A/N: The count is 9. And for those of you who know what I'm talking about it only counts the first time. For those of you who don't, I'm not telling because it would defeat the purpose. Also even though it said this was a one shot, that was my mistake. It was supposed to go on While You Were Sleeping, which I posted just before this one. Gomen. By the way if anyone is interested; Rikka means snow.

Kagome-sama: You're excitable, aren't you? I'm glad you enjoyed them both so much.

LadyBarrista: I don't want to disappoint, but I said ten. Though I may just do it anyway. I think I'm going to leave Rikka's past alone for now, but I'm not sure. As far who Takara is, I was multitasking. She's from another story. Sorry.

Tinuviel: Six out of eight? I don't follow.

Little One

Part 2

"Yeah, I think I will someday. But first I need to find a guy who can put up with two children that are real demons." The words reverberated in Inuyasha's head. 'Some one who was good with kids. That's what Kagome is looking for in a mate?' Inuyasha thought. 'Well that does kind of make since. Kagome had adopted two pup so far with out so much as a question to their species or heritage.'

He watched as the two young foxes play together in the path a head. Unlike Shippou, Rikka was showing signs of ice powers rather then simple magic tricks. Inuyasha mentally sighed. Under Shippou's influence he was sure to wake up frozen to the god tree any day now. He watched her jump easily to a low branch, lose her balance, and tumble off. Kagome yelped and Inuyasha jumped to catcher he more out of instinct then actually fear she could hurt herself from such a short fall.

Rikka turned her arctic eyes up at him and smiled brightly. Inuyasha smiled back without really thinking about it as he set her back on the ground. She bounded away with Shippou in hot pursuit. The dog-demon waited for Kagome to catch up before starting to walk again. She was smiling brightly. Inuyasha smile back briefly before loosing himself again to his thought.

'So what does being good with kids entail?' he mused. He frowned when he realized he didn't know. Try as he might her couldn't remember his own father, so that was no help. 'Well, bopping Shippou on the head isn't right because it always gets me sat. What was it mom used to do…' He screwed up his face. Thinking of his mother was always a painful thing, but he had to remember if he wanted to do this right.

"Inuyasha, are you ok?" Kagome's voice broke his train of thought.

"Fine." He replied shortly.

"Ok, you just looked like something was bothering you." Kagome's demeanor stayed bright despite his shortness. "Rikka, Shippou. Come back here. We're almost to the village and you two don't need to be under foot." The two fox demons came running back from the forest. Shippou bounded easily into Kagome's arms, but Rikka made herself comfortable walking next to the surprised Inuyasha. She reached out for his hand and gave a big, fanged yawn. He closed his hand gently around her's, feeling how very small and delicate it was compared to his own. Her other hand curled up and put a thumb into her mouth. Blue eyes drifted to half lids but didn't close completely, and her steps became a bit stumbled. "She's had a big day." Kagome said with a gentle smile, "We can let her sleep back at Kaede's."

Inuyasha didn't reply, he was too caught up in the little girl. She barely knew him. Only a few minutes ago she was afraid of him. Now she was walking beside him hand in hand half asleep. Something nagged at the back of his mind. She was still so young, so naïve to the real workings of the world. All she knew for sure was that she was different, and somehow that was a bad thing. Resolve solidified in him. She had to understand what she was and what that meant, but she would not learn the way he did.

Many whispers followed them through the village. It wasn't an uncommon occurrence. No matter how many times they saved the little settlement, they were still not entirely welcome. Kagome's strange clothes, Miroku's perverseness, Sango's overly masculine ways, Shippou's Kitsune reputation, and of course the simple fact Inuyasha was a half demon. In the end it all added up to a not quite warm welcome. He knew Rikka would find the same attitude, but she would be happier here then in any other village. At least here the villagers feared what might happen if they angered their not-quite-welcome guests.

Kagome walked into Kaede's hut and was greeted warmly by Sango and the elderly miko. Miroku greeted her politely, seeing he was in reach of Sango and had no doubt Inuyasha was right behind Kagome. However, when Inuyasha entered with Rikka clutching his hand, they fell silent. The little girl looked up at the three new people staring at her and moved to hide behind Inuyasha's leg.

"It's ok Rikka-chan. These are our friends." Kagome said encouragingly. Rikka looked at her for a moment then to Inuyasha, both for reassurance. After a moment she peered around the red fabric to look at the three humans. The first she saw was Sango; leaning over the cooking pot looking still mildly surprised, but had a warm smile none the less. Next was the elderly woman in red and white robes. Her year prevented too much expression, but her single eye showed her interest. Last was the man in purple and black that was holding a funny stick. He was smiling strangely but it seemed to be more directed at Inuyasha and Kagome.

"I know what you're thinking, so don't even say it you pervert." Inuyasha snorted.

"Well, where else would a white haired, dog-eared, blue eyed little girl come from, if you and Lady Kagome did not produce her?" He asked calmly. Sango brought her boomerang down on his head.

"Miroku, she's too old to be Inuyasha and Kagome's child. They've only known each other for two years, she's at least four."

"The young monk has a point." Kaede agreed, "Small children do not just appear. Where did she come from?"

"I found her and brought her with me. And she's an arctic fox hanyou." Kagome said pointedly so that none would press farther for the moment. Unlike Hojo, they got the message. Kagome turned and smiled at the little girl. "Rikka, this is Sango, Miroku, Kaede, and the kitty is Kirara." She pointed to each as she spoke, "They are our friends."

"And if Miroku ever says something strange to you, just let me know." Inuyasha added.

"Give me some credit Inuyasha…"

"No." He said flatly. Inuyasha released Rikka's hand and moved to his usual spot. Kagome took a place next to Sango with Shippou in her lap. Rikka stood where she had been left for a long moment, her thumb still in her mouth though she was no longer sucking on it. Not really knowing or trusting these new humans she made a dash for a place of safety. Inuyasha, who had closed his eyes and let his thoughts drift, jumped when the little girl crawled into his lap. She looked up at him with her thumb in her mouth, her ears perked happily and eyes shining. He sighed and tucked her into a more comfortable position. Kagome was smiling at him again.

With Rikka comfortably in his lap, Inuyasha drifted back into his own thoughts. Something Miroku had said had struck a strange feeling in him. With her ears, hair, and eyes she did look a bit like a mix of Kagome and himself. He liked that thought. That brought him back to what a good father could be. The male provided and protected, he knew that and had tried it. He still wasn't any closer then he'd been a year and half ago.

The sound of a wooden bowl being set in front of him brought him once again from his thoughts. Rikka already had her's and was eating at light speed. He frowned and caught her wrist. She looked up at him was a strange fearful look.

"Slow down before you choke. No one is going to take it away from you." His voice was firm but gentle. At her understanding nod he released her.

Kagome watched from across the room as Rikka began to inhale her food. When Inuyasha stopped the little girl she felt a jolt run through her, it wasn't anger or fear, but something she couldn't quite place. He was frowning, but it wasn't his usual scowl. The only time she had seen that look was when she got hurt. He gave her a firm command, but it was gentle at the same time. She nodded and slowed her pace to just faster then normal. Inuyasha continued to sit and watch her as she finished off her bowl. Then he passed his own bowl to her. That too disappeared in a flurry of chopsticks. She started to look for more when the older demon placed a hand on her head and drew her attention to himself.

"That's enough. There will be more in the morning." She looked doubtful but stopped her search. It didn't take long after that for her to drift off to sleep in the half-demon's lap.

"Why is she such a pig?" Shippou snorted, expressing his opinion with her eating habits now that he wouldn't hurt her feelings.

"You would be too if you didn't know when your next meal would be, brat!" Inuyasha snapped defensively. Shippou turned to Kagome expecting her to scold the half-demon for his rudeness, but found her instead simply nodding and filling another bowl with food. She passed the bowl to Inuyasha, who began to eat in his usual manner.

"If you were hungry, why didn't you eat your own food instead giving it to her." Shippou taunted haughtily. Inuyasha glared over his bowl at the fox demon and growled.

"Shippou that enough." Kagome scolded lightly. Shippou looked up at her in surprise. Normally she didn't interfere with his and Inuyasha's tiffs until it got violent or too loud. But more then anything it was rare she sided with Inuyasha. A glance told him that the half-demon seemed as surprised as he was.

"B-b-but." He stammered.

"You were lucky to find Inuyasha and I so soon after being on your own. Rikka has been alone for a month. There's no telling when the last real meal she had was." Kagome replied gently.

"She's lucky too." Inuyasha snorted softly.

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The next morning Inuyasha moved them out as soon as everyone was fed. They were heading south after a rumor of a shard. The two fox kits ran ahead of the group scouting out trails, before running back to tell the others what they'd found. As the day got towards noon they both started to wind down. When Inuyasha heard Kagome's footsteps falling behind he looked back to find the girl carrying both sleeping children and her backpack. He frowned. With a great leap he was beside her.

"You really are going to throw your back out doing that." He scolded and took Rikka into his own arms.

"Thanks." Kagome replied as she shifted Shippou into both arms. She smiled at him as he positioned the sleeping girl in his arms. She was sucking her thumb again. Her white fox ears twitched occasionally as little sound penetrated her sleep. Inuyasha looked down at her then tucked his wide sleeve around her to shield her from the direct sun of the open field around them. Shippou solved the problem himself by nestling his eyes in the crock of Kagome's neck.

The group stopped for lunch an hour later. Rikka once again inhaled her food, then, to everyone's shock, Inuyasha's Raman. He said nothing, but did look a little sad over the loss. After that he once again told her to stop and she went to play with Shippou. Kagome made him a new potion of his favorite food, which he ate with relish.

"I can't believe you gave her your Raman." Kagome mused.

"She's half starved." He snorted between slurps.

"Yeah, but if I tried to take Raman from you I'd probably bite my hand off." Kagome laughed.

"I would not!" He snapped indignantly, "Besides if you are hungry enough to be taking my food, I'd probably just give it to you." At Kagome's surprised look he sighed, "Fuck, bitch. Don't you know anything? It's the male's job to provide. If their isn't enough to eat he's the one who should go hungry not his mate and pups!" He turned back to his lunch with out another word. It took a full minute for his brain to realize the implications of what he had just said. Sango's giggles and Miroku's whistling filled the air as he blushed. Kagome had suddenly found a place in the trees very interesting.

The awkward silence was suddenly broken by two terrified screams. Rikka and Shippou came racing back into the clearing at full tilt and hid behind Kagome. Inuyasha was on his feet in an instant, Tetsusaiga at the ready. Out of the forest came a large black bear demon. On seeing its quarry, it reared back on its hind legs rising to its full height of ten feet. It brandished its claws and bared its fangs.

"And here I thought I had only found a small snack." The bear growled, "Looks like a few good meals to me."

"Fuck you." Inuyasha growled back. The bear lunged at the older hanyou with its claws raised to strike. It was a mistake. Inuyasha brought the huge sword down in an arch, light flashing from the polished metal. With a heavy splash of blood, the fight was over before it had begun. The bear demon lay on the ground in two halves. Inuyasha scoffed and sheathed his sword.

"Let's get moving." He ordered, "This thing is going to start attracting scavengers soon." He frowned at his spilt Raman before retrieving his bowl and chopsticks. Kagome produced one of her emergency energy bars for him in return for the dinnerware. In five minutes they were on their way.