-"

"I'm glad."

"Huh?" He turned to see Kagome sitting while hugging her knees, her eyes closed as she smiled at him.

"I'm glad you like it, that's all."

"Kagome…"

"Hm?"

She laid down on her stomach, about to get some shut eye. I made you another something. It's nothing special, but I think you might like it." He laid down beside her and pulled something out of his pocket.

"It's a necklace," he stated unnecessarily.

"It's beautiful!" she breathed, eyes taking all of it in.

He shrugged. "I made it out of little wooden beads and dyed then with different juices from berries."

She lifted her hair up. "Will you put it on me?"

He gulped, and almost hesitantly, fastened the necklace around her neck, not knowing what the heck was happening to him. He inhaled the sweet, wonderful scent of her, his heat beating rapidly. When he was done she let her hair down and smiled once again.

They both lay back down and when Inuyasha was almost asleep, he snuggled closer to Kagome for warmth and the smell of her presense, and pulled his new kimono to his face.

Kagome giggled. "You really do like it…" She whispered, thinking he was asleep.

"Um hmm…" he mumbled drowsily. "It smells like you…"

Kagome's heart raced when she heard that, then she smiled and looked one last time at the necklace he had made for her, hope flashing across her features.

For in the middle of the necklace, was a medium sized heart.

KAWAII!!!!!!!!! I had to do that! I didn't know If I'd be able to add it in the next chapter or not. ^_______________________^ I know, I know… I am such a romantic! ^-^ And don't worry some of you peeps out there! This will remain strictly PG-13! -_-; Depending on what I call PG-13 or not! J/K! I'm joking, I'm joking! Believe me!!! I am not a perv! Though I think some of my friends may be starting to rub off on me… *tear* Well, I get to thank everyone now! Yippey-skippey! I feel so lov-ed! ^0^ Ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho! And… I KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN!!!! NEENER NEENER NEENER! ::blows raspberry:: Ya gotta love me! And if not, ya gotta love to hate me! *evil laughter* I kinda got that from JadeWing. And she'll be taking over Mirror Images from now on, so you can all rejoice! ^-^ For two reasons, she's a better author that me (in my opinion) and… That means I get to type even more to THIS story! Yay!