Chapter 5

Inu-Yasha and Keroki

Keroki wasn't sure if she could keep up with him, he was going very quickly. She tried to keep him in focus and was barely succeeding when he gave a quick and sharp turn causing her to lose sight of him.

"Well, I still have my nose." She said nodding to her-self. It did not take long to find his scent, it was so familiar to her. She followed it for a half an hour until she came to a small clearing. It was hard to see in the dark but she could barely make him out sitting by the stream.

At first he seemed like a statue and she didn't see him at all, but she knew he was there when she heard him grunt and mumble something that wasn't understandable.

"Inu-Yasha?" she whispered gently. "He spun so quickly she jerked back frightened.

"Keroki?!" he gasped, he had been thinking about her and Kagome for quite some time.

"Inu-Yasha, I know your angry with Kagome, but please don't run of like this… I was afraid you weren't coming back." She said to him so silently he probably wouldn't have been able to hear her without his dog ear's. "I'm coming back," he grunted and then added gently. "But I almost didn't.". "What do you mean you almost didn't?!" said Keroki "What about us? Your friends?" she said to him blushing from her tone. "When I come back I'm not sure I'll forgive Kagome." He whispered turning away and ignoring her question. "Inu-Yasha, what changed your mind and made you come back?" Keroki asked sitting down next to him. He looked at her again. "I…" he began and then stopped. Keroki was looking at him sadly and he didn't know why. Was she taking pity on him? did she think him pitiful? He hoped not. He continued looking at her confused then he thought to him-self. "Maybe she's just showing concern for me, but I hate see her so sad, she's so pretty-" he stopped "Do I like Keroki?" he thought then he shook his head. "Are You okay Inu-Yasha?" Keroki asked putting her hand on his shoulder. A chill ran up his neck a good chill and a nervous one. "I…" he began once again. They continued staring at one another. "You don't need to tell me if you don't want to she said removing her hand from his shoulder.

"I…I knew I would… miss you…The group that is." He said to her. To his surprise he found him-self wishing Keroki would put her hand on his shoulder again. "He would miss us? …Miss me?!" "I'm glad you would miss us, that make's me feel better." She choked out. "Good…" he thought to him-self. A few second's of silence passed slowly by. 'Inu-Yasha?" Keroki asked finally. "Yes Keroki?" he asked quietly. "You seem kind of… sad, do you want me to leave you alone?" she said solemnly while standing up. "No!" he said to her quite loudly and it shocked the girl to hear such eagerness in his voice. He grasped her hand then after a moment or two released it. "I'm mad at Kagome not you." He said calmer this time. "Oh, okay." Keroki said back with a tiny smile that she couldn't hide, she looked at her hand. "Actually," he continued swirling his left index finger in the stream. "I… guess I don't need Kagome… I mean there are other's in the world." He paused the turned to look into the stream which was flowing softly next to them. He seemed to focus on the stream intensely as though thinking hard. Then he turned once again to Keroki staring at her intensely.

Keroki was blushing madly and she knew it this made her feel nervous, but when he said that line her heart seemed to flutter. 'There are other's in the world." Echoed in her head. "Inu-Yasha…" she said silently.

He did not remove his eye's from her. How delicate she seemed right now and how he wished to share the rest of his life with her. He now knew Kikyou and Kagome were not for him. All his thought's of Kikyou, all his care and concern for Kagome seemed to vanish at the site of the beautiful young dog demon before him that he had known for only a few month's or so.

Keroki looked at him and the feeling came over her once more, the feeling she had when ever she set eye's on him and seeing that he cared for her (or so she thought.) made her eye's blaze with happiness and love. She had no thought's of anyone except him at that moment, and she knew she knew what she felt for him was much more then a crush, she loved him, she loved him dearly. She flung her-self into his chest and felt safe and protected.

Inu-Yasha closed his arm's around her gently then hugged her tightly. He wished that moment could last forever as he had wished long ago in Kikyou's tight hug, and yet that seemed to no longer matter.

Keroki began to weep tear's of joy as she hugged him. She knew she could always be around him and keep nothing from him. She wanted to hug him like that for centuries to come. She did not feel like going home at all right then. She wanted to stay with him forever and ever.

When she finally stopped crying she felt happy and content, she no longer blushed but smiled as he slowly stroked her soft, silky hair.

Inu-Yasha no longer cared about returning to the group that night he wanted to stay there as long as possible, so did Keroki.

They pulled apart a little as if to look at one another with adoring eye's, the moon light hit them perfectly and made them feel calm and relaxed. Then slowly Inu-Yasha leaned into Keroki and pressed his lips gently against hers, after a second they stopped and looked at each other once again then resumed kissing much more passionately then before.

The next morning Keroki and Inu-Yasha returned to the group who welcomed them back. Though not often speaking to her Inu-Yasha seemed to have forgiven Kagome and was acting normally again. Kagome avoiding him as much as possible, kept her distance, and stuck close to Hojo who was welcomed to join them for a short while.

Keroki (who now walked next to Inu-Yasha normally) seemed to be enjoying the warmth of the sun and letting it soak into her suddenly stopped. "What is it?" asked Shippo hopping onto her shoulder. "I smell blood… a lot of it!" she replied getting low to the ground to figure out the direction. "There must have been a slaughter… I smell it too." Inu-Yasha announced crouching next to Keroki. "I think it's coming from that direction." Keroki informed them while pointing southwest. They followed her and Inu-Yasha who was now at her side using his nose as well.

They came into a large clearing, several body's had been scattered around carelessly.

"Look! A shikon shard!" cried Shippo running towards it but stopping as if in shock. "Inu-Yasha! There's two demon's over there!" He shouted running to Keroki's protection. They looked and indeed there were two demon's battling for (as they all guessed) a shard of the shikon jewel.

Suddenly Kilala was running towards one of the demon's. "That one Kilala just ran up to look's just like her but differently colored." Sango said to Kagome. "It does except this one's black with green eye's." Kagome said back watching the two demon's shrine. "Remarkable." Miroku added unexpectedly. They all watched as Kilala transformed to her much larger and much more powerful form, and to they're astonishment the other cat creature the same. "They're fighting together! …Against that other creature!" Keroki informed everyone, though it was clear they already knew.

The other creature was a creature something like a weasel or ferret. It had small, white, bird wing's with black tip's. It was dark chocolaty brown with a sand colored belly, a white stripe ran down it from his nose to his lower back. It had golden eye's which were quite lovely.

Kilala and her (so it seemed) new friend lunged at the small flying demon. "They're going to kill him!" thought Keroki.

Just then the other demon was surrounded with a thick green mist and he was not visible for a short time. Then there was a great boom which shocked them all even the two cat's. The mist disappeared and a giant wolf about twice the size of Kilala or the other cat demon appeared.

"That demon is a shape shifter!" Miroku shouted to rest of them. They watched as first the black cat then Kilala leaped onto it's back. It through Kilala off but she seemed unharmed. She ran back immediately and bit wildly at the wolf's neck.

The other cat demon who had been scratching viciously on the wolf's back leaped down and began sinking his teeth into the large creature's front left leg.

After a few minute's the two cat's brought the beast down. The group watched in wonder as the wolf changed back to its regular form, it seemed to have passed out. Kilala and her partner began sniffing around for the jewel shard but could not seem to find it.

Shippo giggled a little. What's are laughing about Inu-Yasha asked him in his usual ruff tone. Shippo handed him the shikon shard. "took it while they were fighting." He told them proudly. "Good job Shippo that was good thinking." Keroki told him while stroking his soft tail. "Thanks" he told her with a smile. Inu-Yasha snorted. "Well, what do you say?" Shippo asked smugly. Inu-Yasha gave a deep sigh. "Good…job Shippo." He said giving the little kitsune a forced pat on the head.

Keroki looked over at the little demon who was probably dead. She set Shippo down and walked over to the tiny thing and picked it up.

She began stroking its soft head. Then unexpectedly it twitched it's then opened it's eye's. It shook his head and looked up at Keroki. She held it up and then began cuddling it while stroking it head and along it's back. It was clear it was a boy. She walked back over to the group.

As soon as she got there Inu-Yasha walked up to her. "I'm going to keep him." Keroki said still cuddling her new friend. "You are? Why?" he asked confused. "Well why not?" she replied. "Well… we don't even know if it's going to live!" he told her. "He will!" she shot back. "What will you call him?" Sango asked walking up to them. Keroki thought about the time her friend Jessica made up a pet falcon for her named Shishou. "I think I'll call him Shishou." She said smiling at the little creature.

It was clear that the other cat demon (who seemed to have developed a fondness for Kilala) was joining their quest too. Kilala's new companion belonged to nobody, they decided to wait until she did to name her.

Keroki thought about her friend Jessica. She should bring Jessica to this world. Jessica had a dream character too, maybe if Keroki brought her here Jessica would become her character Ellie. So it was settled, she would bring Jessica. After all maybe Jessica could try to befriend the new demon.

Chapter 7

The Plan

At Work

The next few days went very well for Keroki, she and Inu-Yasha were extremely close and eventually the whole group found out about their kiss by moon light. That happened to be Shippo's doing, Keroki could not help but tell him. Unfortunately he told Miroku. In the end the whole group except Kagome seemed to be congratulated them. Inu-Yasha was quite annoyed, where as all Keroki could do was blush and give an alarming stare at Shippo.

Keroki thought over her plan to bring Jessica with her. "I should talk to Inu-Yasha about it." She thought to her self.

"Inu-Yasha?" He looked as Keroki walked over to him. "Oh, hi Keroki…what is it?" he asked as she sat down next to him. "Although we don't absolutely need it, we could always use help finding jewel shards or fighting demons right?" She asked him. "I…guess…but I can do that!" He told grabbing hold of her hand. "Oh yes! I'm not saying you can't but,… well I have a friend named Jessica," she continued. "and when ever I come to this world I become my-self as I am now, I want to see if Jessica could possibly do the same." Inu-Yasha blinked blankly. "And she has a tiny crush on…Koga!" He sat up more. "She…WHAT?" he said to her loudly. "Yes, Koga." She said lowering her voice to a whisper. "Bring her! Bring her! This'll be funny!" Said Shippo popping up behind Inu-Yasha causing them to jump. "Shippo! You little whelp!" Inu-Yasha yelled lunging at him. "Stop!…That hurts!" cried Shippo while Inu-Yasha kicked him in the head a few time's.

"Well, what do you say?" Keroki asked hopefully. "I…I guess that's okay if she's Tuff she should be able to keep him tame!" he replied with a small laugh. "Okay, HEY! Can you go get Koga we're around his area right?" she asked. "Yeah, I guess I could send Shippo to get him! But I'm doing this for you!" he told with a faint smile. "All right then! Be right back!" She told him kissing him lightly on the cheek.

"WHAT?! You're going now?!" he said somewhat shocked. "That's right." Keroki replied coolly. "Is there a problem?" "No." he answered back. "All right then be right back!" she said sweetly. "Kimono!" she disappeared.

She showed up in her room. "Wow, it's been a while she thought to her-self and reached for the phone. Even though she told Inu-Yasha she'd be right back she still had to invite Jessie over. Luckily Jessie didn't live too far away and they had already scheduled a sleep over that evening.

The phone rang "Hello?" Jessie said kindly into the phone. "Hi Jess it's me." Deidra said into the phone. "Oh, hi Deidra!" "Hi, why don't you come on over now?" "Alright! I'll ask!" She heard Jessie calling to her mom. "Okay, I can go!" She said back. "Alright! See you in a few, bye! "Bye!" they hung up.

A few minute's later Jessie showed up. "Hi Deidra!" She called over. Deidra grabbed the rest of Jessie's stuff and they went inside. They waited until Jessie's mom left. "Where's your mom?" Jessie asked looking around it was her first time at Deidra's house. She's at the neighbor's having a beer at two or three! They began laughing.

"Okay," Deidra said to Jessie. "This is very privet! You can tell nobody!" she said seriously. "Alright, …what is it?" "KIMONO!" Deidra shouted.

Jessie felt her body Jerk. "What's happening?!" She shouted to Deidra. She was about to scream but held it when she saw forest around her. " D-Deidra? She stammered looking around. "Actually, it's Keroki. Came Deidra's voice. Yet it sounded older, but she knew it belonged to her best friend.

A young dog demon female steeped into clear view in front of her. Jessie let out her scream. "It's alright Jess! It's me!" Jessie starred her. "Deidra?" she whispered in confusion. Keroki nodded. "We're in Inu-Yasha's world!" Jessie paused. "Inu-Yasha's world?!" She thought. "Yeah right! But How have we come to be here? I might as well go along with it, be side's if it is true… I might meet… KOGA! She said Koga's name out loud.

She looked down, she was wearing the black kimono. At her feet there lay an exceptionally large steel staff. "I've become my character!" Keroki smiled at her broadly. "I have an even bigger surprise for you, wait here!" Keroki decipeared and walked back and smiled once again. "What..?" Jessie started then Miroku stepped out from behind a tree, he too was smiling, but wider.

Jessie screamed and practically fell over. But no sooner had she tilted back she began to run over to him "It's…it's Miroku!" Suddenly he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her while stroking her now brawns hair. "Oh crap! I forgot you were a pervert!" She said pushing him away. "Oh by the way Deidra… OH! Keroki! Sorry… Uh where's the other's?" Jessie asked "Not far Keroki replied OH! And guess what?!" "What Jessie asked seeing Keroki's eagerness. "I kissed him!" Keroki squealed "Who?" Jessie asked thinking Keroki was a bit too hyper. "I kissed …INU-YASHA! We're in love!" She exploded on Jessica. "You…What?!" Keroki blushed but smiled wider.

They arrived at the camp where the other's stood around waiting. "Hi guy's! This is Ellie, or in other word's Jessica!" Shippo ran over and leaped onto Ellie's shoulder. "You're the girl who's in love with Koga!" he said "KEROKI!" Ellie yelled at her. She began to snicker then burst into laughter. "Hey! That…That's not funny!" "I'm!…Sorry!" Keroki choked out. It was hard to talk while laughing.

"Wait!" whispered Ellie to Keroki. "Where's Inu-Yasha?"

"Oh! He'll be here soon… with a wonderful surprise for you!" Keroki said elbowing her slightly and winking. Ellie thought about it but couldn't think of what it was.

Just then they heard voice's from the distance. They strained their ear's to here. The voices were getting closer.

"Why are you dragging me here? DOG TURD!" came a voice that Ellie could never forget. "KOGA!" she squealed running in the direction of their voice's.

"Look! My mate! Asked me to bring you here!" came Inu-Yasha's voice. He seemed to be mocking Koga when he said My mate!

"Why? I doubt she knows me!" Koga shouted back. Inu-Yasha snorted. "Well, she say's she may have found a mate for you! Isn't that some good luck for you?!" Koga froze but became quite angry. "Listen you insolent puppy! I don't need any help finding a mate!" Just then Ellie burst into the clearing. Koga stared at her. Even he had to admit she was a sight, her delicate appearance was quite appealing to him.

"See! There's a rare beauty!" he told Inu-Yasha then shouted to Ellie. "Girl! I want you to be my mate!"

Ellie froze confused for the moment. Then meekly but excitedly she called back. "Me?!" Koga sneered "Yes you, now come here so that we may leave!" Just then Keroki too burst into the clearing. She ran over to Inu-Yasha and Koga. "Hey! If you want to get with her, you're staying with us!" Keroki told him sternly. Koga turned to Inu-yasha. "How strange, another half breed dog demon! I take it this is your mate?" Inu-yasha became red in the face. "YES! She is my mate!" he mumbled angrily. "Ah… well, I will not be staying with you low life mongrel's! However, I shall take my woman and leave!" Before they could grab him he leaped over to Ellie and tried to pick her up. "Hold it!" she screamed at him. He didn't seem to be listening, he continued trying to fling her over his shoulder. Ellie saw her claws on her hand. She slashed him upside the head making him stagger back in shock.

"Quit resisting! You will be my mate!" he shouted at her gruffly. "Not with that attitude I won't!" she told with a sneer. He tried to pick her up again but she kicked him in the stomach causing him to fall over. She sat on him. "If you want me to be your mate you're staying with us "Low life mongrel's" got it?!" She asked him mockingly.

He squirmed but she had him tightly. Keroki and Inu-Yasha watched with satisfaction.

"Alright! Alright already! I'll… stay!" he told her. "That's better!" Ellie told him helping him to his feet.

Chapter 8

Wolf Princess!

As far as she knew Ellie was the only one awake that night. Keroki had explained to her that no time passed in their world. She kept thinking about Koga, did she really meet him? Was she really there? YES! She looked over at Koga "who had insisted on sleeping next to her that night for protection" only to see that he was awake.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked her sitting up. "Oh.., nothing, it's just that… well… I never really expected to come her." "Is it scary?" he asked. "No.., well…yes a little." "I guess it would be… um, have you decided on whether or not to be my mate yet?" he asked looking into her light sky blue eye's. "Oh Koga, I, well I…yes?" she whispered meekly. He reached over and wrapped his arm around her. She started cautiously leaning into him but suddenly felt comfortable, she leaned fully against him. He kissed her lightly on the lip's then leaned back. They fell asleep against the tree trunk…