Orphan

By Ryouga's best friend

Though the demon had been slain and the girl reviled innocent Shippo couldn't help but notice the continuing hostility toward her. By the time she had finally calmed people had gone back to their business… not one came to see to her injuries or welfare. She slowly released him from her death grip and tried to regain her composure. "I'm sorry, grabbing you like that," she apologized in a horse voice her cheeks flaring red. He merely smiled, much to her surprise.

"There's no reason to apologize," he extended his hand. "I'm Shippo," his bouncy, cheerful demeanor made her feel at ease. She slowly took it.

"I'm Miko," she said finally looking the boy over. He was a little shorter than her with pointy ears and a big fluffy… "You have a tail?!" She sounded more confused than shocked. He glanced back at it and smiled again.

"Yeah, I'm a fox," it was obvious by his tone he was very proud of that fact. She nodded and continued to stare at it as it swished this way and that. It looks so soft… she thought wistfully.

"Could I… touch it?" she flushed a bit embarrassed that she had actually asked, Shippo was now the puzzled one.

"Well sure, if you wanna," he shrugged a bit unsure he should have let her. Though when he saw her smile he found he didn't really mind. She tentatively reached out and stroked it a couple of time. He had to admit it felt kind of good and was a bit disappointed when she stopped.

"It's very soft," unsure if that was a compliment or a statement, but he decided to take it as a compliment.

"Um, Thanks."

"Isn't that sweet," one of the village children mocked to several of his friends. "The freaks are making nice." Miko looked to the ground as Shippo glared at them defiantly, both blushing slightly. One of the others turned back to his friends.

"Looks like you made the little one mad." They all laughed. Shippo stood protectively in front of Miko and surrounded both of them in the eerie blue flame of fox fire. The boys lost their nerve and left at a quickened pace. The flame dispersed and he fell into a sitting position breathing a little harder then before.

"What's their problem?" he grumbled a bit, Miko remained quiet leaving his query unanswered. The silence was broken by the return of the others. As Inuyasha and co. approached Shippo felt Miko grip his shoulder. "You don't have to be afraid they're my friends," he assured her with a light blush. He called them over. "Miko, this is Kagome, Sango, Miroku, and Inuyasha," he introduced them. The girl returned the greeting but didn't move from her place behind the fox boy.

"The girl seems well enough," Inuyasha said returning his sword to its sheath. "Let's head back to the village."

"Inuyasha," Kagome berated. "She's still injured."

"The girl's parents can take it from here, it's none of our business." Before the argument could begin Miko reluctantly spoke up.

"I..I don't have any parents…they died," she stated sadly. Her admittance left the others in silence, Shippo felt a stab in his heart. It reminded him of his dead parents. He unknowingly placed his hand over hers which was still sitting on his shoulder. Receiving a small smile from her.

"Well, I guess we could bring her back to her house," he permitted crossing his arms. Inuyasha's tough guy persona had cracked slightly as Kagome looked saddened as well.

"Inuyasha?" she stated in surprise. She smiled, he could be such a softie when he wanted to. Sango kneeled next to the girl.

"Would you like us to walk you home?" she asked softly. Miko's eyes brightened at the question. She looked to each of the people and seemed genuinely nice.

"O-okay"

* * * * *

So the group set off through the town. The townspeople barely acknowledged their existence, save to get out of their way. They hadn't received a 'thank you' or even a 'hello' from anyone since Naraku's minion had been vanquished. It was very strange, especially to Miroku. He knew from experience that people who hated demons as much as this town seemed to would at least offer some amount of thanks for defeating a demon who had been manipulating them… unless. "Hmmm…" the monk voiced thoughtfully.

"Something on your mind Monk?" Inuyasha asked as he slowed his pace to be next to him, hefting the bicycle and bag on one shoulder.

"Just a theory is all…" he replied dubiously.

"Theory?"

"Haven't you noticed how cold the villagers are?"

"What, no woman offering to bare your child?" the half demon snorted. Miroku leveled a serious look toward his companion. Inuyasha acknowledged the look and sighed. "Yeah, it's hard to ignore the smell of hostility from them."

"I wonder…"

"So this is your house?" Kagome's voice interrupted the pair's thought process. They had traveled outside of town to a moderate hut by the tree-line. Miko nodded opening up the door.

"Please, come in." The hut was neat, tidy, and organized. There were an abundance of shelves covering the walls full of jars and flasks. Toward the right wall sat a desk with two books and quill pen with a vial of ink. On the ground in left corner was a single futon and blanket.

"You live here by yourself?" Sango asked, Miko nodded.

"My father died of illness when I was just a baby so I lived here with my mother until she was killed two years ago…" She explained calmly as she painfully sat down on her futon. "Ever since then I've lived here alone." Miroku, who took a seat across the room, decided to test his theory.

"Why didn't you move in with the villagers?" his face baring a serious expression. Miko didn't bother hiding a wince at that question.

"Because I'm different," her voice was calm but her eyes flashed pain and bitterness.

"Different?"

"I have these…" She paused to think of the proper word, "powers." The monk nodded for her to continue. "My mother had magic that gave her minor control of nature, which I inherited. The villagers called us witches, claiming we summoned demons and used us as scapegoats for all their problems. Usually they ignored me, like we didn't exist… but recently children started coming out here to harass me and then the adults came and dragged out saying I killed their children." she choked up with emotion, unable to go any further. Miroku allowed himself a quiet moment of reflection as he added this new information to his thoughts. Sango, who had taking a seat next to the girl to help Kagome clean and bandage her wounds, shook her head in disgust.

"Some people can be so ignorant."

"Wait a minute," Inuyasha spoke up. "If you have nature magic why didn't ya put the fire out yerself?" Miko winced a bit at her stinging wounds.

"Well my mother never got to train me so I've been teaching myself… but I don't think I'm doing it right. Just putting out a small fire is exhausting," she stated before her eyes darkened. "Even if I could put it out it would just prove them right. That I'm some evil witch" she stiffened suddenly. "What if they come back again?! I don't want them to hurt me" her eyes tearing up with fear and sadness.

"Don't cry again Miko," Shippo pleaded. "We'll stay here tonight, right Kagome?" The girl from the future nodded as she finished the last bandage.

"Oh no you don't," Inuyasha spoke up. "We've spent enough time babysittin' the damn girl as is, we should head ho-"

"SIT!" The half demon was interrupted when his face met Miko's wooden floor. Shippo looked smug, Miko was in awe, both Miroku and Sango shared a bored glance. Inuyasha muffled cursing was ignored by the irate teen who turned the fox boy. "Of course we'll stay," she looked over to the younger girl who was still staring wide eyed at the half demon stuck magically to her floor. "If its okay with Miko." she added unable to hide to amused expression on her face. It took her a moment to realize the question had been directed to her.

"Uh, s-sure," she stuttered a bit. "I'd like that…" Inuyasha finally managed broke through the spell and jumped to his feet.

"Now wait just a second!"

"Sorry Inuyasha it's already been decided," Kagome answered without turning to the fuming half demon. After a tense second of glaring at her back he gave up.

"Fine… but tomorrow were gone."

"Thank you" Kagome said smiling sweetly.

"Like I had a choice," he muttered to himself as he went outside. Miko drooped her head.

"Is Mr. Inuyasha mad because your staying with me?" The four remaining inside were hard pressed not to laugh at anyone referring to him as 'Mr. Inuyasha'. Shippo scurried up to her with a big smile.

"Ah, don't mind Inuyasha. He's just actin' tough."

"I CAN hear you ya know," Inuyasha's unamused voice echoed from outside.

A/N- Well this Is all I have for the moment, If you guys want me to continue please review and help me make it better. It might be quite a while for the next part none the less. A special thanks to "The Spiked Dragon" for being the first and only reviewer so far. YOU ROCK!