Hello, I'm finally back with another chapter! Writer's block will die! Oh my goddess, thank you so much for the reviews! Over three hundred fifty! I love you all so much! *Huggles reviewers tighter than she did last chapter* I hope that this chapter is well worth the wait. Sorry that it took so long, but I've had really bad writers block, plus I'm now in college *smiles* But summer is here! It's not too bad. I'll go ahead and say the disclaimer here. I don't own Inu Yasha. Inu Yasha is the property of Rumiko Takahashi. I merely write fanfics about them. And now, on with the chapter!

Chapter Eight

Kagome stood silently, watching Shippou as he talked animatedly about something. He was giggling and dancing about from one leg to the other, his fluffy tail waggling excitedly. Kagome nodded at something he said, only half-listening. Her ears picked up that Inu Yasha was coming towards her. She was right. He walked slowly towards her. She offered him a small smile, but his ears flattened and a pained expression crossed his face. She was brought back, looking down as Shippou spoke up, tugging at Kagome's tail.

"Hey, Kagome, how come you have a tail and ears like Inu Yasha now?" he pointed towards Inu Yasha, who stood frozen stiff nearby, held in place by the small kitsune's words. "And how come you smell different? Are you a demon now…no…you smell like Inu Yasha, only nicer, why is that, huh Kagome? Why?" She looked down at him and smiled weakly.

"I…Shippou…I've changed. I'm still me though, still Kagome." She heard Inu Yasha snort but when she looked up he was gone. She shrugged, leaning over to pick up Shippou, pulling him into her arms. He giggled and kissed her cheek.

"I know, Kagome! You may smell and look different but you're still you!" he echoed her words, nuzzling her cheek, causing her to giggle in response to his exuberance. She looked up, hearing Miroku and Sango approaching. Again she smiled, and thankfully, the pair smiled back, albeit somewhat reluctantly. She had noticed in the days since they had brought her back that they were hesitant to speak to her. They would see her tail and ears and change the subject, or in Inu Yasha's case, leave altogether. It hurt, but she tried to ignore it. Shippou seemed to be the only one who still treated her like she was still herself. But she was herself…wasn't she?

"Hello Sango, Miroku." She smiled faintly to them, her ears twitching slightly as she hugged Shippou to her. Sango smiled warmly, nodding to her. Miroku held back a moment and nodded, following Sango up to her. Kagome swept her eyes over the two of them, as if subconsciously trying to figure out what they were thinking. She nodded slowly in satisfaction with her inner thoughts, noting that they seemed to share a bewildered look between them.

"Hello Kagome…how are you today?" Sango asked cheerfully, smiling at her. Kagome felt herself smile back, nodding faintly, her ears twitching slightly.

"I'm fine, Sango, and yourself? And you Miroku, how are you?" she watched the both, holding back a smile as Shippou played with her ears, batting at them like a kitten would. The kit's antics caused the two humans to laugh, becoming more at ease. Sango bit back her laughter after a moment, smiling.

"I am well, thank you Kagome. She turned to face Miroku who was still chuckling over Shippou's behavior. Shippou had jumped down to bat at her tail.

"They're so soft and cuddly! I like your tail, Kagome, it's pretty!" he rolled over on his back, tugging on it and batting at it. Miroku could help laughing harder now.

"Me too…I'm…I'm fine." He said in between bits of laughter. Kagome was inwardly grateful for the kit's antics, because Sango and Miroku seemed more comfortable now. She let her laughter bubble up as Shippou played with her tail, making up an absurd little song as he went along. The three of them shared a long, much-needed laugh, and she felt…closer again…like they were her friends. 'Maybe…maybe everything is alright…' she thought to herself, smiling at them. She would miss them…when she went back…

Inu Yasha watched them all from a tree nearby, a scowl on his face. His amber eyes took in everything with an indifferent, stoic silence. He flicked an ear, and turned, so that he couldn't see the group, but their laughter still followed him. He sighed, growling faintly. Miyouga hopped up to sit on his shoulder, more than likely about to offer some sage advice as he helped himself to the hanyou's blood, but Inu Yasha never gave him the chance to explain. He slapped the flea, flicking him to the ground with a grunt, staring glumly at the horizon. He again heard the laughter and felt his ears flatten to his skull.

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Sesshoumaru entered his fortress home, smiling faintly. He sighed, one lithe hand reaching up to stroke his tail, an absent gesture. Keen amber eyes search the receiving room silently, waiting to be greeted. He heard a sound and turned to see Rin running at him. She giggled and threw herself at him, hugging his leg. He allowed a faint smile to pass his lips, which turned into a frown as he saw Jaken hobble towards him. His eyes washed coolly over the smaller demons and he stopped himself from sneering. "What is wrong with you, Jaken? Why are you injured so?" Jaken tried to look humbled and wounded.

"My Lord Sesshoumaru! The girl! Your pet hanyou is gone! Jaken tried to warn her but she said "No Jaken, I wants to go for a walk" and she kicked Jaken!" he lied. Sesshoumaru's eyes snapped open to now glare at his wounded henchmen. When he spoke it was in his normal soft tone, but there was an undertone of malice and fury held within.

"Gone? You let my hanyou escape? She just…left one day and never came back?" his voice held disbelief. Jaken nodded, trying to look pitiful. Rin looked at him and stuck her tongue out and he growled at her, before darting a look at Sesshoumaru, reverting to trying to look humble. The youkai Lord looked at him coldly before stalking away, heading towards his room. Jaken shivered, and looked at Rin who stared after him. She looked at Jaken and shrugged slightly, skipping away. Jaken cursed inwardly at the story…Lord Sesshoumaru was mad…and would more than likely take it out on him…

Sesshoumaru sighed, walking into his room. He placed one clawed hand over his temple, massaging his aching head slowly. He had hurried home from his business, only to find his prize pet, his Kagome-hanyou had escaped. He growled softly, moving his hand to again stroke his tail, feeling somewhat soothed by the simple motion. His amber eyes regarded the room silently. The servants had been there and the room was sparse and clean, as he liked it. For a moment, it was if Kagome had never existed there…but then his nose caught it…the faint scent of jasmine, as well as her own natural scent. There was a flash of color and his eyes fell on it…like a little pool of blood on the bed. He went and picked it up…the red kimono Kagome had worn…he moved to pick it up, inhaling her scent, and felt somewhat calmer...but already the scent was fading, there as he held it to him. With a growl he flung it to the bed, watching it collect in a small pool. He said nothing, watching it with cool golden eyes for another moment before moving to look out the window of his chamber. He scowled at the sky, staring beyond the horizon, past the forest that guarded his fortress. Jaken was obviously lying…but why? He wondered absently about it, gripping the lip of the window tightly, almost glaring at the setting sun. He would find her…she couldn't have gotten too far. Tomorrow he would set out to retrieve what was his. Thoughts of Tesusaiga had long ago washed form his mind though oddly enough they resurfaced now, however briefly before he pushed them aside. He would find Kagome…anything after that was left to chance…

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Inu Yasha growled softly as he ran through the forest. Far behind him, he could faintly hear the rest of the group as they followed. He felt his ears flatten and he pressed further away, trying to distance himself more…but he always fell back…he just couldn't abandon them. Something kept him from leaving them. Suddenly there was a flash of black as his side. Kagome grinned at him. He scowled at her, stopping altogether. "Feh…what do you want?" he asked, brushing a lock of silvery white hair back from his face. She glared at him, the smile fading from her face.

"I WAS going to tell you I sensed a jewel shard nearby, but if that's the attitude you're going to take then forget it!" she railed back, turning to leave, heading back towards where she had come. He growled a curse, grabbing at her arm. She turned, baring fangs at him and he stopped, taken aback. She seemed slightly cowed by her own actions, falling back to look at him. "What do you want Inu Yasha?"

"Where is this jewel shard you sensed?" he asked, trying to calm his voice. She looked at him a moment with those unsettling crimson brown eyes and frowned.

"I should say I don't remember, but it was that way." She pointed back down the trail to the left. Inu Yasha nodded slightly and looked at her.

"I'll meet you and the others down the side trail then, I'll try to scout out…" he was put off by her growling. "What is it now?" he asked impatiently.

"I want to help, Inu Yasha! I'm…I'm stronger now! See?!" she gestured to her tail and ears. He allowed his amber eyes to flick over her form then returned to her eyes. Something flashed in his eyes like…regret? Was that what that look was? She couldn't read it. He started to lean closer, and Kagome dimly thought he wanted to kiss her. He seemed to realize what he was doing because he stood, looking at her silently for a moment before speaking.

"Feh. Just because you're a hanyou doesn't mean you're as strong as I am. Stay back with Sango and Miroku while I check it out." He said and disappeared in a flash of white. Kagome felt her ears droop…he didn't accept her…only Shippou seemed to truly care about her, seemed to know she was still the same. She growled, determined to return to Sesshoumaru…at least he acted like he cared…but why had she been trying to impressed Inu Yasha? She slowly walked back to Sango and Miroku, mulling over these thoughts silently, trying to control her feelings…

*Blinks* O_O I updated! Wheeee! *Dances happily* I hope you liked it! Ooo, Sesshoumaru is mad…. *cringes* there will be more SOON as in hopefully before I got back to school on the 26th (second semester college ::shivers:: ) Save me! Ummm, please read and review and tell me what you think. I love you all to death!